Debra yelped as the hot pot burned her hand. The sharp pain made her gasp, and she quickly grabbed her earlobes to cool down."What happened?"Juan rushed into the kitchen, immediately noticing her hand. Without hesitation, he took hold of it and pulled her over to the sink to run it under cold water.She glanced at Juan and then down at his hand.Realizing how forward he'd been, Juan awkwardly let go."Uh, you can take care of it."Debra continued rinsing her hand, unfazed by his sudden withdrawal.Juan, still flustered, said, "I'll get you some ointment."He hurried out of the kitchen, heading to the living room in search of a first aid kit.From the kitchen, Debra called out, "If you can't find it, don't worry about it."As expected, there wasn't any burn cream in the kit. Juan frowned, but Debra wasn't bothered.She walked back into the kitchen, grabbed a tube of toothpaste, and began applying it to the burn. Juan reentered the room just in time to see it."What are you
The sky had darkened, and Juan suggested that Debra go upstairs to rest.After an hour of rest, she came back down, only to find several dishes on the table that hadn't been there before."What's all this?" she asked, puzzled."Try it and see if it's good," he said.In an apron, Juan looked every bit the domestic chef.Debra sat down and looked at the dishes. "Fish, beef, and turkey? You made these?"Juan coughed awkwardly, his gaze flicking toward the nearby trash can. Following his gaze, Debra saw the trash can filled with burnt food."You made all of this?" Debra asked, her smile fading."I'm not quite good at cooking," Juan admitted, looking embarrassed."Well then, just stay away and don't waste food.""Got it."Looking at the table full of food, Debra suddenly lost her appetite. After a busy afternoon, the only thing she had made was the beef stew. The rest were takeouts, and they had been sitting out for a while, turning cold.They barely touched the dinner before st
Juan was surprised that Debra knew his favorite movie.Debra remained completely unaware of his sudden change in demeanor. She casually selected the movie and pressed play. When she turned to glance at him, their eyes met, and his suspicion was plain as day.It suddenly dawned on her. That was something Juan had mentioned before her rebirth.She remembered clearly. Before her rebirth, on their first wedding anniversary, Melody had been pushing them to get closer. She had demanded they go on a date to the movies.Debra had been thrilled. She asked what movie he wanted to watch, and he had casually mentioned 'Absurd World'. It had just come out back then. That night, after the movie, he had smiled at her for the first time while leaving the theater, saying it was a good film.But after her rebirth, Juan had never mentioned his favorite movie.Seeing the skepticism in his eyes, Debra quickly explained, "I remember Joe mentioning once that you liked this movie, so I figured I'd give
Juan replied honestly, "I didn't plan this.""Figured. You're not exactly the romantic type," she said, a rare smile softening her face as she continued watching the fireworks show. It went on for a good ten minutes, and her mood shifted. "Wow, the production team really knows how to burn money."From their courtyard, the display above looked like something out of a movie. It was stunning, almost surreal.At first, Debra was captivated by the dazzling display, but after ten minutes, her excitement began to wane. She rubbed her ears, silently calculating how much this extravagance must have cost.'Ten thousand, 20 thousand, 30 thousand...' she mentally counted.By the time the fireworks finally fizzled out, nearly 15 minutes had passed. It was a solid million-dollar fireworks show. The show had gotten a bigger budget than she thought.Juan turned to her and asked, "Did you like it?"Debra considered it seriously before replying, "I liked it at first. Now? Not so much."She tur
The sunlight filtered through the half-drawn curtains, casting a warm glow on the bedroom floor.Debra rubbed her eyes and sat up in bed, her long hair slightly messy. Her bare face still had traces of sleep.Her phone's ringtone woke her up. She picked it up and saw a task notification from the production team, instructing her and Juan to meet at the beach by eight o'clock.Debra got out of bed and walked to her closet, choosing a simple white T-shirt and jeans. Her figure made even the most ordinary clothes look stylish.Downstairs, Juan was already dressed and waiting in the living room. He wore a dark shirt with the collar slightly open, looking casual yet elegant.When they saw each other, both were visibly surprised.Juan had never seen Debra dressed so casually. Her natural look didn't make her appear haggard; instead, it added a touch of purity, making her seem like an angel who had accidentally wandered into the mortal world."Morning," Debra said.She noticed the came
"Wait, the cameraman..." Debra said."Forget about him," Juan responded.Debra was baffled. "Where did you get the money?"Since the first day of filming the show, their phones had been handed in. The only phone Juan had now was issued by the production team, and it only had a few emergency contacts."This car is owned by my family. We don't need to pay."His explanation sent Debra into a deep spiral of thought. 'Since when did the Nichols family have anything to do with taxi service?'Not long after, the taxi pulled up to the beach. The moment it arrived, the production team members stared, bewildered.The director hurried forward, confused. "Did we send a car for them?""Nope."Debra and Juan stepped out, one after the other, onto the sand.The director ruffled his hair. 'Why aren't these two following the rules of the show?'"Where's the camera guy following them?""He called in. Said he lost them. He won't be here for another thirty minutes."The director rubbed his
"Man, it's barely 8 AM. Please, just let me sleep." Randy groaned.He had been up all night, trailing after Marion to this remote island. The moment they'd arrived, Marion had made him rent a car for a whole month and now had dragged him to this desolate beach to spy on the filming.If it weren't for the fact that Marion was his best friend, Randy would've bailed long ago. This wasn't his idea of fun.He muttered under his breath, "I swear, even secret agents don't have to do this much.""Let's just watch a little longer," Marion said, peering through the binoculars.His attention focused on the small fishing boat where Debra and Juan were boarding."Go buy a fishing boat.""What?"Randy practically jumped out of his seat. 'We're out of nowhere. Where am I supposed to get a boat?'This place was a bit too rustic for his taste. Wealthy men like him usually didn't come to places like this for romance. The location, the accommodations, and even the rented car sucked.He sighed,
"A lobster? Three pounds?"Debra walked closer, spotting other massive sea creatures. "A ten-pound king crab and turbot?"Juan chimed in, "Crayfish and snow crabs too."Debra was dumbfounded. Even though this place was rich in sea creatures, it couldn't possibly offer this much bounty from other areas or countries.She glanced over at the cameraman for an answer. If it was the production team who arranged this, they were treating the audience like fools.The cameraman quickly shook his head. They didn't have that kind of budget. Even the director was on tight means.Then again, since the seafood had already been caught, they couldn't just toss it back into the ocean.Only a fool would pass up free stuff. They might as well take it.Juan started surveying the surroundings. Soon, his eyes locked on a fishing boat.He wrinkled his brow and said to the fisherman, "Take us back."It was a fruitful trip for Debra and Juan, but the production team was left in deep thought as they watched the
Debra felt dizzy. "Why are you telling me this?""Because you and I are alike," Theda replied. "Despite our differences, I envy your life. I know Robert can't beat Marion. If Robert fails tonight, I beg you to show mercy and spare his life.""He didn't show any mercy when he hit me. Why should I spare him?""We're all businesspeople. Name your price. If it's within my power, I'll do it. Just spare his life.""Fine, remember your promise. I'll spare his life, but I need to hit back.""Deal. Just don't kill him."In the courtyard, Robert opened a can of cat food and fed the stray kittens. They seemed familiar with him, purring and rubbing against his hand.Robert smiled, but his expression changed as he heard a noise outside. The kittens arched their backs, hissing at the disturbance.Robert patted their heads. "Go on. Don't get hurt."But the kittens refused to leave, licking their paws and sitting behind him.Robert didn't chase them away. He waited until Marion and his men a
"She can't take your call right now," Marion replied.Drake shot up from the sofa. "What do you mean by that?""Robert took her.""Robert?"Marion hung up the phone and headed straight to the courtyard where Robert used to live.Kale came into the hotel suite with a cup. "Boss, what would you like for dinner?"Drake muttered with a heavy tone, "Debra is taken by Robert."Kale froze, wondering about Robert's motives.Drake took a deep breath. He had warned Debra before, but she wouldn't listen. Now the situation was grave.He knew Robert all too well. The man was a cold-blooded killing machine, dealing with anyone who posed threats to Theda."Get the car. Search the entire city. Find Robert.""But this is not Orkgate. Our people operate in the shadows here. If Marion's men discover them, all our efforts over the years will be wasted.""I said, find him. No excuses. Get moving."Drake was irritated. He had always known Debra would cause trouble for him, but he hadn't expecte
"Kidnapped? Really?" Erica muttered."It's got to be fake," Randy replied. "This is Seamar City. Who would dare kidnap Debra right under Marion's nose? Unless they have a death wish."Erica nodded thoughtfully. "You're right."But then she realized something was off. "Wait. You left out Robert, that desperado who doesn't care about consequences. Debra went out to meet Theda.""Damn! How could I forget him?" Randy panicked. "What do we do? I'll gather people and head to Buchan Mansion.""We're running out of time," Erica said urgently. "Hurry up and call Marion."She whipped out her phone and started making calls. Randy started rallying people too....Meanwhile, Garland and Liza had just landed and were eagerly entering the Potter Mansion with their luggage in tow."Guys, I am back!" Garland laughed, hands on his hips.Liza tilted her head. "Where is everyone? Why isn't anyone here to welcome us?""Yeah. Why is the living room empty?" Garland wondered.Suddenly, two figures
"I don't care. I'll make them return everything to you," Robert said.Theda was at a loss for words. She stepped forward and propped up the unconscious Debra.She said, "The shares don't matter to me at all. You didn't have to go this far. The situation in Seamar City is treacherous. I overestimated myself. We should take Debra back to them and end everything."She reached for her phone to call Andrew, but Robert grabbed her wrist."What are you doing?" she sulked. "I've decided to stop fighting them. What you're doing is pointless and dangerous.""It's not pointless," Robert said firmly. "I don't want to see you lose. To me, you'll never lose to anyone."Without waiting for her response, he carried her over his shoulder and pocketed her phone."This is all my idea," he said. "Even if I fail, it has nothing to do with you. I've cut the phone lines in the house and locked the front door. Without the password, you can't leave. Just stay here and wait for my good news. I'll get the
"It's simple. The Nichols Group's shareholders aren't clean either. Drake has dirt on them, so they have to do what he says."Theda laughed, understanding the whole thing. That explained why the mention of Drake's name alone had influenced those shareholders' decisions during the last meeting. It was because Drake had their secrets."Alright, I lost fair and square. Actually, I hold no personal grudge against you. That's why I warned you that getting those shares wouldn't be good for you. The person behind this wouldn't let you go.""You know who's behind this, don't you?""Even if I do, we're destined to be enemies. I lost to you, but next time, someone even more formidable will come after you. You won't be so lucky then."Theda poured Debra a cup of tea and continued, "We're alike. We've both been through things others can't understand. You're lucky, with so many people around you, helping you, but the path ahead is harder for you. Not something enviable."Debra didn't get it.
In the afternoon, Debra showed up at the Buchan Mansion.Sitting across from Theda, she sipped on her tea. "The tea has been ready for a while. You knew I would come.""Let's just cut to the chase," Theda said. "It's your setup, isn't it? The termination of the partnership and the sale of Buchan Entertainment at a low price. Now everyone knows that the Buchan family and the Nichols family have severed ties. Since it's my mistake, people will force me to step down."She observed Debra's expression and continued, "You're even sharper than I expected. I mean, who would have thought a pampered lady like you could orchestrate such a complex scheme and predict the outcome so accurately?""You flatter me," Debra replied. "Your solitary nature must have been formed when you were sent to the countryside as a child, and your strained relations with your family were easy to deduce. People act out of self-interest. You cause them financial losses, and they demand paybacks. Now here we are, sit
Theda sneered in response.Everything she had done for the Buchan family had earned them enough money to last generations, but now, they were biting the hand that fed them.Robert stood up, and the sight of him made everyone visibly afraid.Theda noticed his stern expression and grabbed his arm. "Sit down."Robert frowned, unwilling to back down. These people had no right to treat Theda this way."I said, sit down," Theda repeated, stressing her tone.Robert finally withdrew his murderous gaze.Joanne scoffed, "Seriously, Theda, you should find a normal secretary. We don't know where you picked him up, but he's a time bomb. You don't want him to bring trouble to our family.""That's my business. Stay out of it," Theda countered. "As for the lost money, I will figure out a way to make it up. You don't need to worry. Now you can leave. My dogs don't like outsiders here."Joanne was annoyed, but since Theda promised to pay back the money, she relented a bit."If you're going to
Theda frowned at the news. "What's the panic? I'm busy here. Tell them I won't see them."But then, a voice came from the doorway."We came all the way from Wrastow City to see you. It's a bit disrespectful to dismiss us like this, don't you think?"The voice carried a tone of arrogance and provocation. Theda turned to see a well-dressed woman in her thirties, adorned with jewelry.Her expression remained calm as she said, "Oh, it's you, Joanne. But you're not even part of the Buchan family. What brings you here?""It's not her who wants to see you. It's us," said the major shareholder of the Buchan Group, emerging from behind Joanne Tarrant.Following him were other core family members, all wearing expressions of anger."You said you wanted to expand into Seamar City and have used a massive amount of our resources. But now, not only have you failed, you've lost the Nichols Group as a partner. How can we not be upset?""Exactly. We came all this way to demand an explanation."
Debra took the medicine and band-aids, but the atmosphere in the living room suddenly felt awkward."I'm going upstairs.""Can you put it on by yourself?""Yes.""Let me see you do it."Debra cleared her throat, determined to prove she could do it. She sat down on the sofa, opened the medicine, and sprinkled it on her wound. But since her right hand was injured, using her left hand was tricky, and some of the powder spilled.With the medicine on her wound, she couldn't move her right hand at all. The band-aid lay untouched on the table. Opening a band-aid one-handed was harder than she thought."I rushed it," Debra said, trying to save face. "If I had opened the band-aid first..."Before she could finish, Andrew had already opened the band-aid and carefully applied it to her finger. His movements were gentle and precise."Do you know where Marion went?""Probably went to find someone who knows the identity of the mastermind.""Robert?" Debra was surprised.She wondered if h