Violet was indignant.She had traveled back from overseas, expecting to use her connection to Juan to rake in some money in Seamar City.But barely two days after her arrival, she had been unceremoniously dismissed by Juan right in front of those bodyguards.Fuming at the thought, Violet pounded her fists harder as she lamented, "Melody, you've got to stand up for me."Melody rubbed her temples. "You're useless."She had assumed that after all those years abroad, Violet would have gained some experience.Still, Debra had outsmarted and disgraced Violet."Melody," Violet whined, hoping to elicit some sympathy.Melody cut her off. "Say no more. Since you couldn't bring her back, someone else will.""Someone else?" Violet was puzzled.Just then, the sound of the doorbell echoed through the grand hallway.At Melody's signal, Sophie went to open the door. In stepped Shelia, looking radiant in a champagne-colored bodycon dress, pearl earrings, and a massive diamond ring."Long ti
Violet felt increasingly uncomfortable as she watched Shelia and Melody interact so intimately. After exchanging pleasantries, Melody glanced at her and asked, "Why are you still standing there?""I..." Violet felt humiliated, unsure how to respond.Melody waved her hand dismissively. "You can go now. I need to have a private conversation with Jade.""But..." Violet wanted to protest, but Melody's tone left no room for negotiation.Sensing the shift in the room, Shelia smiled and said, "It seems Mrs. Sosa has something important to discuss with you. Maybe I should come back another time?"Melody didn't answer. Violet, catching the unspoken cue, quickly interjected, "It's nothing important. I've got something at home. I'll leave now."Before leaving, she sneaked one more glance at the ring on Shelia's finger.If her memory served her right, the ring was the Nichols family's heirloom.She couldn't help but wonder if Melody wanted Juan and Shelia to get married again. That meant
Edward walked over to Juan and greeted him politely, "Mr. Nichols, I'm Edward, one of the artists with the Nichols Group."Edward was a sunny, bright young man. Juan merely nodded at him in acknowledgment, offering little in the way of conversation.The other couples stood nearby. One pair was a once-famous couple in the industry.Axel Decker was a veteran actor in his fifties, and his ex-wife, Emilee Carlson, was a goddess of her time."Well, if it isn't our legendary boss-man."A sultry voice called out from behind. Everyone turned, their faces filled with thinly veiled disdain.The owner of the voice was Wendy Black, a once-popular actress. She wore a revealing dress and sported heavy makeup. Her features were striking, a mix of classic beauty and a hint of foreign ancestry, thanks to her foreign father.Wendy had once ruled the entertainment world with her bold style and stunning looks. Her husband was upset about her style and eventually divorced her.Debra recalled Wendy'
"I guess that's why we are here," Debra replied.Her directness sparked a flurry of comments online.[Dang. Did she just drop that truth bomb without a second thought?][She's so honest. Wait for her to leak more.][Is it just me, or does Megan seem a little sneaky?]...Debra's straightforwardness instantly won her more fans.Megan asked again, "Why? Is it because of those photos?"The cameras zoomed in on her, causing an uproar online.[Girl. You just went there, huh?][I wouldn't be that bold.][Spill the tea. We all wanna know the juicy details.]...The director watched in amazement as the viewer count skyrocketed. It seemed like everyone was tuning in to hear the gossip."That man in the photos? He's my boyfriend," Debra replied.The internet went wild.[Wait! Did she just say boyfriend? Not a gigolo?][This is the kind of drama I live for. This just got way more interesting.][Uh, did anyone notice Juan's face? Man looks like he's about to explode.]...Megan
After a quick round of introductions, everyone was thrown into the first challenge. They were to venture into an untouched part of the island, a region chosen specifically by the show.The production team had set up safe zones and handed out survival wristbands to each participant to ensure their safety.Debra stared at the smart wristband in her hand and asked Juan, "Do you know how to use this?""Designed for adventures, it's durable and of great quality," he replied."Do you know how to use it?" She repeated, too embarrassed to admit she was clueless when it came to gadgets like these.Juan pointed to the buttons. "This one's for an SOS signal. That's your location tracker. These show directions, and here's the flashlight."She nodded, making mental notes of everything.At a loss, Megan muttered, "Edward, do you know how to use this?""Nope," he confessed, scratching his head.Megan threw him a frustrated look. "Ugh, you're useless."In contrast, the other two pairs were s
At the villa, Marion sat in the study room, watching the live stream on his computer. Randy was lounging nearby, munching on sunflower seeds."Seriously, island survival? That's ancient. Are they really doing this? Is Andrew losing his touch? I mean, Debra is straying from stardom," he grumbled."I don't know," Marion replied, staring at the screen.The live feed showed Debra and Juan heading deeper into the jungle. The terrain was unforgiving. Trees and thick brush made it hard to see the path ahead.Suddenly, Debra lost her footing. "Ah."Juan immediately grabbed her wrist, pulling her back upright."You okay?""Yeah."She pulled her hand away and continued her way forward.The live chat went wild.[Why am I feeling things? Flipping.][Who could say no to a rich, handsome CEO?][I'm shipping Debra and Juan so hard right now.][Forget that gigolo. Debra needs to be with Juan. He's cold on the outside, but you just know he's warm on the inside.]...Marion's expression d
He needed to make sure Debra was safe.Just then, the butler burst into the room, panic written all over his face. "Mr. Houston, Mr. Osborne, something's happened."He rarely lost his cool like this, and Marion could sense the gravity of the situation. He immediately rose to his feet and headed toward Andrew's study.Inside, Andrew looked grim. As soon as Marion entered, he said, "Call your people. Have them here immediately.""What happened?""Drake has arrived."The tension in the room skyrocketed."What the hell is he doing here?" Randy asked, frowning deeply."I underestimated how much a pull Debra has on Drake. He's treating her like his next prey. The production team said they spotted two men, carrying backpacks, heading into the restricted area," Andrew replied.Marion's fury flared. "If you knew something was off, why didn't you stop them?""The production team didn't realize there was a problem. That area is usually off-limits to anyone, and they only purchase the ri
"No, it doesn't," the cameraman stammered, conflicted as he glanced at the lens.What none of them realized was that the camera had already switched over, and their conversation had been broadcast live to the whole audience.[Report: we have a couple not trying hard enough in this competition.][LOL, everyone else is playing seriously, and then there's the Debra-Juan duo trying to bend the rules.][Why am I finding Juan so attractive right now? Like, who cares about winning? His girl comes first.]...Debra could barely manage a smile now. She could imagine what kind of storm was brewing online because of their exchange. She just hoped Marion wouldn't see this.As time ticked by, the weather began to change.Debra glanced at the sky. "Is it about to rain?""Looks like it," Juan replied as he dug into his backpack, pulling out a simple raincoat, prepared in advance by the production team."Put this on," he said, handing it to Debra."Wait, what about you?" she asked, noticing
"Let him go. Whoever contacted him will likely do so again," Debra said, turning to Robert. "You're still in touch, right? Next time they reach out, I want to know the time and place of your meeting. If it's online, I want a recording. Any objections?"Robert glanced up at Debra, realizing that she intended to use him as bait. She was smart enough to figure out their contact mode."Alright, I'll do it, but I have one condition.""You have no leverage here. Your lives are in my hands."Debra never went easy on her enemies. If she did, it was only because they were still useful.Robert struggled to his feet and knelt before her. "Mrs. Houston, please grant my wish. In return, I'll do anything for you."The room fell silent. Everyone was stunned.The scene reminded Debra of her capture by Drake. He had asked her if she wanted dignity or life. She had chosen dignity.But later, she realized that for people like Drake and Robert, dignity was a luxury. They only sought it when surviv
As soon as Marion stepped into the room, he saw Debra with a head injury. His brows furrowed, and the next second, he kicked Robert hard in the knee.The pain caused Robert to kneel on the floor.Marion grabbed a baton from one of his men and was about to strike when Randy rushed forward to stop him.Randy exclaimed, "You can't use that. He'll die."The baton hung high in the air, showing Marion's desire to kill. But at Randy's words, he put it down and handed it over to Debra."He's all yours. Do whatever you want to vent your anger," he said.Without hesitation, Debra took the baton and walked behind Robert. It swung down on his head, and blood streamed.Theda cried out, "We had a deal.""Yes, we did," Debra replied, dropping the baton to the ground. "We also agreed that it was fine as long as I didn't kill him. I've been merciful enough."Robert was still conscious, but the injury was heavy.Theda walked to his side. "To the victor go the spoils. We've lost. I just want to
The impact was brutal, sending Robert reeling backward.Marion said, "To be honest, I can't beat you in a fair fight. Too bad, you don't know how to use your brain."Robert was reeling from the pain, unable to utter a sound.Marion turned to his men. "Cuff him and take him back in the trunk."His men quickly restrained Robert....At the Potter Mansion, Erica looked at Debra's head injury.She huffed, "Robert went too far. We need to teach him a lesson."Randy reassured her, "Don't worry. Marion probably has beaten him to a pulp."Erica turned to look at Theda, who had been silent the entire time."It was your order, wasn't it?" she snapped. "Debra showed you mercy, but you kidnapped her. How low can you get?"Theda shrugged. "It was. What are you going to do about it?"Erica was enraged, ready to strike. Debra chimed in, "It wasn't her.""Come on. I know you're kind, but we don't have to be soft on her. People like her stab others in the back.""It really wasn't her.""
"Because here..." Marion continued, tapping his temple, "you're not as good as me."Robert's sharp instincts quickly picked up on something unusual. The area around the courtyard had been surrounded. Given the footsteps, he could roughly tell their number. There were at least a hundred people.He couldn't believe Marion had mobilized such a force just to rescue Debra."As I said," Robert continued, "as long as I'm here, no one gets through."His eyes glinted with cold determination."Sir, we've found Mrs. Houston and Ms. Buchan," someone reported.Robert snorted, "That's impossible. Stop bluffing.""They're in the basement of the Buchan Mansion," Marion smirked. "You like playing tricks, and I play along. Truth be told, I came here for you."Robert was still holding the detonator, but it was no longer a threat.Marion had figured out the game. At first, they hadn't found Debra and Theda in the basement because Robert had moved them. Later, when they were gone, Robert brought t
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.