Debra chuckled to herself.It appeared Shelia hadn't changed after all. She was still as arrogant as before.People like her, who flaunted their rise, usually had the hardest falls.In the underground parking lot, Marion had just stepped out of his car. He popped a lollipop into his mouth when a pair of hands covered his eyes from behind."Quit messing around.""How did you know it was me?"Marion grabbed her hand, a smirk playing on his lips."Even with my eyes closed, I know it's you.""I heard you never let anyone sneak up on you from behind.""That's true.""I've got some bad news."Debra turned serious, recounting everything that Ben had just shared with her, watching as a deep frown formed on Marion's face.She reached out, smoothing his furrowed brow with her thumb."What's with the face? I'm not even that upset, but you seem more worried than I am.""It's my fault. I thought Ben and Michael could handle it."Debra linked her arm with his, offering a reassuring sm
Neither Debra nor Marion had brought the necessary papers.On the way back, Marion's face remained dark and brooding.Debra stole a few glances at him. "You didn't know you needed identification documents to get married?"Marion shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "I didn't have any experience."If he had known earlier that getting married required certain documents, he would have carried them with him every day.Debra couldn't suppress her laughter. It bubbled out of her, filling the car with a light, airy sound that contrasted sharply with Marion's mood.Perhaps feeling stung by her laughter, Marion suddenly turned the car around.Shocked, Debra grasped the door handle to steady herself. "Marion, what are you doing?""Going home," he replied tersely.He meant the Houston Mansion.When the two of them arrived at the study room hand in hand, Caleb was tending to the plants.The watering can in his hand was suspended mid-air. He echoed, his voice filled with disbelief, "Marria
As Debra and Marion walked hand in hand out of the house, Debra couldn't shake off a sense of unease."Is Caleb reliable?""Well, I can't say for sure. But you remember the engagement banquet my parents were supposed to have? Caleb wanted to handle that too, but my dad was against it. Now, he finally has a chance to be involved in my engagement, so let's just let him have his fun.""Well, let's hope it's not too over the top."She hadn't even finished her sentence when suddenly, the alarm sirens pierced the air. Squads of guards scrambled into formation, and a booming voice echoed from the speakers overhead."Attention! Mr. Marion Houston is about to get married. All departments prepare for security measures. All personnel on alert!"Debra covered her face with her free hand, embarrassment flooding her cheeks. Hopefully, things at the engagement banquet wouldn't get out of hand.When they arrived home, Debra found Erica had called multiple times, and when Debra finally called he
Joe hesitated for a moment before knocking on the door to the CEO's office."Come in."As he entered, Joe found Juan meticulously trimming a bouquet of roses.In a good mood, Juan glanced at him and asked, "What is it?"Joe cleared her throat, choosing his words carefully. "Ms. Frazier and Marion have set a date for their engagement party. It's the same day as yours, sir."He observed Juan's reaction, but the latter showed none."As long as it's not at the same venue, I don't care," Juan replied nonchalantly. "I wouldn't want Shelia to be bothered by it."Setting the bouquet aside, he looked up at Joe. "Did you make a reservation at the restaurant I asked for?""Yes, it's all set.""Good. Make sure you pick up Shelia yourself and take her there.""Yes, sir."Joe lingered as he watched Juan adjust his tie."Sir, about Ms. Frazier's engagement, do you really not feel anything?""My relationship with her was nothing more than a business arrangement. The Houston family announc
Debra came straight to the point. "Since Mr. Hardy is aware of the situation, please take me to see Michael."The officer nodded, jumping to his feet. "Of course, everything's ready. Right this way, Ms. Frazier."He led her through a maze of corridors until they reached the interrogation room. Michael had been locked up for days now.His once-clean-shaven face was covered with rough stubble, and dark circles hung beneath his eyes.The moment he saw Debra enter, he shot to his feet. The guards at the door stepped forward, ready to intervene if necessary."Ms. Frazier, you can speak with him here," the officer said. "We'll be right outside if you need anything."Debra said calmly, "No need. I'm here to take him with me."The officer stammered, "Uh, that's not something we can authorize."Debra sharply glanced at them. "Michael is an artist under the McKinney Group. Our lawyers have been negotiating with you for days. If he assaulted someone, we'll pay damages. But you've kept him
"Where's the surveillance footage?""There aren't any. That area was a blind spot, not caught on camera.""Is she one of your fans?""I always keep my schedule private. Only a handful of people know where I'll be. I've never seen her before."Debra realized what was going on. Someone had set up Michael on purpose.Her mind raced, piecing together the timeline. When Michael was framed, Juan was still on the island, which meant he must have arranged things ahead of time. This so-called victim was likely someone from the Nichols Group, and the one behind it was probably Joe."So, they've been holding you this whole time?""Yes. I believe someone put in a word with the authorities. But I can't figure out who. In this city, no one usually dares to go up against the McKinney Group.""It's Juan."Michael was surprised, and Debra added, "It has to be connected to the Nichols Group.""Was he also behind the accident on the island?""No, that wasn't him. I'm sorry for putting you into
Debra's eyes narrowed. "You framed Michael, didn't you? Someone put you up to this."The woman's face paled. "What are you talking about? He hit me."Debra leaned back in her chair. "I've done my homework on you. You're not even one of Michael's fans. Why were you at the studio that day?"The woman hesitated for a moment, but then, as if reciting a well-rehearsed script, she snapped back, "I am a fan. I went there to get his autograph, and he attacked me. Just because he's famous doesn't mean he can treat people like dirt. Michael is nothing without our support."Debra drummed her fingers on the table. "Interesting. Few people knew Michael was leaving the studio early that day. How did you find out?""I heard about it in a fan group.""Are you in the group?""Of course.""Tell me the group ID. I'll check it."The woman froze, and Debra raised an eyebrow. "You see, the fans who have access to Michael's personal schedule are all verified superfans. If you're one of them, it won'
Juan's words annoyed Debra.Michael swiftly stepped in front of her and shot back, "It seems your taste has taken a bit of a nosedive lately."His gaze flicked to Shelia, his tone sharpening. "I wonder what tricks Miss Miles used this time. You seem to have an uncanny connection with the rich and powerful."Shelia's smile remained firmly in place. "Juan and I are soul mates, and we are engaged. Since you've been locked up at the police station, I presume you don't know about Ms. Frazier and Mr. Houston's engagement. But still, the way you two are pulling on each other is indecent."Michael's disdain for Shelia was written all over his face, but before he could form a retort, Ben got out of the car and jogged up to them.He said, "Mr. Austin, it's good to see you free at last. Mr. Houston is waiting in the car. We should get going."Shelia saw through the lie instantly, her voice dripping with mockery. "Oh, Ben, are you covering for Mr. Austin now? Mr. Houston just let his fiancée
Under Randy's threat, Lara didn't dawdle. She swiped her fingerprint, and the infrared beams blinked out."My clearance only kills the lasers for three minutes," she said. "Taking me like this only slows you down. Let me go, and I swear I won't pull anything.""Three minutes? Then hustle," Randy snorted.She was full of schemes. Cutting her loose brought him nothing but danger. He would not fall for it.Lara kept her cool and led him toward the end of the hall.The place was futuristic, loaded with tech Randy had never even seen. Only people with the code could get in.Now that she had removed restrictions, it was now just another regular hallway.At the end stood a massive door. She spoke. "Our master is behind that. I can't go in, but I'll open it for you.""Do it quickly," he urged.She stepped to the side and used facial recognition. The door slid open, revealing a dark room.As he scoped it out, she broke free and tried to shove him in.Quick in reaction, he yanked her
As long as he twitched it a little, Lara would be dead.Randy growled, "Cut the crap. Try me again, and you're done."Lara didn't dare push it. She took a breath. "Okay. Follow me inside.""I know who your master is," he said. "Tell him to let Erica go, or the Osborne line ends with me."Her face shifted at that. He noticed. "What, you don't know who he is? Guess you're not that big a deal around here. So, quit stalling. Take me to him now. Touch me, and you don't live to see another day."Lara's composure crumbled.In the Illuminati, nobody knew the bishop's identity. She couldn't tell if Randy was bluffing or not.She had no choice but to lead him toward another entrance. Those goons didn't dare stop him. They just stepped aside.She took him deeper into the valley. The further in, the warier Randy got.The mist thickened, blotting out everything.At a rocky entrance, she used her fingerprint to unlock a hidden door in the mountain. It was mind-boggling that the Illuminati
Lara's face twisted. "No way he would say that. He wants the four families wiped out.""Take it up with him." Juan shrugged, heading out of the valley. "I'm not wasting my breath on you."Lara muttered in disbelief, "Our master wouldn't do that. This was our shot to take them down."Before she could piece it together, a guy rushed up. "Miss, something else showed up.""Who was it?" Lara snapped, annoyed.The four families only had Debra and Marion worth a damn to them."Looks like someone from the Osborne family.""Randy? What's that punk doing here?"Right then, a guy flew in from the mist, screaming as he hit the ground.Randy stepped out with a fierce expression. Lara barked for her crew to gear up.Everyone was puzzled, not expecting a wuss like Randy to be so good at fighting.He'd taken out every guard outside the valley solo, and not one alarm had been tripped. It meant he had memorized the layout, found the safest path, and dodged every trap.Lara sized him up serio
The Illuminati crew scattered into the mist.The leader stayed, pulling off his mask.Juan's brow creased hard. This was all he could do for them.Debra and Marion hauled out of the valley.Earlier when they were talking to that guy, she had clocked his limp. Plus, he had tapped his leg to drop hints.Through those details, she had figured out it was Juan.Juan had fed them a load of crap.Erica was inside. The bishop would show himself if they managed to find her. He would let them go if they could make a deal.It sounded reasonable but did not hold up.The Illuminati had an edge over them. If the bishop wanted to meet, he wouldn't need to snatch Erica. Even if he had her, it'd be to trade for the gemstone they held.He commanded, and they had to comply because they had zero leverage to negotiate. If they had no leverage, the bishop would not let them go.This was the tip-off dropped by Juan. Her business instinct enabled her to perceive it.Erica wasn't in the valley at a
It was afternoon already.Debra and Marion parked their car outside the valley.Looking at the sprawling terrain ahead, Debra couldn't shake the memory of trekking through it with Kale just days ago.Revisiting this place made her shiver."Your injury's still fresh," Marion said. "I can go alone."Debra shook her head. "We agreed on going together. Besides, I'm not here to fight. It will be fine."Marion ruffled her hair. "Alright, we're in this together."Enoch brought Erica here to lure them in. That much was clear.Now that they were here, they'd get her out.With night closing in, they quickly followed the route they'd mapped out and headed in.The map from Juan came in handy. In less than 30 minutes, they reached a clearing smack in the middle of four towering mountains.Mist hung light in the air, and the jagged peaks all around gave off a heavy, oppressive vibe.Through the fog, figures in black cloaks and white masks stepped out.Debra slid behind Marion, their han
Jordan signaled the guards at the door to stop Randy.But they didn't stand a chance. In three seconds flat, Randy laid them out.Jordan watched him vanish down the hall, dumbfounded. 'When did he get this good?'At the entrance, more guards tried to block Randy. He didn't slow down as he threw punches at them.Even with their number, they couldn't catch him.30 seconds later, Randy was in his car, peeling out toward the valley. Scenes from his childhood flashed across his mind."Leg up. Fist tight. Punch!" Caleb shouted.Erica eyed the wooden dummies in front of them and aimed for perfection.Randy's attention was all on her. He was not interested in these self-defense skills at all."Randy, focus!" Caleb whacked his arm with a cane. "Get real or go home."Randy couldn't care less. The truth was, he had already learned it all.At eight years old, his freakish athletic genes got him shipped off to a two-month boot camp. There, his raw talent made him untouchable in the junio
Lara came downstairs, smirking at Michael. "This time, even if you want to let them off, it won't happen."Michael was unfazed. "Don't say stuff that'll get twisted. I never plan to do that.""Oh, please. I know you better than that," Lara snorted. "Drop the act."Growing up, Michael had been given the best of everything.They were both in line to take over, but Michael got the bishop's favor from day one.Even if he didn't fight for it, he'd eclipse her. The bishop's partiality never failed to rattle her.She was a woman. True. But she was not any inferior to Michael.The partiality was unbelievable. This world's full of women outshining men.She was the one to help the bishop build something huge. The altar was only for her to ascend.She stepped up to Michael. "Wanna bet on what happens when Debra and Marion hit the valley? I can't wait to see Debra getting pierced by bullets. It would be so much fun."She observed Michael's expression, but there wasn't a crack."You done
The guard at the gate quickly stepped out of the booth. "Greetings, Mr. and Mrs. Houston. Unfortunately, Mr. Osborne isn't home.""We're not here for him," Marion said flat-out. "I want last night's security footage."The guard hesitated. "I'm sorry, but without Mr. Osborne saying so, I can't just hand it over.""Randy is lying in the hospital right now," Debra cut in. "Erica went missing from your place last night. If you don't cough up the tapes and something happens to her, can you take the heat?"The guard was shocked. "Mr. Randy Osborne in the hospital? And Miss Mathis is gone? I'll grab the footage. Hang on."He dashed to the security room. But when he pulled up the feed, the screen was pitch black."What's wrong? Is it busted?" Debra asked.The guard smacked the console a couple of times, and the picture flickered on. There was Enoch, stuffing a sack into his trunk and driving off.That explained why the cameras outside had only caught Enoch.Debra felt a chill run thro
A loud crash blasted through the phone, followed by screeching static.Debra's gut sank. "Randy's in trouble. Let's hurry."Jordan quickly rounded up a crew to track down Randy, while Debra and Marion bolted out of the house.That phone call screamed car wreck. Marion had Randy's location pinned fast, and an ambulance was already on its way."Don't panic. The ambulance is almost there," Debra reminded him, watching him push the speedometer.It was fine if it was just a regular crash. But if the Illuminati had set it up, the consequences were unimaginable. Enoch must have lost his mind to target his son.Debra and Marion had both lost their parents to car accidents. Marion would be devastated if he lost another person close to him."Quick! Get him out!"Thick smoke poured from the crash site. Debra's bad vibes grew.They jumped out and saw Jordan's people loading Randy onto a stretcher."How bad is it?" Debra ran up, desperate for details."Not too serious," Jordan replied. "