Debra nodded. That was what Shelia had said when kneeling before her."When did she have a boyfriend?" Randy asked."How should I know?" Debra shrugged."She has a boyfriend and still clings to Juan. What a woman!" Randy snorted with disdain."She was just saying that for show. I don't believe she would date anyone other than Juan."Debra set down her fork and knife. "I'm done. Enjoy your meal."She stood up to leave. Jordan pushed his plate aside, saying, "I'm done too."Randy mumbled with a mouthful of food, "I'll be done in a bit!"In the evening, Shelia stared at her recent pop quiz results in her dorm, her heart heavy. She had always been a consistent top performer, but this time, her grades had plummeted.Her roommates exclaimed in astonishment, "Shelia, why are you ranking 9th this time? You've always been first. This drop is drastic!"Shelia folded up the report card, forcing a smile. "I wasn't feeling well during the test, so I didn't do so well. It's okay, just a
Shelia wanted to justify herself, but Juan added, "You're talented, but that doesn't mean you can slack off in your studies.""I'm sorry, I..."Tears welled up in Shelia's eyes, but Juan wasn't going to soften his stance again."You know the rules at Arcane Academy. If your grades continue to decline like this, and you don't make it to the top ten in the next exam, you'll lose your scholarship and have to pay your tuition in full."Shelia knew this rule, but she never expected to hear it from Juan's mouth.She stared at him in shock, unable to respond for a moment.Juan's message was clear. If her grades kept dropping, he wouldn't sponsor her anymore or help her stay at Arcane Academy. All expenses would be covered by herself."Mr. Nichols, I'm sorry. It won't happen again, I promise," Shelia pleaded.Currently, all her expenses at Arcane Academy were covered by Juan, who also gave her ten thousand dollars for allowances each month. She didn't need to work to support herself, f
"Undoubtedly, he suspects you of having an affair. Such a petty guy is not worth it."Erica wiped her mouth and said, "Just dump him and marry someone else.""Someone else?" Debra said."I think my cousin is not bad. Why don't you two give it a try?" Erica replied frankly.Debra almost spat out her bubble tea. "It won't work out.""Why not? Isn't Marion cute? He's way better than Juan!""I didn't say he's not cute.""In terms of money and power, Juan and he are evenly matched!""These don't matter." Debra shook her head. "Feelings aren't something you force.""Yikes, no hope for Marion!" Erica lamented and asked. "So, how do you feel about him? Don't you like him?""Not exactly liking. I think he is nice."Erica nodded. That meant Marion still had a chance.In her pocket, the screen of her phone flashed. Marion had been listening from the other end of the phone.Marion hung up the phone and furrowed his brow.Eating beside him, Randy asked, "Why the long face? What did Er
Inside the box lay six large, opened durians, emitting a pungent aroma."Whoa! Who the heck sent you a box of durians?" exclaimed Erica.She picked up one, sniffed it, and then nodded approvingly. "These durians are good!"Turning to the security guard, she asked, "Who sent these?""A gentleman asked me to deliver them," he replied."A gentleman?" Erica glanced at Debra and asked, "Someone else is chasing after you?"Debra shook her head, having no idea who could have sent these durians.In her previous life, she had few interactions with men, especially after marrying Juan.She wondered who the sender might be."Tsk, sending durians to a girl? What is he thinking?" Erica remarked. "Marion is different. He never does something so silly."Before Debra could respond, Marion called."Hello?""Did you get the stuff?" Marion asked in a serious tone.Debra glanced at Erica and then the durians in her hand, asking tentatively, "Are these durians from you?""Do you like them?" Ma
Erica's voice was loud. Randy scratched his head, opened the door, and grumbled, "Who's shouting at the door early in the morning? Don't you let people sleep?"Seeing Erica outside, he thought he was mistaken. He closed the door and reopened it before confirming what he saw. He stammered, "What brings you here?"Erica pinched Randy's ear and said, "Is this how you teach Marion how to pursue a girl? You know what? If you screw things up, I'll teach you a hard lesson.""Randy, what is going on, exactly?" Debra chimed in.She leaned against the wall and looked at him with her arms crossed.Following a glance at Erica and Debra, he swallowed nervously.These two ladies made such a big fuss early in the morning, which made Randy feel helpless.He quickly led Debra and Erica into his apartment. The decor was new, indicating that he had moved in only recently."Have a seat!" Randy gestured politely for them to sit on the sofa.The dignified CEO of the Osborne Corporation was now acti
In the evening, Erica's new real estate project was launched at the Emerald Hotel with a banquet. Erica, partly a member of the Houston family, attracted a lot of attention with this launch. Debra received an invitation and arrived in a striking aqua-blue dress, instantly becoming the center of attention."Debra!"Erica rushed over in her high heels and gave Debra a warm hug. Randy, who was holding the dress for Erica, quickly kept up."Slow down! You're still wearing heels!"Ignoring him, Erica exclaimed, "This launch is going to make me billions. Can't I celebrate?""Do as you please," Randy said, daring not to go against Erica.Debra looked around, but Marion was nowhere to be seen.Perhaps he had given up after receiving that message. That worked out just fine.Debra caught sight of a familiar figure outside the door. It was Shelia in a white dress, followed by Martin Parker, GM of the Nichols Group. He said ingratiatingly, "Mr. Nichols couldn't make it today. Let me show y
Shelia acted like a victim, tearfully accusing Debra.At school, her tears might have elicited sympathy, but here, everyone was seasoned.Her tricks were futile, and they only saw her as a clown.Only Shelia believed they'd believe her story."You're shameless!" Erica sneered.It was her first encounter with such audacity.Shelia shed tears, sobbing, "Miss Mathis, I know you dislike me, but I'm not like what you think. I made a mistake and offended you that day. I'm truly sorry. Please forgive me."Her tone was humble.Martin, the lackey, stepped forward and chimed in, "That's right. Miss Miles is highly favored by Mr. Nichols, impeccable in character. You can't believe hearsay. For Mr. Nichols's sake, please forgive Miss Miles."He glanced pointedly at Debra, unaware of her identity."Who are you? And who is Mr. Nichols to me? Why should I care about him?" Erica glared at Martin, who paled instantly. "I don't give a damn about Mr. Nichols or anyone else. I just want this wom
"I can represent Juan, and the others are not needed." Debra finally broke her silence. "If anything happens after Miss Mathis drives her away, I will take full responsibility. You don't have to worry about it, Mr. Parker."Martin snorted, "Who are you to represent Mr. Nichols?"Debra raised an eyebrow, and Erica laughed out loud. "Who is she? That's a stupid question. Are you really working at the Nichols Group? Don't you know Mrs. Nichols?"Martin was dumbfounded, unable to utter a word."Didn't Miss Miles tell you about it? Erica continued sarcastically. "This is Mrs. Nichols, and she's also the daughter of the Frazier family. By doing this, are you trying to offend her for Shelia's sake?"Erica was as straightforward as ever.Martin's expression changed several times.Debra added, "I rarely attend events with Juan, so it's understandable that you don't know me. But I do remember you, and what happened today is memorable."She stressed her tone when saying the last few words
Michael raised an eyebrow. "My plan never included you. Does our master know you snuck here from Orkgate? And you've got the nerve to question me?"Lara glared at him, her body aching from the burns. Her face twisted with anger."Take Miss Sharp back for treatment. It will take two hours to get back, so she'll have to tough it out," Michael ordered, unfazed.Before leaving with his crew, he lamented sanctimoniously, "Such a shame, ruining a pretty face like that."Lara clenched her fists, incandescent with rage....In the ambulance, Debra coughed up another mouthful of blood. It splattered right onto William's white coat."Aw." William almost griped about the mess, holding back only at the sight of her bad condition.He had to save her, no matter what. It was a promise he'd made to Andrew.He didn't even want to think about what would happen to him if Debra didn't make it today."Maybe another shot of painkiller? We've gotta get that bullet out fast," a medic suggested."Yo
"Miss, the fire's cut off the road," a guard reported.Lara looked around, understanding that Marion had scoped their escape route, lured them with gunfire, and set the trap.The strategy was simple but effective. The terrifying part was that he had planned it in no time and carried it out efficiently."Miss, what now?" the guard asked anxiously, looking at the roaring flames.Instead of throwing in more fuel, Marion led his crew to an open spot near water, so they could douse the fire later.The dense trees left no way out.Lara gritted her teeth, grabbed a guy, and shoved him forward, using him as a shield against the fire."Dying for me should make you proud," she said, ignoring his thrashing.He burned, reeking of charred flesh. She covered her nose, broke through, and tossed him aside. The rest couldn't escape, awaiting death.Burns scarred her body, but she didn't stop, ignoring the pain and the screams from behind her.Following the plan, Jordan's team prepared to kill
It all happened in a flash. Randy couldn't even tell how the shooting started."What're you doing? Hide!" Erica yelled.He jolted, quickly ducking behind a tree.This was life or death. Bullets didn't care who they hit. Taking cover was important.He peeked out and saw Erica charging ahead. It reminded him of their childhood.She had been Caleb's favorite, but he had thought her skills were just girly fluff.Now? The gap was glaring. She was a beast, and he was a chicken.Up ahead, Lara couldn't gauge how many were coming.A guy ran up, reporting their hidden crew got wiped by Marion. Unsure of the enemy's numbers, they held back.Lara's eyes narrowed. She believed that Marion's desperation was driven by Debra's death."He's courting death," she sneered. "I thought he was smart. Turns out he's so dumb."Turning to the messenger, she ordered, "Tell Michael's people to close in. We're boxing them up and wiping them out.""Miss, we can't.""What?""Mr. Austin's crew pulled o
"What? No," Erica yelled. "If Debra knew..." "She'd back us," Jordan said, knowing what Debra wanted.She couldn't avenge Kale, but they could. They might not crush the Illuminati, but they'd make them bleed."Take your guys and come with me," Marion said."They've lost it," Randy muttered.Erica sighed, "I've been itching to teach those clowns a lesson too. Like sewer rats, they only know how to hide behind masks and cloaks.""Don't be impulsive" Randy warned."I'm going," she insisted, yanking out her gun. "Might as well go nuts. Like is too short."Randy tensed up. "You serious?""Stay back and watch Debra if you're scared," she said. "Don't drag me down."She charged into the trees. Randy stared, feeling like the weak link."Fine. I'll show you tough," he growled, turning to a guard. "Give me your gun.""Uh, Mr. Osborne, you sure?" The guard hesitated."What, you think I can't handle it?" Randy smacked the guard's head. "I was popping off shots before you were born."
Debra suddenly hacked hard, spitting blood.Erica and Randy lit up. Jordan heaved a sigh of relief as she opened her eyes."Medical kit!" Marion snapped out of it first.William hustled over, gaping at the scene."Debra, hang in there," Erica babbled, rattled."She can't talk yet," William said, rushing to stop her bleeding.Blood poured from her chest, soaking her."You're safe now," Marion soothed her."I'm okay," she rasped.The pendant given by Kale had caught the bullet and saved her life.Tears slid down her face. She'd sworn her friends wouldn't get hurt, but Kale was gone."Don't just stand there. Help me out," William urged. "She has got an hour at most if you don't move."The pendant had dulled the shot, but it was just a stone. Her chest still took a hit even though the wound wasn't deep.Erica snapped back, and Jordan signaled for a stretcher."I've got her," Marion said, lifting her onto it.The group watched with heavy hearts.As she was carried off, Mario
Debra recalled what Marion said to her when handing her the gun."There are only six shots. "If it goes down, you won't have time to reload. Aim carefully."She had aimed dead-on, but there were too many.She remembered her own words. "Even if I run out, you'll be there, right?"Unfortunately, he wasn't there.Lara fired a shot. The bullet went past the mercenaries and punched through Debra's chest."Move it!" Erica yelled, hearing the gunfire.Randy, Jordan, and the crew raced through the trees. They hadn't waited outside.After Marion took off, they'd followed, piecing together the route with their number.The flare sent them sprinting. The shots got closer but suddenly stopped."Miss, we've got company," a mercenary warned.Lara glanced at Debra, who was lying on the ground. She frowned and commanded, "Pull back."Nearby, Marion reached the flare spot, but no one was there.The gunfire had ceased, but blood stank up the air."Sir, it's gotta be ahead," a guy shouted.
Before Debra could react, Kale shoved her down. It happened too fast.Bullets ripped through him, one after another."Kale!" she screamed.He pushed her toward cover. A big tree and fallen logs shielded her.A bullet tore into his leg. He was a mess of holes, his blood gushing out.His eyes stayed wide, locked ahead. He gripped her shoulders. "Remember your promise."His hands slid off. Her white shirt was covered with blood."Debra, quit hiding," a woman's lazy voice purred.It was none other than Lara.She taunted, "We've got this place surrounded. You're not slipping out."Behind the tree, Debra's eyes burned.Lara added, "I knew Michael wouldn't kill you, so I'm here to clean up his mess. You value love and friendship, right? You'd never let them get hurt. How does it feel watching one die for you? I wonder if you can still be this though when your friends drop one by one. I don't wanna kill you, but you're a threat. Anyone who endangers our master will be eliminated."
"Can we go now?" Debra asked Michael."Be my guest," he said, stepping aside.She led Kale toward the other side of the woods. His wound needed help fast.She glanced back at Drake one last time. If he changed his mind and chose to leave with them, she would fight the Illuminati off.But he didn't."Are we really letting them go?" someone beside Michael asked.Drake's glare turned lethal. "Touch them and see what happens.""Easy, Mr. Lowe," Michael said. "You played your part well, and I will keep my word." He waved the contract. "Got what I wanted. No need for extra trouble."Debra found a safe spot where Kale bandaged his wound simply. They didn't know how long it'd take to get out.She fetched some spring water, and he asked, "Are you really giving them the company?""In their dreams," she said. "I'm not stupid to lose both Drake and the company."But the contract..." "Invalid.""How?""Think they would just drop 40% of the shares? They're greedy. They'd never let th
Michael held the contract, chuckling, "As I said, he might not wanna go with you.""Whether he comes is my problem," Debra shot back. "You promised to deliver him.""Fair enough," Michael said. "He's useless to me now. I can let him go."He waved a hand. Soon, someone dragged Drake out.When Drake saw Debra and Kale, his face twisted with anger."Get over here," Debra demanded.Drake took a step forward but stopped. "I'm not going back. Get lost.""Come on. You gave them the stone, and I lost my company. If I don't bring you back, how do I face everyone?" she said.He clenched his fists. "We're not on the same side. This is all your wishful thinking. Go away. I don't wanna see you.""Boss, I'm with you." Kale stepped up, pale from his shoulder wound.Drake's voice iced over. "Didn't you hear me? I don't want you here. The Illuminati's got more to offer. We've always been in it for profit. I never saw you as friends."His eyes were red, filled with coldness and disgust."See