Guests began streaming into the gambling hall. The manager tossed a headset to Debra, gesturing for her to put it on.She fumbled with the device until she managed to settle it over her ears. She had never stepped foot in a place like this before, not to mention knowing anything about gambling.Fortunately, Drake had cut her some slack by assigning her to the simplest of games—betting on dice rolls.As Debra struggled to figure out the ins and outs of the game, a middle-aged man reeking of stale alcohol swaggered into the room. Leering at her, he slurred, "Ava, you look stunning today. Your waist is slimmer."The manager put on an obsequious smile. "Ava's not working tonight. This is our new dealer.""A new dealer? Wonderful!" said the man, reaching out for Debra's wrist.She instinctively pulled away. The manager shot her a warning glare, and she quickly adjusted her demeanor, flashing a seductive smile. "Oh, I see you're a regular who enjoys Ava's company. Should I call her to
Debra met his gaze steadily. "I don't know how to control the dice."She couldn't do it like others, rolling the exact number Drake wanted.His eyes narrowed. "You don't know how, yet you asked me to take you here?""But even so, I can still make money," Debra countered. "Didn't I help you make some just now?"Drake's frown deepened, but she pressed on. "Sure, I can't control the dice, but I know human nature. No one can win forever by betting all on small or big while doubling the stakes each time. Eventually, they'll lose. It's inevitable.""And you think that's some brilliant strategy?" he scoffed. "If that idiot down there had any clue what he was doing, do you think you'd have been able to take him for that much?"Debra accepted his scolding without protest."If you can't handle being a dealer, then get out of here. Stop wasting my time," Drake snapped, turning to the manager. "Take her back.""Yes, boss." The manager nodded and turned to Debra. "Ms. Frazier, please come w
"A thousand people?" Debra's voice wavered."Yes," Drake confirmed casually, but the glint in his eye suggested he relished the challenge he had thrown her way.Debra's mind raced as she recalled the grand piano in the plaza. Sure, it was a prime spot, but just playing piano alone wouldn't be enough to draw such a crowd.And she would be competing with zither, cello, and violin performers for attention.Beating them and attracting one thousand audiences was almost impossible.As she pondered, Drake added, "You can still back out now.""No, I can do it," she said firmly, heading downstairs."Boss, a thousand people? Isn't that a bit much?" the manager said.Drake's amusement flickered as he noted Debra's determined stride. He figured it wouldn't take more than half an hour before she came back, defeated. As Debra navigated the square, she found it teeming with life—couples laughing on dates, workers just off their shifts, dog walkers chatting, and groups gathered for spirited
Debra walked over and slipped a bracelet to the man, who took it and fled for life.Debra scanned the swelling crowd and flashed Drake a victorious smile. "I did it, Mr. Lowe."Within half an hour, she had successfully attracted a thousand people.Drake's eyes narrowed as he quickly pieced together what had happened. "You used me."Debra had crafted the entire scenario to draw a crowd.She met his gaze, unflinching. "In this city, what else could draw more attention than your golden reputation?"The crowd began lifting their phones and taking pictures of Drake.Drake was displeased. "I told you to attract a thousand people through playing piano, not making a scene.""A thousand people are already here. Getting them to listen to me play? That part's easy," Debra replied, confidence radiating from her.Before he could respond, she strode over to him, grabbed his hand, and pulled him toward the piano. "Thanks for saving me, Mr. Lowe. Will you do me the honor of playing with me?"
The last note faded, and Drake hadn't played a single key.Afraid the crowd might notice it, the manager swiftly signaled the security team to disperse the onlookers.Debra looked sideways at Drake. "Mr. Lowe, did I meet your requirements?"He had demanded that she attract a thousand people, but the crowd in the square had far exceeded that number.Drake's scrutiny lingered on her a moment too long, making Debra squirm. "Mr. Lowe?"Snapping out of his thoughts, he stood up and muttered, "You've met the minimum standard."In fact, she had far exceeded his expectations."You know how to create buzz and how to leverage people when necessary. Seems like you've got more than just a bit of cunning.""That's for sure.""I wasn't complimenting."Turning to the manager, he ordered, "Get her into a proper uniform and then bring her back.""Yes, boss.""Wait," Debra interrupted. "You're not going to let me deal cards anymore?"She had worked so hard to get close to Drake's inner circ
The manager held up six fingers in front of Debra.That was no small change. Debra felt a surge of anxiety mixed with curiosity about Drake's true intentions, but for now, she had to play it by ear.Not long after, the manager led Debra up to the lounge area on the second floor. Along the way, she felt the lustful stares of several men and shifted uncomfortably.In the lounge, she found Drake leaning against a pool table.The manager announced their arrival, "Mr. Lowe, she's here.""Good," he replied, his voice smooth but lacking warmth.The lounge was thick with haze, the sharp scent of cigars hanging heavily in the air. Debra instinctively held her breath.Drake set down his cigar and scrutinized her from head to toe."The dress is a bit too loose," he commented."That's Miss Sharp's dress. I'll have some new ones made for Ms. Frazier tomorrow," the manager said.Debra searched in her mind for anyone bearing that family name and then grasped something faint.In her past li
One song after another, Debra played according to the sheet music. In this casino, the music served as mere background noise, while the patrons were absorbed in the thrill of gambling."Ms. Frazier has already played through an entire book of sheet music. Should we..." the manager asked."Let her play it again," Drake replied indifferently, his gaze unwavering.He had been there watching for two full hours, and during that entire time, Debra's hands hadn't stopped moving over the keys.But apparently, the customers were more interested in her looks than her music. No less than a dozen people had approached Drake to negotiate deals.A rotund man approached and said, "Mr. Lowe, you know, I'm a simple man with simple tastes. How about you name a price for me to take her?"Whether by design or chance, Drake positioned himself just two meters away from Debra, close enough for her to overhear every word."Mr. Bender," the manager interrupted, "that is our newly hired pianist, and she
Just as Sam attempted to take Debra away, a sudden force yanked him backward, his joyous laughter morphing into a bloodcurdling scream.Drake seized Sam's hand with an iron grip, the sickening crack of bones breaking echoing in the tense air.Sam's face drained of color as he cried out in agony, "Mercy, Mr. Lowe. Please, have mercy."Drake's expression remained grim, his grip tightening until Sam's wrist snapped.Sam writhed and screamed on the ground. Harland signaled for security to drag him away.Debra, still perched on the piano, asked, "Mr. Lowe, what was that for? You ruined my long-term meal ticket."Drake squinted at her. "You want a sugar daddy? I'll make that happen for you."Before Debra could process his words, he yanked her off the piano bench and shoved her toward the crowd of onlookers."Go ahead and pick one," he said coldly. "See if they're willing to take you home."Debra scanned the room, but every guest had been paralyzed by the shocking display of violence
The bodyguards at the entrance were intimidating.When Debra handed over her invitation, she worried there might be fingerprint scans or facial recognition. That would make things tricky.But the guards barely glanced at it before waving her through. Debra was surprised by how smoothly things went.This castle was one of the top three landmarks overseas, and it had never been open to the public. During the day, it was a tourist attraction. But now, someone managed to host a private banquet right there.Once inside, she was faced with one more hurdle. Rows of scanners stood ahead, all meant to detect any restricted items.Debra was carrying no gun, but Marion had given her a Bluetooth earpiece to stay in contact.To minimize suspicion, they decided to enter separately. She would go in first, and he'd follow shortly after.She hesitated for a moment before taking off the earpiece and tossing it into a shadowed corner.Just as she stepped forward, someone in front of her triggered
When they entered the dream, the gems were real.Fermin had woken up faster than them and taken the gems. Then he must have found a way to hide them or hand them off to someone else.In other words, this whole thing was planned. "If that's the case, Mrs. Houston and the others are in danger," Barton said anxiously, realizing someone in their group was a traitor.The Illuminati couldn't have collected so many rare stones for nothing. There had to be a scheme."I need to think this through," Andrew muttered, pressing his forehead.Barton noticed his pale face and immediately stepped forward. "Sir, are you having another episode? William said you shouldn't stress yourself out. I'll get your medicine.""Come back," Andrew said. "I'm not taking any medicine right now.""It won't work, sir. The doctor warned you against thinking too much. That's why you left Seamar City to enjoy peace. Mrs. Houston has Mr. Houston looking out for her. You don't need to worry, sir."Andrew had thoug
Michael chuckled, "You probably won't believe this, but after I finished work, I found this thing right outside my door.""What?" Debra was shocked.Michael explained, "Since that night you asked me to keep an eye out, I reached out to a few international contacts. But I came up empty. Then, the very next day, this thing was sitting outside my door."Debra mused, "So, you think someone knew you were investigating, so they gave you a shortcut?""If that's the case, then the organization must be massive, and the entertainment industry could very well be their way of spreading their influence," Michael said.A lightbulb went off in Debra's head.At those banquets held by the Lowe family, most of the guests were from the entertainment industry. Whether they were once-famous stars or rising ones, these celebrities were typically the targets of wealthy businessmen.If the entertainment industry was being used to spread Illuminati teachings, then it wasn't the stars trapping the rich m
When the bathroom door opened, Debra was soaking in the bathtub.She asked awkwardly, "Uh, where's the towel?"It was her first time staying in that house, and she hadn't expected the towel not to be in the bathroom.Marion was relieved to see her fine. "I'll get it for you."He walked over to grab the towel, then entered the bathroom and draped it over her shoulders.Her cheeks looked rosy, maybe because of the heat in the bathroom.Worried about her injury, he gently lifted her out of the bathtub. She instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck. Their breaths mixed as she was held close to him.His arms were robust, easily lifting her with no effort."Are you tired?""I-I am.""Then lie down and let me serve you."He kissed her forehead, but she tapped his shoulder. "Hey! I just finished my shower."It was getting dark. Marion ordered takeout, all of Debra's favorite dishes.Her body was sore all over. She didn't want to move, and Marion had to feed her.Leaning on t
"Marion, what are you doing?" Debra shot him a warning look.Marion shrank back."Alright. I'll call again when I get there," Michael said."Okay." Debra ended the call and looked up to see Marion's frustrated look."I'm hungry," she said, pecking him on the lips.Marion lost what little control he had left. He tilted her chin up, pressed a hand to the back of her neck, and kissed her deeply.It wasn't until they were both breathless that he finally pulled away."Let's go eat," he said.Debra glared at him, knowing he was doing that on purpose."Well, I'm not that hungry anymore," she said deliberately.Marion looked back and met her limpid eyes. His lips, slightly swollen from his kisses, were soft and inviting like ripe cherries."I am hungry, though." His voice was low, teasing.This time, his kisses were slow, lingering. His lips trailed down to her neck, and their breaths both quickened.Debra's silk nightgown slipped down to her waist, the lace straps of her undergar
The doctor and nurses led Liza out of the room.She could tolerate it as long as they didn't use electroshock therapy.Fermin was left alone in the room.The moment the door closed, he shouted, "Hey! Where are you taking my sister?"But his head hurt too much. Instead of pressing further, he sat there, curiously scanning the room.His expression and actions didn't look fake."Sir..." The butler hesitated."Keep him locked up." Bert struck the floor hard with his cane.They couldn't let him out until they made sure Fermin's personality was gone."Understood." The butler followed Bert out of the room.Beyond the reach of the security cameras, the corners of Fermin's lips curled into a faint smirk....Debra curled up in Marion's arms.He never slept more than four or five hours a night. Any longer, and he'd wake up on his own.She shifted, rubbing against him."Want to sleep a little longer?" he asked gently.Debra opened her eyes and wrapped her arms around his waist. "I
The sounds of violent banging echoed through the enclosed room.Despite the nurses' best efforts to hold him down, Fermin pounded the bed in agony."Strap him down," ordered the doctor.The nurses quickly bound Fermin to the operating table.Behind the one-way mirror, Bert watched with pain. His hand gripped his cane tightly.Electroshock therapy was one of the most dangerous treatments. But it was the only way to make Fermin believe he was dead, allowing his personality to enter a dormant state."Sir, maybe we should leave for now," the butler suggested, unable to watch any longer."I can't, not when Fermin is still inside," Bert replied, his voice heavy.He didn't want Fermin to suffer or go out to hurt others."Fermin!" Liza stumbled down the stairs, nearly falling in the process.Several servants, who were chasing after her, stopped at the entrance since they were not allowed in there.They had sealed off the elevator, but Liza, in her desperation, had chosen to take the
Once everything was settled, Marion walked back to the living room and lifted Debra off the sofa.For over a month now, Debra hadn't needed to walk on her own."If you keep pampering me like this, my legs will be useless.""It's fine. I'll carry you for the rest of your life."He was confident in his strength. Even when he was old, he believed he could still lift weights without breaking a sweat.Debra was light. He had no trouble lifting her at all.The bedroom was dimly lit. Marion gently laid her down on the bed and lay beside her.Debra smiled, "You're always watching me sleep. This time, let me watch you.""Okay," Marion agreed, placing her hand over his chest.Soon, Debra heard his steady breathing.Marion was a light sleeper. The slightest movement would wake him.Debra stayed still, quietly watching his sculpted face, straight nose, plump lips, sexy Adam's apple, and well-defined collarbone.Suddenly, he murmured, "How am I supposed to sleep with you staring at me l
When she woke up the next morning, Debra instinctively reached out to feel around.She muttered, "Marion, what time is it?"There was no response. She opened her eyes and found Marion wasn't in bed.After a quick wash, she went downstairs.Marion, who had come back from his mission, was cooking breakfast in the kitchen. The sleeves of his black shirt were rolled up."You're up so early," he said, noticing it was only 7 a.m.He had gotten used to Debra's routine."Breakfast is ready. Come eat," he added, setting two sandwiches and a bowl of oatmeal on the table.Since Debra's injury, her health had been poor. While in the hospital, she'd repeatedly had fevers. Recently, she could only eat light food.She had slept deeply last night, probably because she was exhausted.After she took her seat, Marion sat next to her and began to gather her hair into a bun."You're getting better at this," she chuckled."Anything for you," he replied with a smile.A bodyguard came in and repo