The patroller stiffened, clueless about who Debra was.Harland rushed forward, his smile stretched thin. "Ms. Frazier, what are you doing here?"Debra replied with feigned anger, "The guests here are crazy. I was just heading to the bathroom when someone grabbed me and dragged me here, trying to put their hands on me."The lie slipped effortlessly from her lips, and Harland's face flushed with shock. "Who is so bold? Are you alright, Ms. Frazier? This isn't a place for you to be. Let me take you downstairs.""No need," she said with a pout. "Where's Drake? I want him to explain himself."Harland hesitated. "Uh, Mr. Lowe is currently unavailable.""Unavailable?" Her eyes narrowed with suspicion. "Is he entertaining someone on this floor?"Harland waved his hand. "No, you misunderstand. Mr. Lowe is devoted to you. Didn't he just snap at Miss Sharp for your sake? How could there be anyone else?""Really?""Absolutely.""I don't believe you. I'm going to check it out."Without w
"Mr. Lowe, calm down and think about it. Why would I drug you? And where would I even get something like that?" Debra reasoned. "Today, you dragged me to buy a piano and new clothes right after I woke up. I barely had time to think before I ended up in that lounge, unconscious. Don't you think it's a bit ridiculous to suspect me?"His earlier rage had clouded his judgment, but now, Debra's logic gave him a pause."Mr. Lowe," she added, "I understand you're upset, but you should calm down and think about everything you've eaten or drunk today."She knew exactly what she was doing, planting seeds of doubt in his mind. Drake's face darkened as he remembered the tea from the lounge."Kale," Drake called sharply. "Give that woman a good beating.""Yes, boss." Kale disappeared instantly, leaving Debra and Drake alone.Debra got to her feet. "Well then, I'll take my leave.""Wait," Drake's voice stopped her cold. "Who gave you permission to come to the third floor?"Debra's pulse quic
Debra lied through her teeth, her heart pounding in her chest.If Drake didn't believe her, she might never get the chance to reach the core of their operations.Drake eyed her carefully, weighing her words. "Alright. I'll pay you well. But make no mistake. If you dare betray me, I'll break your arms and legs and throw you in the cellar to rot."Debra didn't flinch. "As long as you pay me, I'll keep quiet and never betray you.""Good," Drake muttered. "You can go now."Relief washed over her as she turned to leave, her mind mapping out the room. Just as she reached the door, Drake called after her, "You don't need to play the piano anymore. I'll have someone take you back.""No more piano?" Debra glanced back."I'll arrange a new job for you," he said, sitting down to drink.Debra didn't wait for further explanation and left swiftly. Outside, Kale was back, having dealt with Ava.He hesitated at the door before asking, "Boss, do you really trust her?"Drake chuckled darkly, "
The atmosphere in the room shifted."Get in here," Drake called out.Debra stepped inside calmly. Since she dared eavesdrop, she wasn't afraid of Drake finding out.Even if Harland hadn't shown up, she would've walked in herself and confronted Drake.Drake's eyes narrowed. "It's you."She didn't blink. "Mr. Lowe, you're playing a clever game, aren't you? I came to you with good intentions, hoping to cooperate. But it seems you've been less than forthcoming."His voice dropped another degree. "What are you getting at?"Debra took a step forward. "For years, you have systematically bled Ralph dry and ruined my family. Now your attention is on me. Every time I pressed you for answers, you dodged. Now I understand why. You're after the treasure in Seamar City."Though Ralph had confessed to hiring someone to kill her parents, Debra and Marion had uncovered another layer of the truth. The car her parents were in had been tampered with. Someone else had played a hand in their deaths.
The legendary treasure of Seamar City had been held tightly by the Four Great Families. Few knew about it, and after a century, most people had stopped searching for it.If they could obtain it, they could rebuild not just one Frazier family, but a hundred. "Okay. If you can help me take down Marion and obtain the treasure, I'll help you rebuild the Frazier family. You'll once again be the young lady," Drake said."Deal!" Debra extended her hand, and as their fingers touched, the deal was sealed."Alright, I'll go back and wait for your next instructions," she said.After she left, Kale muttered, "Boss, can we trust her?""A fallen heiress relying on men to survive? It's only natural she wants to reclaim her former glory.""But if she knows about the treasure, why hasn't she tried to find it herself?""The Frazier family is only one of the Four Great Families, not the leader. What she knows is far from enough to find the treasure.""Then why are you...""It's better than not
Just as Yvonne prepared to ignite the car, a pair of headlights suddenly pierced the darkness.The bodyguard rushed forward to protect her. "Miss, someone's coming. We need to leave now."Yvonne's fury blazed as fiercely as the fire she intended to set. "Step aside. I'm going to kill her.""Miss, you can't take the risk and expose yourself. That's Mr. Sharp's order," insisted the bodyguards.Yvonne shot a glare at Debra and hurled the lighter toward her target.In an instant, flames erupted at the front of the vehicle, crackling hungrily as they spread. The bodyguards swiftly dragged Yvonne back into their car and drove away.Debra coughed violently, the thick smoke clawing at her lungs. Distantly, she heard the frantic voices of William and Marion."Debra!""Marion! Watch out! There's a fire ahead!"When she finally managed to blink through the smoke, she saw Marion outside, pounding furiously on the glass."Marion..." she croaked, reaching weakly for the door, but it was ja
Debra saw his desperation and cupped his face. "Marion, listen to me. You and William need to head back to Seamar City, get everything in order, and then come back to me. I know you can do it. Drake and I have reached an agreement. He trusts me now. I'll be alright.""You want me to leave you here alone?" Marion asked, disbelief etched on his face."William is right," Debra insisted. "If you take me now, we won't make it. And I'll lose all the trust I've built with Drake. I've already uncovered part of his gray market operations. You need to go quickly. I'll wait for you to rescue me."Marion was reluctant, and she turned to William. "Take him away. Return to Seamar City, set everything up, and then come get me."William saw her determination and tugged at Marion's arm. "Marion, just listen to her and go with me. Do you want her blood on your hands?"Marion finally let go of her. "Three days. I'll come back in three days.""Alright, I'll wait for you," Debra replied, her heart ac
The director wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, terrified of Drake's wrath.Over half of the hospital's funding came from the Lowe family, and with just a single word from Drake, the director's career could be in jeopardy.Inside the hospital room, Debra stirred back to consciousness. She half-sat on the bed, her body bruised and battered.Drake stormed in, startling the nurse inside. "The patient is resting. You can't just...""Get out!" Drake growled.The director, standing in Drake's shadow, quickly waved the nurse away. "Hurry, leave."Recognizing Drake, the nurse turned pale and hurriedly exited the room.Debra, frustration mingling with her weak voice, said, "I'm lying here in this condition. Can't you give me a moment of peace?""You need to explain what happened today.""What? I almost died. If you want answers, go ask Miss Sharp.""You're saying Yvonne did this?""She had someone crash into our car and pour gasoline on it. If it weren't for a passing vehicle, I
Debra couldn't suppress her excitement. "If everything you're saying is true, then it's not just you and me who have been reborn?""I'm not sure," Theda replied. "I tried to figure out the cause, but it felt like a gift from God to make up for my regrets. I just don't know why it was me. Later, someone approached me for cooperation."Debra asked, "The one behind all of this?"Theda nodded. "He's the hand of God, controlling everyone's fate. He told me that I was chosen and brought back to life by him. And indeed, he helped me a lot. From gaining power in the Buchan family to establishing Buchan Entertainment, it was all because of him."Debra frowned. "So, the rapid rise of the Buchan family over the years was his initiative.""Not entirely," Theda replied. "He did teach me a lot. After being reborn, I realized the importance of learning, so I studied like crazy, absorbing knowledge I never bothered with in my previous life. It helped me secure a foothold in Wrastow City."She pa
Marion came out of the house and glanced at Drake, who was about to leave."I'll say this once," he started.Drake paused from opening the car door."I was wrong," Marion continued.Drake turned to look at him.Debra thought this might be a heartwarming moment of reconciliation, but Drake only said, "Screw your apology."He climbed into his car, slammed the door, and sped off.Debra was stunned, looking at Marion. "So, does this mean you made up?""Don't know. Don't care," Marion replied, taking her hand in his. "Let's go back."Debra followed him back into the hall, where Theda was cleaning up Robert's face.She grumbled, "Does it hurt? Weren't you so tough just now?"Robert remained silent, keeping his head down.While tending to him, Theda turned to Debra, who had just walked in. "I need to have a private word with you."Erica protested, "What can't be said in front of us?""This is important," Theda replied. "I can only tell her.""Alright, let's talk upstairs," Debr
Marion remained expressionless. "I have nothing to explain.""Fine." Drake turned back to Robert. "Did you hear that? From now on, we're done with each other. You follow your own path, and I'll follow mine. I'm heading back to Orkgate. Neither of you should contact me again."He picked up his tie from the ground and left the house without looking back.Debra wanted to explain, but Marion held her back with a shake of his head.He didn't want to explain. It was all in the past, and he didn't want Robert or Drake to be involved in what was ahead."Honey, some things need to be clarified," Debra said softly, patting the back of his hand. "Some relationships can't just end because you want them to."Marion lowered his gaze and released her wrist. She knew Marion wasn't the type to mince words. Once something was done, it was done. He never explained, and now she would help him explain.Drake had already gotten into his car. Just as he pressed the gas to leave, Debra suddenly rushed
Drake's arrival surprised Debra. "What brings you here?"Drake ignored her. With a dark expression, he strode straight to Robert, landing a punch on his face.Robert tried to fight back, but Drake was relentless. He overpowered Robert, pinning him down and raining punch after punch on his face. Robert couldn't defend himself. He was completely at Drake's mercy."Life is cheap? Is that what you think?" Drake growled, grabbing Robert by the collar and delivering another blow. "Say it again, I dare you!"Robert stumbled backward, nearly falling, but Drake yanked him and kicked him, sending him crashing into the wall."Don't forget," Drake said coldly, "your life was saved by me and Marion back then. And now you're treating life like it's some kind of bargaining chip? Everyone has a tragic past. So what? I built my empire in Orkgate. I can do whatever I want. And you? Just because someone saved your life, you're willing to throw it away for them? Do you have any idea how much you owe
"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