"We?" Juan chuckled mockingly. "Do you mean Marion and you?"Debra frowned.Juan approached her, his steps carrying an oppressive aura. "Last time at the hotel, were you with Marion and Randy? Was Erica just covering for you? What exactly is your relationship with Marion? How far has it progressed?"He seized her wrist, his eyes boring into her. Debra instinctively shook his hand off. "Enough! I have no idea what you're talking about!"Juan looked at his hand that had been shaken off, saying, "Pray that Shelia's face can be restored.Otherwise, don't blame me for taking action against them."A scream suddenly erupted from inside Shelia's ward.Almost instinctively, Juan pushed the door open and saw Shelia smashing a glass. By the time Debra entered, Shelia had already grabbed Juan's arm, leaning into his embrace. "Am I disfigured? My face is ruined.""Alright, calm down. The doctor said you need to stabilize your emotions, or the freshly stitched wounds might reopen," Juan gentl
Juan felt a burning anger inside. "If she wants to leave, then let her go!"Shelia stopped sobbing and looked up pitifully at him. "Can I really stay at your house to recuperate?"Juan rubbed her head and replied, "I'll have Joe get your things from your dormitory. It's inconvenient to stay at school while recovering. Just stay at my house."Shelia sniffled and leaned against Juan's chest, softly saying, "Thank you, Mr. Nichols."Joe frowned, observing the scene with concern.As a bystander, Joe could see through Shelia's pretense, but Juan seemed oblivious.Debra arranged for a moving company to remove her belongings from the Nichols family's house.In the evening, Juan brought Shelia home to noticeably sparse furnishings and a somewhat desolate atmosphere.He felt a pang of discomfort.Shelia asked, "Mr. Nichols, where will I be staying?""We have guest rooms upstairs."Shelia nodded and then hesitated. "My leg hurts. I can't go up myself.""I'll help you," Juan said gent
Erica clapped, praising Debra's strategy. "That's brilliant!"A faint smile played on Debra's lips.She didn't intend to target Shelia specifically, but Shelia's scheme prompted her to take action.At noon, Shelia slowly descended from the second floor, struggling a bit due to her injured leg. But upon seeing Sophie working in the living room, she couldn't help but feel a sense of superiority."Sophie, I'm hungry. Prepare lunch," Shelia said, her tone lacking any politeness.It was a far cry from her softness in Juan's arms last night.Sophie didn't welcome Shelia there, but since Shelia was brought back by Juan, she had to hold back her annoyance. "Lunch is served at twelve o'clock, as per Mrs. Nichols's rules."The mention of Debra struck a nerve."I said, I'm hungry. Didn't you hear it? Is this how you do your job?" Shelia sulked, her temper frayed due to the pain and frustration from her injured face.Sophie, choking back her fury, reluctantly complied.After all, Shelia
"How can you say that? Debra is so kind, but this woman upsets her. Don't you have any sense of responsibility as her husband?" Melody snorted."Grandma, it was Debra's fault that Shelia had the accident! She..." Juan retorted."Enough!" Melody snapped. "Blaming your wife because of such a woman? Don't call yourself a man."Juan had never dared to defy Melody, so he fell silent.Melody glared at Shelia. "We paid for your education. Not only did you fail to appreciate it, but you also dreamed of marrying Juan. Do you think I can't see through your little scheme? You can dream on! As long as I'm alive, you'll never marry into this family."Juan couldn't hold back anymore. "Grandma, Shelia isn't like that.""Not like that?" Melody pulled out a stack of photos from her bag and threw them on the table. "See what kind of student you've been sponsoring!"The photos showed Shelia in heavy makeup and revealing clothes, dancing at nightclubs and drinking with men. Her behavior was very su
Juan instructed, "Call Debra and tell her to come home.""Huh?" Joe was stunned.Debra and Erica were partying at a nightclub.Though Debra rarely indulged, tonight she was drinking heavily. Since her rebirth, there had been too many stressful things. Now, with the alcohol, her worries seemed to vanish.Her phone rang. She answered it, and Joe faltered. "Madam, Mr. Nichols wants you to come home.""What? He wants me home? Why should I listen to him? Who does he think he is?" Debra slurred.Joe noticed her unusual tone. "Madam, where are you?""Somewhere without Juan!" she said, hanging up.Erica hugged Debra and laughed. "This isn't fun enough! Let's do something exciting!""Exciting?"Erica reached over and pressed the service bell. Soon enough, the manager came in with a smile."Miss Mathis, what can I do for you?""Bring me your hottest male models!""Sure, just a moment!"Soon, a line of handsome guys walked in. Their good looks amazed Debra.She had never seen anyth
Despite his words, Randy quickened his pace. Soon, they dashed out of the apartment and raced to the nightclub.The nightclub owner was waiting outside. As soon as Randy and Marion got out of the car, he hurried over and spoke obsequiously. "Gentlemen, I've kept an eye on them. They're still here."Randy halted his steps, asking, "So, they and the male models have been in the private room the whole time?"The nightclub owner gave an awkward smile.Everybody knew what that meant."Damn it!" Randy cursed as he strode forward. "Which room?""This one!" The nightclub owner was about to open the door for him, but Randy booted it open.Inside, several men were drinking with Debra and Erica, who seemed to be enjoying themselves."What, Randy and Marion?" Erica blurted out.Debra swiveled her head to find them looming in the doorway.Their faces were etched with disapproval."Are these guys part of the package?" one model asked suggestively.Debra sobered up and didn't know how to
Erica was already fast asleep, unaware of what Randy was saying.The car's warm air made Debra drowsy in the back seat, deepening the flush on her cheeks.Marion reached back, grabbed a blanket, and gently draped it over her."Get some sleep. We'll be there soon," he said.Debra nodded. She was exhausted and soon dozed off, leaning against the car window....Juan closed his laptop, and the room was silently oppressive. He rubbed his temples and picked up his phone, but there were still no messages from Debra.A moment later, Joe called back. Juan answered. "Where's Debra?""Mrs. Nichols seems to be at a nightclub.""A nightclub?"Juan frowned, thinking to himself. 'Debra rarely goes to such places. The last time she did it was to meet Jordan. With the recent online uproar, how could she risk going to such a place again?'"I think so. It was hard to hear clearly, but it was very noisy over there. Mrs. Nichols seemed drunk and unwilling to come back," Joe confirmed.The ne
Shelia was still waiting in the living room when Juan returned with a gloomy face. She probed, "Didn't Debra come back with you?"Juan snorted, "If she doesn't want to come back, she never has to."Shelia rejoiced at this statement. 'Debra is so foolish. She had the chance to win Juan's heart but chose to waste it.'That was good news for Shelia. As long as Debra wasn't around, she would have opportunities to get close to Juan and win his favor.She looked at Juan's face, feeling confident about her prospects with him.She could sense that Juan had feelings for her. He had always treated her differently from others.The next morning, Debra woke up groggy. She opened her eyes to see the white ceiling and unfamiliar surroundings.She rubbed her temples, remembering that last night she and Erica had gone to a nightclub and requested male models to join them for drinks. Later, Randy and Marion found them, and she seemed to fall asleep in the car. She couldn't remember anything after
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