All eyes turned to the new arrival, and the room fell silent as they recognized Juan.Everyone knew that Debra was once Juan's wife, and their recent divorce made his presence even more unsettling.Juan and Marion were both powerful figures not to be trifled with.Randy was stunned. "What the hell? How did he get in? What were the guards doing?"He moved to intercept Juan, but before he could, Juan's men rushed in.Debra frowned. "Today's event is hosted by the Potter family, not the Nichols family. Are you trying to challenge all of us here by doing this?"Although Juan had been the dominant force in Seamar City for years, the combined strength of the five families was not something he could easily overcome.Juan glanced around at the guests and replied coolly, "You stole Drake's guests. Can't I come and do the same?""Juan, don't get cocky," Randy shouted, pushing past a bodyguard and coming out of the crowd.Erica followed suit, standing beside him."You had your days," Ra
The lollipop dangled from Marion's mouth like a cigar.While the guests were confused, he casually raised his hand, and several guards immediately rushed inside.Juan's bodyguards were good, but they couldn't compare to these people, who were trained according to military standards. Tension rose in an instant.The crowd fidgeted, afraid of getting caught in the crossfire."I'd like to see who dares to walk out of this door today," Marion said calmly.His guards drew their electric batons, and the crowd gulped nervously.Ever since Marion arrived in Seamar City, he had kept a profile so low that people had forgotten how he had made his name known.Even though he was now the head of the Houston Group and had toned down his behavior, he still could do things recklessly.The choice between money and life became clear to everyone present. Those who had been swayed by Juan's words now dared not move again.Their choice became clear, and Juan was not delighted.Marion walked up to h
"You didn't tell me about the engagement part," Debra said to Marion.She had noticed something different earlier when she entered the banquet hall, but she didn't believe Marion was behind it."Not my idea," Marion replied. "When I was pushed downstairs, they only told me to change my clothes. They didn't mention it was an engagement party.""They?" Debra's gaze shifted to Randy and Erica. "It was you guys."Randy smiled awkwardly, and Erica quickly explained, "Well, the last engagement party didn't go as planned. We wanted to make up for it, but who knew..."No one had expected Juan's arrival to cause trouble. It was infuriating.Debra turned back to Marion. "I thought you were planning a surprise for me."It would have been a pleasant surprise if it weren't for the disturbance.Marion pinched her nose and said, "Who said I didn't plan anything? It's just that they took matters into their own hands and almost ruined my plans.""Wait, you had plans and didn't tell us?" Randy
It was easy to get here but hard to get out."Mr. Eaton Sr. has only one daughter. He wants you to take care of her and keep her out of harm's way, or else..." Kale didn't finish his words, but the underlining meaning was clear.Drake rubbed his temples. "I see. If she wants to move in, let her. As long as she doesn't cause any trouble, I'll protect her."Women were just stepping stones for him. Once he had control of the Eaton family, he would have the necessary power to beat Marion."I'll arrange a room for her right away."Drake then recalled the revelation of Debra being the head of the McKinney Group. But even though she was powerful, she would yield to his drugs.He murmured, "Hold out for as long as you can, Debra."The second wave of the drugs' effects was underway. Without the cure, no one could tough it out. He believed it wouldn't take long before she crawled back to him.The party ended. Randy and Erica directed their staff to clean up.Debra watched them bicker an
Debra was startled, worried that it was Marion. She couldn't let him see her like that.She quickly braced herself against the bathroom door, and sure enough, Marion's anxious voice rang out from the other side. "Debra?"She barely managed, "It's just collywobbles. Just go wait outside."Her tone was a bit reproachful, and Marion frowned. "Did you eat something bad tonight?""Yeah, maybe," she replied, trying to keep her voice steady. "Can you go get me some medicine?"Marion agreed, "Okay, I'll be right back."Debra breathed a sigh of relief as she heard Marion leave. She tottered to the bathtub and splashed cold water on her face, trying to stay conscious. Her hands were shaking so much that the water soaked her clothes.Marion came back and knocked lightly. "I'll leave the medicine on the table. Andrew wants to see me. I'll be back soon.""Go ahead. I'll be fine," Debra managed, hanging on a shard of senses.As Marion's footsteps faded away, she opened the bathroom door, tr
Randy and Erica burst into the room, only to find Debra clamping down on Marion's arm with her teeth.Shocked, Randy rushed forward to separate them.But Marion stopped him. "Don't move.""What? Your arm is bleeding." Randy was confused, but he quickly noticed Debra's unusual pallor.He touched her forehead and found it was burning.Erica stood by, anxious. "What's going on? What happened to Debra?""Say no more," Randy said with a grim expression, grabbing her arm. "We need to get out of here.""What? No, we can't just leave," Erica said anxiously, calling out to Debra.But Debra seemed oblivious and looked painful."Let's leave." Randy pulled Erica back and dragged her out of the room.Andrew was already outside. Erica rushed to him."Debra is sick. Please call a doctor.""I already did. But remember, don't let anyone else know about this.""I understand. I'll go find William," Randy responded with rare seriousness.Erica, sensing the gravity of the situation, muttered,
Marion clenched his fist. He knew the feeling all too well. Trying to quit was harder than death itself. He couldn't bear to see Debra in such pain, but he had to stay strong."Marion. Look at me. Can you bear to see me in such pain? Marion..." Debra's mind was a mess, and her desperate desire to escape the pain had taken over her rationality.Marion's heart was in turmoil.Just then, Andrew entered the room with the doctors, who rushed to Debra's side and tried to restrain her on the bed."Marion!" Debra cried out in horror.Marion growled, "Step aside."The doctors exchanged glances, hesitating.Marion repeated, "I said, step aside.""Listen to him," Andrew ordered, and the doctors backed away.Seeing how scared Debra was, Marion patted her back and soothed her. "Have a sleep. It'll be okay. And I'm sorry."With those words, he struck her on the back of the neck, knocking her unconscious. Debra slumped into his arms."Debra..." Erica ran out of the room, unable to bear the
Marion stubbed out his cigarette.He had promised Debra he would quit smoking, but today, he relapsed.He had also promised her that he would stay away from the underworld, but just moments ago, he realized that laying down his weapons gave others the chance to put a knife to his throat."Do it," Marion said calmly.His men swiftly moved in, apprehending all the security guards in the courtyard.Inside the house, Kale rushed into Drake's bedroom, his face etched with urgency. "Boss, Marion is here."Drake tensed up, not expecting Marion to have the guts to show up again.Footsteps echoed through the house, followed by the shattering of glass and ceramics."Smash everything," Marion commanded, his voice hellish.Drake narrowed his eyes, about to get up, when a bullet whizzed past his ear, drawing blood."Boss!" Kale exclaimed, but Drake raised a hand to stop him.Kale stood protectively in front of Drake as Marion appeared at the doorway, holding a silenced pistol that was st
"But I heard you say you wanted to exchange true hearts," Marion said."I did," Debra replied. "My desire to save Liza is genuine. But that doesn't mean I have to die for it.""So why go through all this trouble? Trying to manipulate her feelings?""Not manipulation but a little strategy. Someone has to take the first step in any relationship."Marion sighed, flicking her nose. "Always scheming, aren't you?"Debra grinned, her earlier sharpness replaced by a playful gleam. This move had been unexpected, but it had worked beautifully.Not only had they caught Edgar, but Liza now owed her a huge favor. Even if there was some calculation involved, her desire to save Liza was genuine.Suddenly, Debra remembered Frederic, who had been with them. When she turned to ask about his injuries, she found him gone. Edgar was missing too.She frowned, wondering if Frederic had taken Edgar away on Fermin's orders."Hey, are you two done talking?" Liza complained. "It's freaking cold here."
The coldness in Debra's eyes deepened.Cathryn laughed mockingly, "Debra, this is all you've got? All you ever do is talk big with nothing to back it up.""If I do that," Debra said, "you'd let Liza go, right?""Of course. If you die, I'll let her walk free," Cathryn said, glancing at Liza. "We're friends. I don't want to hurt her. I just want you dead."Liza's heart sank. She didn't believe for a second that Debra would do that for her.Debra turned to Frederic and extended her hand. "Give me the knife."Frederic didn't move, and she frowned. "I said, give it to me."When Frederic still didn't respond, she added, "I'm doing this to save your lady. If something happens to Liza, how will you explain it to Fermin?"But Frederic still refused to comply. Debra leaned in closer and lowered her voice. "Trust me. Just give me the knife."Frederic's gaze flicked to the gun in Debra's right hand. Something clicked in his mind, and he slowly handed her the knife.Debra turned back to C
Debra's eyes narrowed. "I get why you want to kill me, but Drake was your ally. Isn't this a bit too cruel?"Cathryn spluttered, "Drake used me like a pawn. I just want him to pay for it. Compared to the humiliation he put me through, 20 billion dollars is nothing. It can't even restore my dignity.""Dignity is something you give yourself," Debra retorted. "Drake gave you choices. You were blinded by greed.""Shut up!" Cathryn snarled. "Don't act all high and mighty with me. You think you're so pure? If you were, why did you throw yourself at Marion? At your engagement party, Erica protected you. Randy stood by you. Andrew had your back. You have Michael and Oscar supporting the McKinney Group for you. Even Juan can't forget you. With all these people loving you, why did you have to steal Marion?"Debra hadn't realized Cathryn harbored so much resentment. She let out a cold laugh. "Everything I have, I earned with my blood, sweat, and tears. Do you think Marion would love you if yo
Frederic caught Liza, who was paralyzed with fear, and pushed her toward the car.Meanwhile, Debra kicked Edgar in the chest and pinned him under her heel. "Tell me, what's in Seamar City?"She had gone to great lengths to corner Edgar, intending to have Randy keep an eye on him in Seamar City until she could return to confront him.But Edgar had fled overseas, taking Liza and Cathryn hostage in his desperation.With his thigh pierced, Edgar could barely fight back. Gritting his teeth against the pain, he spat, "What's in Seamar City? Are you seriously pretending you don't know? It's wealth beyond imagination. The kind of fortune every merchant dreams of.""What treasure?" Debra leaned in, her expression intense. "Be specific."Edgar's hand suddenly darted to his waist. In a flash, he drew a concealed dagger and slashed toward her. In reflex, Debra caught it.Frederic immediately raised his gun, only to find it hard to aim at Edgar. He was trying to use Debra as a shield."Help
"True." Drake stood up. "Get the car ready. We're going.""Yes, boss." Kale shook his head.Drake never cared about his reputation. He just needed an excuse to go.Once in the car, Kale started the engine and asked, "Boss, where are we headed?""How would I know? Didn't Cathryn tell you where she was?""No, she didn't."Silence settled in the car.Inside the abandoned factory, Edgar glanced at Liza. "Fermin hasn't shown up yet. Looks like he doesn't care about you that much."Liza retorted, "No way. He loves me the most. He'll come to save me.""Seems like we can't rely on you. I should contact Marion instead." Edgar pulled out his phone, planning to instruct Marion to leave the money in a safe spot.Suddenly, a pair of headlights penetrated the darkness, shining directly at him."See? I told you my brother would come to rescue me." Liza pointed at the black car in the distance.Quickly, a figure emerged from the car. It was Frederic, who was dressed in a sharp suit that bo
"Me?" Debra muttered.Edgar held no personal grudge against Liza. The only person he hated there was Debra.She was the only reason for his downfall."Yes, you," Edgar replied. "You're full of tricks, and I don't trust you. If you don't take her place, I won't let her go."Debra laughed, "Then don't let her go. The Eatons are not after me anyway. And a little heads-up. If I get a scratch, Marion will make you pay a heavy price."Before Edgar could respond, she continued, "Well, I can go over and take her place."Edgar's eyes narrowed, and she added, "Relax! I might be able to fend off a couple of amateurs, but against you? I wouldn't stand a chance."Edgar scoffed, "At least you're self-aware."Only then did he cut Liza loose. The marks on her skin were deep. For someone who had lived a life of luxury and privilege, the humiliation was unbearable.She glared at Edgar, eager to slap him, but the cold steel of his gun kept her rooted in place.Meanwhile, Marion sped down the de
Kale hesitated.Drake furrowed his brow. "What is it?"Kale sighed, "Miss Bernard was kidnapped by Edgar.""Oh, and what does that have to do with me? Edgar needs money, right? He wants a ransom?""Yes.""Well, he should be asking Marion for money. Marion was the one who promised to take care of Cathryn."Drake brushed it off and loosened his tie. "Go pack your things. We don't need to get involved in Cathryn's affairs. Someone else will take care of it.""But...""What is it now?""Debra has also been kidnapped.""By Edgar? Ha!""I heard it over the phone. Besides Debra, Liza has also been taken. It sounds like Edgar is demanding a ransom of one trillion dollars.""One trillion? Has he lost his mind?""Desperate people do desperate things."Inside the abandoned factory, Debra leaned against the van and took out her phone."Are you sure you don't want me to call Marion? Both of them have already made calls. What's holding you back?" she said."Shut up!" Edgar snapped.
The line went through, but the one answering the call was Kale.He warned, "Miss Bernard, I believe Mr. Lowe made himself clear. If you insist on bothering him, he'll show you no mercy."Cathryn hadn't expected this number to belong to Kale. It turned out Drake hadn't given her his number at all.But with Edgar staring at her from the side, she had to bite the bullet and try again. "Can you please let Drake take the call? I have something very important to tell him.""Mr. Lowe isn't interested," Kale refused flatly, ready to hang up.Cathryn cried out, "I've been kidnapped by Edgar. He'll kill me if I can't come up with a ransom of 20 billion dollars."But Kale was unimpressed. "Well, you're no longer engaged to Mr. Lowe. Whether it's 20 billion or 20 dollars, it has nothing to do with us."Cathryn's last hope was dashed. Edgar heard it and said, "So, you're useless now.""No. Don't kill me," Cathryn pleaded.Edgar snorted, "The Eaton family would pay 40 billion for Miss Eaton
"Not your concern," Edgar spat, pressing the gun barrel against Liza's forehead. "Call Marion and tell him to prepare the ransom. Otherwise, I'll kill her.""Go ahead," Debra said indifferently. "Cathryn and I are rivals, and I've never gotten along with Liza. Killing either of them won't affect me."Liza was pissed off. From the look on her face, Debra knew she was cursing her.Debra added, "Save your energy. Using their lives to threaten me won't work. You'd be better off making them call their families. Maybe Drake cares enough about his fiancée to pay up. As for Mr. Eaton Sr., he's old and ruthless. I'd suggest contacting her brother instead. Maybe then, you'll have a chance to walk away with the money."Liza listened with growing irritation. Undoubtedly, Debra was the devil's advocate."You make a good point," Edgar admitted, ripping the duct tape off Liza's mouth.She immediately shouted at Debra, "You shameless viper! You...""Shut up!" Edgar pressed the gun harder agains