Shelia had been tied to the bed for two days. During this time, Juan hadn't regularly brought her food or water.Her mouth was still taped shut, and she had no choice but to relieve herself on the bed. The room reeked, and she was on the brink of going insane.Just then, she heard footsteps outside the room. Sophie tried to open the door but couldn't.Shelia struggled, trying desperately to make a sound to alert whoever outside, but her hopes were quickly dashed by a cold voice."Sophie."Sophie jumped, startled. "Sir, you weren't here last night. I thought I'd come in and clean up the room.""From now on, no one but me is allowed in this room," Juan said sternly."What about cleaning?" Sophie asked."I'll take care of it myself," Juan replied.Sophie nodded despite her puzzlement. Remembering something, she added, "By the way, Miss Miles hasn't been around for a few days. Should we send someone to look for her?""No need. I've already chased her away. Don't bring her up agai
Juan turned, leaving Shelia alone inside the room. The door was locked, sealing her fate.Downstairs, Sophie was in the storage room, looking at a strange silver mask and an unremarkable black suit. She didn't think these belonged to Juan.As Juan descended the stairs, he saw Sophie about to discard the items. He strode over to pick up the items."Sir, I found them in the storeroom and thought they were no longer needed. I was about to dispose of them.""These are mine. Don't touch anything in the storage room without permission.""Understood.""Also, this house no longer needs a maid. Go and take care of my grandmother. She's getting old and should enjoy her retirement. Don't let her go out without my permission.""But who will take care of the house if I leave?""I'll handle it myself. Just do as I say.""Yes, sir."Sophie gathered her belongings and left the house.Juan looked down at the silver mask. Then he placed it and the suit back in the storage room.He muttered t
Andrew said, "In the past, maybe not, but now it's hard to say."Erica furrowed her brow. "Is it because of Juan?"Juan's previous actions at the party suggested that he had allied himself with Drake.Randy grumbled, "Juan is a huge problem. Can't we take him down together?""It's not that simple," Andrew replied. "The Nichols family has been thriving since Juan took over. Even our ancestors had to avoid their sharp edge, and Juan's abilities are better than his predecessors."Erica frowned. "But why would he ally with Drake? Everyone knows about Drake's shady business, while the Nichols family's businesses are all legitimate. Is Juan trying to ruin his family?"Andrew explained, "Well, legitimacy might be the key here. Juan needs Drake's help with his gray business. He can't rely on Marion for that."He glanced at Debra and continued, "Moreover, Juan has his reasons for doing this. The alliance between the McKinney Group and the five families has threatened Juan's position as t
Debra took the contract and scanned it. Indeed, it stated that in three months, Juan would transfer all his shares in the Nichols Group to her."I thought you were joking, Mr. Nichols. But it seems you're serious," she said.Juan remained expressionless. "I'm a man of my word, but...""But?""I don't think you'll still be alive by then."Debra's smile froze on her face, and Juan continued, "I heard Drake inject you with a new type of drug. You've been pampered all your life, never knowing real hardship. If you can't make it through the next three months, the company won't be yours."Debra looked down at the contract and noticed a clause stating that if either party died within three months, the contract would be null and void.She sneered and quickly signed the contract."Don't worry. Even for the sake of your company, I will pull through.""We'll see about that."Juan's smile faded as he watched her go. He believed she would make it.As he exited the notary office, Joe appr
Two days had passed since the first bout of drug withdrawal hit Shelia.The room echoed with her heart-wrenching screams, and the chains binding her limbs clanked against the bed."Please, save me. I was wrong."Her pleas fell on deaf ears. Eventually, she screamed in despair, "Juan, why are you doing this to me? What did you inject me with?"Juan stood on the other side of the room, looking down at the timer in his hand.The first bout of pain lasted about three hours. During that time, Shelia went from excitement to madness. It was painful but not fatal.Shelia collapsed on the bed, her eyes sunken and surrounded by dark circles. After being locked up and tortured for days, she looked like a withered husk.Confirming the end of the first stage, Juan rose from the sofa. He had already prepared a nutritional supplement, which he blended into a juice and poured down Shelia's throat.Shelia choked, feeling like her insides were being ripped out.These days, Juan had been feeding
"He injected me with a diluted version?" Debra was surprised.She hadn't expected Drake to still have a conscience. But then, another question struck her. "How do you know all this?"Andrew explained, "Marion did a lot for the Bernard family, who had their hands in both legal and illegal businesses. At that lawless place, Marion suffered a lot and even got hooked on drugs. Doctors thought he was a lost cause, but he pulled through with sheer willpower and kicked the habit in a year.""How could it be? I thought Mr. Bernard was kind to him," Debra said, confused."Kindness? For people like us, there's no such thing," Andrew said. "Shawn saw potential in Marion and kept him close. Marion had to take extreme measures to gain his trust. You know, among the four families, the Houston family is the most capable. Marion ending up overseas wasn't an accident; it was part of Caleb's long-term plan. You were probably too young to know, but Marion was the most outstanding and mature among us.
When Debra reached the laboratory, she saw Marion working on the latest antagonist."I have good news. Want to hear it?" she said.Marion paused and turned to see Debra standing at the door. Ever since her last visit to the lab, he had been adamant about not letting her enter without proper protection.He walked over to her, removed the protective gear, and tapped her head."It's dangerous here. If you miss me, just call me over.""Andrew just told me some good news. Finally, someone can stop spending 24 hours a day in the lab."Marion quickly caught on to her meaning. He picked her up and spun her around excitedly."You'll get through this, right?""Yes. Put me down first."She tapped Marion's shoulder, signaling him to put her down. As he did, he dropped a kiss on her forehead and took her hand, leading her out of the mansion."Where are we going?" Debra asked, confused.Andrew watched calmly from the second-floor window as Marion and Debra ran out together, but Randy jump
Erica groaned, "Too bad."Debra glanced at the rearview mirror, puzzled."That's strange.""What is it?""Didn't we already pass this road?""We did.""Then why are we on it again?""We were being tailed earlier.""That Rolls-Royce Phantom?""Yes.""Looks like Randy's car."Debra teased, squinting at him, "You're not planning to kidnap me, are you?"Marion took one hand off the steering wheel and pinched her nose."More than that. I want to tie you to my side and never let you leave."Debra blushed at the unexpected sweet words. "You never used to say things like this. Who knew you had it in you?""Darling, I only say these things to you," Marion protested, feigning hurt.Debra laughed at his expression.After a two-hour drive, they finally reached a secluded mountain area. Debra saw an electronic iron gate at the mountain's halfway point, which opened automatically as their car approached.Marion drove confidently up the mountain, and the fresh air seemed to wash awa
At her call, ten bodyguards walked into the room.Debra explained, "For safety's sake, these are our bodyguards for the day. Get familiar with them so there are no misunderstandings later."Liza was unimpressed. "Are ten of them enough? I usually bring 20."Erica snorted, "You want 20. Ask your daddy. Too many people will be arrestive.""What? Are you judging me?" Liza fumed."I am. I haven't even slapped you yet," Erica countered, rolling up her sleeves.Debra quickly stepped in. "Alright, it's about time. Let's go."She grabbed Erica's arm and headed toward the door. Liza followed them reluctantly.The whole morning was spent at a salon. Debra and Erica kept yawning, but Liza was full of energy."Is she really a spoiled lady?" Erica muttered, trailing behind Liza. "My barn needs a workhorse like her."Finally, they arrived at the store Liza had mentioned. Debra and Erica were grateful for a short break.Liza pulled Debra over. "Look at all these beautiful dresses. Can't wa
The next morning, Debra was shaken awake by Liza."Debra, get up," Liza urged, moving to pull off the blankets.Debra had stayed up all night going through the materials that Andrew gave her.She was still exhausted and buried her head under the covers."It's still early. What do you want?""Get up. Let's go pick a dress. I heard there's a great store."Debra couldn't focus, and she didn't want to hear any of it. All she wanted to do was sleep."Marion, get her out of here," she yelled.Marion knocked and came in. "Please leave."He had just finished preparing breakfast for Debra.Liza was upset. "I asked my dad to help you guys. And this is how you repay me? Fine, I'll go by myself tonight."With that, she headed toward the door.Debra sighed and got up. "Alright, I'll go with you. Is that okay?""That's more like it," Liza smiled. "I'll wait for you outside. Hurry up."She hummed a tune and skipped out of the room.Debra rubbed her temples. Marion said, "If you don't w
Barton held the medicine in front of Andrew and pleaded, "Sir, please take your medicine, alright? Take it, get some rest, and by tomorrow, you'll feel better. Mrs. Houston will still be here."Andrew relaxed a little. It was true.Debra was alive. She was beautiful, elegant, and clever, just as he had always imagined. She had gotten married and was living a happy life."Being my wife is dangerous," he murmured to himself. "The life she has now is the best path I could have given her."He swallowed the pills and leaned back against the bed. Sleep eluded him, but his memories didn't.Once again, he was transported back 16 years.Jordan and the six-year-old Debra were kidnapped. His parents rushed to save Jordan but were ambushed. Both lost their lives.Andrew did his best to rescue Debra, but his legs were injured during the process.He cradled the unconscious, injured Debra in his arms, crawling desperately away from the explosions. For the first time, he understood what despai
"Help me!"A little girl's desperate cries echoed in Andrew's mind, and he woke up from a dream.The room was pitch black and eerily silent. As if drained, he weakly leaned against the head of the bed. Fragments of a memory flickered in his mind like a haunting replay."Hold my hand.""Hug me."A sweet, childlike voice seemed to call out to him again, as if it had traveled through time to reach him. He opened his eyes and was pulled into a memory from many years ago.The summer air carried the fresh scent of grass. In the courtyard, koi fish chased one another in the pond. Sunlight bathed the entire yard, its warmth embracing everything in its reach.He was just an 11-year-old boy then. In front of him stood a little girl with a chubby face. Her little hands tugged at his sleeve.Andrew bent down, as if this moment had been predestined, and smiled at her. "What now?""Swing-swing," replied the girl, pointing at a swing set not far away."It's a swing.""Swing-swing.""Alrig
Standing outside was Jordan.He asked bluntly, "What are you doing here?""I came to visit Andrew," Debra replied with a frown, sensing hostility. "Anything wrong with that?"Jordan pressed his lips together. "How is he?""Not so good. He's been coughing," Debra replied, shaking her head. "I'll leave now."Barton spoke up. "Mrs. Houston, you left something behind.""Oh right, the report Ben gave me," Debra responded, walking back to the desk to grab the papers.Once she left, Jordan went into the room and closed the door behind him.Debra paused, wondering why Andrew asked her to hide his fake illness from Jordan."Hey."Suddenly, a voice startled Debra. She turned around and saw Liza standing behind her.Liza looked puzzled. "What are you staring at so intently?"Debra composed herself and asked, "What's up?""Nothing, just bored. I haven't seen you around lately," Liza pouted. "Didn't you guys get into some kind of trouble? I called my dad. Don't worry. Within three days
Andrew said, "You've been up high for too long. In business, connections are everything. It's like when you buy goods, you need to find suppliers. If you're running a casino, you need muscles. No matter where you are, you can't fight with the locals. Their assets may be small, but they can cause endless trouble for your enemies. This is the first thing I want to teach you. You should learn to navigate emotions and make the most of every connection. A small fish could be the key to your success in the future."As she flipped through the files, he tapped one page and said, of the pages and said, "The Warwick family. Their assets are only in the millions, but they've survived in Seamar City for 50 years. They control half the resources in this city. They started from scratch, and when it comes to suppliers for the food and beverage industry, big or small, they know who offers the cheapest. They know all the entry and exit points. They've used their connections wisely, and that's why th
"I'm scared." A soft, childlike voice echoed in Debra's mind.The sound jolted her out of her thoughts, and she yanked her hand back from the swing.It felt so familiar. She turned around and scanned the courtyard.She had wandered there while lost in her thoughts. This was her first time in the garden of the Potter Mansion. Yet the flowers and scenery around her felt so familiar.Barton walked into the garden. "Mr. Andrew Potter wants to meet you, Mrs. Houston.""Barton," Debra said, "this garden is beautifully designed. Has it stayed the same all these years?""Yes. Mr. Andrew Potter likes it as it is, so he's kept it unchanged," Barton replied, stepping aside. "After you."Debra couldn't help but steal a few more glances at the flowers and greenery.She had a strong feeling that she had been there before, but her memory told her she'd never set foot in the Potter Mansion.When she entered Andrew's bedroom, the sharp scent of medicine brought her back to reality.Andrew sat
After hearing Drake's recount of his experiences in Orkgate, Debra frowned and said, "Great wisdom behind a dumb appearance, right?""Come on. Were you even listening to me? And do I look dumb to you?" Drake huffed."That was a compliment.""Ugh.""Alright. Leave this newcomer to us. You just focus on recovering. Once you're better, we'll need you to take back the Lowe Group."Debra stood up, ready to leave."Debra.""Anything else?""If you must suspect someone, then suspect Juan.""Juan?"Debra was surprised at first and then remembered a deal Drake had once made with Juan.Juan had stepped in, claiming to collaborate with the Lowe Group, but that was a one-time thing."Didn't you work with him?""Not me. It was a deal between the Lowe Group and him. On the night he saved you, he came to me with a proposal.""What did he promise you?""He promised to secure my position in Seamar City. The Nichols Group would be the most suitable partner for me. But that was just part o
By rights, if they were to change leadership, they'd have to follow a process.At least, they should introduce the new president. Yet the new president was directly appointed without any of the proper procedures. No one had even bothered to take the shares from Drake.It was all so strange.Marion believed the Lowe Group had hidden assets and those behind the scenes held the largest share of hidden interests. To Debra, many things still didn't add up.As the head of the Lowe Group for years, Drake should have known about this.Drake spoke blandly, "When I was adopted by the Lowe family, I was busy cramming financial knowledge. I'm not like Marion. He's a rich boy from the slums, just there for the experience. I don't know these things. So, I had to work harder than others. In the beginning, there wasn't just me as the heir. I was just transferred from overseas to make up the numbers. The Bernard family wanted to get involved with the Lowe family, so they sent some people over. Mar