Chapter 9In the original timeline, Marion's identity was revealed three years after Caleb's death.Debra wondered if her rebirth had unintentionally changed things.Shelia's face turned pale at Caleb's words.'Marion is rumored to be an orphan. How could he be Caleb's grandson?'She wondered if Caleb had heard everything she just said.Offending Caleb meant no future in the financial world.Shelia looked at Juan, seeking his help."Mr. Houston, Shelia just spoke without thinking. Considering her young age, please don't judge her too harshly."Caleb merely snorted, "Heard there was a genius by Mr. Nichols's side. Well, I'm not impressed."Shelia's face turned ashen.It seemed she had lost all favor with Caleb.Debra witnessed it all.At this point, even if Juan spoke up, it wouldn't help. Caleb was already merciful enough not to kick her out.Juan fell silent.When Caleb's gaze fell on Debra, it softened. "You're from the Frazier family, right?"Debra came to her senses
Chapter 10Randy drove to a nearby, unfinished building."Damn it! I can't believe Aaron keeps her in this shitty place."Randy looked around. It was pitch dark, and the only sound was his voice echoing.Aaron was dragged out of the car by Marion, barely standing up.Randy kicked him. "Speak! Where is she?""They hid her. We planned to teach that... Ms. Frazier a lesson. We thought, after getting the money, we'd blow up this building. Not only would we get rid of Juan, but we'd also get a lot of money. It was supposed to be a chance for me to ask for credit. I didn't expect Ms. Frazier and Mr. Houston to know each other," Aaron confessed."Blow it up? Did you say you wanted to blow this up?" Randy's eyes widened. "A time bomb?"Aaron nodded fearfully.Marion's eyes glinted with coldness, and Aaron swallowed hard."Randy, tie him up. If the bomb detonates, I want him to die first."Despite his plea for mercy, Randy tied him up.This unfinished building was complicated. Mario
Chapter 11Shelia lowered her head and stood timidly by Juan's side.Juan's indifferent gaze reminded Debra of things in her last life, and her heart sank.She had intended to thank him, but it seemed Juan didn't care at all."I'm tired. Do as you please," Debra said, heading upstairs.Her thoughts were no longer on Juan and Shelia.If Aaron could easily make his move on her, others could too.She couldn't always rely on Juan without any ability to protect herself.The next day, Debra prepared to leave early, only to find Juan's grandmother sitting in the living room. Shelia stood nearby and looked aggrieved."Melody?" Debra frowned.Melody Nichols rarely visited. Debra wondered what brought her here."I heard from Juan that you spent ten billion dollars on a piece of land." Melody's tone held a hint of reproach.Debra sat down and poured tea for Melody. "That's true.""And were you kidnapped last night?"Debra lowered her gaze. "Yes.""We're not an ordinary family. Once
Chapter 12Only Juan would be deceived by Shelia.Juan liked Shelia, making it hard to see through her."Alright, it's not a big deal. Shelia still has class today. I'll take her to school."Juan gave Shelia a look, indicating she should leave.Shelia looked grateful."Debra and I are going shopping today. Since you're not busy, come along with us," Melody said."But Shelia...""Let Joe take her back. You're the CEO of Nichols Group. Don't do anything that tarnishes your status."Melody's words were final.Shelia bit her lip and said, "Mr. Nichols, it's fine if Joe takes me to school. Don't upset Mrs. Nichols."Shelia politely bowed to Melody.But Melody didn't appreciate it."I'll see you off," Juan said.Shelia nodded.As Juan escorted Shelia out, Melody turned to Debra. "Juan is young and easily deceived by these vixens. You should be more vigilant."Debra nodded outwardly but inwardly hoped these two would progress faster."I've noticed you've been putting less eff
Chapter 13Debra didn't expect Juan to believe her anyway.Quickly, Debra followed Juan into the car, and he pretended to be affectionate by holding her hand.Debra knew it was all an act in front of Melody.Juan's parents had passed away, and it was Melody who had raised him. He respected and obeyed her.Debra didn't expose the truth. Instead, she played along with Juan's act."What about that land? How do you plan to deal with it?" Melody suddenly asked.She was asking Juan.Juan, seated in the front, glanced at Debra through the rearview mirror and said, "That's bought by Debra, so she'll handle it herself."Melody looked at Debra and said, "Leave this matter to Juan. The most important thing for you is to be a good wife and mother.""Matters concerning the Nichols family are naturally handled by Juan, but this land was bought on behalf of the elders in my family. They will take care of the rest."Melody's tone softened. "In the future, stay out of such matters. Now that
Chapter 14Debra sensed Juan's stiffness and squeezed her way in.Inside, the lights were dim, and there was a candlelit dinner table in the living room.Debra was astounded.Obviously, it was Melody's idea. That explained why Melody insisted earlier that Juan take Debra home. This was her plan."Debra, you've got some nerve.""Not me."Debra wanted to explain, but Juan threw down the bags and left without looking back.But when he stepped, he found that the driver had driven away the car.Debra fully understood Melody's intention. If she and Juan didn't stay together tonight, Melody would not give up."Don't bother." Debra said, "You sleep in the living room, and I'll sleep in the bedroom."Juan gave Debra a cold look. "I warn you not to play tricks."With that, Juan walked into the house.Seeing the disgust in Juan's eyes, Debra could only laugh at herself.'This is what you get for liking Juan, Debra. Even if you once liked him so much, in Juan's mind, you're just a wo
Chapter 15Juan frowned, wondering why Debra was willing to give up the chance to be alone with him.In his impression, Debra would be angry if he went to see Shelia."Aren't you taking Shelia to the hospital?" she said.She hoped that Juan could leave as soon as possible.She was worried that Marion would go to bed and that Melody would play new tricks tomorrow."Enjoy your meal."Juan glanced at the neatly clean plates and felt a bit frustrated.She had gone to such great lengths to keep him at home, only to focus on eating.After Juan left, Debra took out her phone and dialed Marion's number."Hey, something's come up. I'm on my way.""No rush.""See you soon!"At the window of his office, Marion hung up his phone.On the sofa, Randy woke up and asked, "Where's Debra? It's late.""She's held up," Marion replied."For a whole day?" Randy stretched, suddenly realizing something. "Don't tell me you've been waiting here all this time."From this floor-to-ceiling window,
Chapter 16Debra was very serious.But her words were partly true. The Frazier family wasn't what it used to be, which was why Juan grew colder toward her in her last life.For Juan, their marriage was all about business. Once she lost her value, she meant nothing to him.When the Frazier family went broke, Juan abandoned her."You're going to manage your family business? Is this a joke?" Randy started, but Marion's glare cut him off.Randy quickly corrected himself, "It's not that I look down on you, but finance isn't your field. You haven't learned how to run a company. A lean camel is bigger than a horse. It's hard for a young lady like you to convince those old guys.""I know that," Debra replied."Then why do you..."Marion's warning glance made him falter. "It's just unrealistic for you to run the Frazier Group.""It's my grandfather's legacy. I must preserve it. Although I haven't formally studied, I have a plan.""What plan?""I'll go to school.""School?"Randy w
"Are you suspecting me?" Enoch's voice hardened."Not really," Debra said calmly. "But you're the only one left who knows the Four Families' secrets. We have no one else to turn to."Enoch sighed, realizing they wouldn't leave without answers. "Sit."Debra and Marion exchanged a glance before taking seats across from him.Tea was served. Enoch stirred his cup. "The Osborne family survived by staying out of dramas. Drop this obsession. The Four Great Families legend? Just a gimmick cooked up by hotheaded youngsters a century ago. There's no treasure. Stop chasing ghosts.""If there's no secret," Debra countered, "why has someone spent decades scheming, killing, and laying traps? We're not naive children, Mr. Osborne. This matters."She then pulled out a gemstone. "Recognize this?"Enoch's brow twitched.Debra had three stones: one from Melody, one from Marion, and one from Jordan.Four families should mean four stones. The Osbornes possessed the last one."We had one," Enoch a
Debra teased him, "You stick out like a sore thumb here.""I'm evolved," Randy smiled, leading them into the house.The maids were cleaning in the grand hall that resembled a museum. The shelves were crammed with antiques worth seven figures. Porcelain vases and jade carvings screamed "royalty-only" back in the day.The Osborne family might as well have hung a neon "Rob Me" sign.Debra's gaze snagged on a wall glittering with rare gemstones and uncut minerals. She drifted closer, but Randy's father emerged from a side room."You guys..." His sharp eyes swept over them.Enoch Osborne had a tall, well-built frame, his posture straight and dignified. Despite being in his fifties, the sharpness and grace of his youth still lingered in his features, hinting at the strikingly handsome man he had once been."Dad," Randy greeted him. "These are Debra, Marion, and Erica. You've met them before."Enoch ignored him, "I know these famous CEOs."His words drew a distinct line between them.
The security guard squinted at Randy. "And you are?"Randy kept up appearances. "You blind? I'm Randy Osborne."The guard stayed deadpan. "ID, please."Randy exploded. "I need an ID to enter my own freaking house?""Sorry, sir. If you're impersonating him and I let you in, I'll get fired," the guard insisted.Grumbling, Randy yanked out a wallet. "See this? Designer leather. Costs more than your salary."He flipped it open to reveal a stack of cards. "Credit cards. More than you've ever had."The guard repeated flatly, "ID, please.""I forgot my damn ID, okay?" Randy spluttered.Erica came out of the car, marched over, and slapped Randy's ID into the guard's hand. "Happy? Open the gate," she said.The guard meticulously compared Randy to the photo and pulled out a scanner.After verifying the ID wasn't fake, he finally stepped aside. "Sir and Madam, please proceed.""We've got friends," Erica added, jerking her thumb at the car.Debra and Marion stepped out.The guard c
"Huh? When?" Debra was surprised."When you were born," Randy replied. "All Four Great Families got together. You were still a baby, so you don't remember."Erica raised an eyebrow. "Didn't expect you to remember something that long ago."Randy scratched his head. "I was too young to recall much. But that banquet was the fanciest I've ever seen. Stuck in my brain. Oh, and that's when I first met Marion. Back then, he was..." Before he could finish, Marion kicked the back of his seat."Just drive and stop talking.""Alright. No kicking."Randy rubbed his sore back with one hand. Debra turned her attention to Marion."You were there the day I was born?" she asked.Randy butted in, "Of course. All four families showed up. Your family was popular back then, and your dad was the life of the party. Having a daughter was a big deal. Influential businessmen from around the globe came to celebrate it."He sighed dramatically, "Your family had its day."Though decades had passed, De
Erica thought for a moment. "Your task is even tougher."Garland's eyes lit up, but then Erica patted his shoulder. "The Osborne family chef's cooking sucks. Your job is to make dinner for us."Garland's smile cracked. "That's your tough task?""Obviously. Logistics are critical," Erica grinned, turning to Randy. "Let's go. Time to revisit the home you've been dreaming about."Randy hated going home or seeing his father.He sighed, "I'm only doing this for you. If it were Marion, I'd say no."Marion shrugged. "I could just raid your ancestral hall with my men. Sounds easier.""Don't." Randy paled. "My dad can't touch you, but he'll kill me."Marion was capable of such a thing. Drake and Robert were the living examples, suffering from his betrayal.That night, Randy and Erica headed to the Osborne Mansion.As Randy drove, Erica frowned. "Why are your hands shaking?"Debra chimed in from the backseat, "The car feels wobbly.""It's me that's wobbly." Randy's lips were white. "
"Not that line. The one before," Debra pressed.Randy thought for a moment. "Wrong direction of investigation?""The one before that.""These are account books, not a treasure map?""Yes, that's the one.""What about it?"Debra crossed her arms. "I always thought it was weird. If these ledgers were so dangerous, why weren't they burned? Why hide them in ancestral halls? The Osborne and Houston families probably have their versions too. Maybe combined, they are a treasure map.""I've heard of treasure maps hidden in poems or paintings," Erica said, "but account books? That's a first.""That's a wild guess," Randy echoed. "What kind of treasure would be hidden in ledgers?"Debra shook her head. "Randy, can you sneak into your ancestral hall and get something?"Randy froze as all eyes landed on him. He swallowed hard and shook his head. "I've hated going to the ancestral hall since I was a kid. Every time I go, I either piss off my ancestors or get beaten by my dad. Do you want
Marion came back, and Randy pretended to whistle, acting like he hadn't said a word.Debra turned to see Marion holding the ledger."Was someone badmouthing me?" he asked.Randy shook his head. "No way. Everyone was praising you as a role model for modern men.""Really?""Absolutely."Erica smacked his arm. "Stop the joke and let's see the ledger."Debra spread it and said, "Based on our calculations, the Houston family's foreign goods business made 300 thousand silver dollars annually but spent 600 thousand. My family's cosmetics business earned 100 thousand and spent 200 thousand. The Osborne family's agricultural ventures brought in 200 thousand but lost 400 thousand. As for the Potter family... Their annual income was 1.2 million, but the expenditure was zero."Randy mused, "So, our families were bleeding money to subsidize the Potters?""Exactly." Debra nodded. "Those two elders claimed the 1.2 million funded their intelligence network. But that amount's way too high."S
"Damn it. Can't you say something nice for once?" Erica smacked Randy on the back of his head. "The Potter family's elders showed up earlier demanding to take back the seal from Debra. I called you a million times. Why didn't you pick up?"Randy clutched her head, wincing. "It's not that I didn't want to. It's Marion..."He glanced at Marion, then awkwardly backtracked. "We were having a meeting, and I muted my phone. Wasn't ignoring you on purpose.""If you ever ignore my calls again, you're dead," Erica huffed."Got it. Won't happen again." Randy nodded meekly.Marion crossed his arms. "Seems like everything's settled now.""Settled? Then what's up with this guy?" Randy pointed at Ivan sprawled unconscious on the floor. "Why's this dude napping here?""I knocked him out," Debra said casually. "Didn't want him to overhear things he shouldn't. Used a little force.""That's a little?" Randy stared at the bruise on Ivan's neck.Erica rolled her eyes. "Put up or shut up!"Randy
Garland's curiosity was piqued. "So, does that mean only Andrew knows about the treasure?"Freddy shook his head. "This generation is an exception. The kidnapping incident that took Andrew's parents' lives also buried the secret. As for whether Andrew knows... You'd have to ask him. But I doubt it. The incident was too sudden. His father likely didn't have time to pass on the secret.""Mrs. Houston," Josh interjected, "is the Potter family's heirloom gemstone in your possession?"Debra thought of the gemstone Jordan had given her. "It is. If you want it back..."Josh waved his hand with a gentle smile. "No. Since it's been given to you, it's yours. Just take good care of it. Don't lose it."Debra nodded solemnly. "I'll keep it safe, Mr. Palmer."Freddy spoke again. "Our visit is no longer a secret. We've spread the word that we reclaimed the seal. Next time you use it, it must be for something really important. Don't show it to anyone.""I understand," Debra replied.The last t