"Alright, let's just say I believe you," Drake said."You should," Debra said.Drake leaned back in his chair. "But don't you think you owe me some compensation? After all, I lost my engagement because of you."Debra tilted her head. "I'm broke and don't have anything valuable to compensate you with.""I'm not asking for much," Drake said casually. "Just 20% of the McKinney Group's shares.""Are you trying to rob me?" Debra stared at him as if he'd lost his mind."No deal?""No deal.""Then maybe I'll have to take one of your hands instead.""Go ahead."Debra extended her hand with complete seriousness, as if ready to make good on her offer.Drake chuckled, both irritated and amused. "You'd give up your hand just to save money? Are you that desperate?""If I lose a hand, I can still eat. If I lose my money, I'll starve," Debra replied matter-of-factly.Drake batted her hand away. "Then go ask Marion to transfer the Houston Group's shares to me.""That will do.""Are you
"Mrs. Houston, let's go upstairs," said the maid.Debra glanced at her. "I've been cooped up in the house for days. I need some fresh air. That's not too much to ask, is it?""I guess so," the maid said hesitantly.After all, Drake didn't forbid Debra to walk around the villa."Good, then I'll take a stroll. You don't need to follow me," Debra said."Mrs. Houston..." The maid wanted to advise her, but Debra was already moving toward the door.Outside, the patrolling security guards were surprised by her appearance.Debra was still in her pajamas, walking leisurely and humming a tune as she headed toward the garden.Lara rushed out after her, and a guard approached. "What's going on? Mr. Lowe didn't say Mrs. Houston could come out.""I don't know," the maid replied anxiously. "Get someone to follow her. If she runs away, we're all doomed.""Got it." Several guards hurried after Debra, keeping a safe distance behind her.Debra glanced sideways, noticing the guards tailing her.
"Sir, what should we do with these people? Should we get rid of them?" asked one of Marion's men.Debra cut in, "What?"Marion cleared his throat. "Don't talk nonsense. When have I ever taken care of anyone?""Huh?" The man blinked, confused.They always handled things decisively and left no loose ends."Tie them up," Marion ordered. "Hold them for now. And take care of the surveillance footage.""Should we smash the cameras?" asked the man.Debra felt helpless. "Seriously?"Marion shot his subordinate a glare. "Erase the footage. Who told you to smash anything?""I thought simple and brutal was the way to go," the man muttered, scratching the back of his head.Debra cast a sidelong glance at Marion. "Is this how you usually hold such things?"He put on an innocent look. "No, it's their approach, not mine."The denial was so swift and complete that his men all froze in disbelief. Usually, they only acted on Marion's explicit orders. Without his go-ahead, they wouldn't dare
Soon, reinforcements arrived at the villa.Debra watched in awe as the crowd surged forward, their voices echoing through the air."Mr. Houston!"Debra couldn't remember the last time she had seen such a spectacle. Maybe in high school, on the sports field."You have five minutes to find her," Marion commanded.The men quickly dispersed throughout the villa. Some in black suits, adorned with the Houston family's insignias, stood out. They carried walkie-talkies and surveying instruments, tapping away on laptops. A detailed floor plan of the estate then appeared on their screens."What is this?" Debra asked, curious."Welcome to the age of technology," Marion replied with a smirk."But isn't this for outdoor surveying?" Debra questioned."Same difference." Marion shrugged.Before Debra could respond, a voice crackled over the walkie-talkie. "Found her."Marion glanced at his watch. Only a minute and a half had passed."Wrap it up.""Yes, sir."Debra heard countless footste
Debra's lips tightened into a thin line. "Looks like I underestimated you. Turns out, you're not as dumb as you act.""Thanks for the compliment.""That wasn't a compliment."Drake's gaze flickered to where Marion held Debra's hand, his smirk fading away. "I have to hand it to you, Marion. If Debra had followed Lara upstairs just now, she would have been my hostage. I thought your time away from overseas might've dulled your edge, but you're just as annoyingly sharp as ever.""I'm flattered," Marion replied calmly. "After all these years, I still can't outmatch your underhandedness."Drake chuckled and perched himself on the armrest of a nearby sofa. "Well, let's skip the small talk. I don't like traitors, and you know that. If you hadn't shown up, I might've let this drag out a bit longer for fun. But since you're here, you're not leaving."Around the villa, his men were already in position, and Marion's special team was being held at bay.Marion glanced at his smug expression
"So, you never relapsed. You and Marion set a trap, and I walked right into it?" Drake growled."Well, you're smart at times," Debra replied. "So, can we leave now?"Drake fumed, and she feigned a sudden realization. "Oh right, I don't even need to ask you."She turned to Marion and smiled, "Honey, let's go.""Sure," Marion replied, stepping beside her.His man pressed a knife to Lara's neck, forcing her to leave with them."Boss..." Lara trembled in fear, but Drake didn't even glance at her.His indifference to her safety rattled her.Drake demanded, "You can take her, but you must clean up this mess."Marion waved his hand without looking back. "A cleaner will be here in an hour."Debra watched them leave with a burning hatred.Kale whispered to him, "Boss, are we really letting them go with Lara?""Can you beat him?""I can't.""Or do you think our men can take on his crew?""They can't.""So, what else can we do?"Kale fell silent.Drake had thought he had seen th
"Alright," Garland said with a dramatic sigh. "Debra and Marion left the Lowe Mansion safely. They brought a whole entourage of a hundred or so people. The scene must've been wild. Too bad I wasn't there to score an exclusive scoop."Stuck there, he had to pose as Fermin. That was a waste of his talent and ruined his chance of becoming one of the top journalists on the international stage."By the way," Garland added with a grin, his tone growing nosy, "Debra's your ex, right? Why are you so caught up in her business? Shouldn't you be focusing on your current wife instead?"He scooted closer to Juan, practically vibrating with curiosity. "So, what is Shelia like? Is she gorgeous? I heard Debra was the top socialite in Seamar City. If Shelia managed to snag you in an affair, she must be even hotter, right?"Juan grabbed a piece of bread from his plate and shoved it into Garland's mouth. "If you can't talk like a decent human being, do me all a favor and keep your mouth shut."Garla
Marion's men tied up Lara and brought her before Debra. "Stay still."Lara fidgeted and lowered her head.Debra demanded, "I kept my promise to you. What about you? Did you already give the phone to Drake?""I'm sorry," Lara stammered. "That phone was useless to you. I had to give it to Drake to gain his trust.""What do you mean?""After I got off the ship, I checked the phone. There was nothing on it. A useless phone couldn't incriminate Drake. I had to get back to his side.""So, you sacrificed me to gain his trust?"She could understand Lara selling her out to survive, but she couldn't forgive the repeated deception.If it had helped bring down Drake or provided evidence against him, it might have been worth it. But there was nothing. All their efforts had been in vain."I'm truly sorry. I had to stay by Drake's side, gain his trust, and find evidence against him.""And did you succeed?""I...""You've been with Drake for a long time. Does he trust you? Or have you gott
"Shut up! I don't need your opinion," Liza huffed, turning to leave.Debra called after her, "Leave the invitation. I'll need it in two days."Liza was pissed off, knowing Debra was taunting her. Her fists clenched at her sides, but there were more pressing matters at hand.So, she bit her tongue and flung the invitation back onto the table.Debra scoffed, seeing through her intention. "Save yourself the trouble. She won't see you."Liza froze mid-step and turned back to face her. "How so?""If she wanted to see you, she wouldn't be ignoring your calls and messages," Debra replied nonchalantly. "In families like ours, it's better not to invest too much emotion. You treat her as your best friend, but she leaves you for interest.""You're lying!" Liza snapped, her voice trembling. "You're just trying to drive a wedge between us. Cathryn would never treat me like that.""Let's make a bet then," Debra said, her smile widening. "If you manage to contact her before the party, I'll ad
Liza's voice roused Debra from her lazy slumber. She wrapped a blanket around her shoulders and sauntered out to find the courtyard in chaos.Leaning against the doorframe, she asked, "What brings you here so early, Miss Eaton?"She was dressed in a red lace nightgown that accentuated her fair skin and striking features. Her every movement was graceful and alluring.Unimpressed, Liza glared at her. "Early? It's practically noon."Debra plugged her ears. "What do you want?""Ma'am, I'll get rid of her. You can go back and continue your nap," offered the guard.Debra waved him off. "No need. Let her in."She tightened the blanket around her and walked into the living room.The weather there was unpredictable. It was sometimes scorching and sometimes freezing.She sat on the sofa and poured herself a cup of tea. The absence of hospitality annoyed Liza."Where are the servants?""There aren't any.""What the hell? Is this how you treat your guests? You invite me in, and you won
Bert's expression turned grave. A servant approached him. "Sir, I heard that Miss Bernard is getting engaged to Drake. Invitations have been sent out, but Miss Eaton doesn't know yet.""Keep it that way," Bert ordered. "Liza is impulsive and might do reckless things if she finds out. She's spoiled, but she values her friendship with Cathryn. It would break her heart to know Cathryn is with Drake now.""Understood. I'll make sure the news is contained," said the servant.Juan silently watched the scene. Garland peeked through the door crack."What's got you so captivated?""Nothing."Juan sank back into the couch, his expression unreadable."You know, Liza has got a way with people," Garland said, his tone smug. "When she gets involved, your grandmother has to pack her things and go back.""That's not what I'm worried about.""Then what are you worried about?""Did you get the invitation?""Invitation? What invitation?""To the engagement party of Cathryn and Drake.""What?
Garland looked at the files, his initial spark of interest instantly extinguished.Just then, Liza's voice echoed from outside the door. "Why are you still here? My dad doesn't like you. Why are you still hanging around?"Juan frowned, and Garland perked up his ears. "Sounds like a fight. Should I go break it up?"But Juan knew better. Garland was more likely to stir the pot than calm things down."Miss Eaton, please take it easy."Juan cracked open the door to see Liza tossing Melody's luggage out, scattering expensive jewelry and dresses across the floor.The maids tried to calm her down, but Liza was beyond control.Melody's face darkened as the scene unfolded. The noise drew Bert out of his room.He scolded, "Liza, mind your manners.""Dad! Why are you letting her stay in our house? I don't like her. I don't want her here." Liza threw a tantrum.Seeing her belongings strewn across the floor, Melody said bitterly, "I guess I've overstayed my welcome. I'll pack my things an
Debra chuckled, "Sometimes, you're really cheap."Marion said seriously, "But I'm always honest with you, dear.""Really?""Absolutely.""Then how do you explain the eight billion dollars you cost me at our first meeting?"Marion took a sip of his tea and grimaced. "This tea's gone cold. Let me get you a fresh cup.""Get back here." Debra grabbed Marion and yanked him down into his seat."I'll do whatever you say to make up.""Put that aside for now. Now tell me your plans for handling the banquet.""Guess we can't miss the show.""Cathryn's crush on you is public knowledge here. Are you planning to hand her fresh gossip on a silver platter?""I'm not attending it. You can go. I'll stay outside the hotel to keep guard. Won't glance at any other woman.""Wise choice."...Across town at the Eaton Mansion, Garland sat hunched over his computer.He typed and retyped search terms, only to come up empty each time."What happened to my trending topics? They're all gone?" he m
Marion set down his newspaper and walked over to examine the invitation in Debra's hand."Drake is in such a hurry. He must be desperate to secure resources.""He's eager to deal with you?""Not necessarily. It could also be trouble brewing in Orkgate.""Something happened there?"Debra tried to recall any signs of trouble from her last stay in Orkgate, but there hadn't been anything that would warrant such urgency.In truth, Drake could just stay there and rule.There was no need for him to venture overseas and stir up trouble, which ultimately led to his broken engagement with the Eaton family and his near-total loss of face.Anyone else in his position would have slunk away in shame, but Drake was too proud for that."I'm not sure," Marion admitted. "Orkgate is his territory. I promised not to interfere there."He then noticed her disappointment for not getting any juicy news. He smiled and ruffled her hair. "But I have my informants. If anything happens, they'll let me
Drake's logic was persuasive, almost hypnotic.Cathryn found herself wavering. "But Liza... ""She's your friend, right? She'll understand. Besides, this is just a business arrangement, not a real marriage. It's just to create some tension for Marion."Cathryn was convinced. "Alright, I'll prepare the gala. But you must explain everything to Liza afterward.""Okay," Drake replied.But his smile faded as soon as Cathryn left.Kale asked, "Boss, are you really going to explain this to Miss Eaton?""Explain my ass," Drake snorted. "Once I get engaged to her, I'll gain control of the Bernard family's resources. Then I'll have enough power to take on Marion. Who cares about her petty little scandals?"Kale mused, "So, you were fooling her?"Drake explained, "She's the only one left in her family. If it weren't for those resources, do you think I'd even consider an engagement with her? She's clueless. Once she hosts the gala and announces the news to the media, do you think she can
Drake sneezed in his study.Kale came in and reported, "Miss Bernard is here."Drake waved his hand. "Let her in."Kale opened the door to reveal Cathryn standing hesitantly outside. She had come upon learning that Marion had taken Debra away.Drake glanced at her and read her mind. "She was rescued. Helping you cost me a lot."Cathryn stammered, "Don't make it sound so noble. You did it for yourself.""What now? We're in this together. Marion has learned you collaborated with me to kidnap Debra." Drake rested his cheek on his hand. "But it's not a bad thing. At least, Marion can't ignore you anymore."Cathryn bit her lip, stepping forward. "I know you have other plans. We can't let her stay with Marion. You gotta help me for my father's sake."But the mention of the past only served to annoy Drake.Cathryn quickly added, "If it weren't for my father, you wouldn't have made it to Orkgate or become the Lowe family's adopted son. You owe me."Drake snorted, "You're right. I owe
She had known for a while that Melody was coming after her. That wasn't a well-kept secret. But seeing it plastered online and climbing the trending charts? That was a whole new level of absurdity."Let me see." Marion emerged from the bathroom, drying his hair.He leaned over, glanced at the phone, and nodded approvingly. "That's catchy.""I'm going to find out which genius published this." Debra's fingers flew over her phone, tracing the story back to its source. When the name of New Age popped up on her screen, she froze."New Age?" she murmured, remembering that it was Garland's news agency."Something wrong?" Marion asked.Debra blinked. "I spent 50 million dollars to buy that newspaper. So..." Her own company had just broken a report on her. That was the next level....In the study room, Garland was livid, yelling into his phone, "What were you thinking? Are you people brain-dead? Who let you publish that story? And then you dumped ad money into it too? Did you want t