Debra pondered the underlying meaning behind Marion''s words.


    The story swirling around was indeed the stuff of legends, but something didn''t add


    1. up.


    With the Houston family''s vast empire, tracking down Marion should have been a cakewalk. Yet, for sixteen years, no one had found him. And in all that time, not a whisper of the Houstons surfaced in the tale.


    "Do you know how my family rose to power?


    "The military?"


    The Houston family had always leaned on their military might to build their business. Over time, they''d gone legit, but their roots remained firmly nted in the armed forces. Even now, their old loyalists held sway in major military units.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    "Debra, the reason I couldn''t always be by your side was because I had to follow orders from the Houston higher-ups. But now that I''m in charge, that won''t happen again," he said, squeezing her hand. "I''ll protect you from all sorts of harm." Debra didn''t press further. She understood Marion was trying to keep her safe and to keep her from bing a target.


    Suddenly, a sh of car lights caught their attention. Two figures spilled out of the vehicle, rushing towards the ship. It was Erica and Randy, bundled up against the cold.


    "It''s freezing out here," Randy grumbled, stomping up the stairs. "Only an unromantic man like Marion woulde out to a ship in this weather."


    Seeing them approach, Debra quickly stuffed half of the heart-shaped cake in front of her into her mouth. She choked, and Marion swiftly handed her a ss of water. After she drank, she asked, "How did you find us?"


    Erica shrugged. "We heard you were at the port. There are so many in Seamar City, but luckily, we guessed right."


    Randy grinned. "All thanks to me. I remembered Marion bought a ship a few months. back and docked it here. With that kind of money, why not buy a ne? But now I see why."


    He winked at Marion. "So, did it work?"


    Marion nced at Debra, her gaze shy and evasive. He smiled faintly.


    "What does that smile mean?" Randy huffed, flopping down into a seat. "You should have told me about your ns earlier. We need to go through the whole process again at the Royal Grand Hotel. The money''s already been spent, so we might as well make the most of it."


    "Okay, let''s go." Debra stood up, blocking the cake from view.


    Marion''s smile deepened, and he also got up. "Let''s go."


    Erica and Randy exchanged a nce, sensing the shift in the atmosphere.


    Erica muttered suspiciously, "You two..."


    "I''m hungry. Erica, let''s go." Debra blushed, hurrying to drag Erica along.


    Randy grinned, asking Marion, "How did it go? Sess?"


    Marion patted his shoulder and walked away. "Thest one to leave, turn off the lights."