"Marion," Debra said suddenly, "the first time we met was at that auction, wasn''t it?"


    Marion nodded. "Yes, it was."


    "Back then, you were deliberately bidding against me, just to get my attention, weren''t you?"


    "Yes."


    Marion chuckled, and Debra frowned yfully. "You''re sneaky. Who taught you to catch a girl''s attention that way?"


    With a quietugh, Marion admitted, "It was the only idea I coulde up with at the time."


    Debra''s voice dropped. "What if I hadn''t shown up that night? Or what if I''d shown up looking a mess?"


    That auction was a pivotal moment. If she had tried to mimic Shelia''s style in herst life and ended up aughingstock, Marion might never have noticed her. He might have even thought she was ridiculous. Marion''s gaze intensified. "It wouldn''t have mattered. Whether you were dressed to impress or in a mess, as long as you showed up, I''d have known you were the one I wanted."


    "Sweet talker," Debra muttered.


    After all, in her previous life, their paths hadn''t crossed at all.


    Before she could dwell on it further, Marion cupped her face in his hands, his deep eyes brimming with emotion.Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.


    His voice dropped to a hushed whisper. "Debra, I will never lie to you."


    Debra smiled softly, her eyes meeting his. "I know. Even if the whole world lied to me, I believe you wouldn''t."


    Their lips met in a slow, passionate


    kiss that seemed tost forever. It


    avet


    wasn''t until they were both nearly out of breath that Marion finally pulled away, his voice husky. "You''re doing this on purpose, aren''t you? Tempting me."


    Debra''s cheeks flushed as she gently pushed him. "I''m going to take a bath."


    She darted towards the bathroom and left Marion grinning after her.


    But as soon as she was out of sight, his smile faded. His eyes darkened as theynded on the image frozen on the TV screen.


    The next morning, news broke online that the Odom Group''s stock had plummeted overnight.


    Debra was surprised by the


    swiftness of Chace''s actions. As she was processing the news, Marion walked out of the bedroom, cing a new phone in her hand.


    "I got you a recement," he said. "Try not to lose it, alright?"


    "I know," Debra smiled back.


    But just as she was about to call Chace, Marion interrupted her.


    "Did you forget something important?"


    "Huh?"


    Marion smirked and pulled something from his pocket. It was her missing ring.


    Debra immediately reached out to grab it, but Marion pulled his hand back, holding the ring just out of her reach. "You care more about losing your phone than losing this ring? Looks like I''m not as important as I ght."


    Debra pouted, stomping her foot lightly. "I knew you had it. Stop teasing me and put it back on."


    Marion finally gave in. He gently took her hand and slipped the ring back onto her finger, his tone serious. "Don''t lose it again."