Debra confirmed the memories from her past life hadn''t served her wrong. In just a few short years, Drake would marry Miss Sharp and further solidify his status in Orkgate. If that happened, any hope of avenging her and Marion''s parents would be slim.


    "Here we are," Hand announced, gesturing for her to enter the lounge. "Have a good rest. I''ll have someone bring some food."


    Debra nodded, stepping inside with a gracious smile.


    "Thank you."


    "No worries."


    Once Hand left, Debra took a moment to survey the room. To her surprise, there were no guards stationed outside the door. Drake hadn''t bothered to keep an eye on her. Momentster, a group of waitresses entered, each bncing dishes that they set before Debra with practiced grace. One of them looked strikingly familiar.


    Debra squinted, recognition dawning. "Ava, right? We met hours ago."


    She had taken Ava''s ce as the dealer earlier.


    Ava nodded with a polite smile. "I didn''t expect you to remember me, Ms. Frazier. Yes, I''m Ava. These are some of our best dishes. If there''s anything else you''d like, just let us know." "That''s fine," Debra replied, cing a hand on her stomach in a show of feigned difort.


    "Actually, my stomach feels a bit off. Could you tell me where the restroom is?"


    "Just outside, to the left."


    "Thank you."


    "Do you need me to escort you?"


    "No need. I''ll be fine on my own."


    As Debra disappeared around the corner, Ava''s cheerful expression changed into a disdainful one. "Just a woman climbing up through Mr. Lowe. Why should we serve her?"


    en


    Another waitress chimed in, "Exactly. This isn''t even your job."


    Bitterness shed in Ava''s eyes. If Debra hadn''t caught that customer''s attention, she wouldn''t have lost her position as a dealer.


    In this casino, thepetition was cutthroat. Ava''s position was hard-earned, but Debra easily got ahead relying on her looks. Ava had every reason to hate Debra.


    "Just wait until Miss Sharpes," Ava muttered, spitting into the food before storming out with the others.


    Debra quietly navigated her way around the second floor, taking in her surroundings. The lounge, the, billiard room, and the card hall all looked normal. Compared to it, the first floor seemed more like a gambling ce.


    This building had several dozen floors. She wondered what those upper floors housed.


    With that thought in mind, she approached the elevator, only to see two security guards standing watch. Every person wishing to go up needed to swipe a card.


    She tried to backtrack, but one of the guards called out, "Hold it."This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.


    Debra froze as the guard came up. "I don''t recognize you. Where are you from?"


    She forced a smile. "I came with Mr. Lowe."


    "Mr. Lowe?" The guards exchanged skeptical nces.


    One of them reached for his radio, and Debra''s stomach dropped.