Drake''s gaze flicked to Debra. The blouse she''d worn earlier that morning was now in shreds.


    "Hand," Drake said without turning, "bring her a dress."


    "Right away, sir." Hand scurried out of the room.


    Debra instinctively stepped back as Drake moved toward her.


    "What do you want?"


    "Your clothes are ruined."


    "I''ll rece them."


    "The top costs six thousand dors. Cash or card?"


    She gaped, realizing she had no money or phone.


    She muttered, "I''ll pay you backter."


    Drake snorted, clearly unimpressed.


    Breaking the tension, Debra said, "There''s a hidden passage beneath that boutique you took me to. Care to exin what that''s all about?" Drake remained silent, his expression inscrutable.


    Debra pressed further. "I fell through that trap door and was knocked out. When I woke up, I was here. You owe me an exnation."


    "I owe you nothing," Drake snorted. "Keep your nose out of things that don''t concern you. Or..."


    "Or what?" she challenged.


    His lips curled into a cold smile. "Or I''ll feed you to the dogs."


    The threat was so absurd it almost sounded childish. Debra scoffed, "You''re really scared of Miss Sharp, aren''t you?"


    Drake''s jaw tightened. "Shut up."


    Hand returned, carrying a dress.


    He cleared his throat awkwardly. "Ms.


    azier, here''s ve


    Debra recognized it as the same dress she had picked earlier. "Didn''t Miss Sharp take this?" She remembered clearly that Yvonne had taken the dress, and Drake had paid for it. "There''s more than one dress," Drake said impatiently. "Are you going to wear it or not?" Debra sighed, grabbing the dress. "Alright, I''ll wear it."


    Without another word, Drake turned and left the lounge, while Hand thoughtfully closed the door behind


    him


    A few momentster, Debra emerged from the lounge in the new dress.


    Drake nced at her and said, "Not bad. You''ll perform in this tonight."


    Debra followed his gaze to the piano thatExclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.


    second floor. It was the samek


    she


    had picked out earlier,


    "y me a piece."


    "Okay."


    She walked over and sat down at the piano.


    Just then, a guard dragged Ava over. "We''ve caught her, Mr. Lowe."


    "Let go of me!" Ava shrieked, struggling in vain.


    Drake''s voice remained impassive as he addressed Debra. "Go on and y."


    She nced at Ava and then began to y the piece on the sheet music.


    Suddenly, the sound of a sharp p echoed through the room. Hand barked at Ava, "Who told you to do this?"