Lara trembled, her pale face contorted with pain. "Just to keep me around as a potential pawn, he sacrificed so many people. Orkgate is a den of evil. Human lives mean nothing here. There''s no justice. The rich keep getting richer, while the poor are forever trapped in misery. This city is rotten to the core." Debra was taken aback, finally realizing howwless Orkgate was. If Drake reigned here, more lives would be gone.


    Tentatively, Debra asked, "Are you staying here for revenge?"


    "Revenge?" Laraughed bitterly. "This is Orkgate, and Drake is the king here. Do you think I can even dream of revenge? No. I am staying here because I''ve epted my fate. Just want to survive." She wiped her tears and stepped back.


    "I''m telling you this because I don''t want you to make any pointless sacrifices. No matter what you n to do, you won''t win against them."


    "Lara..."


    "I''ve said enough for today. I need to go now."


    She turned and walked out of the room. Debra silently walked to the window and gazed out at the bustling city center.


    She didn''t know what transformed Orkgate into such a thriving metropolis.


    ''Is it built on the backs of the poor or through the exploitation of people like Ralph, who lost everything overnight?''


    She felt overwhelmed, pressing her fingertips to her temples.


    Her goal there was to dismantle the Lowe family''s empire once and for all, but now she realized their web of influence was too vast. Their allies would fight tooth and nail to protect them.


    Unless she could uncover the secrets hidden within the casino...This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.


    She began to strategize. There had to be sh drives somewhere, containing the secrets stored by the surveince cameras and listening devices.


    ''Where could they be? Drake''s study, perhaps?''


    With that thought in mind, she left the room. Lara had already


    dismissed the maids station


    outside, so Debra had no trouble heading to the study room.


    As she approached, Kale stepped into her path.


    "Mr. Lowe is busy. No one is allowed inside."


    "I''m his business partner. Surely, I''m not just anyone, am I?"


    Before Kale could refuse again, Drake''s voice came from inside the room. "Let her in."


    Kale stepped aside, and Debra entered the room, finding Drake seated at hisputer.


    Strange noises emanated from the speakers. He casually turned off the sound and nced up. "Shouldn''t you be resting? What brings you here?"


    "I want to know things about the third floor of the casino."