No one in this crowd recognized her as Juan''s ex-wife, but that was to be expected.


    Orkgate and Seamar City were worlds apart, and the currency here was twice as valuable. It was reasonable that no one there had heard of Debra, especially since her family had gone bankrupt." As Debra scanned the bustling venue, Drake suddenly halted, extending his arm in front of her. She frowned at the gesture.


    "What are you doing?"


    "As mypanion, shouldn''t you behave like one?"


    "So?"This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.


    As she yed coy, Drake withdrew his arm and snorted, "Whatever."


    With that, he turned on his heel, striding toward the hotel entrance. Debra hurried to catch up, taking his arm with a sweet smile. "I was just joking. As yourpanion, I''ll stay by your side every step of the way." Drake was unimpressed. "I don''t like jokes. If you do it again, I''ll leave you here. The night here is cold. With your toughness, I believe you can hold up for several hours."


    Debra forced a stiff smile. She wouldn''t admit that she had momentarily zoned out, missing his words entirely.


    Conrad spotted Drake and quickly approached. "Mr. Lowe, this is Mr. Nichols, President of the Nichols Group."


    Debra''s gaze fell on Juan, who shot her a cold, scrutinizing look. Dressed in a sleek ck suit, he exuded authority, his features sharp as a knife.


    He sneered, "I thought you''d really vanished. Turns out you just found another benefactor."


    Juan''s implication hung heavily in the air, but Debra maintained herposure: "Mr. Nichols, aren''t you missing a femalepanion tonight? Or have you switched partners again? What, Miss Miles no longer holds your


    belongs to en.kikisto ment


    dher


    Juan ignored her and turned to


    address Drake. "They say Mr. Lowe has good taste. I''d advise you to steer clear of women like her. Once she finds a better patron, she''ll toss thest one aside without a second thought."


    Drake chuckled, "Everyone has their preferences. I find pleasure in taming women like her."


    He tightened his grip on the hand Debra had linked to his arm, amusement dancing in his gaze.


    Though Debra longed to pull away, she knew better than to embarrass Drake in front of this crowd.


    Juan shrugged off the exchange. "Indeed. Thest person who made a simr im was Marion, but he ended up abandoned at his engagement party. Ever since that day, his grandfather has imprisoned him, and it looks like he won@be able to hold on to his position as head of the Houston family."


    Debra frowned because Marion had just been therest night. She didn''t know why Juan told a lie.


    Seemingly oblivious to her doubts, Juan continued nonchntly, "I''ll head in first. See youter."


    Drake nodded and turned to Debra.


    "What''s wrong? Feeling sorry?"


    "Sorry for what?"


    "For your fiancé, of course."


    Drake continued as he led her into the banquet hall. "Marion is being locked up by that old relic of the Houston family. Maybe he wants toe and save you. I saw how you looked earlier. You seemed shaken."