"I''m fine, really," Debra replied weakly. "How is Marion? Is he safe?"


    "Everything went as nned," Andrew reassured her. "He''s already on his way back. You don''t need to worry about him."


    "And Juan? Why didn''t hee back to Seamar City?"Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org.


    Andrew''s expression hardened. "That''s his choice. Not our concern."


    The butler reappeared. "The car is ready, sir."


    Andrew nodded. "Let''s get you home. We can discuss everythingter."


    "Okay," Debra agreed.


    She leaned her head against the cool ss of the car window, her eyelids heavy with fatigue.


    Meanwhile, in Orkgate, Kale had cleaned up the mess in the casino.


    He entered the study room with grim news. "Boss, Marion''s people have destroyed nearly everything. We''ve taken heavy losses, and Debra''s whereabouts are unknown. Juan says she''s already been taken away." "I see." Drake''s face remained impassive.


    "Should I lead people to get her back?"


    "No need. She wille back on her own."


    He had never seen anyone survive the new drug they developed.


    "Once she''s suffered enough, she''ll beg me to take her back. Until then, there''s no need to waste effort searching for her."


    He could hardly wait to see Debra groveling before him. She was tough, and that would make her eventual submission all the more satisfying.


    "Boss, what about what Juan said?"


    "We''ll see how he acts. If he truly wants to cooperate, I''ll consider it."


    Drake gazed out into the night.


    Orkgate was already in chaos, but he wanted more. He wanted everyone, especially Marion, to know that he was the king there. No one could challenge his authority.


    Lara entered the room and reported, "Boss, Mr. Odom is here."


    "Send him away."


    Kale chimed in, "Boss, Mr. Odom''s here to discuss a partnership. Shouldn''t we at least hear him out?"


    "There''s no use keeping dead weight around. Debra was right. Helping someone like him is a waste of time."


    For once, he was sticking to his word. He hoped that Debra would not disappoint him again.


    If she came back and yielded to him, he might consider forgiving her.


    At the Nichols Mansion, Shelia stirred awake as the first light of dawn crept through the heavy drapes. Her eyes fell upon the morning papers, and her face. clouded over like a storm rolling in.


    swnovel


    Sshed across the front page was a photo of Debra and Andrew entering the Potter Mansion


    together. The gossip columniston et


    added trimmings, saying that Debra had found a new love in Andrew,


    casting aside poor Marion


    "How does Debra alwaysnd on her feet?" Shelia hissed, her voiceced with bitterness.


    Shelia had been so sure that Debra had been kidnapped, but here she was, not only unharmed but with the influential Andrew by her side. Shelia found it uneptable. While she was left alone in this empty room, Debra was enjoying her life.


    The injustice of it all ignited a fire within her. Shelia swept her arm across the table, sending porcin and papers crashing to the floor. Just then, Melody stepped into the room.