Debra didn''t expect Erica to be so eager to open the gifts.


    "How about you open them for me?"


    "No way. That''s something you have to do yourself. You never know, you might open a gift and find the price of an entire building inside."


    Debra couldn''t help butugh. She knew all the guests were wealthy and wouldn''t be stingy with their gifts. But finding the price of a building in a gift? That seemed


    a little crazy.


    Just then, an attendant knocked on the door.


    "Come in."


    "Madam, Mr. Houston said he''s waiting for you in the lobby."


    "Got it. I''ll be right there."


    Debra had changed into a morefortable ck dress. As she walked toward the lobby, an arm suddenly draped around her neck and pulled her into a corner.


    In reflex, she bit down on the arm, and Drake cried out in pain.


    When Debra realized it was him, she quickly released her bite.


    "What are you doing?"


    "What are you doing?"


    "Sorry. I''ve had a bit of a reflex from being kidnapped before. I''ll be gentler next time."


    Drake checked his annoyance and grunted, "Today''s your big day, so I won''t argue with you."


    "Well, I really appreciate that," Debra grinned. "But Marion is waiting for me outside. If there''s nothing else, I''ll go ahead. Thank you foring today I''II have the photos sent to


    your emailter.


    "I''m not here to talk about the photos."


    "Then is it about the ne? Thank you. It''s beautiful."


    Drake immediately exined, "I just didn''t want to lose face. It''s about reputation."


    Debra nodded. "I get it. You snatched my ne so I could wear yours. That would boost your generous image."


    "Exactly."


    "So, can you tell me what you really want to say?"


    "I''ve found a lead on the person behind all this. I''m going to win this bet."


    Debra turned serious. "You''ve found the person? How did you track him down?"


    "You know, Orkgate is my territory. Finding clues isn''t hard. It''s time for him to pay for his actions."


    Debra warned him, "Don''t be


    reckless. We''re dealing with a


    mastermind with aplicate


    background. Be careful, or you might step into his trap."  fo


    "Few me."


    e brushed it off, tossing t


    to her "Here is a gift for See you around."


    Le in this world can trap


    With that, he headed toward the exit.


    Debra opened the envelope and found a note inside. On it was an address and a


    doodle of a funny face.