Erica felt helpless. "As long as you''re happy."


    She just hoped Randy would not regret itter.


    "Erica, I have a question," Debra said. "It''s the trick you used on Robert. Did you learn that a long time ago?"


    "Yeah," Erica replied. "It''s not just me. Randy learned it too. When we were kids, Caleb liked to train us. You know how it is. People like us get kidnapped all the time, especially when we are younger. We were often targets for rivals or kidnappers who wanted ransom. Caleb always said boys and girls both needed to learn to protect themselves, so he made sure we learned it all."


    "Backstabbing like that is simple. The hardest part is showing weakness first," Randy chimed in. "It''s what Caleb taught us. If you get captured, always show weakness to cken their vignce. Then you counterstrike with techniques like joint locks or over-the-shoulder ms. We learned all that, though I''m not as good as Erica. She was always into it and even learned boxing. Robert is stupid, messing with the wrong person. If he had grabbed me, I might have been done for."


    "So, you know you''re not great at fighting?" Erica sighed, shaking her head.


    She had hoped to find a man who could always protect her, but now it seemed impossible. With his frail build, Randy couldn''t even defend himself. All he did was give her more to worry about.


    Debra nodded. "I see."


    "If you want to learn, I can teach you," Erica offered. "It saves lives."


    "Okay," Debra agreed.


    The future was full of uncertainties. The more skills she had, the better chance she''d have to protect herself.


    A bodyguard knocked on the door and came in. "Excuse me, Mrs. Houston?"


    "It''s me." Debra noticed a tattoo on his neck and asked, "Drake sent you? What does he want?"


    "He wants to move Mr. Houston and you to another ce," replied the man.


    Erica stood up and protested, "Another ce? Where? A resort or one of his vis?"


    "His vi. Mr. Lowe said the hospital environment isn''t good. His ce is safer and more convenient," exined the man.


    Debra replied, "Hasn''t he already


    sent


    in


    one to look after t


    But now he wants


    move there. What is he up to?"


    The bodyguard replied, "Mr. Lowe regretted his decision right after he gave the order. He said those useless people can''t fool you. They''d only save you on the nursing fees. He''d rather have you in his house to save money and make things convenient for everyone.


    Randy


    ches skeptical. "No way. Drake to even send a few of hel


    is the king of Orkgate. He''s too.


    to be our nurses."


    men


    t belongs


    "Who knows what that guy''s up to?" Erica scoffed. "I don''t trust him. He''s never a


    good person."