"Ugh!" Drake stormed upstairs with frustration.


    The confrontation ended as abruptly as it had begun.


    Liza shook her head, totally disappointed. "I thought we were going to see an epic showdown. All that buildup was for nothing. We still don''t know who''s stronger."


    "Obviously, it''s Marion," Gand dered.


    Suddenly, a shoe came flying down from upstairs, hitting him squarely on the head.


    "Ow!" he yelped, turning around. "Who did that?"


    Drake stood at the top of the stairs, feigning an apology. "Sorry. My hand slipped."


    Gand''s anger vanished when he saw who it was. Heughed dryly, "No big deal. Just be more careful."


    Drake walked away, heading to his room.


    Gand punched the air with his fist, muttering under his breath, "You''re nothingpared to Marion. You deserve to be stuck in Orkgate."


    Then something urred to him. It was from a document Juan had forced him to read.


    It wrote that Drake wasn''t rted to the former head of the Lowe family by blood. He was just an adopted child throwing his weight around.


    In contrast, Gand was a true member of the Eaton family. His status was much higher than Drake''s.


    Feeling bitter, he vowed to get even with Drake when he had the chance.


    "What are you doing there?" Liza asked, puzzled by his animated expressions.


    "Nothing. I think you''re right," Gand replied. "Drake is not a good person. We should side with Marion."


    Debra helped Marion back to their room. "Your injury hasn''t healed yet. How could you run around like that?"


    Marion bowed his head. "I was worried about you. You can hit me to vent your anger."


    Debra broke into a smile. "I was just teasing you. I''m happy that you''d risk your life for me, but don''t do it again if something happened to me, and you got hurt trying to save me, who would avenge me?"


    "No. Nothing will happen to you," he said, tapping her forehead. "I''ll ensure that."


    "I know," Debra said, hugging him tightly. "I''ll be safe with you around."


    She felt secure in his arms, but fear lingered if she had gotten into


    lier, the consequences would


    have


    been dire.


    "Oh, look what I brought back," Debra said, pulling a file out of her bag. "Theda gave me the stock transfer agreement. You don''t have to hold her family against her anymore."


    "Whatever you say." Marion nodded.