If Debra hadn''t retreated early, the consequences would have been unthinkable.


    "How did you know Cathryn was targeting you?" asked Liza.


    "My white dress said it all," Debra whispered, leading her to hide further. "This ce isn''t safe. Sooner orter, they''ll find us. You need to do exactly what I say."


    "Do what?" Liza was scared.


    Debra quicklyid out her n. "First, take off your high heels to save energy. Second, the second floor is safer. Head up there and hide. Those so-called hunters won''t daree too close. Third, if you''re spotted by other socialites, join forces with them and say you want to help catch me."


    "How can I do that?" Liza was worried.


    "If you''re the only one who doesn''t want to catch me, they''ll treat you like a traitor. They''ll sell you out to the hunters, and you''ll be done for." Debra organized her thoughts. "Cathryn is desperate, not nning to leave alive. Her promise is a lie. She won''t spare anyone. This is a deadly game. What we need to do isn''t run away but catch the ringleader first."


    Liza was shocked by the intensity of Cathryn''s craziness.


    As Debra moved to leave the corner, Liza quickly grabbed her. "Where are you going?"


    "I''ll lead them away, and you take the chance to get to the second floor."


    "It''s too dangerous. Your white dress is too conspicuous, and you can''t even run like this. How are you going to escape?"


    Debra simply ripped the hem of her gown, making a big tear.


    "Remember what I said and stay safe."


    "Okay."


    Debra calcted the timing. Drake''s men


    Then Could have been kept outside,


    and


    e inside were arrange


    Sharp family.


    Presumably, Conrad knew what Cathryn was nning, but he hadn''t informed Drake.


    When Cathryn said she had drained


    all her


    just totune for this, she wasn''t


    just talking about the cost of the party? It was probably the money she bribed Conrad with.


    Or maybe she had partnered up with those behind the scenes, exchanging lives or money through the party.


    Thetter seemed more likely. Given Cathryn''s status, she couldn''t orchestrate such arge scheme on her own.


    If Debra didn''te out when the three hours passed, Drake''s men would fush in without hesitation. By then Conrad would jump ship and notify Drake about the situation.


    So, Debra had to hold up till the end. It would be even better if she could make


    noises to alert Drake''s men outside.


    Suddenly, a woman''s scream interrupted her thoughts.


    "Where is Debra?"


    The hunters emerged from the shadows.