A loud crash came from Drake''s room.


    Debra paused for a moment before opening the door.


    Inside, Drake was still lying on the bed, but hisplexion had improved a lot.


    In ck pajamas, he threw a dart at the TV. The screen shattered beyond repair.


    "Looks like someone''s in a bad mood," Debra said.


    Drake nced at her and remained unhappy.


    "Was faking my critical illness Marion''s idea?"


    "Yes."


    "Have you caught the person behind it?"


    "Not yet."


    "Mypany was taken. It was all Marion''s fault."


    "He did it to protect you. The assassination reveals their intention to seize the


    Lowe Group because they think they can''t control you anymore. They wouldn''t


    stop until you were dead. You got lucky and survived, but next time, you might not


    be so fortunate."


    "I don''t need him to protect me."


    Debra knew better than to push him. She stepped closer and softened her tone. "I


    talked with Marion. What he did wasn''t exactly appropriate."


    Drake scoffed, "You and Marion are two peas in a pod. What could you possibly


    say to him?"


    "Plenty," Debra said smoothly. "I


    gave him a proper scolding. I told


    him, ''Drake is the president of the


    Lowe Group, for crying out loud.


    He''s not just talented and capable,


    but also smart as a whip. After


    surviving something like this, he''s


    bound toe up with a clever n


    to turn the tables. Stop meddling."


    Drake was appeased and nodded. "So, what brings you here tonight?"


    "The Lowe Group has elected a new president," Debra began. "And on his first


    day in office, he targeted Marion and Erica."


    She ced a crest in his hand and asked, "Is this really your family''s crest? Could


    it be a fake?"


    Drake flipped it over. "It''s real."


    "You''re sure?"


    "I know the crest better than anyone.


    Our crests are custom-made. Not


    just anyone can wear one. These


    crests are given to our most loyal


    guards and elite operatives. They


    only take orders from the family


    head. If they''re acting, it means


    someone truly wants you dead."


    "Is there any chance these guards were bribed?"


    "We pay them well enough," Drake exined. "Besides, we have strict selection


    processes, and we hold their families as coteral. Betrayal isn''t an option."


    "Not even for a fortune?"


    "They make millions annually. How much would someone need to offer to buy off


    that many operatives?"


    Debra fell into deep thought. In the


    end, she asked, "The new president


    was elected yesterday. You hold the


    were you still reced?"