"What is this? Do I have to wear this ugly thing to attend your party?" Liza


    grumbled, tossing the mask back with disdain. "I spent two hours on my makeup.


    If I wear this, all that effort will go to waste. No way I''m wearing it."


    The security guard replied politely, "I''m sorry, but rules are rules. Without the mask, you can''t go in."


    "I''ve never heard of such a ridiculous rule," Liza huffed, ready to leave.


    Debra grabbed her hand. "Don''t you want to have fun anymore?"


    "I..." Liza hesitated.


    Debra leaned in and whispered, "The new president of the Lowe Group is trying to impress people. Just put on the mask and take it off once you''re inside. What are they gonna do? Can they just throw you out?"


    "Sounds like a n." Liza nodded. "Even Drake didn''t dare mess with me. Why should I care about them?"


    She picked up the mask again and put it on.


    Erica nudged Debra. "I guess you''re going to be a pro at handling kids."


    Debra pressed a finger to her lips.


    The three of them entered the hall without further trouble. The venue was bustling with people.


    Liza wrinkled her nose. "Why is it all bald old men here? Not a single beefcake in sight. Seriously, is this all Seamar City has to offer? The beautiful people must be in short supply."


    Debra chuckled, "Don''t judge a book by its cover. These people are sitting on some serious wealth."


    Liza rolled her eyes. "So what? None of them are richer than my dad."


    "Alright," Debra smiled. "Your family is the richest."


    Erica wasn''t paying attention to their banter.


    "Debra, do you find these people familiar?"


    "Yeah, I''ve seen them. Over the years, the Lowe family''s parties have been more like borate traps. They use parties to gather influential.


    people from various industrin


    that


    These guests were the same people who once bowed to Drake.. then, she thought it was his skimanded such loyalty.


    But now she realized it wasn''t about him, but the power of the Lowe


    old their loyalty.


    Whoever held the reinsel


    the


    "So, where is the man of the hour?" Debra muttered, looking around.


    The new president of the Lowe Group was nowhere to be seen.


    Liza scoffed, "Show-off. I''m going to find him."


    She started heading toward the stairs, but just as she did, all the lights in the hall dimmed.