Edgar scoffed, "Who doesn''t want more power? My family is influential, but it can''t match the Big Four."


    "Fine," Debra pressed. "Say your family chased the treasure for those reasons. But your partner is after more than that, right? Why else set up this borate scheme?"


    Erica and Randy gaped, while Gand and Liza looked lost.


    The room fell silent. Those words hung heavy in the air.


    Edgar stared Debra down. "What nonsense are you spouting?"


    "Think about it," Debra said. "Your base isn''t even near Seamar City. How''d you learn about its secret? The Lowes knew too. Coincidence? No. Both your families struck a deal with him years ago. The treasure Intel? A carrot to dangle while he pulled your strings."


    Randy whistled, "Damn, Edgar. You''ve been holding out on us."


    Erica crossed her arms. "Spill it. Who''s the puppet master?"


    Edgar''s jaw tightened. "I have never met him, and you''re right. He fed my family intel years back."


    "So, you started plotting over a


    decade ago?" Debra frowned. "Your" family''s powerful. Why no foothold in Seamar City until now?"


    swi


    "My father didn''t care about the treasure," Edgar replied.


    "Meaning, Debra muttered, "you


    killed him, took over, there


    to the ir family. yed the devoted fiancé all to hunt the treasure. Smart."


    She pieced it together. Allying with a family in Seamar City was the


    quickest way to expand his


    ence. That was also why Chase had chosen to betray Edgar and help her.


    Randy snorted, "Slick moves, Edgar. Skip the grind and marry into wealth all for loot. Your greed''s loud."


    "Focus." Erica elbowed him and asked Edgar, "So, where is the treasure?"


    Edgar remained silent for a while. "I don''t know."