Erica rolled her eyes. "We''ve been over this. Everyone knows Vickie''s a fraud, but Juan''s backing her is real. In this circle, folks cozy up to powerful families to climb the socialdder. They just y dumb and prop up Vickie to get close to Juan."


    Liza blinked, clueless. "Why don''t they just work with Debra instead?"


    Debraughed bitterly, "The business owners surviving in Seamar City aren''t fools. The McKinney Group and the Nichols Group are at war. From this drama, they can tell Juan is targeting me. He is untouchable here. When he wants someone to be gone, they''re gone. And with Caleb''s sudden death, Andrew''s illness, Jordan''s betrayal, and Drake''s downfall, we''re clearly in a tight spot. Who would bet on the underdog?"


    Liza gasped, "So, this is their power y to win allies?"


    Debra nodded.


    Gand gaped at Liza. "You figured that out?"


    "Didn''t you?" she asked back.


    Gand bristled. "Of course. I''m the family pir. I saw through everything."


    Liza side-eyed him.


    Debra turned to Erica. "I need a favor."


    "What is it?"


    "Vickie mentioned a kidnapping from


    my childhood. I don''t remember anything, but it must''ve made. headlines back then. Can youdig up old newspapers about it?"


    "Newspapers? There aren''t any. Back then..."


    Randy identally dumped tea her dress. Erica shot up from sofa.


    "Randy, you moron," she sulked.


    Randy grabbed her arm. "My bad. Let''s get you changed."


    "Why''re you so clumsy today? You ruined my new dress," she grumbled.


    He dragged her upstairs. "Come on and get changed."


    Debra frowned, feeling something was off.


    Upstairs, Erica shook free. "Why did you stop me? Exin yourself."


    Randy hissed, "Andrew scrubbed


    every trace of that kidnapping. Amet news were recalled, and the


    whole city forgot. Still want to spill it?"  ?wnovel