"How could this be?" Theda smiled faintly. "We just want to take our people and avoid any casualties. That''s all."


    "If that''s all, I might consider it," Jeffrey replied, looking at Marion. "But someone might not want to leave."


    Drake stepped forward. "We can settle the scoreter. Even if we don''t take your life now, we will eventually."


    Marion knew Drake was telling him to leave. His hand, clutching the ring, was already bleeding.


    Drake and Robert noticed and grabbed Marion''s arms.


    "Let''s go," Robert said firmly.


    They had to leave now. Otherwise, mutual destruction was unavoidable.


    But Marion refused to move.


    Finally, Drake said, "If you don''t leave, we''ll all die here. I''m not ready to die yet. Don''t drag me down with you."


    Oscar said, "Mr. Houston, let''s go. We can save Mrs. Houston another time. If we keep this up, we''ll just be making useless sacrifices."


    Marion still held his ground.


    Robert frowned and struck Marion on the back of his neck.


    "You guys talk too much," Robert said.


    "Let''s go before Jeffrey changes his mind," Theda chimed in.


    The cars were already waiting outside, and they left quickly.


    Juan signaled to withdraw. "Letting them go like this will cause troubleter."


    "They have weapons too. I can''t take the risk," Jeffrey said, standing up. "Check


    our stuff. I''m leaving first thing tomorrow morning."


    "Tomorrow won''t work."


    "Why not?"


    "Only I know the location, so naturally, I decide the time," Juan replied, ncing at Ivan, who was already dead on the ground. "He was so loyal to you, and you used him as a shield. I can''t be sure what you think of me."


    "You''re my son. I wouldn''t do that to you. He was just a pawn. His death means nothing," Jeffrey said, taking a deep breath. "You have three days to prepare. I want to be reunited with your mother as soon as possible."


    Once Jeffrey left, Juan looked over at the coffin.


    At the Potter Mansion, Robert carried the unconscious Marion into the bedroom andid him on the bed. Marion''s right hand was still tightly clenched.


    "Call a doctor to check on him. He''s bleeding," Robert said.


    Drake tried to pry open Marion''s injured hand, but he clenched it even more tightly.


    "He''s out cold and still gripping so hard," Drake muttered, turning to the door. "Get William in here."


    Randy pushed William inside and quickly stepped back.