The doctor and nurses led Liza out of the room.


    She could tolerate it as long as they didn''t use electroshock therapy.


    Fermin was left alone in the room.


    The moment the door closed, he shouted, "Hey! Where are you taking my sister?"


    But his head hurt too much. Instead of pressing further, he sat there, curiously scanning the room.


    His expression and actions didn''t look fake.


    "Sir..." The butler hesitated.


    "Keep him locked up." Bert struck the floor hard with his cane.


    They couldn''t let him out until they made sure Fermin''s personality was gone.


    "Understood." The butler followed Bert out of the room.


    Beyond the reach of the security cameras, the corners of Fermin''s lips curled into a faint smirk.


    ...


    Debra curled up in Marion''s arms.


    He never slept more than four or five hours a night. Any longer, and he''d wake up on his own.


    She shifted, rubbing against him.


    "Want to sleep a little longer?" he asked gently.


    Debra opened her eyes and wrapped her arms around his waist. "I''m a little hungry."


    For the past month, she had been recovering from her injuries, so Marion had slept on the couch instead, watching over her.


    Now, with her nestled against him like that, his throat felt dry.


    "Hmm? Why aren''t you speaking?" Debra was puzzled, then felt something warm pressing against her.


    e2


    The moment she realized what it was, her face turned bright red. She instinctively tried to put some space between them, but his arm tightened around her waist.


    His voice was low, rough. "Perfect timing. I''m feeling a little hungry too."


    His hand was scalding, and his eyes were dark with restraint.


    For a whole month, he hadn''t dared


    wounds. Now, he was waiting heme Cher, afraid of hurting t


    her permission.


    But before she could respond, the phone on the nightstand started buzzing.


    "Phone''s ringing," she said.


    Marion exhaled, frustrated but patient, as he sat back and let her take the call.


    Debra nced at the caller ID and answered.


    Michael''s voice came through. "Debra, you guys are overseas?"


    The intimate way he addressed her made Marion frown.


    Debra cleared her throat. "Yeah. Marion and I are on a tour."


    Michael then got straight to the point. "About what you asked me to look into, I''ve got some leads."


    That got Debra''s full attention. "What did you find?"


    "There''s a banquet tonight. I heard quite a few members of the


    Illuminati would be there. It''s one of


    their monthly recruiting even


    you in when I get there."


    "You''reing here too?"


    I''ll fill


    "Yeah. I got in under a work pretense. I figure my reputation should help me fit in."


    Before Debra could respond, Marion cut in, "You done talking? If you are, I''m hanging up."