The bodyguards at the entrance were intimidating.


    When Debra handed over her invitation, she worried there might be fingerprint scans or facial recognition. That would make things tricky.


    But the guards barely nced at it before waving her through. Debra was surprised by how smoothly things went.


    This castle was one of the top threendmarks overseas, and it had never been open to the public. During the day, it was a tourist attraction. But now, someone managed to host a private banquet right there.


    Once inside, she was faced with one more hurdle. Rows of scanners stood ahead, all meant to detect any restricted items.


    Debra was carrying no gun, but Marion had given her a Bluetooth earpiece to stay in contact.


    To minimize suspicion, they decided to enter separately. She would go in first, and he''d follow shortly after.


    She hesitated for a moment before taking off the earpiece and tossing it into a shadowed corner.


    Just as she stepped forward, someone in front of her triggered the rm and was quickly dragged away by two guards.


    No one around them seemed surprised.


    Outside, the man''s screams echoed as the guards dealt with him. Apparently, he had tried to sneak in a hidden camera.


    Debra felt a chill run down her spine. If she had walked in with the Bluetooth device, she might have ended up the same way.


    She continued inside. The castle was like a den of indulgence and a paradise of vice.


    There was a dance floor, a casino, and other entertainment facilities one could imagine.


    On one side, women were being auctioned off, wearing nothing but the bare minimum. On the other hand, there were male escorts-chiseled, masked, and well-trained. The rich socialites gathered around them with thick interest.


    Debra kept her expression neutral and took in everything around her No one had a phone. Instead, each wore a wristband witha


    gber.


    When they left, they would be charged through their ounts. It meant everyone here had already money, and the amount


    couldn''t be small.  fo


    She searched the area but found no sign of anything rted to the Illuminati.


    Suddenly, the lights dimmed, casting a seductive glow over the room. It reminded her of a simr gathering in Orkgate.


    Drake used to host such parties. The sweet, drifting aroma confirmed her suspicions.


    She held her breath and moved toward a venttion shaft, trying to inhale as little of the scent as possible.


    The party was reaching its peak. Laughter rang out, blending with the sound of clinking sses and whispered conversations.


    Debra felt her head getting light. Her legs were unsteady, as if she were drunk. It was the scent making people loosen up.


    She clenched her jaw and leaned against a nearby pir, forcing herself to stay alert.


    Then, as she lifted her gaze, she saw a phoenix shimmering in the dim lights. Beneath it was a bright, unmistakable sun emblem.