Bert sighed, "She was always frail. After giving birth to Liza, her health got even worse. She spent most of her time in the hospital, while I was trying to figure out how to cut ties with the Illuminati. Back then, they made it clear. If I wanted out, there''d be a price. It could''ve been my status or wealth, but never in my worst nightmares did I think the price would be her life."


    Debra froze. "They killed your wife?"


    Bert''s expression darkened, his voice heavy with regret and hatred. "That day, the hospital called, saying she was bleeding out. I rushed there, but by the time I arrived, all I saw was her cold body in the morgue."


    "You mean they drained the hospital''s blood supply?"<fn2363> Find the newest release on findnovel</fn2363>


    A chill ran down her spine. In her past life, she had also suffered massive blood loss during childbirth, only to find out all the A-type blood in the hospital had been transferred by Shelia.


    But now, she wasn''t so sure.


    Even if Shelia had Juan wrapped around her finger, pulling off something like that wouldn''t have been easy. Someone else had to be pulling the strings.


    While Debra was lost in thought, Bert continued, "I held her in my arms and got blood all over my hands. Right then and there, I swore the Illuminati would pay for what they did. But over 20 years have passed. I''m still powerless against them. They have money, power, minds, and influence. I can barely hold them back. If I die, the Eaton family will be powerless against them. And Fermin..."


    His voice trailed off, pain written all over his face.


    Debra''s gaze sharpened. "Does he know the Illuminati killed his mother?"


    "He has always been smart, but I kept this from him. The fewer people who know, the better. I never wanted my children involved in this mess," Bert sighed. "But Fermin doesn''t see it that way. I thought if I raised him well, our family would be secure in his hands. But they came after him, too, and he wouldn''t listen to me anymore."


    He shook his head, and Debra mused, "So, there''s a chance Fermin knows the Illuminati was behind his mother''s death."


    Bert gave a bitter chuckle. "That boy? I raised him wrong. All he cares about is power. Don''t fool yourself into thinking he joined the Illuminati for revenge. He doesn''t have that kind of heart."