As Erica, Randy, Marion, and Debra entered the banquet hall, they immediately drew everyone''s attention. Many people approached them to say hello.


    Liza tugged at Gand''s arm, looking displeased. "These people are shallow. Doesn''t anyone recognize us?"


    As the daughter of the Eaton family, she was usually surrounded by ttering people. But in Seamar City, she was reduced to second fiddle.


    "Calm down. At our ce, Debra was treated the same way. It''s just home-court advantage," Gand soothed her.


    Liza pouted. "True. But I should get the respect I deserve. Just open a branch here and make it better than the McKinney Group."


    Gand smiled wryly. ''That''s a fool'' talk. The McKinney Group is backed by the Four Great Families. Any one of them is no small matter. It will take our entire family topete with them.'' "I''ll try," he said, ncing at


    "Just work harder," Liza muttered, ncing at Theda, who was walking toward Debra.


    Theda wore a polite smile, but there was undeniable pressure in her gaze.


    "This must be Mr. Houston, right? I''ve heard so much about you. It''s a pleasure to meet you," Theda said, extending her hand to Marion.


    Marion nced at her hand. "I don''t shake hands."


    Unfazed, Theda turned to Debra. "Mrs. Houston, you wouldn''t refuse, would you?"


    Debra shook her hand. "Ms. Buchan, nice to meet you."


    Just then, Melody''s voice interrupted them. "Theda, there are plenty of other guests waiting for you. Don''t waste time on irrelevant people."


    Her words were a thinly veiled dismissal of Debra and her group.


    Theda smiled at Debra and Marion. "Please enjoy yourselves. A good show ising up."


    She turned and walked toward Melody.


    Randy grumbled, "What was that look she gave us? Like she already won."


    Erica echoed, "What''s so great about coborating with the Nichols


    Cithout Juan, thepl nee


    Group?


    is just loose sand. She can''t be still expecting his help."


    Juan''s reputation had taken a serious hit. The Nichols Group wouldn''t admit his presidency. anymore. Even if he came back, he could do nothing. All his shares had been given to Debra.


    Debra frowned, unable to shake an uneasy feeling. She didn''t think things were as simple as they appeared.


    "What''s wrong?" Erica asked, noticing her distraction.


    Debra snapped back. "Don''t you think everything''s going too smoothly?"


    "What do you mean?"


    "I feel like it''s been too easy to make the Buchan Group''s pay up."


    Theda should know the consequences of exploiting her employees. Maybe it was just her strategy, or she didn''t care about those sky-high penalties.


    Erica shrugged. "Don''t overthink it.


    Theda is just a rich girl. How would she know what it''s like for workers? Buchan Entertainment is going down, and everything is going as we nned."  en