A loud crash came from Drake''s room.

    Debra paused for a moment before opening the door.

    Inside, Drake was still lying on the bed, but hisplexion had improved a lot.

    In ck pajamas, he threw a dart at the TV. The screen shattered beyond repair.

    "Looks like someone''s in a bad mood," Debra said.

    Drake nced at her and remained unhappy.

    "Was faking my critical illness Marion''s idea?"

    "Yes."

    "Have you caught the person behind it?"

    "Not yet."

    "Mypany was taken. It was all Marion''s fault."

    "He did it to protect you. The assassination reveals their intention to seize the

    Lowe Group because they think they can''t control you anymore. They wouldn''t

    stop until you were dead. You got lucky and survived, but next time, you might not

    be so fortunate."

    "I don''t need him to protect me."

    Debra knew better than to push him. She stepped closer and softened her tone. "I

    talked with Marion. What he did wasn''t exactly appropriate."

    Drake scoffed, "You and Marion are two peas in a pod. What could you possibly

    say to him?"

    "Plenty," Debra said smoothly. "I

    gave him a proper scolding. I told

    him, ''Drake is the president of the

    Lowe Group, for crying out loud.

    He''s not just talented and capable,

    but also smart as a whip. After

    surviving something like this, he''s

    bound toe up with a clever n

    to turn the tables. Stop meddling."

    Drake was appeased and nodded. "So, what brings you here tonight?"

    "The Lowe Group has elected a new president," Debra began. "And on his first

    day in office, he targeted Marion and Erica."

    She ced a crest in his hand and asked, "Is this really your family''s crest? Could

    it be a fake?"

    Drake flipped it over. "It''s real."

    "You''re sure?"

    "I know the crest better than anyone.

    Our crests are custom-made. Not

    just anyone can wear one. These

    crests are given to our most loyal

    guards and elite operatives. They

    only take orders from the family

    head. If they''re acting, it means

    someone truly wants you dead."

    "Is there any chance these guards were bribed?"

    "We pay them well enough," Drake exined. "Besides, we have strict selection

    processes, and we hold their families as coteral. Betrayal isn''t an option."

    "Not even for a fortune?"

    "They make millions annually. How much would someone need to offer to buy off

    that many operatives?"

    Debra fell into deep thought. In the

    end, she asked, "The new president

    was elected yesterday. You hold the

    were you still reced?"