Chapter 1000

“Debra!” Drake growled. “I came to track down the guy who set me up. Give me back the key.”

“Oh, come on. Are you seriously trying to tell me that someone managed to smuggle out thousands of machines under your nose and set you up? No kidding. You’re the CEO of Lowe Group, infamous for your ruthless control. Who’d dare cross you?”

Drake huffed, “Ruthless control? Where’d you get that idea? Sure, the reputation precedes me, but that doesn’t mean no one dares pull tricks under my nose.”

Debra dug at her ear, unbothered by his outburst. “You mean, this whole thing has nothing to do with you? Alright, I believe you, and so does Marion. But how are you going to convince others? After all, you were caught at the docks transporting over 100 machines. Only Kale and you were found at the scene. How could anyone not suspect you?”

“I told you. It was a setup.”

“And who was it?”

“I had the guy in control, but as soon as the police showed up, he escaped.”

His explanation sounded weak, even to himself.

Debra stepped closer and said, “I saw it with my own eyes. Every machine we confiscated from that arcade was one of Lowe Group’s products. If I remember correctly, you prohibit selling those machines outside Orkgate, right? And your policy is crystal clear. Only your own venues can circulate these machines. So, no matter how you spin it, you’re the one responsible. Who could move so many machines without you noticing?”

Drake sighed heavily, knowing he couldn’t argue his way out of this. Resigned, he slumped into a nearby chair and muttered, “Then go ahead and put me behind bars.”

Debra nodded. “Alright. You’ve done plenty of shady stuff anyway. Locking you up would be a good thing. I’ll arrange for you to be sent back to Orkgate for trial.”

Drake’s expression shifted, and he snapped, “Stop trying to provoke me with this act. You know damn well I’m not the mastermind behind this. If I knew who it was, I wouldn’t be hauling a load of busted machines and a severed hand around.”

Debra fell silent. She understood his logic, but that didn’t change the facts. Now every piece of evidence pointed to his involvement. She rubbed her temples, feeling the strain for the first time. “Have you investigated your partners? Is there anyone suspicious among them?”

“If I had any leads, I wouldn’t be here in the first place,” he huffed. “Is Marion here?”

She gestured toward the door. “Right outside. Do you want to see him?”

“Not really.”

“Are you sure?”

“Fine, send him in. I need to speak with him privately.”