Chapter 568

+25 BONUS

Caleb, despite his retirement, remained a respected and feared figure. Stories about him circulated widely. He wasn't one for casual gatherings.

"Maybe," Debra mused, "he just wants to see what kind of woman his grandson plans to marry."

Resting her chin in her hand, Debra realized she should seriously consider meeting Marion's family.

The next morning, Debra selected a fresh, elegant outfit—formal yet youthful. Her ensemble possessed a subtle designer flair, the kind typically appreciated by the older generation.

The Houston family's old house occupied an entire villa district, complete with state-of-the-art security and high-tech surveillance. The electric fence alone made it resemble a military compound.

"Sorry, this area is restricted," the security guard at the gate said, halting her car.

Undeterred, Debra exited the vehicle, and the guard escorted her toward the villa complex on foot. The scenery wasn't spectacular, but the sheer scale and design of the grounds clearly indicated immense wealth and power. The area outside the villas was large enough to serve as a training field.

As Debra walked, she noticed a long line of people practicing drills near the entrance. She paused briefly, observing the exercises with mild curiosity.

"Ms. Frazier, this way, please," the guard prompted.

He led her to the outer perimeter of the estate. From the gate, Debra could see an expansive manor beyond. "Ms. Frazier, we're not allowed inside. Just follow the path straight ahead and take the first left. That will take you to the house," the guard said before departing.

Debra nodded and entered the grounds. Despite the detailed directions, the estate was so vast that she soon became disoriented.

Just then, she spotted an elderly man dressed as a gardener, tending flowers. Approaching him, she called out, "Excuse me…"

Mr. Houston Sr. turned, his face partially obscured by a red scarf. But Debra recognized him instantly. In this life, she had met Caleb only twice, but in her previous life, she had heard countless stories about him. Besides, no ordinary gardener would wear custom-made boots in the dirt, let alone a limited-edition Mario-themed gardening suit costing seven figures. No gardener in the world earned that kind of salary.

Instead of immediately revealing his identity, Debra decided to play along. "Can you tell me where the main house is?"

Caleb, his face stern, grumbled, "You want to know? Help me pull these weeds first."

He pointed to a small patch of weeds. Any spoiled young lady from a wealthy family would have considered the task beneath her.

But without a word, Debra stepped into the dirt and began pulling weeds. Caleb, mildly surprised, watched her for a moment. Even though she was a high-society lady, she didn't hesitate or complain. She spent a good half-hour diligently working in the garden.

"That's enough," he said abruptly.

Debra straightened after pulling the last weed. "Anything else you need, sir?"