Chapter 729

“Get in!” Kale shoved Debra into Drake’s bedroom. The sharp scent of wine clung to her like a second skin. Her hair and clothes were stained, droplets dripping onto the floor.

Drake stepped out of the bathroom. His white bathrobe hung loosely, and beads of water rolled off his damp skin. Debra’s gaze flickered across his body, noting the scars etched into his skin. They mirrored what she had seen on Marion.

Catching her stare, Drake smirked, “Enjoying the view? Want me to take it all off?”

Debra snapped her eyes away. “No need. There’s nothing worth seeing.”

Drake snorted, glancing at her bedraggled appearance. “You sure know how to make an entrance, don’t you? Wrecked millions of dollars’ worth of wine. Is this your way of trying to get me mad enough to kill you?”

“I value my life. Dying’s not on my agenda.”

“Then what were you thinking, destroying my wine cellar?” His voice grew darker, his irritation palpable beneath the surface.

“So, tell me. How are you going to compensate me for all that damage?”

“Millions of dollars? Don’t be so petty.”

“Really? Funny coming from someone who once made a fuss over thirty thousand dollars.”

“Sure, it’s a big number for me. But for you? It’s nothing. Besides, I didn’t do it just to piss you off. I needed to see you.”

“Needed to see me?” Drake snorted. “So, you trashed my cellar for a meeting? Should I be flattered?”

“You could be.”

Drake’s amusement vanished. Sensing the shift, Debra quickly adopted a more serious tone.

“I told your guard about it, but she said it was impossible without your approval. I had no other choice.”

Drake flicked his gaze toward Kale, who quickly bowed his head. “I thought you wanted her kept locked up for a while, boss.”

Drake waved a hand dismissively. “Well then, you have two minutes to say your piece. After that, go back and clean up the mess.”

“I know you’re planning to deal with Marion. Let’s form an alliance.”

“You have any idea what you’re talking about?”

“I do. You took me from my engagement party, but he didn’t even come to save me. He sent someone else. It made me realize he doesn’t care about me as much as you said. If you want to destroy him, I’m your best shot.”

“Marion spent millions on that party. Doesn’t sound like he doesn’t care. And now you’re offering to betray him? Why should I trust you?”

“That party was never about me. It was just a match of power between the Nichols and Houston families. I’m just a divorced woman with nothing left. If you were Marion, would you treasure me?”