Chapter 804

“Oh? Go on,” Drake said, his interest fully piqued.

Debra explained, “From what I’ve gathered, the Odom family is teetering on the brink of ruin. Their debts are astronomical, and the interest alone is eating them alive. Thirty billion dollars is far from enough to turn the tide. Edgar will probably use it to pay off what he owes to the McKinney Group. In the end, you’ll be left empty-handed, while the McKinney Group walks away with your money. Can you really afford a loss like that?”

“You seem well-informed about the McKinney Group’s inner workings,” He leaned in and gazed into her eyes, trying to read her thoughts. “Didn’t you resign a long time ago? How do you still have such insight?”

Debra didn’t flinch under his scrutinizing stare. “I may have left, but that doesn’t mean I’m out of the loop. My connections run deep.”

Drake raised an eyebrow. “So, what’s your suggestion? What should I do?”

“Edgar’s ambition far exceeds his competence,” Debra said bluntly. “If I were in your shoes, I’d let him drown in his own mess. There are always more reliable partners.”

Drake gave her words a moment’s thought but didn’t seem rushed. “You raise valid concerns, but I think you’re overcomplicating things.”

Debra frowned. “What do you mean?”

“I’m well aware of Edgar’s situation,” Drake said casually, as if he had already planned several steps. “He owes Tracy ten billion in high-interest loans. If I give him the thirty billion, he’ll use it to scramble and pay her off. But even if he does, the Odom family will still be buried under mountains of debt. It’ll take them years to recover, if ever. I’m not foolish enough to lend money to a sinking ship.”

Debra froze. “You never intended to lend him the money?”

Drake chuckled, his eyes gleaming with a predatory gleam. “Oh, I could lend it to him. But my interest rates make Tracy’s look like child’s play. Edgar wouldn’t survive.”

A chill shot down Debra’s spine. If Drake went through with his plan, Edgar wouldn’t just be ruined; he’d be crushed beyond repair. And with that, her and Chace’s carefully laid schemes would fall apart.

“From what I’ve heard, Edgar doesn’t have full control over the Odom family. Even if you seize their assets, they’re not worth thirty billion,” she said, grasping for any angle to dissuade him.

Drake cut her off with a laugh. “You don’t want me to lend him the money, do you?”

The sudden shift caught Debra off guard, but she steadied herself and spoke plainly.

“No, I don’t.”

“Give me a reason.”

“Because I hate Edgar. Is that enough for you?”

“Hate? Why?”

Her voice was tight as she replied, “Because he used to have a thing for Shelia, and he helped her come after me. That’s why I hate him.”

Drake’s brow furrowed in confusion. “Shelia? Who’s that?”

Debra blinked, surprised. “You don’t know her?”

“Should I? Is she someone important?”

“She’s Juan’s fiancée.”