Chapter 809
On the boat, Debra’s breath came in shallow, ragged gasps. Her skin felt as if it were burning from the inside out, her pulse racing at an unnatural speed that left her dizzy. She staggered out of bed, barely able to focus as she groped her way to the bathroom. Cold water splashed onto her face, but even the shock of its chill couldn’t extinguish the fire that raged within her. The icy wind blowing in from the sea only intensified the torment, doing nothing to soothe her feverish body. Her vision began to blur, and everything around her felt as if it were spinning. Her legs trembled violently, unable to hold her up any longer.
“If you don’t return by midnight, this agony will become your daily companion,” Drake’s voice echoed in her head, cold and merciless. “Don’t blame me for being cruel. This is the most merciful fate I offer to traitors.” She slumped to the floor, her entire being engulfed in excruciating pain. It felt as though thousands of tiny needles were piercing her skin, burrowing deeper into her bones.
“Do you know how many people die from drugs every year? If you betray me, you’ll die in unimaginable agony.” She curled up, soaked in sweat, her body trembling violently as she fought to stay conscious. Her face had turned an unnatural shade of white. That was the power of the new drugs developed by the Lowe Group.
She had always prided herself on her resilience, but this was beyond anything she had ever imagined. The burning agony was too much for even her to bear, and she could feel her grip on reality slipping away. In the silence of her spinning mind, Drake’s voice replayed. A voice inside her whispered urgently, “If you don’t want to die, go back. Just one injection and all the pain will disappear.” Another voice, equally insistent, warned her, “You can’t go back. Going back means a life of eternal damnation.”
The internal war raged inside her, just as the physical torment did. The thought of hurling herself into the sea and ending it all crossed her mind more than once. If this torture awaited her every day, insanity wouldn’t be far behind.
At Seamar City Airport, Andrew waited anxiously.
“Sir,” the butler said, “you could’ve waited at home. There was no need to come here personally.”
Andrew shook his head, his eyes glued to the exit. “It’s not the same. I’m afraid something will happen on the way.” He had arranged for Debra to be brought by boat to a remote coastal airport, away from the watchful eyes of the Lowe family. Everything had been planned meticulously to avoid detection, but despite that, an ominous sense of unease had crept into Andrew’s thoughts ever since Debra set sail. He hoped everything would go according to plan. Just as his worry deepened, his secretary’s voice cut through the tension. “Sir, she’s here.”
Andrew heaved a sigh of relief. “Take me to her.”
The butler rushed to wheel Andrew toward Debra. “Ms. Frazier, it’s good to see you made it here safely.”
Debra managed a weak smile. “Thank you, Andrew. I don’t know how to repay you for saving me.”
But Andrew’s face remained tense. “You don’t look well. Did something happen?”
Debra shook her head. “I just haven’t slept well. It’s nothing.”
Andrew exchanged a glance with the butler, unconvinced. “Get the car ready. Take Ms. Frazier to my place to rest.”
“The car’s already waiting, sir. I’ll bring it around,” the butler replied, hurrying off. Andrew’s gaze remained on Debra, a knot of worry tightening in his chest. “Are you sure you’re okay?”