Chapter 922

“Miss Eaton, you are joking,” Drake said. “Look around. She is not here.”

He leaned in slightly, his voice cool and deliberate. “If you don’t believe me, feel free to search the place.”

“You must have hidden her somewhere,” Liza snorted, turning to Bert. “Dad, you saw everything. This man here is unfaithful and despicable. I will never marry someone like him.”

Bert let out a measured breath, turning to Drake. “Liza is my dearest daughter. When I agreed to this marriage, it was because you seemed like a promising young man with sincerity. But now, it’s clear that you’re unfit to be her husband. Consider this engagement annulled.”

Drake tried to argue, “I…”

“There’s no need to explain,” Bert interrupted. “While this marriage won’t proceed, business is another matter. To compensate for any loss of face this decision may bring to the Lowe family, I’ll ensure our partnership remains intact.”

Drake’s tense features relaxed into calmness. He had long grown weary of Liza’s spoiled, entitled ways. Proposing marriage to her had been nothing more than a calculated business move. If backing out now still secured their collaboration, it was all the better. “Well, since Miss Eaton has no intention of marrying me, I won’t insist,” he said. “This place is chaotic. Allow me to walk you out.”

“No need,” Bert replied sharply. “You can stay here and clean up the mess.”

He turned on his heel, leading his entourage out of the banquet hall. Liza shot Drake a venomous glare on her way out, but he remained unmoved.

Chapter 922

“Boss, are you really okay with the engagement being called off?” Kale asked cautiously.

Drake shrugged. “What’s there to worry about? Bert promised that the partnership would continue.”

Then something occurred to him, and he asked, “Wait, who told you to come down here? Where’s Debra?”

Kale stammered, “I locked her in a room upstairs. No one would find her.”

Drake’s voice turned icy. “That’s not the point. I’m worried about her escaping.”

He quickly strode up the stairs.

In the suite, Debra stood by the open window, her skin flushed with an unnatural heat.

That scent earlier was some kind of stimulant, mild but effective enough to make her breath uneven. A sharp knock on the door jolted her. She froze, not daring to make a sound.

Moments later, the electronic lock beeped, and the door opened. To her surprise, it wasn’t Drake but Frederic who stepped inside.

She looked at him warily. “What are you doing here?”

Frederic came up to grip her wrist. “Come with me.”

“Wait,” Debra said.

Before she could process what was happening, footsteps echoed outside the door.

Frederic’s eyes narrowed, and he reached for the gun tucked beneath his jacket. Debra whispered hastily, “If you’re here to rescue me, I appreciate it.”

Realization dawned on Frederic. “You’re here of your own will?”

“Yes,” Debra admitted. “But if Drake finds you here with me, we’re both doomed.”

Before Frederic could respond, there was a knock on the door, followed by Drake’s commanding voice. “Debra, open up.”

Chapter 923