Chapter 949

Marion set down his newspaper and walked over to examine the invitation in Debra’s hand.

“Drake is in such a hurry. He must be desperate to secure resources.”

“He’s eager to deal with you?”

“Not necessarily. It could also be trouble brewing in Orkgate.”

“Something happened there?”

Debra tried to recall any signs of trouble from her last stay in Orkgate, but there hadn’t been anything that would warrant such urgency.

In truth, Drake could just stay there and rule. There was no need for him to venture overseas and stir up trouble, which ultimately led to his broken engagement with the Eaton family and his near-total loss of face. Anyone else in his position would have slunk away in shame, but Drake was too proud for that.

“I’m not sure,” Marion admitted. “Orkgate is his territory. I promised not to interfere there.”

He then noticed her disappointment at not getting any juicy news. He smiled and ruffled her hair. “But I have my informants. If anything happens, they’ll let me know.”

Debra leaned into his embrace. “I remember you saying that you and Drake were like brothers. What drove you apart?”

“He thinks I betrayed him.”

“How so?”

“We both came from the slums. We helped each other out and forged a bond through hardship. Later, Shawn took us in. We worked on missions together, but Drake was more ruthless and more ambitious. There was an opportunity. The Lowe family needed an heir.”

“So, everyone thought Drake was the beloved grandson, but he was actually adopted.”

“When the old man died, he was supposed to take over, but he didn’t want to. He wanted to stay overseas because he knew Shawn didn’t have much time left. I convinced him to go and promised to join him later. I didn’t join him, and he felt betrayed, believing I had sent him away to claim the Bernard family’s fortune.”

“So, you sent him away to protect him?”

“No. That was a strategic move to eliminate a competitor.”

“No wonder he hates you.”

“Well, only one of us could inherit that fortune. If he had stayed, we would have ended up fighting each other. I did the right thing.”

“Then why didn’t you leave and let him stay?”

“He isn’t smart enough to lead, and my decision proved to be right. He’s only managed to hold onto power in Orkgate because of his hatred for me. I’m his guiding light, so to speak.”

Chapter 950