“Me?” Debra muttered.

Edgar held no personal grudge against Liza. The only person he hated there was Debra. She was the only reason for his downfall.

“Yes, you,” Edgar replied. “You’re full of tricks, and I don’t trust you. If you don’t take her place, I won’t let her go.”

Debra laughed. “Then don’t let her go. The Eatons are not after me anyway. And a little heads-up: If I get a scratch, Marion will make you pay a heavy price.”

Before Edgar could respond, she continued, “Well, I can go over and take her place.”

Edgar’s eyes narrowed, and she added, “Relax! I might be able to fend off a couple of amateurs, but against you? I wouldn’t stand a chance.”

Edgar scoffed, “At least you’re self-aware.”

Only then did he cut Liza loose. The marks on her skin were deep. For someone who had lived a life of luxury and privilege, the humiliation was unbearable.

She glared at Edgar, eager to slap him, but the cold steel of his gun kept her rooted in place.

Meanwhile, Marion sped down the deserted road, the GPS tracker on his dashboard guiding him closer to Debra’s location. He had been uneasy about letting Debra meet Liza alone, and his instincts had proven right. The moment he noticed her GPS signal moving toward the outskirts of the city, he dropped everything to follow her.

The phone buzzed in the cupholder, and he answered without taking his eyes off the road.

“Sir, how many men should we send?”

“None.”

“But Mrs. Houston was taken by Edgar. We’ve confirmed he’s here and was seen acting suspiciously near the Legacy Hotel. He’s not just holding Mrs. Houston; he’s got Miss Eaton and Miss Bernard as well.”

“I’m aware. But she’s been planning this. She’s drawing him out. Too many people will only complicate things.”

Marion helplessly shook his head. Debra was too self-dependent. He just hoped she could learn to rely on him more.

“I’m driving. That’s all,” he said, hanging up the phone.

Chapter 97

In the Lowe Mansion, the tension was palpable. Kale couldn’t hold back anymore. “Boss, are we just going to sit here?”

Drake remained indifferent. “Why should we get involved? Debra didn’t call me, did she?”

“But Miss Bernard did. If something happens to her because we didn’t intervene, people will talk. They’ll say you refused to pay the ransom. It’ll tarnish your reputation.”

“You make a point.”

“And think about this: Edgar kidnapped not just Miss Eaton but Miss Bernard as well. Two of your former fiancées. This isn’t just a personal insult; it’s a direct challenge to your authority. Are you really going to let him walk away from this?”

“You’re not wrong.”

“This isn’t about Debra, but your pride, Boss.”

Chapter 974