Chapter 818
Outside the villa, Erica strode toward her car. She paused, her sharp gaze flicking to the side.
"Randy. Stop hiding and get over here."
From the shadows, Randy sheepishly emerged, rubbing the back of his neck. "Erica..."
She grunted, "Why were you skulking around back there?"
Randy offered a lopsided grin. "I'm a guy. It didn't feel right to go in there and scare off two women like that. But you were amazing. That roar of yours could be heard from outside." Erica rolled her eyes. "You're useless."
"Yes, I am," Randy laughed.
She waved him off. "Where's Debra? She's back safe now, right? You promised you'd take me to see her. Hurry up."
"We'll go tomorrow," Randy replied mysteriously.
"Why?" Erica asked suspiciously.
Randy explained, "You know, absence makes the heart grow fonder. Why interrupt their time together? We'd just be third wheels."
Realization dawned on Erica. "What about Marion? Is he at the Potter Mansion?"
Randy sighed. "Don't even remind me. He flew straight there the moment he touched down. He didn't even check on me."
For days, he had been running himself ragged, managing affairs for the Houston family, the McKinney Group, and his own business, on top of keeping tabs on Orkgate.
Marion, however, had gone to
Orkgate without even telling him et
Randy was frustrated that he'd
missed such a great opportunity to lash at Drake.
Marion arrived at the Potter Mansion, his clothes still frosty from the cold. Andrew greeted him in the hall, calm as always. "Where's Debra?"
"Upstairs."
Marion started heading up, but Andrew suddenly called out, "Are you really going up there looking like that?"
Marion blinked, realizing how worn down he appeared. He hadn't slept in two days, his face rough with stubble.
It had been years since Andrew had seen him so haggard.
"Barton, fetch hot water and some clean clothes for Mr. Houston. And make sure he shaves," Andrew ordered. "Don't let him slip away."
As Barton moved to obey, Andrew chuckled at Marion. "Even if you try to sneak up there now, you don't know which room she is."
Marion laughed for the first time in days. "Your guards couldn't stop me. I'm too eager to see my fiancée."
He shrugged off his coat, tossed it to Barton, and rushed up the stairs.
On any other day, he might have cleaned up first. But today, he couldn't wait. Even though they had been apart for less than a week, it felt like an eternity.
Inside the guest room, a maid got hot bath ready for Debra. "Ms.
a
Frazier the water's ready. You ne
injured, so let me help you bathe."
Debra nodded. But just as the maid was about to assist, the door burst open.