Shelia breathed a sigh of relief as Melody expressed her support.Hester, however, felt a growing unease gnawing at her. If Shelia gave birth to a boy in ten months and the child was confirmed to be Juan's, her own chances of winning Juan's affections would be reduced to nil.Melody turned to her and said, "Hester, prepare a room for Shelia to move into.""Yes, madam," Hester replied reluctantly.Shelia cast a smug glance at Hester. As a woman, she could see right through Hester's feelings for Juan. She wasn't about to let Hester have any opportunities to act on those feelings."Mrs. Nichols Sr.," Shelia began, "could you have someone more experienced take care of me? What if something goes wrong with the baby if a young girl like Hester looks after me?"Her request was clear, even to the most oblivious of listeners.Hester's face fell instantly, and she glanced anxiously at Melody. She couldn't bear the thought of leaving the Nichols family or Juan's side. If that happened, she
Shelia smiled triumphantly, crowing, "I'm carrying Juan's child. Even if some people wear white dresses, they still can't climb into a man's bed. They're useless."Hester trembled with rage. Shelia sauntered towards the inner room, her voice dripping with disdain. "Let me see where your room is."Hester, being the daughter of the Vargas family, had been given the best and biggest guest room when Melody brought her there. But even that paled in comparison to Debra's room.Shelia had seen it once and had decided that, sooner or later, she would make it her own. She looked down at her belly, a calculating gleam in her eyes."Baby, you need to make an effort," she cooed. "Whether I can become the hostess of the Nichols family depends on you."As the evening descended, Juan returned home to find the house completely transformed. His brow cocked as he took in the changes.Sophie, who had been urgently summoned by Melody, rushed to his side. Relief was etched on her face."Sir, you're
Melody stood up and rebuked, "What do you think you are doing? This is my house."Ralph, usually timid and eager to avoid confrontation, held his ground this time. "Debra married into your family, and Juan's actions have led to her being kidnapped. We still haven't found her. Can't I be angry? If anything happens to her, I won't let you off the hook.""This is crazy! You're going too far!" Melody clutched her chest, her breath coming in short gasps.She had been respected all her life, and this was the first time anyone had dared to speak to her in such a manner.She turned to Sophie and ordered, "Go call security and have these two thrown out."Rosalie tried to intervene, placing a restraining hand on Ralph's arm. "Honey, why are you getting so worked up?"Ralph shrugged her off and demanded, "The Nichols family must give me an explanation today."Noticing Sophie's astonishment, Melody yelled, "What are you waiting for? Get the guards here!""Yes, madam."Sophie was startled
Joe couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss. It seemed as though the Nichols Group had become the target of all. In just a month, they had lost several major projects and hemorrhaged a significant amount of money.Any other company would have crumbled under the pressure."Just do as I say," Juan instructed. "Don't worry about the rest.""Understood."The news of the Fraziers causing a late-night disturbance at the Nichols' spread like wildfire, fanned by paparazzi eager to capitalize on the drama.When Debra saw the headlines in her office, her brow furrowed in concern. She hadn't anticipated Ralph falling out with the Nichols family so swiftly.Ralph had always been a cautious man, not one to act rashly without good reason."Madam, you wanted to see me?" Ben entered the office, awaiting Debra's instructions.Debra looked up from her desk. "I need to expedite the acquisition of the Frazier Group. Have the finance department draft an acquisition agreement and bring i
Ralph was puzzled by the unexpected arrival of a lawyer from the McKinney Group. If there was a serious issue, they should have contacted the Frazier Group directly instead of approaching him privately.He couldn't make sense of it until the lawyer pulled out a document and handed it to him. "May we come in and discuss this with you, Mr. Frazier?"With the matter at hand, Ralph had little choice but to invite the two men inside. As he opened the document, his eyes widened at the bold words centered on the page: Acquisition Agreement.His expression shifted slightly as he scanned the contents, his eyes landing on Debra's signature and the Frazier Group seal at the end."What does this mean?" Rosalie chimed in, her expression souring.She had never heard of this acquisition agreement.The lawyer interjected, "This is the agreement Ms. Frazier approved for the acquisition. It's been going through legal procedures these days. We're here to notify Mr. Frazier."Rosalie barked in ange
The room was shrouded in darkness, with not a single shard of light piercing the gloom. As the agent swung open the door, a foul stench assaulted his senses, making him recoil. The space was a mess, littered with trash and clutter, barely fit for human habitation.It was hard to believe anyone could endure such conditions for more than a minute, yet Michael had been holed up here for four interminable days."Michael. Pull yourself together," the agent commanded, stepping into the room and hauling Michael up from the floor.Michael's eyes were vacant, devoid of their usual spark."Michael, listen to me," the agent urged. "The Frazier Group has changed hands. Do you understand? You need to clean up and head to the company right now. The big boss wants to see you. Do you hear me?"Michael's voice was a raspy croak, as if he hadn't drunk any water for days. "Where is Debra? Have you found her?"The agent hesitated before delivering the harsh truth. "Ms. Frazier is dead, Michael. You
Michael's face was alight with joy and relief. He stepped forward, wrapping her in a tight embrace, needing to assure himself that she was real and not just a figment of his imagination.Debra gently patted his back. "I promised you'd be a top actor and a superstar. I won't go back on my word."Michael pulled away, his joy transforming into a wide smile. He knew Debra wouldn't be taken down so easily."Why?" Michael asked, with a barrage of questions filling his mind. "Why did you acquire the Frazier Group? Why summon me here? Why not announce that you're still alive?"Debra leaned back in her chair. "Didn't you always suspect I was Tracy?"Tracy was just a pseudonym she had used to conceal her identity from Juan. The world thought the president of McKinney Group was a man, but the real mastermind was her.Michael had always been more perceptive than others, already suspecting her connection to the McKinney Group. She knew he would understand the meaning of her call for a meeting
An artist like Sean, who relied more on his charm and good looks than his talent, was bound to face a reckoning sooner or later.When Debra hinted at her plans, Michael understood that she had a strategy in place. Sure enough, within just three days, Sean found himself embroiled in a massive scandal.With the Best Actor Award ceremony fast approaching, he couldn't afford any negative publicity. Nichols Entertainment did its best to contain the situation, but the tabloids were relentless.The internet exploded with salacious rumors of Sean seeking prostitutes, sleeping with fans, and even being kept by a fifty-year-old female CEO.The scandal went viral instantly, with numerous alleged victims coming forward, armed with incriminating photos and evidence that Sean couldn't refute.Three days of escalating controversy culminated in Sean being blacklisted by the industry. Panic swept through Nichols Entertainment as their prized asset became a liability overnight.Worse still, Sean f
Andrew looked up at Debra."Barton mentioned you visited the attic.""I did.""What did you see?"Debra lowered her eyes. "Just some old belongings. It was a whim."Andrew didn't press further. Instead, he glanced at the white gown she wore and asked, "Are you heading out?""There's a press conference. I need to resolve some matters.""I've heard bits about the online rumors. They don't seem critical, but if you need my help, I'll have arrangements made.""It's fine. I can handle them," she said, standing up. "Take care.""I will." Andrew nodded.Debra paused at the door, and he asked, "Is there anything else?""I had a dream.""A dream?""In it, I seemed to have lived here for a while. The attic was a beautiful room. A gentle boy stayed by my side and told me stories."Debra wanted to ask if Andrew knew anything or if he was that boy.But when she turned back, Andrew's expression remained unchanged. "A dream is just a dream. I don't recall meeting you in my childhood."
"To achieve my goals, I'll use anyone as a tool," Juan replied indifferently. "If there's nothing else, I'm hanging up."The man on the other end probed, "If I asked you to kill Debra one day, would you do it?"Juan scoffed, "A woman who no longer belongs to me? I'd show no mercy.""Good. Mark your words," said the man before ending the call.Juan stared at the screen and saw a dozen missed calls from Garland. He muttered to himself, "Debra, stay strong. Don't let this break you."...At the Potter Mansion, Garland paced like a cat on a hot tin roof. "What the hell's going on? Answer the damn phone."He tried calling Juan again, only to find himself blocked."Screw this. I'm done trusting you!" He hurled his phone across the room. "Lying snake."Liza pushed the door open just as the device clattered against the wall. "What's wrong?"Garland composed himself and replied, "Just frustrated about the mess. Don't worry. I'll fix it.""This isn't your fault," Liza reassured him. "
"Come on. Why did you blab?" Erica glared.Drake deadpanned, "I'm not part of your group. I'll say what I want."Debra frowned. "So, you were thinking about countermeasures?"Erica explained, "Don't worry. Just focus on your recovery and let us handle it.""Yeah," Randy chimed in. "We've got it covered."Marion's voice softened. "I'll take care of it."Debra pressed his hand to her forehead. "I'm fine now. See? No fever. This involves me directly. How can I sit by while you all scramble? Besides, I can't rest well with Vickie parading around.Marion's jaw tightened, but Debra gave him a reassuring look. "I'll rest if I feel unwell. Promise.""Alright," he compromised.From Erica and Randy, Debra pieced together the situation. Juan had been showcasing Vickie at galas and press events for two days, thrusting her into the spotlight with ruthless efficiency.Debra was not surprised. Juan's reputation and connections made it effortless to manufacture hype. No wonder he'd kept the
That afternoon, Vickie made an announcement, revealing that the article accusing her of plastic surgery was traced back to New Age, a press agency Debra had purchased.Netizens theorized that Debra, threatened by Vickie's claim to the Frazier family legacy, had launched a smear campaign.Vickie effortlessly countered the allegations, cementing public belief in her "true heiress" status.The air at the Potter Mansion was thick with tension."I wanted to help. I didn't expect this to happen," Garland stammered.Juan's devotion to Debra was obvious, yet Juan fed him false intel. He felt like he had misplaced his trust, and the betrayal stung.Erica paced. "Regrets won't fix this. They baited the trap, and we walked in. We need a plan to expose Vickie's lies.""The resemblance can't be a coincidence," Randy said thoughtfully. "The plastic surgery claims must hold truth. They're mixing facts with fiction.""Standard corporate warfare," Drake chimed in. "Leak scandals first for buzz,
"Alright." Debra noticed nothing amiss.After escorting her back to her room, Marion reemerged. "Randy, rein in your girlfriend."Erica planted her hands on her hips. "I'm your cousin.""Then act like one. Don't make Debra worry," Marion countered.Erica's defiance crumpled. "I was just a little nervous."Randy feigned sternness. "Show some respect. I don't even dare speak to her like that.""Breaking news!" Liza burst out of her room, waving her phone. "Have you seen this? The article's gone viral.""What article?" Randy and Erica were confused.They'd been too preoccupied with Debra's situation to check the internet."Seriously? You missed this bomb?" Liza jabbed her screen. "Earlier today, Vickie claimed to be the Frazier family heiress. Then, within an hour, the hashtag vanished. Now this exposé drops, detailing how she got plastic surgery to impersonate Debra.""Let me see." Erica snatched the phone.The article laid out Vickie's cosmetic procedures abroad."She reall
Debra's heart sank. What happened the previous night was still vivid in her memories.She had gone to the attic and smashed the locked door with a hammer. The bed, toys, and stacks of old newspapers had felt so familiar. It couldn't be just a dream."The kidnapping case dealt a severe blow to the Potter family. They must have collected and burned those newspapers. Given my understanding of them, if they want something erased, it stays erased.""I suppose so." Debra nodded, but her doubt remained. "I need to see the attic to confirm it.""Alright. I'll go with you." Marion helped her out of bed.As they opened the door, they found Barton waiting outside, holding a key."Mrs. Houston," he said, "I've found the attic key. Let me take you there."The room exhaled a musty, dust-laden breath when opened. Debra, still sick, coughed at the stale air.Inside stood only aged clocks and furniture, relics from bygone decades. Nothing matched what she'd seen the night before."Why the sudd
At the same time, Marion was dealing with some journalists."Mercy. We were just paid to publish the news.""This has nothing to do with us.""We'll take down the articles right now."Marion sat on the sofa, glancing at his watch. "Ten minutes.""You heard the man," barked one of his subordinates, glowering at the newspaper executives cowering in the corner. "Ten minutes to scrub every trace of this."Marion raised a hand. "Don't frighten our guests. I'm known for being reasonable."The publishers exchanged uneasy glances before calling their teams to halt all operations.Ten minutes later, Marion refreshed the news page. Every negative headline had vanished."Don't let me see another word about this.""Rest assured, Mr. Houston. Such false reports will never surface again.""Yes. This'll never happen again.""Please, just let us go." Marion stood up, silencing the chorus with a flick of his wrist. His men then ushered the publishers out."Sir," one subordinate reported
To be more convincing, Garland cleared his throat and said, "It's simple. I'll write an article and use public opinion to crush the fraud."Marion stayed silent, and he quickly added, "You know, Debra acquired my news agency. Journalism is my trade, and I have the latest intel. I can...""Get to the point.""Uh... Since Vickie claims to be the real heiress, I'll dig up her background and expose her true colors.""Finished?""Yes.""I'll handle it. You stay here."Garland scrambled after him. "Don't you trust my skills? This'll work. I've got Vickie's first-hand dirt."Marion finally paused. Garland's eyes lit up."Believe me now?""My silence doesn't mean ignorance. Tell whoever sent you. Debra is out of their reach. Stop playing games."Garland's smile stiffened. By the time he recovered, Marion was gone.Left with no choice, Garland slipped away to call Juan.As soon as the line went through, he spoke anxiously. "Marion doesn't trust me. It seems he knows we're connected
Drake stood up and continued, "That's all I know. The old man didn't dedicate his life to mere wealth. The so-called treasure of Seamar City can't just be some fabled royal vault. I don't believe it, and neither should any of you."All these people possessed wealth that rivaled nations. It didn't make sense that they'd spend over a decade chasing rumors of riches they'd never seen. There had to be more to it.Marion remained silent, and Drake added, "This is everything I know. Now we're even."He turned to leave but paused at the door. "Debra will likely sleep for another four or five hours. As her husband, you'd do well to stay close."The door clicked shut behind him.Marion moved to the bedside, brushing a hand over Debra's forehead. Her skin was clammy with cold sweat. He dampened a towel in the bathroom and gently wiped the sweat from her face."Don't be afraid. I'm back," he murmured. "No one can harm you now."Debra's tense expression eased. Marion studied her, as if seei