Ralph chimed in, "That's right. Mr. Nichols, your trip here is unnecessary. Debra isn't going anywhere with you.""Honey," Rosalie interjected, gently tugging at Ralph's sleeve. "Marital issues should be resolved between the couple themselves. Why are you getting involved?"She turned to Juan, a polite smile plastered on her face. "Mr. Nichols, you've come all this way to pick up our Debra at this late hour. It shows your devotion. Debra, don't be angry anymore. Just go back with Mr. Nichols."She winked at Debra, urging her to comply. Yet, Debra seemed to look right through her, feigning ignorance.Juan stepped closer to Debra, lowering himself to her level. His eyes were filled with genuine affection. "I've sent Shelia to prison."Debra met his gaze, her voice calm and collected. "Are you sharing this with me to prove something?""I know everything she did," Juan continued, eager to explain. "She killed her friend and stole her identity. My relationship with her was a mistake f
Debra glanced down at Juan's hand, her eyes flashing with defiance. "What's this, Mr. Nichols? Trying to take me away by force?"Juan remained silent for a moment, his jaw tightening. "Don't push me, Debra."Debra scoffed, undeterred. "You may be powerful, but this isn't a place for you to throw your weight about."Juan's grip on her arm tightened. "You know very well whether I dare to act up here or not. If you come with me now, we can still keep our decency."Debra coldly shook off his hand. "Sorry, that's not going to happen."Suddenly, the gate to the villa burst open, and a group of people rushed in. The commotion sent the maids scattering in panic.Rosalie hid behind Ralph, her voice a frightened whisper. "Honey, what do we do now?"Juan said, "I'll say it one more time. Come with me."Debra stood her ground, and the standoff continued.The first to crack was Rosalie, her voice shrill with panic. "Debra, I told you to go with Mr. Nichols, but you wouldn't listen. Why are
Juan was taken aback. "Grandma?"Melody swept into the room, her gaze filled with a mix of sternness and profound disappointment. She raised her hand and delivered a stinging slap to Juan's cheek."For just a woman, you put the Nichols family in danger," she chastised. "Are you even fit to be the head of this family anymore? Is this how your grandfather taught you to handle affairs? You're useless."Juan clenched his fists, but he didn't dare utter a word of protest. Melody turned her gaze to Debra, her eyes filled with disdain."I'm sorry for the trouble. Juan will never act so recklessly again. We will compensate you for your losses. But since you proposed the divorce, you won't get a share of our family fortune."Juan started, his eyes flashing with concern. "Grandma!"Debra, however, seemed unfazed by Melody's declaration. "You seem to have misunderstood, Mrs. Nichols Sr. The divorce agreement I gave Juan doesn't ask for a single penny from the Nichols family. So don't worry,
Debra's words cut like a knife, her eyes devoid of any warmth or affection.Juan stood rooted to the spot, his fists clenched at his sides.Debra scoffed, her voice dripping with disdain. "What's the matter, Mr. Nichols? Still here? Waiting for more insults?"Joe, unable to bear the tension, leaned in and whispered, "Sir, we should go."Debra shifted her gaze away, dismissing Juan completely. Slowly, he backed away, his eyes never leaving her until he finally turned and left.Inside the car, Joe glanced at Juan through the rearview mirror. Juan sat in stony silence, his face a dark mask of turmoil.Joe ventured cautiously, "Sir, Mrs. Nichols is just upset right now. Perhaps she'll calm down in a few days."Juan's voice was barely above a whisper. "I don't understand why she won't accept me."Joe offered, "Maybe it's because of Miss Miles. It's difficult for any woman to accept her husband having a child with another woman.""No, it's not just that. It's something from long ago
Marion's people retreated. Rosalie, her forehead beaded with sweat, clutched her chest. "That scared me to death. How could those people be so rude? Debra, you must talk to Juan. If he doesn't give up, what will we do?""Don't worry about this, Aunt Rosalie," Debra replied nonchalantly, tugging at Marion. "Come upstairs with me."Marion, typically defiant and brash, followed her like a well-trained pup. Ralph mused, "Are Marion and Debra dating each other?"Rosalie waved a dismissive hand. "Come on. Who is Marion? How could he possibly be interested in our Debra? She's now a divorced woman."Ralph countered, "So what if she's divorced? Weren't we in the same situation?""That's not the same," Rosalie argued.Debra led Marion into her room, shutting the door firmly behind them. "What brings you here?"She was certain she hadn't invited him along today."You must have given Juan the information about Shelia, right?" Marion's gaze was intense, his voice tinged with what seemed lik
"I know," Debra murmured, her mind only half-focused on the conversation.From her position in the hallway, she could see Marion in her room, his fingers tracing over the childhood photos scattered across her desk."Marion!" she called out, rushing into the room and putting the photos back.One of them caught her eye. It was her and Juan's wedding photo.Marion's eyes went cold, his voice devoid of emotion. "Even the wedding photo is framed and placed on the desk? You love him that much?""It's not like that," she stammered, struggling to find the right words.The photo was from the early days of their marriage, a time when they didn't have a proper wedding or many photos together.This single image was the only memento she had of that time. Back then, she had loved Juan, and she had cherished this photo, carefully framing it. But now, it felt like a cruel joke."It's getting late. I'll leave now," Marion said, his face an unreadable mask.He rarely showed his anger, but Debra
Rosalie scrutinized Debra's face, searching for any sign of sadness or shock, but found none. Feeling a twinge of boredom, she awkwardly said, "Well, they say Marion is cold-hearted. Since you're divorced, he can't possibly..."Debra shot a cold glance at Rosalie, and she recoiled in fear."If I remember correctly," Debra said, her tone indifferent, "you were divorced before you married Ralph. Have you forgotten how you ended up in this house?""I..." Rosalie was rendered speechless.Debra stood up. "Why should women make things difficult for other women? You should have been more mindful of your words.""You're right. I'm sorry," Rosalie conceded, stepping aside.With Debra now dominating the Frazier family, Rosalie dared not provoke her too much.Debra's lips curled in distaste. "There are things to handle at the company. I'll be leaving now. The table is dirty; please clean it up."She lazily adjusted her clothes and strode out of the house.Once Debra was gone, Rosalie gla
That would save Debra a lot of trouble.Ben's phone buzzed. He pulled it out, glanced at the screen, and hastily stuffed it back into his pocket.Ben worked for Marion, and she rarely saw him this flustered."Is something wrong?""No, not really," Ben nervously replied.Debra extended her hand. "Let me see.""Madam...""Hand it over."She noticed it was his work phone, rarely used for personal calls. Something related to Marion must have caused this reaction.With sweat all over his back, Ben placed his phone in her hand.The message was from Randy, brief and to the point. [Houston family handover party tonight. Keep it from Debra.]She quickly realized the gravity of the situation. Marion had been back in the country for a while, and Caleb had announced that he would hand over the leadership of the family to Marion. But the handover party hadn't happened yet until now.Now she understood why. Marion had blocked the news to keep her in the dark."Madam, I...""Ben, rememb