A sweet-faced girl among them was annoyed. "What do you mean? You think just because Hannah is backing you, we won't dare to do anything?"That cool girl echoed, "You only got into this room because of your internet fame. We're the ones who put in the real effort every day. Don't you find it disgusting how you're behaving?"Debra raised an eyebrow. "You think it's unfair?""Of course, it is!" the others barked, their frustration palpable.Debra was unfazed. "There's no such thing as absolute fairness in this world. Some people use their brains. Some rely on their looks, and others use their connections. If you want to be in this industry and expect fairness, you're nothing but a bunch of naïve kids."The sweet-faced girl, her confidence bolstered by her father's status as the chairman of Potter Entertainment, stepped forward. "You're just arguing for the sake of it.""Am I?" Debra stepped forward, grabbing the expensive necklace around the girl's neck. "This is an overseas luxury
Debra hadn't given much thought to her debut. Perhaps Andrew wasn't taking it too seriously. Her debut just fit the public sentiment, and it could boost the Potter family and the McKinney Group.Besides, she had never seen any contract clauses mentioning penalty fees for withdrawing from training.On her first day, Debra familiarized herself with the environment. At night, Hannah handed her a stack of profiles about all the trainees. As she flipped through the pages, a few faces stood out.Freya George, the lead girl, had an air of cold detachment. Eve Cameron was the chairman's daughter, and Ashley Steele was that sweet-faced girl.These three were undoubtedly the strongest contenders. The rest of the trainees seemed to blend into the background, lacking the spark that set the top three apart.Debra had long been aware that the entertainment industry was little more than a playground for the elite. However, she hadn't expected that even a public selection would be predetermined.
Upon hearing the news, Debra felt as if the ground beneath her had given way.Her mind spun. 'What's this? Is Andrew serious? I thought it was just a formality.'The group of people bustled around her, packing her belongings into a suitcase with swift efficiency. Before she could gather her thoughts, the Potter family's butler stood at her door."Ms. Frazier," he said, "the car is waiting downstairs, ready to take you to the dormitory."Debra tried to muster a smile, but her lips merely twitched.Andrew's move was more than just unexpected; it was underhanded.The trainees already viewed her as a privileged intruder who had bought her way in. Now, Andrew had sent a luxury car to escort her to the dorms, practically flaunting her connections. It was as if he was deliberately trying to make her more enemies.'This man is devious,' Debra thought, her stomach churning with unease.Before she could even find the words to refuse, the butler had already loaded her clothes into the car
"Yes, Ms. Frazier," replied the butler.Debra's voice rang out clearly, reaching the ears of those inside the room.Eve's face instantly flushed red, and Freya frowned, wondering if Debra really had a great patron.All of Debra's luggage had been meticulously checked by the staff. Once everything was confirmed to be in order, the butler nodded satisfactorily."Ms. Frazier, you will be staying here for a while. During this time, you can't go out. You'll need to follow the training schedule. Don't worry. The trainee life won't last long.""I see."With the gossip about her and Juan swirling outside, this place seemed like a perfect retreat for her to enjoy some much-needed peace."I'll leave now. If you need anything, just call me.""Alright."After the butler and his team left, the bell in the room rang sharply.She knew what that stood for. Hannah had told her about it.At the call of emergency assembly, the trainees next door rushed out of their room almost instinctively. S
Eve grumbled under her breath, "You're the one to talk. Do you dare to come and run?"Ashley hushed her. "Shh. Keep it down, or you'll be punished again."She was dissatisfied too, but they had no choice.Debra led the way, her stride steady and confident. After ten laps, the others were visibly exhausted.Debra, however, maintained a steady pace, her breathing even and controlled. Even Freya couldn't help but steal glances at her.When Freya first joined, she would have collapsed after ten laps, but Debra was still energetic.Debra gave them a casual glance. Her strong physique wasn't built overnight; it was the result of consistent routines and disciplined habits from her past.The 30 grueling laps took a full hour. Everyone lay on the ground, utterly drained. Debra struggled to steady her breath, her heart pounding in her chest.30 laps were a challenge, even for her."Good job! You can go eat now," Hannah announced. "Debra, stay."The boys, who had finished their training
After adjusting the meal according to the recipe, Hannah brought it over to Debra and sat down across from her."According to the nutritionist, you often don't get enough sleep and have nightmares. Can you tell me why?""Did Andrew send you to ask this?"Hannah merely smiled, neither confirming nor denying Debra's suspicion."If there's an issue, let him ask me himself," Debra said, having a spoonful of oatmeal.Nowadays, nothing she ate or drank seemed to matter much.Hannah observed, saying, "Your health is fine, and your body proportions are perfect. You have a pretty face, and you look great on camera. These meals are just to help improve your sleep. Trust me, in a few years, you'll look even better than now.""Thanks," Debra muttered, though her tone suggested she didn't believe a word of it.When she finished her breakfast, Hannah stood up, gesturing for her to follow."Let's go. I'll take you to the practice room."As they exited the staff cafeteria, a group of female
A derisive laugh echoed through the room as Ashley stepped forward."Do you think we're idiots, Debra? You're talking nonsense. Your company is bankrupt. What connection do you have with the Potter family? Can you really invest billions in this program?"Eve chimed in, her voice dripping with mockery. "That's right. My dad is a board member at Potter Group and knows their operations well. This project was initiated by McKinney Group and Potter Entertainment. The investment is counted in billions. Even if your company were still there, could you come up with that much?"Debra didn't even bother to explain. She had approved the investment over a month ago as the president of McKinney Group, back when the Frazier Group was still intact.It was Michael who had suggested she sign the contract with Potter Entertainment."If you don't believe me, I can't help that. Just tell me what you want.""We want you out of the practice room. Break the contract.""Sorry, no can do."Eve bristled
The teacher finished the dance, and Debra shrugged."If such a simple dance took you days to learn, you'd better quite early."Eve's temper flared. "What did you say?"Just as she was about to step forward, Debra stretched her muscles and then executed a few dance steps to get her breathing right.Debra began to replicate the teacher's routine from the first beat. Even without music, her movements were precious, fluid, and graceful. It was hard to believe she had just learned the dance.Freya was stunned, her mouth agape in disbelief. She was the team leader, and it had taken her half an hour just to memorize the moves. She had practiced all day to get it just right, but Debra had learned it in a flash."How is this possible?" Ashley was equally shocked.Outside the room, a few guys were peeking through the window, their eyes glued to Debra."Wow, this new girl has an amazing figure and dances so well.""Too bad she's married. Otherwise, I'd chase her.""I heard this broke la
Andrew skipped pleasantries and asked directly, "For what business did Mrs. Nichols Sr. call you over to Seamar City?""To help her take control of the Nichols family, of course," Theda replied. "She doesn't want it to fall into the hands of outsiders."Her smile resembled Debra's but was sharper. "Who will you help, Debra or me?""I invited you here," Andrew said coolly. "So, you know the answer.""You treat her so well," Theda murmured. "So well it almost makes me jealous."Her smile faded, and her tone turned icy. "But I won't let go of what I want. The Nichols Group is mine."She placed a small bottle of pills on the desk and added, "These should help with your condition. See you."As she exited the study, Barton stepped forward, his face clouded with concern. "Sir, I'm afraid Ms. Buchan won't give up easily.""That's her," Andrew replied. "But Debra isn't a pushover either. Let's see which of them will laugh the last."Barton hesitated. "I fear Mrs. Houston has little cha
"Yeah, we got into a fight with a dog. Neither of us had our wallets," Randy echoed.Debra tilted her head, her expression suddenly clear. "So, you went out for a midnight snack, got drunk, fought a dog on the way, and then booked a hotel room?""Exactly.""That's right."Neither Randy nor Erica seemed to realize how ridiculous their story sounded.Debra nodded slowly. "And you two shared a room."Randy and Erica both froze.But Debra wasn't going to let them off. "Randy, you hid your thoughts until the perfect moment, huh?"Erica blushed with embarrassment and glared at him."This is all your fault," she huffed, storming upstairs.Randy paused and showed a pitiful look at Debra. "Please, don't tell Marion."Then he hurried to chase after Erica. Debra shook her head helplessly. "These two are truly a pair of bickering lovebirds."She placed the receipt on the table. Just as she stood up, the sharp sound of high heels echoed from the entrance.A tall, elegant figure then ca
Debra understood what Andrew was saying.Juan never talked about his parents. In her past life, Debra had tried hard to learn about Juan's past.After Juan's parents passed away, he became the focus of the Nichols family's grooming.Debra said, "I still don't quite understand. The Buchan family is just the maternal home of Claudia. They can't just send someone to take over the Nichols Group."Andrew asked, "Are you aware of their relationship with Melody Nichols?"Debra thought about Melody's possessiveness over the Nichols family, Juan, and his father. She controlled even their marriages.Claudia was the daughter of Melody's cousin.Andrew said, "Melody has absolute control over the Nichols family. She'd never let it fall into your hands. My sources tell me she has sent people to notify the Buchans. They're expected to find someone to replace Juan."Debra was taken aback. "But I've never heard they have any suitable heirs of this generation.""But they have an heiress. Her na
In the afternoon, Debra returned to the Potter Mansion. The living room The maids were cleaning up the messy living room.Debra raised an eyebrow and asked, "Did we get robbed?"With the Potter family's level of security, it didn't seem likely.The maid hurried over. "Mrs. Houston, you're finally back. Mr. Andrew Potter wants you to see him in the study. He has something important to discuss with you."Debra nodded and quickly headed upstairs. When she opened the door, she found Barton holding a stack of bills in his hand.He asked, "Cash or credit card?"Debra was puzzled. "Is this why you want to see me?"Seated at his desk, Andrew replied, "Rules are rules, even for friends. Someone has to pay for what Marion smashed."Debra slapped her hand against her forehead. "I'll go with the card."All of Marion's assets, including his bank cards, were in her possession.She pulled one out and felt a tiny sting in her heart when the money was deducted.Determined to confront Mario
At the Nichols family's old house, Melody turned over a table. "Debra, how dare she do this? Control the media now. Don't let this blow up.""It's too late," Joe faltered. "The news is all over the place. An agency called New Age is behind it. I tried to negotiate with them, but they refused to take down the story.""New Age? Who are they to cross us?" Melody fumed.She had never heard of this news agency.Joe looked worried. "The news is spreading fast. It's unfavorable for Mr. Nichols. We need to find him and get his side of the story. If he was framed, we could hold a press conference to clear things up."Melody agreed, "Then what are you waiting for? Go.""Yes, Madam," Joe said, rushing out.Melody sat down, her mind racing. She couldn't let the family empire crumble."Sophie, call the Buchans. If something happens to Juan, we must stand strong.""But they..." Sophie hesitated."Just do as I say," Melody insisted.Meanwhile, Debra arrived at the ruined Nichols Mansion,
Debra was too smart to fool.Marion sighed, "Can I lie?""No, you can't," Debra replied firmly.Marion pulled out his phone and showed her the call log. On the top of the list was a call from an unknown number from last night.But to Debra, that number was all too familiar. "Juan self-directed that show?"...Barton stepped into Andrew's room, clearly troubled. "Sir, you have to step in and do something.""He told her himself," Andrew replied blandly. "I didn't force him.""But Mr. Houston is going to destroy everything in the house."Andrew rubbed his temples, regretting bringing these people to his house."Take me to him.""Yes, sir."Barton wheeled Andrew to the hallway, and they saw Marion sitting in the living room.Darts were thrown at a glass vase worth five figures. A second later, the vase shattered into pieces.As Marion went on to pick up a knife from the table, Barton rushed up to stop him. "Mr. Houston, you can't throw that.""Who said I was going to throw i
Debra sighed, "Just drive normally. I won't ask anymore.""Thank you for your understanding, Mrs. Houston," Barton said.The car ride smoothed out after that."Thanks, honey," Marion said."Just shut up." Debra glared at him, and he quickly zipped his mouth.When they arrived at the Potter Mansion, Debra helped Marion out of the car.The hall was empty except for a maid cleaning."Barton, do you know where Erica and Randy are?" Debra asked."They went out for a meal last night and never came back. Maybe they stayed out," Barton replied."Stayed out?" Debra muttered.Just then, a voice echoed from upstairs. "You're finally back. Where were you all night? Why is no one here?"Garland looked down, surprised to find Marion injured.Remembering Juan's visit last night and his talk of disappearing for a while, Garland had a chilling thought. 'Eventually, Juan made a move against his rival in love.'It was understandable. No men could stand their loved ones being with someone els
Juan was never one to run from a fight. Yet Barton looked all serious."If you don't believe me, you can go and ask the police. Juan has fled. Mr. Andrew Potter has sent people to track him down. As long as he doesn't leave Seamar City, everything is still in control.""Honey, is the car here yet?" Marion limped into view behind her.Barton fought back the urge to laugh and said, "Mr. Andrew Potter has instructed me to escort you both home.""Oh, much appreciated," Marion replied, tossing his cane to Barton.He grabbed Debra's arm and said, "Walking is hard for me. Be my crutch, honey."She glanced at his hand. "Behave yourself. Don't make me slap you."Knowing she was still mad at him, Marion turned back to Barton. "She's not in a great mood. Don't mention anything that'll upset her. Go bring the car around."Once Barton left, Marion leaned heavily on Debra, his voice soft and dramatic. "I'm really too weak to walk."Debra sighed and helped steady him. "Juan being picked up b
Garland jumped in fright and almost tumbled down the stairs.His jaw dropped when he saw Juan standing there. "You got caught too?"Barton glanced at them before sensibly stepping away to give them space. His actions further confirmed Garland's guess.He dragged Juan to a quiet corner and bombarded him with questions. "How did you walk into their trap? What do they plan to do with you? What's your situation now? Are they going to lock you up with me? Should we pretend we don't know each other?"Though he'd only been in this house for a few days, he had realized that every single resident was shrewd and cunning.Outmaneuvering them was just mission impossible.Juan said calmly, "No one can know I'm here, especially not Debra. Got it?""Why not? Didn't you come back for her? Why do something good and keep it a secret?" Garland leaned in and whispered, "And about that wife-killing thing... Is it true or false? It's all over the news. I don't want to believe it, but knowing your tem