Henry, who had been worried about Eve, shouted, "Everyone, stop!"His usual composure was thrown to the wind, replaced by a father's desperate cry.The trainees, who had been relentlessly frog-jumping across the field, crumpled to the ground. Exhaustion clung to them like a second skin."Let's see how you're going to make me lose money," Edgar said.Debra smiled enigmatically, her eyes giving nothing away.Edgar walked away, and Henry scurried after him.By nightfall, the intense training had taken its toll. Everyone was too worn out to even lift their forks."My legs feel like they're made of lead.""It's all Debra's fault. If she had just danced earlier, we wouldn't be in this mess."The complaints echoed through the dining hall, but Debra was nowhere to be found.Tomas, puzzled, voiced his thoughts. "What's Edgar playing at? Is he just messing with us, or does he have a screw loose?"Oscar put down his fork and knife and cleared his plate. Tomas shouted after him, "Hey! I
"Okay, let's switch gears," Debra said, pulling out her phone.She flashed Oscar a screen displaying his electronic signature alongside Potter Entertainment's stamp. "Is this your contract?"Oscar squinted at the screen, recognizing his own signature. "Yeah, that's it."His mother had pushed him into this industry, and he'd signed the contract with Potter Entertainment without understanding the complexities of the business.He handed the phone back and asked, "Where did you get this?""Do you want out?""Out? Where?""Edgar has invested in this program, and your chance of debuting is sealed."Debra laid out the worst-case scenario. "If you stay, you're looking at endless obscurity, debt, and penalties your family can't afford. Another agency might pick you up, but success? That's a gamble.""What are you suggesting?""I bet Edgar's investment tanks within three months.""What?"Oscar was surprised and skeptical.After all, entertainment companies, especially giants like th
Eve's face drained of color as she stared at her seat. "That's my seat. Freya, what did you put in my food?"As trainees, they were always extra cautious about what they consumed, and the implications of Eve's question hung heavy in the air.Freya hadn't expected Debra to have evidence of her drugging Eve. Her face turned grim. "Debra..."Debra sneered, "The show is coming up the day after tomorrow. You're scared Eve will steal your spotlight, so you drugged her to make her gain weight, didn't you?"Eve's eyes widened in realization. "No wonder I've been hungrier lately and gaining weight without eating much. It was because you put hormones in my food. Freya, you're a snake."Freya had no way to defend herself. Debra pressed on, "A leader who drugs her teammates should be kicked out."Exasperated, Freya lunged at Debra, but Debra easily sidestepped her.Just then, Hannah arrived, her voice booming as she took in the commotion. "What are you doing?"Eve, seething with anger, gra
Hannah's gaze swept over the crowd. "Debra went to find Oscar because I told her to. Who said anything about them dating?""What?" Freya staggered back, shock written all over her face. "But just now, it looked like they were... "Her voice trailed off as she replayed the scene in her mind. Debra and Oscar hadn't shown any signs of affection. It was just Oscar's protective stance that had set her off.Debra's voice was sharp enough to cut glass. "You're just jealous. You're the one who wants to keep Oscar all to yourself.""That's a lie!" Freya tried to argue.Debra snorted, "You don't even dare admit that you like someone. It shows that your feelings are trivial. No wonder Oscar doesn't even look at you.""You...""You messed up, and out of jealousy, you slandered me and Oscar. But have you ever thought that if this slander becomes true, you're not just driving me away, you're also ruining Oscar's future? You're so selfish. Why should he like you?"Freya crumpled, her shoulder
Freya leveled a warning glare at Debra. "I suggest you stay away from Oscar. His mother is not someone you want to mess with."With that, she pushed her suitcase and stormed off.Debra's mind whirred like a well-oiled machine. If Oscar was an illegitimate child, then his mother must have been the mistress of the Odom family patriarch.A plan began to form in her mind.Across town at the Nichols family's residence, Hester was dutifully massaging Melody's shoulders. "Juan hasn't been home lately. Shouldn't we call him?""He's becoming more and more disobedient," Melody huffed, guiding Hester's hands away. "His heart is with Debra. You need to step up your game, Hester. Then he'll have to marry you."Hester bit her lip, her eyes downcast. "But it's not that simple. Juan..."She was still in college, young and attractive, with a pleasant personality, but Juan had always been indifferent to her, treating her like a stranger.Melody said meaningfully, "Men are all the same. Find the
Melody's face clouded over. She shoved Shelia aside, her voice shaking with anger. "You shameless woman, how dare you show your face here again?"Shelia stumbled, falling to the ground. She'd chosen her outfit carefully. The long, form-fitting dress accentuated her swollen belly.Melody's gaze softened at the sight of the bump, but her voice remained stern. "I took you in and gave you a haven to have your baby. And this is how you repay me? You carry Juan's child and turn to another man? You're a disgrace."Shelia bowed her head, tears streaming down her face. "I was forced into it. I love Juan, you know that. The Odoms took me away, saying they knew where my father was. I had no choice."She sobbed, her shoulders shaking. Melody frowned, her expression wavering. "Is this true?"Shelia nodded pitifully. "I made a mistake, but it's because I never had a father. I just wanted to find him."Melody had seen the news, knowing Shelia's father was the head of the Blair family. Declan wa
"Is something wrong?" Debra asked.Sophie wouldn't come to find her for nothing.Sophie glanced around, and Debra said, "Come with me."Debra led Sophie to an empty meeting room, handing her a cup of tea. "Now you can speak."Sophie took a deep breath before speaking. "It's Miss Miles. She came back."Debra was surprised. 'Shelia is supposed to be with Edgar. Why did she suddenly return to the Nichols family?'She said nonchalantly, "Sophie, I'm no longer Mrs. Nichols. You know I'm in the middle of a divorce with Juan. It's only a matter of time."Sophie persisted, "Shelia isn't a good woman. Mr. Nichols was only under her spell before. He was drugged and..."She knew this was an unsavory topic but felt compelled to speak up. "I've seen how you care for Mr. Nichols since the day you entered the house. Now Mr. Nichols only wants you, and I don't want to see Shelia ruining everything, so...""I understand. You want me to reconcile with Juan." Debra shook her head gently. "But fr
"What did you say? Shelia isn't a Blair?"In the opulent bedroom, Sophie dropped the bombshell.Melody's eyebrows shot up. "Where did you hear this?"Sophie leaned in, her voice a conspiratorial whisper. "Rumors are flying, but we can't take any chances. Not with Miss Miles carrying Mr. Nichols' child. We can't have some woman of dubious background waltzing into the Nichols' family."Melody nodded thoughtfully. The identity was crucial. If Juan married a supposed Blair, only to find out later she wasn't, it would be another blow to the Nichols family."Send an invitation to the Blair family in my name. Ask Declan for dinner at the Royal Grand Hotel tomorrow night.""Will do."Sophie scurried off and secretly texted Debra.Debra read the message with a smirk. She'd already dug into Shelia's past, so Melody's invitation didn't surprise her.But she needed to beat Melody to the punch. Shelia was using her supposed blood ties with the Blair family and the baby to worm her way into