First and foremost, Edgar would try to get rid of the child in Shelia's womb."Miss Miles, please follow me."A maid came up to lead her upstairs.Shelia hesitated, but with no viable alternative, she reluctantly complied.As they reached the room, she attempted to make a run for it, only to find that the maid had already locked the door behind them. The door was designed to be impenetrable from the inside, leaving her trapped."Open the door. Open the door!"Shelia pounded her fists against the solid wood, but the maid remained unmoved."Mr. Odom said you need to rest, Miss Blair. The doctor will come soon."Shelia's heart was gripped by fear as she listened to the distancing footsteps. She didn't know what Edgar was up to.She quickly retrieved her phone, dialing Juan's number. The call wouldn't connect. She tried Joe next, only to find that he had also blocked her.Panic set in as she understood the extent of her isolation. Edgar was a powerful man, so calling the police w
The trainee program at Potter Entertainment had been put on indefinite hold, which meant Debra no longer had any reason to go there.Meanwhile, a multitude of new programs at the McKinney Group had been approved and were being diligently followed up by Marion.Ben, having sorted out the recent programs, followed Debra into her office."Oscar and those trainees have already joined our entertainment company," Ben reported. "Michael is personally overseeing their integration."Debra nodded. "I trust Michael's abilities. Leave everything over there to him.""There's one more thing," Ben said, placing an invitation on the desk. "This is an invitation from the Nichols family.""Who sent it? Juan?""No, it's from Melody Nichols."Debra picked up the invitation, her eyes scanning the intricate design.Melody had made her disdain for Debra quite clear, so receiving an invitation from her now could only mean one thing. Trouble was brewing.She opened the invitation to see the content.
"Madam.""Have Randy and the others arrived?""Mr. Osborne and the others didn't get an invitation."Debra's lips curved into a smirk. "No invitation for Randy, Erica, Marion, but me."It was ironic since Melody had never attached so much importance to her."Let's go."She was a vision in a red gown that hugged her figure perfectly, her curls cascading down her back. Around her neck and wrists gleamed limited-edition jewelry from the Riley family. Her appearance immediately attracted attention."Mrs. Nichols Sr., Debra is here."In the center of the hall, Shelia, dressed in a white gown, stood arm-in-arm with Melody. Her pregnant belly was prominent, and standing beside Melody made her glow even more.Melody looked at Debra with a mocking smile. She clinked glasses with Leah Riley, a woman in her forties who exuded elegance and grace."Mrs. Riley, I hope you're enjoying yourself.""You too, Mrs. Nichols Sr."Leah and her husband, Jack Riley, were the epitome of a loving cou
Debra casually steered the conversation towards the topic of married couples, and as anticipated, Leah's expression turned somber."Now, somehow, the mistress becomes Miss Blair, and here I am, forced to meet them," Debra remarked, her voice laced with disdain as she referred to Shelia.Leah was aware of the tension between Debra and Shelia and had felt uncomfortable witnessing Shelia, with her prominent baby bump, appearing in front of Melody.Leah frowned, her voice dropping to a whisper. "The Nichols family, really! How could they allow a mistress to waltz into their home like this? They don't want a divorce, yet they openly parade her around. It's disgraceful."Knowing Leah's attitude, Debra said, "They sent me this invitation. If it weren't for the chance to see you again, I wouldn't have bothered to come."Leah patted her hand reassuringly. "Let's meet privately and avoid these commercial events."Debra agreed with a smile, "Good."A maid approached them, her voice polite
When Debra heard the valuable gift, everything clicked into place.She understood Melody's motivations perfectly. Given Melody's obsession with reputation and status, there was no way she would reject Declan's personal negotiation and generous offer, especially since Shelia was carrying the Nichols family's heir.Debra sneered, realizing that whether in her past life or this one, Melody was always driven by profit and self-interest.In her previous life, when Debra was the heiress of the Frazier family, Melody had treated her very well. But with Shelia's pregnancy and the potential benefits, Melody was eager to elevate her instead.It seemed that history was repeating itself, with Shelia taking on Jade's identity and carrying Juan's child.Once again, Debra and Juan were entangled in this web, but she was determined not to meet the same tragic end."This is strange. For such an important occasion, where is Juan?" Leah pointed out.She wasn't the only one curious about Juan's abs
Debra glanced down at her hand, a wry smile playing on her lips.She had anticipated that Shelia might have some tricks up her sleeve, but she hadn't expected such a brazen and underhanded method.As Melody arrived on the scene, her eyes widened in horror at the sight of Shelia lying in a pool of blood. She clutched her chest, her face paling as she nearly collapsed. "My great-grandson... Debra, you murderer! How could you be so vicious, even towards a pregnant woman?"Debra stood her ground, her expression calm. Ben rushed to her side anxiously."Madam, are you okay?""I'm fine," Debra reassured him.She glanced at Shelia and then Edgar. Edgar was comforting Declan, and a realization dawned on her. Edgar was likely involved in this scheme.Leah and Jack arrived to witness the aftermath. Leah gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. She couldn't believe Debra would resort to such violence.Melody called the police. When the ambulance arrived, a police car followed close behind.P
"Yes."Joe swiftly turned the car around.Meanwhile, the guests gathered around were abuzz with tonight's commotion. Melody took the opportunity to ignite public rage. "Everyone knows in Seamar City how Debra used to fawn over Juan. Now they're going through a divorce, and she doesn't want to lose her title. So, she pushed Shelia down the stairs. It's simply despicable."The crowd murmured in agreement."I heard before that Debra was pursuing Mr. Nichols. She could have pushed Shelia out of jealousy.""I think I also saw Debra push Shelia down. That was brutal!""Who would risk her child's life? I bet it was Debra who did it.""Debra is broke, and now she has killed Mr. Nichols' child. Both families won't let her get away with this. She is done for."...The murmurs continued, the atmosphere thick with tension and speculation.Suddenly, Edgar's phone rang. After a brief call, he hung up and spoke in a heavy tone. "The child is gone."Melody took a couple of steps back, her
The room fell into a hushed silence as the recording finished playing.Edgar's expression darkened. He was caught off guard by Debra's unexpected move.Debra met his gaze directly, her eyebrow raised in defiance. If he thought he could set her up, he was sorely mistaken.Declan and Melody exchanged confused glances, uncertain of what was going on.Edgar took a deep breath, attempting to regain control. "Ms. Frazier, a recording alone doesn't prove anything. Besides, everyone saw you push Jade down the stairs. That's an undeniable fact."Debra shrugged. "Mr. Odom, you misunderstand my intention. I don't plan to use this recording to prove I didn't push anyone. I merely want to show that Miss Blair tricked me into going upstairs by pretending to be Juan and said some rather bizarre things."Declan interjected, "Even if Jade said something strange, it doesn't prove you didn't push her."Melody chimed in, "Regardless, Debra killed my great-grandson. That's a fact."Pedro, feeling t
"It's simple. The Nichols Group's shareholders aren't clean either. Drake has dirt on them, so they have to do what he says."Theda laughed, understanding the whole thing. That explained why the mention of Drake's name alone had influenced those shareholders' decisions during the last meeting. It was because Drake had their secrets."Alright, I lost fair and square. Actually, I hold no personal grudge against you. That's why I warned you that getting those shares wouldn't be good for you. The person behind this wouldn't let you go.""You know who's behind this, don't you?""Even if I do, we're destined to be enemies. I lost to you, but next time, someone even more formidable will come after you. You won't be so lucky then."Theda poured Debra a cup of tea and continued, "We're alike. We've both been through things others can't understand. You're lucky, with so many people around you, helping you, but the path ahead is harder for you. Not something enviable."Debra didn't get it.
In the afternoon, Debra showed up at the Buchan Mansion.Sitting across from Theda, she sipped on her tea. "The tea has been ready for a while. You knew I would come.""Let's just cut to the chase," Theda said. "It's your setup, isn't it? The termination of the partnership and the sale of Buchan Entertainment at a low price. Now everyone knows that the Buchan family and the Nichols family have severed ties. Since it's my mistake, people will force me to step down."She observed Debra's expression and continued, "You're even sharper than I expected. I mean, who would have thought a pampered lady like you could orchestrate such a complex scheme and predict the outcome so accurately?""You flatter me," Debra replied. "Your solitary nature must have been formed when you were sent to the countryside as a child, and your strained relations with your family were easy to deduce. People act out of self-interest. You cause them financial losses, and they demand paybacks. Now here we are, sit
Theda sneered in response.Everything she had done for the Buchan family had earned them enough money to last generations, but now, they were biting the hand that fed them.Robert stood up, and the sight of him made everyone visibly afraid.Theda noticed his stern expression and grabbed his arm. "Sit down."Robert frowned, unwilling to back down. These people had no right to treat Theda this way."I said, sit down," Theda repeated, stressing her tone.Robert finally withdrew his murderous gaze.Joanne scoffed, "Seriously, Theda, you should find a normal secretary. We don't know where you picked him up, but he's a time bomb. You don't want him to bring trouble to our family.""That's my business. Stay out of it," Theda countered. "As for the lost money, I will figure out a way to make it up. You don't need to worry. Now you can leave. My dogs don't like outsiders here."Joanne was annoyed, but since Theda promised to pay back the money, she relented a bit."If you're going to
Theda frowned at the news. "What's the panic? I'm busy here. Tell them I won't see them."But then, a voice came from the doorway."We came all the way from Wrastow City to see you. It's a bit disrespectful to dismiss us like this, don't you think?"The voice carried a tone of arrogance and provocation. Theda turned to see a well-dressed woman in her thirties, adorned with jewelry.Her expression remained calm as she said, "Oh, it's you, Joanne. But you're not even part of the Buchan family. What brings you here?""It's not her who wants to see you. It's us," said the major shareholder of the Buchan Group, emerging from behind Joanne Tarrant.Following him were other core family members, all wearing expressions of anger."You said you wanted to expand into Seamar City and have used a massive amount of our resources. But now, not only have you failed, you've lost the Nichols Group as a partner. How can we not be upset?""Exactly. We came all this way to demand an explanation."
Debra took the medicine and band-aids, but the atmosphere in the living room suddenly felt awkward."I'm going upstairs.""Can you put it on by yourself?""Yes.""Let me see you do it."Debra cleared her throat, determined to prove she could do it. She sat down on the sofa, opened the medicine, and sprinkled it on her wound. But since her right hand was injured, using her left hand was tricky, and some of the powder spilled.With the medicine on her wound, she couldn't move her right hand at all. The band-aid lay untouched on the table. Opening a band-aid one-handed was harder than she thought."I rushed it," Debra said, trying to save face. "If I had opened the band-aid first..."Before she could finish, Andrew had already opened the band-aid and carefully applied it to her finger. His movements were gentle and precise."Do you know where Marion went?""Probably went to find someone who knows the identity of the mastermind.""Robert?" Debra was surprised.She wondered if h
Robert didn't dodge, but the bullet didn't hit him.It grazed past his ear, drawing blood.But through that action, Robert figured out something. "You didn't tell her, did you? You're such a coward. If Debra found out that your love for her isn't what she imagines, would she still love you?"With every word Robert uttered, Marion's gaze grew colder.Unfazed, Robert pressed on, "I heard Mrs. Houston is picky when it comes to relationships. If she knew that the love between you two over the past year was nothing but a joke, do you think she'd kick you out of her world and hate you for the rest of her life?""You really have a death wish." Marion's face lost every trace of humor.One of the men nearby quickly stepped forward, grabbing Marion's arm. "Sir, don't fall for it. He's trying to provoke you. If he dies, we'll never find out who's behind all this."Marion's face was icy. Robert knew that was his true nature. He was born without emotions, sympathy, and empathy.Medically sp
There were fewer people than Marion had expected.In the courtyard, a man backed away in fear, but Marion's knife was already flying towards him. The knife hit the wall before the man could escape, making him break out in a cold sweat.Marion darted over and kicked the man to the ground."I'll count to three," Marion said, pressing his foot on the man's chest. "Call Robert out.""One...""Two...""No need to bother him."A deep voice came over.Marion looked up and saw Robert standing there.Robert liked solitude and had many enemies, so Marion had spread the word that Robert was in Seamar City, drawing them over.Then it was easy to find Robert's hideout by looking for areas suddenly crowded with outsiders.Marion sat on the sofa, his voice low. "I helped you take care of your enemies. Won't you return the favor?""Favor? You spread the news in the first place," Robert scoffed. "If you want Theda to hand over that 10% stake, I can't help you.""I never said I wanted share
Liza darted off like a rocket."You little brat, I didn't let you go with him," Bert shouted.The butler advised him, "Sir, it may not be a bad thing for Miss Eaton to see more of the world.""She brings nothing but trouble to me," Bert sighed. "Seamar City is dangerous. What if something happens to her?"He banged his cane on the floor and ordered, "Send more people to keep an eye on her. Ensure her safety at all costs.""Yes, sir," the butler replied.But before he could leave to carry out the orders, Bert called him back."Wait.""Anything else, sir?""Pull back everyone watching them.""But that would put them in danger.""They can't grow without trials."Bert felt he had spoiled the two children too much.In contrast, Juan was raised with an elite education. He had endured unimaginable hardships to forge the determination and success he had today.Then there was Marion, who had wandered overseas since childhood and built his empire with bare hands, becoming a living
Verna felt a pang of guilt.Garland continued to play the emotional card. "If you don't let me out, I'll spill about when you wet the bed at 12. And when you were 13, you wrote a farewell letter during your first period. I still remember every word. I...""Stop." Verna's face darkened. "Be a gentleman, okay? If you dare say these things, you're dead.""Verna, please, I really need to get out. I'm not Fermin. I want to live for myself. Debra and the others treat me like a friend. I can't just hide here knowing they're in danger. You understand me and will agree, right?""I..." Verna hesitated.Just then, Bert stepped out of the room. Seeing his stern face, Garland tensed up."I was bored in my room. Just chatting with Verna.""You think I don't know what you're planning? You want to go out? Not a chance."Before Garland could argue, he added, "But I do have a task for you."Garland scoffed, "You won't let me out, and now you want me to work for you? Dream on."Bert's face dark