The ladies from high society buzzed around Shelia like bees to honey, their glasses clinking in endless toasts.Ashley, eyes darting about like a hummingbird, spotted her chance and swooped in. She plucked a glass of wine from a nearby tray and offered it to Shelia with a gracious smile."Miss Blair, your reputation precedes you. I must say, the rumors don't do your beauty justice. Please, allow me to toast to you," she gushed, downing her wine in one smooth motion.Shelia raised an eyebrow at the unfamiliar face. "And you are...""Ashley Steele, formerly a trainee at Potter Entertainment," she introduced herself, batting her eyelashes with practiced sincerity. "I've always admired you, Miss Blair."Shelia was unmoved by the flattery. As the newly discovered daughter, she was more accustomed to envy than admiration.Still, she played along. "A trainee at Potter Entertainment? Then you must be acquainted with Debra."The name dropped like a stone in a pond, ripples of tension spr
Ashley's words were like a grenade tossed into the midst of the gathered elite, leaving them stunned and speechless.Shelia gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. "I never knew Debra was like that."Ashley whispered, "Miss Blair, there's so much you don't know. Some people might look like they're cut from fine cloth, but underneath, they're just cheap polyester."The other ladies immediately voiced their disdain toward Debra and their support for Shelia."Well, after tonight, Miss Blair will be Mrs. Nichols. No matter how many men Debra warms her bed with, Mr. Nichols won't even spare her a glance.""That's right, Miss Blair. You're a rare gem, beautiful and pure. Debra, well, she's just a woman of the world. Mr. Nichols is lucky to have you.""Isn't that so? Miss Blair graduated from Arcane Academy on her merit, while Debra had to sneak in through the back door. That alone speaks volumes about her character."Shelia basked in the glow of their praise. Her smile was as radiant as
Declan's voice boomed."Today, I demand an explanation. What have you done to Jade? She was committed to marrying you and even lost a child over you. Is this how you repay her?"His outburst was met with Juan's cold stare. It sent a shiver down his spine.The weight of Juan's presence pressed down on him."Juan, you promised me that we would get engaged. Why? Did Ms. Frazier say something to you?" Shelia sobbed.Her eyes already rimmed red, she turned to Debra. "Ms. Frazier, if I have ever wronged you, please forgive me. I beg you, don't take my Juan away. I can't live without him."Her voice trailed off as she swayed, collapsing into Declan's arms. He staggered, barely managing to keep them both upright.Summoning his courage, Declan addressed Juan, "Mr. Nichols, look at my daughter. Don't you owe us an explanation?"All eyes were on Juan. He took Debra's hand, his voice steady and clear. "I never intended to divorce Debra. As for the rumors of an engagement with Miss Blair, I
"I..." Ashley panicked."Really? Funny, I don't recall any of this," Debra said. "Miss Steele, is there any truth to these wild accusations?"All eyes swiveled to Ashley, who quickly adopted an expression of wounded innocence. "Miss Blair, how could you say such things? I never said such things.""You did! You all heard her!" Shelia screeched, her finger jabbing accusingly at the circle of socialites.However, none of them stood forward to say anything. Shelia was isolated and desperate, while Declan pressed his lips into a thin line.Debra's smile widened, a picture of sympathy. "It seems Miss Blair is not quite herself today. My plans to remarry Juan have been set in stone for some time. Perhaps the recent loss of her child has affected her mental state, causing her to speak so irrationally.""I'm not being irrational," Shelia protested, her voice rising to a shrill pitch.Debra clucked her tongue, a sound dripping with faux concern. "Joe, be a dear and drive Miss Blair to the
The room erupted into chaos as soon as the words left Jade's mouth.Shelia scoffed, "Ridiculous! Why on earth would I take your ring?"Jade's eyes blazed with a hatred so intense it was almost palpable. "You used my ring to bribe the warden and secure your early release from prison."Shelia's stint in prison had been a scandal that rocked high society. Now, with the sordid details being dredged up, the room buzzed with whispered speculation.Shelia remained unruffled. "Since you're so eager to cast aspersions, perhaps you'd like to explain how you ended up in prison in the first place."Jade faltered, her cheeks flushing a guilty shade of crimson."Cat got your tongue?" Shelia pressed, turning to the captivated audience. "She was arrested for prostitution."The crowd recoiled with revulsion.Shelia enjoyed their reaction, turning back to Jade with a look of triumph. "You were jailed for selling your body, and when the other inmates made your life a living hell, I protected you.
"Edgar, you've truly disappointed me today."Declan's voice was heavy with what seemed like regret, but Edgar knew better. This was no mere disappointment. It was a severing of ties."Declan, I have more pressing matters to attend to. I suggest you focus on the matter of Shelia and Juan," Edgar shot back before turning to leave.Chace scurried after him."Sir, are we just leaving like this?""Or what? This is just ridiculous.""But sir, even though Miss Blair fainted, we could still push for a DNA test. Once Declan finds out...""Don't you get it? Declan knows Shelia isn't his daughter and refuses to acknowledge the real Jade.""What?"Edgar grunted, "This old fox is much shrewder than I thought. In public, he would never acknowledge a daughter who went to prison for prostitution."Chace was astounded, not expecting Declan, who had been desperate to find Jade, would be unmoved by her suffering over the years.Edgar had regarded Declan as an easy mark, but a veteran CEO like
Debra sighed. "There is a catch. I have to play the part of Mrs. Nichols for the next six months. After that, we're done for good."Oscar raised an eyebrow. "He wants to buy time for the Nichols Group?""Most likely. They've taken a blow from us. Even though they're back in operation, their stocks are running low. This year's profits are looking grim. These six months are crucial for their recovery.""Clever move. Even in divorce, he's angling for a return on investment.""Putting business first. That's Juan."Debra shrugged, unsurprised. In her last life, he had married her primarily for the Frazier family's connections.Oscar chimed in, "Well, at least it's a divorce."Debra said, "So, I agreed."Besides, she would get a sum of money.Across the room, the sycophants who had once fawned over Shelia now swarmed Debra."Mrs. Nichols, I always thought you and Mr. Nichols were a power couple. I'm so glad to see you reconciled.""Indeed, Mrs. Nichols. With the Frazier family's r
The specter of her past loomed large, and the last thing Shelia wanted was for it to be paraded in public. Joe's hint was as subtle as a freight train, his implication crystal clear.The Nichols family couldn't afford to welcome a former mistress, fresh off the heels of a lost child, into their esteemed household. They needed to maintain appearances, present a united front, and resurrect their floundering reputation and finances.Declan, grasping the situation, said, "Jade, don't make a scene.""Dad...""I understand Mr. Nichols' concerns," Declan said, turning his attention back to Joe. "He's doing what's best for the Nichols family. Since you've divorced Debra, how long must my daughter wait?Juan remained silent, leaving Joe to fill the void. "Six months. The contract with Ms. Frazier ends in six months. Until then, Miss Blair will have to be patient."Shelia bristled, "Why should I wait? The position of Mrs. Nichols should be mine!""Silence!" Declan barked.Shelia shrank b