"What nonsense are you talking about?" Melody shot Debra a sharp glare, displeased with what she had just said.Unfazed, Debra continued, "How about one billion dollars? I've heard that Melody has quite a personal fortune. That should be enough to compensate for your emotional damages."Hester wavered further. Her family business was only a mid-sized enterprise, and one billion dollars was a massive amount of money.If she could bring that sum back to her family, maybe they'd overlook the fact that she had lost her chastity. Perhaps they wouldn't see her as a useless daughter."I disagree!" Melody snapped.She didn't have nearly that much set aside for herself, and the mere thought of handing it over to someone who used to bring her foot-washing water made her blood boil.Hester barked, "Shut up!"Melody, held at knifepoint, didn't dare to move.Hester glared at her before adding, "I don't just want one billion dollars. I want a villa in the city center, too. And I demand tha
"What are you waiting for? Sign it already." Hester's voice was sharp, filled with venom.Melody, her hand trembling in anger and fear, scribbled her signature on the contract.Hester finally let go of her, shoving her roughly onto the couch. Holding the signed document like a prize, Hester stepped back, brandishing the knife in front of her."Stay back!""Juan, what are you waiting for? Grab that crazy woman and get her out of here," Melody shouted, her face red with fury.Never in her life had anyone dared to threaten her like this. Juan's inaction only served to fuel her anger."Juan, do something already!"Debra interjected, "Grandma, you might want to reconsider. "You owe her this. If she decides to sue you for conspiracy to commit assault, it'll ruin the Nichols family's reputation all over again."The news of Debra and Juan's reconciliation had barely begun to restore the family's image. Any scandal involving Hester now would undo all the progress."She just held me at
Without a second thought, Debra grabbed the car keys from Juan's hand and turned to Sophie."Sophie, hold onto Juan. I'll drive.""Yes, madam."Sophie carefully supported Juan, her hands shaking slightly as she tried to steady him.Just then, Melody rushed over, grabbing Debra's arm."Stop! Where do you think you're going?" she asked sharply."I'm taking Juan to the hospital." Debra snapped, shaking off Melody's grip.But Melody lunged forward again, her hands clasping onto Debra's sleeve with a vice-like grip. "Are you someone so kind? You're trying to hurt him. He's waiting here for the ambulance."She hadn't forgotten Debra's earlier jab at Hester to sign that document."Let go!" Debra shouted, this time breaking free with more force.Melody stumbled back, her face flushed with anger."This is my house. You can't just...""I am still the hostess of this house. It's my home too. Now, if you don't want Juan to lose the use of his arm, you better stop getting in my way. T
The only unexpected variable in her plan was that Juan had fallen for her, refusing to go through with the divorce.But Debra had already made up her mind. After the divorce, she would sever all ties with Juan. She was no longer the girl from her past life, naïvely believing in fairy-tale love.Now, she wanted her own career and life, and she carried the weight of her family's responsibility on her shoulders.The car pulled into the hospital parking lot. The staff quickly arranged a surgical consultation. Within ten minutes, doctors and nurses escorted Juan into the operating room.As his wife, Debra had to sign the consent forms for the surgery. By the time Joe arrived, Juan had already been inside for over half an hour.Joe reported, "Miss Vargas has likely run back to her home by now. I've sent people to track her down. We'll have her brought over soon.""Put the matter aside for now," Debra replied, her voice heavy with fatigue. "First, tell me who Melody sent into her room."
Debra continued, "Take the evidence to Hester. Let her know that while she can have the evidence, the Nichols family will never give the Vargas family any more benefits, nor will they collaborate on any projects in the future. If Hester is still upset, she can use that evidence to threaten Melody and get the one billion dollars in compensation."Joe, treading cautiously, asked, "Madam, are you trying to clear Mr. Nichols from all of this?""He had nothing to do with this in the first place. I'm not doing him any favors," Debra replied nonchalantly.The truth was, even if Juan were to handle the situation himself, he would have done so even more cleanly than she ever could. But Debra had no intention of letting Melody live out her days in peace.The evildoers had to pay for their actions.Soon after, the Vargas family members arrived at the Nichols family's house, accompanied by a lawyer. The atmosphere in the room shifted the moment Melody saw Hester walk in with her parents."Wh
Melody stood frozen, her mind reeling from the revelation that she had never anticipated. She didn't believe Juan would give them any evidence."This is impossible. You're just trying to drive a wedge between us.""Mrs. Nichols Sr., you've built a solid reputation in this industry. But if we take this to court, you'll be facing a serious lawsuit. Let's see where your precious reputation will land you then."Jenson hit her soft spot.Melody's reputation had been built not only on her own merits but also on the powerful men in her life—her husband, her son, and now, Juan.But now, Juan had chosen not to protect her. She realized with a sinking heart that she was on her own. She slumped down onto the couch, unable to fathom how the very grandson she had raised and nurtured could turn his back on her like this.Sophie rushed to support her, glaring at the Vargas family members. "Mrs. Nichols Sr. is not well. She needs to rest. If you don't leave now, I'll call security." Jenson kep
That was one billion dollars. There was no way Melody would let that kind of money fall into Hester's hands.The Vargas family wasn't even a big player in the business world. If they had any value at all, it was only because they'd been lucky enough to cross paths with her."Yes, Mrs. Nichols Sr.," Sophie responded.She sighed and called Debra, who was waiting in the hospital corridor for Juan's surgery to finish."Madam, how is Mr. Nichols?""The surgery isn't over yet. Why?""Well, the Vargas family came to cause trouble earlier," Sophie said, casting a glance at Melody, who was lounging on the couch nearby. "Mrs. Nichols Sr. wants him to call her once he wakes up."Debra spoke calmly. "Juan isn't waking up today. If Mrs. Nichols Sr.'s got a problem, she'll have to solve it herself.""But the deadline...""Sophie, whose name is on that contract?""It's Mrs. Nichols Sr.'s.""Since she signed it, she can pay for it herself. One billion dollars is hardly anything, right? I'm
Melody opened one of the jewelry boxes and took out a sapphire, its deep blue glow mesmerizing. "Just this sapphire alone is worth a billion. Tomorrow, you take it to the Vargas family. Let them get a good look at what real wealth looks like."Sophie blurted out, "This sapphire is an heirloom, isn't it? They say it once belonged to royalty. It's far too valuable."Melody waved her off. "I've got things in this suitcase that are worth much more. Debra wants to drain me dry, but does she even realize who she is facing? A billion dollars is nothing. Give it to her. And when I'm gone, not a cent of this will end up in her hands.""But...""Just take it away."Melody kept her composure, pretending this was no big deal. But the moment Sophie left the room, she felt a deep pang of regret.Even though her jewelry collection was worth a fortune, the liquid assets in her possession didn't amount to a billion dollars. Over the years, most of the family's wealth had gone into buying jewelry