Juan felt a burning anger inside. "If she wants to leave, then let her go!"Shelia stopped sobbing and looked up pitifully at him. "Can I really stay at your house to recuperate?"Juan rubbed her head and replied, "I'll have Joe get your things from your dormitory. It's inconvenient to stay at school while recovering. Just stay at my house."Shelia sniffled and leaned against Juan's chest, softly saying, "Thank you, Mr. Nichols."Joe frowned, observing the scene with concern.As a bystander, Joe could see through Shelia's pretense, but Juan seemed oblivious.Debra arranged for a moving company to remove her belongings from the Nichols family's house.In the evening, Juan brought Shelia home to noticeably sparse furnishings and a somewhat desolate atmosphere.He felt a pang of discomfort.Shelia asked, "Mr. Nichols, where will I be staying?""We have guest rooms upstairs."Shelia nodded and then hesitated. "My leg hurts. I can't go up myself.""I'll help you," Juan said gent
Erica clapped, praising Debra's strategy. "That's brilliant!"A faint smile played on Debra's lips.She didn't intend to target Shelia specifically, but Shelia's scheme prompted her to take action.At noon, Shelia slowly descended from the second floor, struggling a bit due to her injured leg. But upon seeing Sophie working in the living room, she couldn't help but feel a sense of superiority."Sophie, I'm hungry. Prepare lunch," Shelia said, her tone lacking any politeness.It was a far cry from her softness in Juan's arms last night.Sophie didn't welcome Shelia there, but since Shelia was brought back by Juan, she had to hold back her annoyance. "Lunch is served at twelve o'clock, as per Mrs. Nichols's rules."The mention of Debra struck a nerve."I said, I'm hungry. Didn't you hear it? Is this how you do your job?" Shelia sulked, her temper frayed due to the pain and frustration from her injured face.Sophie, choking back her fury, reluctantly complied.After all, Shelia
"How can you say that? Debra is so kind, but this woman upsets her. Don't you have any sense of responsibility as her husband?" Melody snorted."Grandma, it was Debra's fault that Shelia had the accident! She..." Juan retorted."Enough!" Melody snapped. "Blaming your wife because of such a woman? Don't call yourself a man."Juan had never dared to defy Melody, so he fell silent.Melody glared at Shelia. "We paid for your education. Not only did you fail to appreciate it, but you also dreamed of marrying Juan. Do you think I can't see through your little scheme? You can dream on! As long as I'm alive, you'll never marry into this family."Juan couldn't hold back anymore. "Grandma, Shelia isn't like that.""Not like that?" Melody pulled out a stack of photos from her bag and threw them on the table. "See what kind of student you've been sponsoring!"The photos showed Shelia in heavy makeup and revealing clothes, dancing at nightclubs and drinking with men. Her behavior was very su
Juan instructed, "Call Debra and tell her to come home.""Huh?" Joe was stunned.Debra and Erica were partying at a nightclub.Though Debra rarely indulged, tonight she was drinking heavily. Since her rebirth, there had been too many stressful things. Now, with the alcohol, her worries seemed to vanish.Her phone rang. She answered it, and Joe faltered. "Madam, Mr. Nichols wants you to come home.""What? He wants me home? Why should I listen to him? Who does he think he is?" Debra slurred.Joe noticed her unusual tone. "Madam, where are you?""Somewhere without Juan!" she said, hanging up.Erica hugged Debra and laughed. "This isn't fun enough! Let's do something exciting!""Exciting?"Erica reached over and pressed the service bell. Soon enough, the manager came in with a smile."Miss Mathis, what can I do for you?""Bring me your hottest male models!""Sure, just a moment!"Soon, a line of handsome guys walked in. Their good looks amazed Debra.She had never seen anyth
Despite his words, Randy quickened his pace. Soon, they dashed out of the apartment and raced to the nightclub.The nightclub owner was waiting outside. As soon as Randy and Marion got out of the car, he hurried over and spoke obsequiously. "Gentlemen, I've kept an eye on them. They're still here."Randy halted his steps, asking, "So, they and the male models have been in the private room the whole time?"The nightclub owner gave an awkward smile.Everybody knew what that meant."Damn it!" Randy cursed as he strode forward. "Which room?""This one!" The nightclub owner was about to open the door for him, but Randy booted it open.Inside, several men were drinking with Debra and Erica, who seemed to be enjoying themselves."What, Randy and Marion?" Erica blurted out.Debra swiveled her head to find them looming in the doorway.Their faces were etched with disapproval."Are these guys part of the package?" one model asked suggestively.Debra sobered up and didn't know how to
Erica was already fast asleep, unaware of what Randy was saying.The car's warm air made Debra drowsy in the back seat, deepening the flush on her cheeks.Marion reached back, grabbed a blanket, and gently draped it over her."Get some sleep. We'll be there soon," he said.Debra nodded. She was exhausted and soon dozed off, leaning against the car window....Juan closed his laptop, and the room was silently oppressive. He rubbed his temples and picked up his phone, but there were still no messages from Debra.A moment later, Joe called back. Juan answered. "Where's Debra?""Mrs. Nichols seems to be at a nightclub.""A nightclub?"Juan frowned, thinking to himself. 'Debra rarely goes to such places. The last time she did it was to meet Jordan. With the recent online uproar, how could she risk going to such a place again?'"I think so. It was hard to hear clearly, but it was very noisy over there. Mrs. Nichols seemed drunk and unwilling to come back," Joe confirmed.The ne
Shelia was still waiting in the living room when Juan returned with a gloomy face. She probed, "Didn't Debra come back with you?"Juan snorted, "If she doesn't want to come back, she never has to."Shelia rejoiced at this statement. 'Debra is so foolish. She had the chance to win Juan's heart but chose to waste it.'That was good news for Shelia. As long as Debra wasn't around, she would have opportunities to get close to Juan and win his favor.She looked at Juan's face, feeling confident about her prospects with him.She could sense that Juan had feelings for her. He had always treated her differently from others.The next morning, Debra woke up groggy. She opened her eyes to see the white ceiling and unfamiliar surroundings.She rubbed her temples, remembering that last night she and Erica had gone to a nightclub and requested male models to join them for drinks. Later, Randy and Marion found them, and she seemed to fall asleep in the car. She couldn't remember anything after
With those words, all three people looked at Debra.She snapped out of her thoughts, touched her flushed cheeks, and said, "Maybe.""A cold shouldn't be taken lightly. I'll have Marion take you to the hospital later."Erica was eager to create opportunities for Debra and Marion to spend time together.Debra shook her head. "It's nothing serious. I'll be fine."Erica led her to sit down. Marion's meal was simple, while the others had more substantial, nutritious food.To relieve a hangover, they needed something rich and spicy. The soup with pepper was quite appetizing.Marion had just a couple of bites before he got up to clear his dishes. Seeing him grab his coat, Randy asked, "Where are you off to this early?""Out for a bit," Marion said, closing the door behind him.Randy mumbled, "Out to the supermarket?"Erica was frustrated. "What a blockhead!"Debra quietly ate her breakfast. About half an hour after Marion left, he returned with a large shopping bag.Randy stared a