In herst life, Juan could have helped her, but he hadn''t, merely watching from the sidelines.


    Thinking about it, Debra pulled her hand away from Juan''s.


    Juan wrinkled his brows.


    Fortunately, no one noticed her movement.


    After the banquet, Juan and Debra left, hand in hand. Once outside, Debra withdrew her hand at the right


    moment.


    Juan felt uneasy.


    After a while, Debra spoke up. "Why did youe?"


    "Knowing they''d make things difficult for you, why did you stille alone?"


    Debra paused. "I asked you."


    ''It''s Shelia''s birthday today. I had to make a quick visit, Juan said.


    "Shelia''s birthday?" Debra was surprised. "Then why did youe?"


    Juan always seemed to prioritize Shelia.


    Juan frowned. "This banquet concerns the rtionship between the Frazier and Nichols families. I have toe."


    "A grandiose excuse," Debra muttered.


    Juan didn''t catch that. "What were you saying?"


    Debra didn''t reply. In herst life, Juan knew it was the Frazier family''s banquet but still didn''t apany her, leaving he


    to deal with the mean Rosalie and the elders. He couldn''t even be bothered to give her an excuse for noting.


    "I said it''s a big day for Shelia. Is it appropriate for you not to keep herpany?"


    "You don''t need to remind me."


    Juan''s tone softened at the mention of Shelja. "Shelia is an orphan. She''s obedient and sensible. As soon as she heard it was the Frazier family''s banquet, she told me to handle things first through a call, and I promised to apany her after the banquet." As soon as he finished speaking, Juan realized he had misspoken.


    Debra felt a pang in her heart and chuckled bitterly.


    Shelia was an orphan. What about her?


    In Juan''s mind, she couldn''t hold a candle to Shelia.


    "Suit yourself. I''m going home."


    Debra turned away, ready to get into the car.


    Perhaps realizing he misspoke, Juan grabbed Debra''s arm and spoke seriously. "Shelia is sensitive. For the past few years, I''ve always been the one to apany her on her birthday as an elder. If this year, because I''m married, I don''t apany her, I''m afraid she''ll overthink it."


    Juan emphasized the word "elder".


    Debra shook off Juan''s arm. "It''s none of my business. Go and apany her. She is an orphan who needs yourpanionship on her big day."


    Juan thought Debra would be angry, but hearing her genuinely want him to see Shelia, he felt a bit depressed.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    After Debra left, Joe sensed Juan''s bad mood and said, "Sir, Miss Miles is still waiting for you at the hotel."


    "I know."


    At the hotel, Shelia looked at the birthday setup and the candlelit dinner on the table, feeling happy, She deliberately dimmed the lights a bit, creating a warm, intimate atmosphere throughout the room. She dressed differently from usual, choosing a sexier and more mature look.