Shelia''s fall from grace was as swift as it was brutal. With Juan no longer by her side, she found herself adrift in the treacherous waters of
the financial market.
The once-open doors of Juan''spanies were now firmly shut in her face.
"She won''t amount to anything," Debramented. "Let her struggle in the mire of Seamar City. Soon enough, she''ll realize that without Juan, she''s nothing."
The finance circle was notoriously difficult to prate, and Debra had no intention of wasting her energy on Shelia. However, Shelia''s underhanded tactics had forced Debra''s hand. She had exploited the car ident to use Debra and Erica, causing a stir that reverberated through the school and Tyson Enterprises. Debra knew that if she did. not act, she would be perceived as weak and easily manipted.
The ringing of her phone interrupted Debra''s thoughts. She nced at the caller ID and saw it was Melody calling.? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.
Melody had been conspicuously absent as ofte, likely believing that Debra''s rtionship with Juan was on solid ground. If she was calling now, it could only mean trouble.
Debra answered the call, pressing the phone to her ear. Melody''s voice was colder than she had ever heard. "Debra, do you know that Juan''spany is in trouble?"
Debra arched an eyebrow, unsurprised by the news. Melody rarely asked about anything. When she did, she did it for Juan.
"It seems that way," Debra replied, her voice carefully neutral.
Melody''s displeasure was palpable. "Seems that way? Debra, you''re
Juan''s wife. How can you be so unconcerned when your husband is in
trouble?"
Debra took a deep breath, steeling herself for the conversation ahead." Juan and I haven''t seen much of each othertely, and he hasn''t mentioned anything about thepany. So, I''m not very informed." There was a pause on the other end of the line. Then, her voice came through the speaker, stern and unyielding. "Come back tonight. I have something to discuss with you."
Before Debra could respond, the line went dead. Melody had hung up, clearly displeased with Debra''s performance as a wife.
Ben, who had been watching the exchange with a worried expression, spoke up tentatively. "Madam..."
Debra waved a hand, dismissing his concerns. "It''s fine. I''ll go back."
Ben''s brow creased with worry. "If the Nichols family starts suspecting you, isn''t it dangerous to return now?
He had been assigned by Marion to protect Debra, and the thought of her walking into the lion''s den filled him with unease. If the Nichols family discovered her hidden identity, they would show no mercy. Debra offered him a reassuring smile. "If they really suspected me, I wouldn''t be sitting here safely."
She knew Juan''s methods all too well. In her previous life, she had witnessed firsthand the lengths to which Juan would go to marry Shelia. He had wrecked the Frazier family ruthlessly. Now, she nned to turn those very methods against him.
As night fell, Debra drove to the Nichols family''s house. Melody was waiting, her expression stormy as she sat perched on the edge of the sofa.
"Grandma, where''s Juan?" Debra asked, ncing around the room.
She had expected Melody to summon Juan as well, but it seemed Melody wanted to speak to her alone.
"Juan is still in a meeting. I told him toe backter," Melody replied.
Debra remained silent, waiting for Melody to continue.
"I heard from Sophie that you''ve been away from home almost every other day. Even when you''re back, you only stay for a short while and leave. Are you living outside now?"
Met with her using tone, Debra replied calmly, "I thought I shouldn''t be idle all the time, so I found a job."
"That''s absurd!" Melody''s expression darkened, her voice like a
whipcrack. "You''re the daughter of the Frazier family and the hostess of the Nichols family. You should know your ce. How can you just show up outside? If people find out you''re working, what will they think of the Nichols family? It''ll disgrace both our families."