Shelia struggled to free herself from Joe''s grip.


    "Let go of me!" she said sternly. "None of you can touch me. I''m pregnant with Mr. Nichols'' child."Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.


    Her voice was steady and clear, loud enough for everyone nearby to hear. Some employees poked their heads in to watch.


    Juan''s face darkened. The onlookers exchanged nces, realizing that Shelia''s im might hold some truth.


    Shelia took a step closer to Juan, her hand gently touching her still-t belly. "Juan, this is your child, your first child. Are you really going to


    treat him like this?"


    Juan''s hands clenched into fists at his sides. rissa, who had been cowering on the floor, immediately straightened her back.


    She knew that in prominent families like the Nichols, offspring were of


    utmost importance.


    If Shelia was indeed pregnant with Juan''s child, her position in the family would be secured. rissa felt a surge of excitement rece her fear. She was about to be Juan''s mother-inw and the grandmother of the future heir to the Nichols family. She had nothing to fear now.


    Juan sneered, "You say you''re pregnant?"


    Shelia lifted her chin. "Have you forgotten what you''ve done? We''ve been together for a night, and now I''m carrying your child. You can''t let your people drive me away."


    Juan narrowed his eyes, but he remained unfazed. Turning to Joe, he ordered, "Take her to the hospital. Watch her take the test and bring me


    13


    the report."


    "Yes, sir," Joe acknowledged, turning to Shelia "Miss Miles, pleasee with me."


    Shelia followed Joe out of the room without resistance, casting a nce back at rissa, who was still on the floor. rissa understood the silent message in Shelia''s eyes. If she ratted Shelia out now, both of them would be doomed. She had to endure this and wait until Shelia became Mrs. Nichols. Then her life would take off.


    Steeling herself, she looked up at Juan. "Mr. Nichols, I''m telling the truth. I did all this on my own, with no instructions from anyone.


    Juan sneered at the answer. "Good. Lock her up! Until she''s willing to


    talk."


    "Yes, sir," the bodyguards acknowledged, stepping forward to restrain


    rissa


    As they led her away, she clung to the hope that Shelia''s gamble had ignited within her.


    After everyone had left, Juan nced at his remaining bodyguard. Investigate this person thoroughly. Her background, personal information, everything. Then report back to me." "Yes, sir," the bodyguard acknowledged, withdrawing from the room.


    Left alone in the office, Juan sat down tiredly. He opened a drawer to retrieve photograph. It was the only picture of him and Debra, taken. during their first shopping trip together. He had snapped it secretly with his phone, capturing her as she enjoyed


    snack and half of his face.


    Iding the picture now, he was beside himself with both relief and