Outside the house, Michael stood tense, his body coiled like a spring ready to snap. His face was a mask of calm, but his hand gripped the knife hidden in his sleeve, ready to act at the slightest provocation. Debra stepped out and said, "Why so tense, Michael? It''s time to leave."


    Michael asked, "It''s settled?"


    "Yeah."


    Seeing that she was unharmed, Michael rxed his guard, but only slightly.


    The Potter family was like a bottomless quagmire filled with unknown dangers. If Juan was the ruler of Seamar City, then Andrew was its most mysterious king.


    Everyone knew that while one could cross Juan and live to tell the tale, offending Andrew was akin to signing their death warrants.


    Once inside the car, Michael reached over, his hands gently checking Debra''s shoulders and arms for any signs of injury.


    Satisfied that she was unharmed, he asked despite the presence of the driver, "Did you offend him?"


    "No."


    "Then why did he meet you?"


    "He gave me a friendly reminder."Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org.


    Debra leaned back in her seat. She knew all too well how deep the Nichols family''s roots ran.


    On the surface, the McKinney Group seemed to be on par with the Nichols Group, but she knew better. If there was a showdown, the McKinney Group wouldn''tst long.


    Even though the McKinney Group was impressive, the reputation of the Nichols Group spanned a century. If they couldn''t take down the behemoth quickly, they would face a brutal bacsh.


    But Debra wasn''t worried, not with Melody still alive. After delivering a heavy blow to the Nichols Group and sessfully divorcing Juan, she wouldn''t need to take any more drastic measures against them.


    The


    next day, news of the chaos caused by Melody at the dinner party spread like wildfire. The media had a field day, portraying her as a ruthless woman.


    The coboration between the Nichols and Frazier families was canceled, and even the magazine shoot Involving Michael and Cathryn was put on hold.


    Online, footage began circting of Cathryn acting like a diva on set and trying desperately to please Michael. The video went viral, gaining widespread attention. Theizens mmed Cathryn, criticizing her as a spoiled, uncouth rich girl. Michael, on the other hand, was seen as a seasoned, restrained actor with a strong reputation, rarely Involved in scandals with female stars. In the video, his impatience with Cathryn was clear, and he refused any physical contact with her. As a result, Cathryn''s image plummeted from an international socialite to a pampered, ill-mannered


    celebrity


    In her office, Debra wasn''t surprised when she saw the news. She knew Michael well.


    He respected women, but he was also shrewd when it came to maniption. He knew how public opinion would shift, and Cathryn, new on the scene, was no match for him.


    Ben rushed into the office, reporting. "Madam, It looks like something happened with the Nichols family." Seeing his enthusiasm, Debra knew it was good news. Anything happened to the Nichols Group?"


    Ben took a deep breath, his words tumbling out in a rush. "It''s reported that a worker jumped from a construction site. The building was found to be a substandard project, and they''re facing over a billion in losses." Debra smiled slightly. It seemed the time hade for the Nichols family to reap what they had sown.


    Meanwhile, the front desk at the Nichols Group headquarters was overwhelmed with calls. The conference room was in chaos; voices raised in panic and disbelief.


    "How could a worker suddenly jump? Who owns this project?"