A shiver ran down Shelia''s spine like a drip of ice water.


    She''d once pegged Edgar as a gentleman easy to push over. But she''d been dead wrong.


    He was as ruthless as they came, and his so-called affection was nothing more than a smokescreen.


    What he wanted was just the ir family''s support to boost his influence in Seamar City.


    Edgar''s voice cut through the air, cold as steel. "If you don''t want to end up like her, you''ll toe the line and stay on my good side."


    "I won''t make that mistake." Shelia shook her head fervently. "As long as I remain Jade and your fiancée, I''ll do whatever you ask." "Excellent!" Edgar shrugged off his coat. "Tomorrow, you''ll apany me to the hospital. You''ll apologize to Michael."


    "What?" Shelia nched. "You want me to bow to Michael?"


    "Not just Michael. Debra too," Edgar specified.


    Her face drained of color. "No. I can''t do that."


    Edgar''s gaze sharpened, and Shelia wilted. "Just not Debra. Anything but that."


    Edgar scoffed. "Would you rather go to jail?"


    Shelia shuddered even at the thought of jail.


    Edgar said, "You''ve messed with Michael. Do you think you can avoid jail? If we can''t settle this privately, you''ll be arrested. I''m sure you know what life in jail is like." Shelia shivered and turned ashen. She clutched at Edgar''s pants, desperation wing at her throat.


    "I''ll do it. I''ll do anything to stay out of jail."


    Edgar crouched down, cupping her cheek. His expression softened, morphing back into the affectionate fa?ade she knew so well. "That''s what I''m talking about." Shelia held her tongue, her eyes wide with fear. Only when Edgar left did she dare to move, her body stiff from the cold floor.N?velDrama.Org owns this.


    She nced down at her slightly rounded belly, a spark of relief igniting within her. She was d she hadn''t gotten rid of the baby. Now she still had a retreat.


    The next day, Debra was escorted to the hospital by Edgar''s men. She entered the room to find Shelia already on her knees. Her eyes were downcast, and her voice was filled with remorse. "Mr. Austin, I''m so sorry. Please, forgive me." Debra raised an eyebrow. This was a far cry from the Shelia she knew.


    "What''s all this about, Mr. Odom?"


    She sat down on the sofa, her gaze fixed on Shelia''s penitent form. "And Miss Miles, with your status, you shouldn''t be groveling on the floor."


    As a polite gesture, she added, "You can get up and speak."


    But Shelia continued to repent her mistakes. "I was wrong. Edgar has opened my eyes. I let jealousy cloud my judgment, and I''m truly sorry. Please, Debra, find it in your heart to forgive me." Debra calmly watched as Shelia staged her performance.