"Alright," Juan responded.


    Across town in the Nichols family''s house, Melody shot up from her seat, her face a thundercloud.


    "What? Juan is at the amusement park with Debra?"


    "That''s not all. I heard Juan booked the entire park. And he invested one billion in Potter Entertainment just to convince Debra to go with him," Hester reported.


    With Shelia out of the picture, she''d seized the chance to worm her way back into the Nichols family. But Juan, fixated on Debra, barely acknowledged her existence. She''d only found out about today''s escapade when she overheard whispers at the Nichols Group headquarters.


    "That foolish boy," Melody fumed. "What is he thinking?"


    Now that the Frazier family was broke, Juan shouldn''t waste any more time on Debra. He was supposed to divorce her as soon as possible.


    Melody said, "Call Joe. Tell him it''s an order from me. Juan shoulde home now."


    "Yes, Mrs. Nichols Sr." Hester eagerly pulled out her phone.


    Joe hesitated for a moment before answering the call. "Miss Vargas, anything I can help you with?"


    "Mrs. Nichols Sr. wants Mr. Nichols to return home immediately," Hester ryed.


    "I''m sorry, the signal here is quite poor. I''ll have to call you backter," Joe replied, hanging up.


    Hester''s face fell. She wasn''t born yesterday; she knew a brush-off when she heard one.


    Melody, watching the exchange, grew even more incensed. "Juan is so disappointing. He lost his child, and now he is parading his almost ex-wife around an amusement park. I''ve had enough of this nonsense." She picked up her cane and told Hester, "Get the driver. I''m going to thepany to sort this out once and for all."


    "Yes, Mrs. Nichols Sr.," Hester replied.


    Meanwhile, Juan watched Debra on


    the carousel, herughter ringing out as she spun around. He snapped a picture, a soft smile ying on his


    lips.


    If he''d realized his feelings for her sooner, he wondered if things would have been different.


    His phone rang, interrupting his thoughts. It was Joe.


    "Sir, Miss Vargas called. It seems Mrs. Nichols Sr. has learned about this."


    II


    "I see," leaving


    said, his eyes never


    let


    "Keep the rest of t


    day''s ns under wraps. I don''t want anything to ruin her birthday."


    "Understood."


    Juan hung up just as Debra stepped off the carousel.


    She said, "If somethinges up at thepany, you should go. You don''t have to stay for my birthday."All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    She was used to Juan''s busy schedule.


    Juan looked at her and said solemnly, "Today, you are my priority."


    Debra fell silent. There was a time when those words would have meant the world to her. But now, they left her feeling hollow.


    Juan, oblivious to her inner turmoil, asked, "What''s next? Today, I''m at yourmand."


    Debra raised an eyebrow. "Be careful e


    what you promise. What if I asked for all


    of Nichols Group''s assets and


    the president''s seat? Would you hand them over?"