The specter of her past loomedrge, and thest thing Shelia wanted was for it to be paraded in public. Joe''s hint was as subtle as a freight train, his implication crystal clear.


    The Nichols family couldn''t afford to wee a former mistress, fresh off the heels of a lost child, into their esteemed household. They needed to maintain appearances, present a united front, and resurrect their floundering reputation and finances. Den, grasping the situation, said, "Jade, don''t make a scene."


    "Dad..."N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.


    "I understand Mr. Nichols'' concerns," Den said, turning his attention back to Joe. "He''s doing what''s best for the Nichols family. Since you''ve divorced Debra, how long must my daughter wait?


    Juan remained silent, leaving Joe to fill the void. "Six months. The contract with Ms. Frazier ends in six months. Until then, Miss ir will have to be patient."


    Shelia bristled, "Why should I wait? The position of Mrs. Nichols should be mine!"


    "Silence!" Den barked.


    Shelia shrank back in submission.


    Den stood up. "Well, six months it is. I trust Mr. Nichols will keep his word."


    Juan nodded. "Naturally."


    At Juan''s signal, Joe stepped forward, presenting the cooperation agreement to Den. "Though Mr. Nichols isn''t engaged to Miss ir, our business dealings with the ir family will continue. You can rest assured, Mr. ir."


    Den nodded in relief. Aligning with the Nichols family meant he no longer needed Edgar''s support.


    "Don''t worry, Mr. Nichols. I''ll make sure Shelia understands her ce. We won''t cause any trouble." "Good."


    Den gripped Shelia''s arm, dragging her out of the room despite her protests.


    "Dad, why are we leaving? I need to talk to him," she whined.


    Den spun around and sulked, "Talk to him? The situation is clear, and it won''t change. Use your brain." "But..." Shelia''s face contorted with frustration.


    Juan had promised to marry her, and now he was reneging, still entangled with Debra. It was intolerable. "Dad, I can''t stand watching Debra still take that position. You need to help me."


    "Don''t cause any more trouble. This


    is a warning.


    you step out of line


    e me for what happens


    next."


    Swno


    The warmth in Den''s eyes had vanished reced by a cold, calcting gaze. Shelia paled,


    Swnovel.ne


    suddenly realizing the precariousness of her position.


    "If you still want to be Miss ir, you''ll do as I say. Otherwise..."


    "Dad..."


    "Don''t call me that. In public, you''re my daughter. In private, remember your ce."


    His harsh words sent a shiver down


    her


    She regretted listening?


    revealing her identity to


    Den.