By the time Debra arrived at the Nichols family''s residence, It was already afternoon.


    She took out her keys, but just as she was about to open the door, she remembered that the locks had been changed long ago.


    Right then, Sophie opened the door. When she saw Debra, her face lit up with uncontroble joy.


    "Madam, you''re back. Come on in." Sophie ushered Debra inside, beaming as she spoke. "I heard you wereing back today, so I made a table full of dishes. Mr. Nichols said you would be staying. Is it true?


    Debra shook her head lightly. "Not quite. I still have to leave for work."


    Sophie nodded understandingly. "That makes sense. Work matters."


    Juan descended from the second floor. His expression, usually cold and distant, finally softened a bit when he saw Debra.Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    Melody emerged from her room and cast a nce at Juan, clearly displeased, but she eventually reined in her temper and said, "Sophie, you really don''t know how to follow proper etiquette. How could you not inform me when we have a guest?" Sophie hurriedly exined, "Mrs. Nichols Sr., I just happened to bump into Mrs. Nichols at the door. It wasn''t intentional."


    Lately, Melody''s moods had been erratic, swinging unpredictably from one moment to the next.


    Debra turned toward Melody, smiling politely. "I''m still part of the family. How can you call me a guest?"


    She moved closer to Juan, looping her arm through his "Besides, this is my and Juan''s home. Mrs. Nichols Sr., you''ve been staying here for quite a while now. Don''t you think it''s about time you visited your own ce?"


    Her words were like a p, leaving Melody momentarily speechless,


    Juan nced at Debra''s hand resting on his arm, and then, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, he walked with her toward the dining table.


    Looking at Melody, he said calmly, "Debra is right, Grandma. You should consider returning to your own home. This ce is a bit small. When Debra moves back in, it might get inconvenient for


    you.


    Melody''s face grew darker as she saw Juan siding with Debra, but she didn''t say anything further because Juan had made it very clear to her yesterday what was at stake with his marriage.


    Rather than having him marry Shelia, who killed her own child, it was better to see him reconcile with Debra.


    Besides, with the Frazier family''s bankruptcy, Debra had no power, no influence, and no standing. That made it easier for Melody to manipte Debra.


    I won''t lie, I wasn''t exactly thrilled when you decided toe back," Melody said. "But since Juan wants to remarry you, I respect it. I just hope you two can live peacefully from now on and not cause any more scandals that would disgrace our family."


    She paused, then added, "Also, about your job. I imagine it doesn''t pay much. Juan and I discussed it, and we''ll give you an allowance every month. That way, you can stay home and won''t have to struggle. Since the two of you are so devoted to each other, you should focus on having a baby. That''s the key to securing your marriage."


    She gave Debra a fleeting, meaningful nce. She was certain that Debra''s sry at the McKinney Group couldn''t be more than a few thousand dors a month.


    For someone who used to live as a pampered heiress, that kind of money would hardly be enough to support her lifestyle. If Debra wanted to be a wealthy wife, she''d need to learn how topromise.


    Debra, observing Melody''s thinly veiled intentions, smiled.


    "How much exactly are you nning to give me?" she asked.