"What nonsense are you talking about?"


    Melody shot Debra a sharp re, displeased with what she had just said.


    Unfazed, Debra continued, "How about one billion dors? I''ve heard that Melody has quite a personal fortune. That should be enough topensate for your emotional damages." Hester wavered further. Her family business was only a mid-sized enterprise, and one billion dors was a massive amount of money.


    If she could bring that sum back to her family, maybe they''d overlook the fact that she had lost her chastity. Perhaps they wouldn''t see her as a useless daughter.


    "I disagree!" Melody snapped.


    She didn''t have nearly that much set aside for herself, and the mere thought of handing it over to someone who used to bring her foot-washing water made her blood boil.


    Hester barked, "Shut up!"


    Melody, held at knifepoint, didn''t dare to move.


    Hester red at her before adding, "I don''t just want one billion dors. I want a vi in the city center, too. And I demand that the Nichols family partner with my family. For every project, you''ll cut us in with a three percent profit share." Hester''s outrageous demands hung in the air. Debra chuckled, "I have no problem with that, but you''ll have to ask Melody and Juan if they''re willing toply."


    "I don''t agree!"


    Melody''s face flushed red with anger, but Hester sneered, "If you don''t agree, then you can die with me."


    Melody''s face turned pale from the knife pressing against her neck. Desperate, she shot a pleading look. at Juan.


    After a brief hesitation, Juan said, "I agree."Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    "Juan..." Melody clenched her teeth, but seeing no way out, she finally gave in. "Fine. I agree. Now, put the knife down."


    It wasn''t as if there was anything in writing, anyway. With no paper trail, no one could hold her ountableter. All she needed to do was calm this madwoman down for now.


    Just as Hester was about to lower the knife, Debra suddenly spoke. "Wait."


    Melody''s face darkened. "Debra, who do you mean? Are you trying to get me killed?"


    Debra chuckled, "Do you think Miss Vargas is that naive? You made a verbal agreement, but without anything on paper, do you believe she''d let you go that easily?"


    Her words struck a chord with Hester, who quickly realized her mistake. She hesitated for a second before pressing the de against Melody''s throat again,


    +25 BONU


    Melody, gritting her teeth in fury, had no choice but to say, "Fine! Juan, get thewyer to draw up an agreement."


    It was clear Melody wasn''t ready to die yet. Juan took out his phone and made a call to Joe.


    Within moments, the fax machine upstairs buzzed, spitting out a contract that Joe had sent over. Sophie retrieved the document from the study and handed it to Juan, who was just about to sign when Debra interrupted again. "This contract is between Melody and Miss Vargas. Naturally, Melody should be the one signing it. Don''t you think, Grandma?"


    Debra was trying to make sure the hefty payment would be taken directly from Melody''s savings.


    Melody almost choked on her anger, and Sophie had no choice but to ce the contract in front of her. As Melody stared at the document, her hands trembled with hesitation.