Melody stood frozen, her mind reeling from the revtion that she had never anticipated. She didn''t believe Juan would give them any evidence.


    "This is impossible. You''re just trying to drive a wedge between us."


    "Mrs. Nichols Sr., you''ve built a solid reputation in this industry. But if we take this to court, you''ll be facing a seriouswsuit. Let''s see where your precious reputation willnd you then," Jenson hit her soft spot.


    Melody''s reputation had been built not only on her own merits but also on the powerful men in her life- her husband, her son, and now, Juan.


    But now, Juan had chosen not to protect her. She realized with a sinking heart that she was on her own. She slumped down onto the couch, unable to fathom how the very grandson she had raised and nurtured could turn his back on her like this. Sophie rushed to support her, ring at the Vargas family members. "Mrs. Nichols Sr. is not well. She needs to rest. If you don''t leave now, I''ll call security."


    Jenson kept hisposure. "Fine, we''ll leave if the debt is settled."


    Sophie scoffed, standing tall. "You think the Nichols family can''t handle a measly one billion dors? Mr. Nichols will back up his grandmother. Leave now before I call the police."


    Jenson clenched his jaw, staring down at Sophie. After a tense moment, he turned to Hester, "Let''s go. If the Nichols family doesn''t give us justice by tomorrow, we''ll take this to the press. Let''s see how Mrs. Nichols Sr. likes jail."


    Hester nodded, her eyes brimming with hatred. Once, she had viewed Melody as her own grandmother, treating her with love and respect.


    But Melody had repaid her kindness with cruelty, pushing her into an abyss she could never escape from. To control her, Melody had someone to defile her.


    Hester stormed out with her parents.


    Sophie, trying to offer somefort, spoke quietly. "Mrs. Nichols Sr., it''s just one billion dors, If this goes public, your reputation..."


    "Shut up!" Melody snapped, shoving Sophie away. "Do you think I don''t know what you did with Debra behind my back? I''ve kept you around all these years for nothing. You''re just ungrateful."


    Sophie, stunned by the outburst, didn''t dare to argue. She had always been loyal to Melody, never once disobeying hermands.C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org.


    However, in recent months, Melody''s behavior had crossed more and more lines, and Sophie feared that her actions would one day bring ruin to the Nichols family.


    In a quiet, shaky voice, Sophie said, "Mrs. Nichols Sr., I''ve served you for decades and watched Mr. Nichols grow up. Everything I''ve done has been for the family. Yes, Mrs. Nichols has made mistakes, but she''s a good woman, and she has always respected you. She cared for you. As for Miss Vargas, while she may have been ambitious, she has served you loyally. But you had her defiled. How could she not hate


    you?"


    "Enough!" Melody snapped, her face flushed with fury. "If it weren''t for your long-term service, I would''ve fired you by now."


    Melody took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down. "Call Juan. Find out what''s happening at the hospital. Let him call me as soon as he wakes up."