Debra pushed the door open and found Melody sitting by the bedside.


    "Melody, are you still angry with me?"


    "Cut the act, Debra. Don''t think just because Juan likes you, you can do whatever you want in this house. Let me tell you, men are fickle creatures. He used to be all about Shelia, and now it''s you. Who''s to say he won''t move on to someone else next? And when he stops protecting you, what will you be then? Nothing."


    Debra wasn''t fazed. "You''re right. Men are unpredictable, so it won''t matter to me who Juan likes in the future."


    "What are you getting at?"


    "I suppose you know what will happen to the Nichols family if I don''t make peace with Juan right now, don''t you?" Melody''s frown deepened, her lips pursing tightly.


    Debra smiled knowingly, continuing. "But then again, you''ve spent your whole life enjoying the luxuries. ''ve never once bothered with business affairs, so naturally, you wouldn''t be aware of how the stock has been plummeting these past few months." "Stop spewing nonsense. Nichols Group is massive. There''s no way it would falter just because of you. You think I''m clueless?"


    "Things aren''t like they used to be. One small ripple can cause a big wave. The scandal with me, Juan, and Shelia has done a number on Nichols Group''s reputation. A lot of business partners have backed out, scared of getting caught in the drama. My reconciliation with Juan is the only thing keeping Nichols Group from sinking even further. If you want to keep making trouble for me, go ahead. I''ll just drag this whole family down with me."


    Melody shot to her feet. "How can you be so heartless? If it weren''t for me, you''d never have be Mrs. Nichols. You used to say you loved Juan, and now you''re threatening to destroy him? Have you lost all sense of decency?"Material ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Debra''s smile faded, her voice growing cold. "I''ve never been kind-hearted. If you keep provoking me, I promise things won''t go well for you or the Nichols family. But if we leave each other alone, I''ll give you what you want. In six months, I''ll divorce Juan, and you''ll be free of me. How does that sound?"


    Doubt clouded Melody''s face. "Do you think Juan will just agree to a divorce?


    ""He will."


    Fine. I won''t make things harder for you. But I''m not moving out."


    Debra nodded, her expression neutral. "Fair enough. Whether you stay or go doesn''t matter to me."


    With that, she turned to leave the room. Melody''s voice followed her, cold and biting.


    "Don''t think you''ll get a single cent of the family''s fortune after you divorce Juan."


    Debra nced back with a small, humorless smile. "Don''t worry, I couldn''t care less about your money."


    Melody snorted in disbelief, ''Everyone wants a piece of the Nichols family fortune. You''re just pretending. Debra stepped into the living room and saw Joe standing by the door.


    "Take me to see the Vargas."


    "But Mrs. Nichols Sr..."


    "She''s staying put for now, and I''ve got some things to discuss with the Vargas."