The bodyguards wisely retreated, seeing Juan''s cold expression.


    Debra finally rxed. Juan stepped closer, his hand brushing lightly against her forehead.


    "You''re burning up. What happened?"


    "Why don''t you ask your dear aunt? She stirred up quite the storm here."


    The house was in disarray, and Debra felt helpless about the disturbance. "I''ll take care of it."


    "I know. I wasn''t nning to get involved."


    She tried to stand up, but the moment she rose, a wave of dizziness hit her.


    In that haze, she thought she heard someone calling out to her. Juan rushed forward and caught her just before she copsed, but the next second, she was lifted into another set of arms. "No need to trouble yourself, Mr. Nichols. I''ve got a girlfriend."


    Marion''s voice was steady as he cradled Debra close, not even sparing Juan a nce.


    "Stop!"


    Juan blocked Marion''s path. His gaze lingered on the unconscious Debra, now safely held by Marion.


    With a mocking smile, he said, "Your girlfriend? Is this how you protect her? By letting her get bullied while you stand by and do nothing?"


    "She''ll never be bullied by anyone," Marion retorted. "And if I''m not mistaken, the ones causing her trouble were from your family." Juan clenched his jaw, left with nothing to say.


    Outside, Randy cleared his throat. "Uh, look, everyone''s just trying to help out here. Mr. Nichols, she''s sick right now. Our ce is a bit morefortable, and we have a doctor on standby. Marion''s only thinking about what''s best for Debra YouContent rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.


    might as well stay and clean up this


    mess."


    He gestured to the house, which had been thoroughly trashed. If they didn''t start cleaning soon, no one would be able to live here anymore. Juan frowned but eventually relented. "Fine. Take care of her."


    Marion said matter-of-factly, "I''ll take care of my girlfriend."


    His possessive tone left a bad taste. in Juan''s mouth. Even though he knew it was safer for Debra to be with Marion, the thought didn''t sit well with him.


    Then again, with Melody and Violet already causing trouble, more was bound toe, and at least Marion could protect her.


    Outside, Marion ced Debra into the backseat of his car, his hand brushing over her fevered forehead.


    "She''s burning up, almost 102 degrees Fahrenheit," he said.


    "What was Juan even doing?" Randy grumbled. "They should''ve been on that show together. Seriously, what was Andrew thinking?"


    "Just drive," Marion said, shrugging off his jacket and draping it over Debra.


    Noticing how pale she looked, he added, "Call William. Tell him to get ready with some fever medicine. Also, have the kitchen make


    something light for when she wakes up.


    "Got it. Anything else?"


    "Shut up and drive."


    "Right."


    The car sped through the streets, and before long, they arrived at Andrew''s apartment.


    Marion didn''t waste a second, carrying Debra inside. The servants had already prepared afortable guest room, and Marionid her down on the bed.


    He looked around, his frustration growing. "Where is William? Why isn''t he here yet?"