Debra''s voice dropped to an icy calm. "I can tell that. I entrusted thepany to you because I believed in you. Now, I find it in disarray. I need a reasonable exnation." The elevator hummed to a stop, and the doors slid open to reveal the third floor. Debra''s brow furrowed.


    "Why are we stopping here?"


    "Madam, it''s not convenient to talk here. Let''s head to my office first."


    The apprehension in Ben''s expression sent a chill down Debra''s spine. While no one was around, he added, "Your office has been upied by the new GM." Debra let out augh, sharp and frustrated. "New GM? Who authorized a new GM? I''m the owner of thispany. Nothing happens here without my say-so."


    Ben sighed heavily. "It was Mr. Nichols."


    "Juan?"


    "Yes, Madam."


    "And where does he get the authority?"


    "While you were away, thepany came under attack from the Nichols Group. At first, Michael was caught in a scandal and couldn''t extricate himself. Then, he got into a fight and was arrested. He''s still being held at the police station. With you gone and Mr. Houston and Mr. Osborne rushing to the ind, I was left to run thepany alone. That''s when the Nichols Groupunched a major offensive, buying up our shares from scattered investors."


    Debra''s face darkened like a storm cloud. "How many shares have they taken?"


    "20 percent."


    "How could they grab so much?"


    "Some of the key shareholders sold their shares for reasons unknown. Combined with the scattered shares they bought, the Nichols Group has gained control over 20 percent thepany. We tried to re


    but you were out of contact,


    and


    you,This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org.


    with Mr. Houston and Mr. Osborne also gone and Michael being


    detained, the shareholder with the most control gets decision-making power."


    The truth settled over Debra like a shroud. The Nichols Group had infiltrated herpany and be a major shareholder. She was silent for a long time, digesting the news.


    "Was it Juan?"


    "Yes, Madam."


    Debra''s fists clenched, nails biting into her palms. "I was with Juan during the ind shoot. How could he orchestrate all this remotely?"


    "It wasn''t he who did it personally. It was Melody. But she''s old and doesn''t understand finance, so..."


    "So, you think Juan nned this all along? That agreeing to the ind shoot was just a ruse to get me, Marion, and Randy away while he put his n into action?"


    "That seems most likely. Plus, we hinted to Juan before that Michael was the real boss behind the McKinney Group. Then, while you were away in Flesta, Juan came to


    thepany to introduce the new GM."


    Debra took a deep breath, struggling to keep her emotions in check.


    "Who is this new GM?"


    When she heard the name, whatever hope she had left died a quiet death. It seemed nothing had changed.


    "It''s Shelia."


    Just like in her previous life, Juan would never fall in love. Everything he did was just a calcted move in hisrger game for power and control.