Juan disapproved. "You''re my fiancée. You don''t have to bow to anyone. If Mr. Houston has a problem, we''ll settle it on the business field tomorrow."


    They turned to leave, but their path was suddenly blocked by a group of men. They were Marion''s trusted fighters, trained by the older generations of the Houston family.


    Marion pulled a lollipop from his pocket and popped it into his mouth. He had promised Debra to quit smoking, but theck of something in his mouth was disturbing. The lollipop helped relieve his agitation. Juan warned, "We''re outside the police station. Are you not afraid of the consequences?"


    "Of course, I am. I''m aw-abiding citizen," Marionughed, tuning to Ben. "Go shut the station doors. We wouldn''t want to bother the officers inside."


    "Yes, Mr. Houston," Ben replied, quickly moving toply.


    Debra stifled augh. Marion was such a scoundrel, always ready to push boundaries with his theatrical ir.


    Marion smiled, a challenging glint in his eyes as he turned his attention back to Juan. "Now, let''s see if your woman knows how to behave."


    Shelia clung tighter to Juan''s arm. She refused to bow to Debra, her pride burning like wildfire within her.


    Just as the standoff threatened to escte, an elderly voice came from the distance.


    "Isn''t that Shelia? What''s going on?"


    They looked over and saw Melody nked by threedies in their fifties. They were her cardmates. Debra realized they were near a high-end tea house where the local richdies usually gathered.


    Melody was surprised to find Shelia and Juan there.


    One of the women beside her pointed at Debra. "Is that Debra?"


    Melody stumbled back. "Y-You are alive?"


    She had ordered Violet to get rid of Debra. Yet Debra was standing there, unscathed.


    Debra, sharp as ever, sensed Melody''s panic. She suspected that Melody was the one behind the actions against her.


    Ady beside Melody chimed in, "I


    él


    heard that Ms. Frazier and Mr. Houston are getting engaged. didn''t believe it at first, but here you both are today."


    Melody, who had been out all day, was taken aback. She rarely paid attention to such gossip, but in their circles, news traveled fast. She had genuinely not heard about Debra and Marion''s engagement. Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    Her face paled, and her mind raced with disbelief.


    To confirm her suspicions, Debra took a step forward and extended her hand in greeting. "Melody, it''s been a long time."


    Melody recoiled, her voice shaking with fear. "Stay back. Don''te near me."