The silence stretched out, each second ticking by like an eternity. Shelia''s back ached from the prolonged bow, but she couldn''t straighten up until Debra acknowledged her. Her resentment simmered, threatening to boil over.


    "I''m not someone unreasonable," Debra finally spoke. "I just hope that you will pay more attention to your speech. Don''t jump to conclusions and embarrass the Nichols family." She cast a meaningful nce at Melody, whose face was full of shame.


    By tomorrow morning, the three socialites present would undoubtedly spread tonight''s events far and wide. The story of Shelia bowing to Debra would be all over town. When that happened, no one would be confused about who held more power in Seamar City. Frustrated, Melody huffed at Juan, "Take her home."


    "Yes, Grandma," Juan replied, walking over to Shelia and taking her hand.


    She started to tear up, and Juan''s face softened with concern. But to Debra, the scene was nothing short ofughable.


    As the others began to disperse, Ben noticed Michael''s thoughtful expression and realized he wanted to ask about Debra''s engagement.


    Ben said, "You''ve had a rough few days, Michael. Let me take you home. Your grandmother''s been worried sick."


    "Okay." Michael nodded, though he couldn''t help but nce onest time at Debra.


    Once everyone had left, Debra asked Marion, "Wasn''t I supposed to pick up Michael alone? Why did you sneak in here too?"


    Marion chuckled, "I was worried about your safety, and I was right toe."


    Debra rolled her eyes at his unwavering confidence. She''d long gotten used to it.


    She nced onest time in the direction of Juan, who was helping Shelia into the car. "Don''t you think there''s something off about him?"


    Juan''s first words to her earlier had been strange.


    "There is," Marion agreed, his expression turning serious. "I heard that after he got back from the ind, Juan identally ingested some kind of drug that''s messed with his memory." "Amnesia?" Debra''s voice was full of disbelief.


    This old trope happened to Juan? She wasn''t buying it.


    "Whether it''s real or fake, I don''t


    care. No one is allowed to mess with


    you," Marion said, firmly gripping her hand. "Come on, let''s head home.


    There will be something fun to watch tomorrow."


    "Huh?" Debra blinked in confusion, but he changed the subject.


    "What do you want for dinner?"


    "What kind of show are you talking about? Tell me."


    "It''s a secret."


    "Marion!"


    ...


    The next morning, Debra was startled awake by the doorbell.


    She pulled herself out of bed and went to answer the door. To her surprise, Randy and Erica stood there, both carryingrge bags and boxes.


    "What is this about?" Debra asked, still half-asleep.


    "Oh,


    said cheerfully.This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org.


    off," Present us to drop the stuff styling himself." Content He''s off


    "Styling?" Debra was baffled.


    SWI


    "Stop standing around. Let us in," Randy said, waving for the others outside to go in.


    A stream of makeup artists and stylists poured into the apartment.


    Debra was still processing what was going on.