At the party, the host called out to Marion and Debra three times, yet neither of them appeared. An uneasy murmur spread through the crowd. Frowning, Caleb shot a sharp nce at the butler beside him. "Where are they?"


    The butler shifted uneasily. "I saw them just a moment ago..."


    Caleb''s gut churned. "Tell the host to keep the guests calm. The rest of you, follow me."


    "Yes, sir."


    Next door, Melody was quick to catch wind of it.


    She stood on the second floor, overseeing a tense exchange between Shelia and Sophie, when the security guard entered with urgent news.


    "Marion and Debra are missing."


    "Yes."This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org.


    She nced at Sophie''s scratched face and Shelia''s disheveled hair. Her lips curved in a slow, smug smile.


    ''If we''re having a hard time, the Houston family won''t have it easy either.'' She thought.


    She broke the silence. "Sophie, do you know what kind of event this is? Get out and go downstairs."


    "Yes, Mrs. Nichols Sr." Sophie reluctantly left.


    Melody shifted her gaze to Shelia. "And you... Look at yourself. Is this how the future Mrs. Nichols should present herself to our guests? Go fix your hair and change." Shelia''s lips tightened, but she nodded. "Yes, grandma."


    Despite feeling wronged, she had no choice but to quickly change here clothes and freshen up. Otherwise, she would once again be the butt of jokes during the engagement banquet''s reception.


    Once she was back, Melody asked, "And where''s Juan? Why isn''t he here yet?"


    Right on cue, Juan appeared in the doorway, exuding cool confidence in a crisp ck suit. His freshly cut hair gleamed under the chandelier. As he stepped into the room, his sharp eyes scanned the scene.


    "What''s going on?" he asked.


    Melody''s demeanor shifted instantly. "Oh, nothing major. Why are you only just arriving? This is your big day, after all."


    "I got dyed on the way." His answer was casual, but there was something off about his nonchnce.


    Melody''s nose twitched slightly as she caught an odd scent lingering around him.


    "Bring me a bottle of cologne," she ordered the attendant.


    "Yes, ma''am."


    As Juan adjusted his suit, Melody chided, "How many times have I told you? Appearance is everything. Even your seent matters. What is this


    smelt? Do you want people tough atus?"


    "I''ll be more careful next time, Grandma," Juan replied smoothly.


    Melody nodded approvingly. "Good. Now hurry up ande out once you''re both ready."


    As she swept out of the room, Juan walked up to Shelia. "What happened? You look like you''ve been through a war."


    Shelia pouted, clutching his sleeve. "Sophie did this to me. Can we fire her once we''re married?"