The shards of a once-elegant teapot scattered across the marble floor, mere inches from Melody''s feet.


    Sophie rushed to her side. "Mrs. Nichols Sr., are you all right?"


    Melody eyed Shelia unhappily. "I can''t understand that you don''t want to prepare breakfast, but you shouldn''t just create a mess. What are you trying to do, Shelia?"


    Shelia quickly rose from the couch, her eyes brimming with tears. "This isn''t my fault, Melody. Ever since Juan and I got engaged, he''s been distant. I can''t even reach him. You know, I''m worried about the Nichols family''s future. I promised you to have a child soon." Melody took a deep breath. If not for Shelia''s status as a ir and the promises she''d made, Melody would never have weed her into the house.


    "If you can''t keep your man, that''s your own failing," Melody said sternly. "Juan is in Orkgate, working for the good of this family. If you truly cared, you''d be focusing on stabilizing our stocks. Get your father on board. I want results, not empty promises." "You''re absolutely right," Shelia agreed hastily. "Actually, Juan has already agreed to let me take over as general manager at thepany while he''s away. I''ll make sure it runs like a well-oiled machine."


    Melody nodded reluctantly.


    Shelia was an Arcane Academy graduate, after all. She was capable, more so than Debra.


    If she could contribute to the family, Melody could ept her.


    As she thought, Melody''s gaze fell upon the newspaper on the table. The headline featured Debra and Andrew entering the Potter Mansion together.


    Melody''s expression soured. "That woman has some nerve. First, she bewitched Juan, then Marion. Now, she''s sunk her ws into Andrew."


    "That''s the very thing I''m worried


    about," Shelia echoed. Debra is such a coquette. I have reason to doubt that she was already messing around with Marion back when she was with Juan."  en


    Melody scowled, an idea forming in her mind.


    "Since you''re taking the reins, there''s something I need you to do." "Anything. Just say the word."This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.


    "Go to the Potter Mansion. Debra is holding a box that belongs to me Since she''s no longer part of the famity, it''s high time she returns it."


    Shelia''s eyes sparkled at the


    the


    tof confronting Debra under pretext of reiming a debt.


    "Consider it done. I''ll retrieve that box for you."


    With her marching orders, Shelia rushed to thepany and rallied a few loyal employees.


    Across town in the Potter Mansion, Debra was enjoying a quiet lunch in her bedroom.


    A maid entered and reported, "Ms. Frazier, someone''s here to see you."


    Debra looked up, surprise etched on her face. "Who is it?"


    It was hard to guess who wanted to see her the very next day after she escaped from Orkgate.