Chapter 158 + 25 BONUS

Debra saw Shelia’s guilty look and smiled. “Miss Miles, anything to add?”

Shelia started, her composure momentarily rattled, but she quickly regained her poise. “No, not really.”

Debra turned her attention to the police officers. “Please proceed with your investigation. You’re free to access all the hotel’s surveillance footage if needed.”

Her gaze subtly shifted to Shelia, who was nestled in Juan’s embrace. The avoidance in Shelia’s eyes only served to confirm Debra’s suspicions; something was amiss.

Soon, the police retrieved all the surveillance footage. On the screen, Joe escorted Shelia into the room, supposedly to change her clothes, and then left, closing the door behind him.

Pausing the playback, Debra asked, “Joe, you escorted Miss Miles in to change and then left, right?”

Joe nodded. “Mr. Nichols said the dress didn’t suit Miss Miles, so he asked her to change.”

Juan shifted uncomfortably, his hesitation palpable. Debra frowned, wondering if her dress was so objectionable. It seemed he was determined to keep Shelia’s appearance distinct from hers.

Resuming the footage, they watched as Juan ascended the stairs to the second floor, paused, and then descended towards the elevator. Shortly after, Jordan appeared on the second floor, phone in hand.

Debra asked, “Jordan, why were you wandering on the second floor with a phone?”

“I saw Juan and Shelia sneaking upstairs, so I wanted to find out what they were up to. I thought maybe I could catch…”

Debra interrupted him with a sigh. “You were hoping to catch them in the act? Your mind really works in interesting ways.”

Jordan fell silent, chastised. It had been anger that drove him to such a childish act.

The footage continued to play, revealing what everyone now knew: Jordan had noticed a partially open door, barged in, and prompted a scream from Shelia that attracted everyone’s attention.

Debra turned to Juan and asked, “Jordan followed you and Shelia upstairs, suspecting foul play. What about you? There must have been a reason for your trip upstairs.”

Juan’s brow furrowed, his gaze unconsciously shifting to Shelia. Shelia bit her lip, her expression torn.

Debra chuckled, continuing, “Could it be that Miss Miles asked you to go up because the zipper got stuck? Needing your assistance?”

It was a casual remark, but Shelia fidgeted uncomfortably, while Juan’s frown deepened. Debra realized she had struck a nerve. She hadn’t expected Shelia to resort to such a clichéd excuse, nor had she anticipated Juan’s willingness to believe it.

“It seems that’s what happened,” she continued, her voice confident. “You went upstairs but felt uneasy, so you came back down. Jordan, seeing the door ajar, thought to catch you both in the act, only to be accused by Miss Miles.”

“Debra!” Juan interrupted, his voice a low growl.

Jordan snorted derisively. “Come on, Juan! You’re treasuring such a woman?”

Debra concluded, “Now that things are clear, Miss Miles, shall we handle your false accusation against Jordan as a matter of procedure?”