Chapter 171

“Where are you going?” Juan grew anxious again. “Are you returning to the Potters’?”

“My injuries have healed. Of course, I’m going to the apartment. There’s an internship coming up at school, and I don’t have time to shuttle between homes.”

As she turned to leave, Juan suddenly asked, “What’s your relationship with the McKinney Group?”

Debra turned back, somewhat incredulous. “Are you grasping at straws? What relationship could I possibly have with it? I merely made a bad deal, selling them a piece of land. Do you think I’m the secret owner of that company?”

Chewing over her words, Juan took a step forward and asked, “Were you staying at the Potters’ all along?”

Debra sighed, her patience wearing thin. “You’ve asked this question before. Besides, your people should have informed you. I haven’t left the Potters’ in the past few days.”

Juan fell into thought. He had intended to meet the mysterious Tracy at the masquerade, but he ended up figuring out nothing. He studied Debra’s face, unable to glean any clues from her expression.

“Instead of doubting me, you should focus on managing your company well. I heard the McKinney Group recently went public, dealing quite a blow to the Nichols Group. You probably don’t have time for romantic entanglements with me now,” Debra remarked casually.

“It’s just a newly listed company and nothing compared to the Nichols Group,” Juan retorted.

Debra shrugged indifferently. “Perhaps.” If there wasn’t a serious impact, Juan wouldn’t have appeared at the masquerade. He was just too proud to admit it.

She turned to leave, but Juan called out to her, “Debra!” He quickly approached her and placed a small box in her hand.

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Her words stunned Juan. He grasped her arm. “Why do you always think I have ulterior motives? Can’t it be because…”

Debra was stunned. Juan was the one who added, “Why are you trying to dissuade me? Reloje, you were afraid of me. Now, all you want to…”

She used to follow him like a shadow, always eager to please. Since the auction, everything had changed. He couldn’t figure out what he had done wrong, but he knew that the affection in her regard had disappeared.

“What was I like before? Always following you, baking your favorite dishes every day? Trying hard to please you, even imitating other women?”

Juan was lost for words. Debra continued, “Do you even have an inkling of what it was like for me?”

“Admit it. You never liked that version of me. Remember how much you despised me? Now you see you like me, but it’s mere possessiveness at work—when you realize you suddenly can’t like me anymore.”

He wanted to argue, but her words left him defenseless. “Back then, I gave you a sense of superiority, but that wasn’t the real me. You loathed me, and I don’t like you anymore; it’s that simple.”

“So, even if I regret it and say I like you now, it’s all pointless?”

“There’s no use crying over spilled milk,” she said firmly, shaking off his hand. “The old me won’t come back, and I will never fall for you again.”

The pain was evident in Juan’s eyes. Not even a little. Debra’s tone was piercingly resolute. “Absolutely not.”