Chapter 249

“Taking a leave?” Debra murmured. She was aware of Shella’s financial struggles, making this leave request unusual. Moreover, interns at the McKinney Group couldn’t afford to miss days without affecting their attendance record.

Leanna voiced her thoughts, “Could it be related to what happened yesterday?”

Debra’s frown deepened. She had hinted to Leanna about Shelia’s possible pregnancy last night, but hadn’t expected Shelia to act so quickly.

“I see. Find a way to contact Shella and ask her what’s going on. Also, reach out to Ben and have him look into nearby hospitals and check if Shelia visited a gynecologist.”

“Will do.”

Debra hung up the phone, her gaze landing on the calendar beside her. According to Erica, Marion and Randy would return from overseas in three days. She hoped to have everything sorted out before their return.

Shelia found herself once again at Clarissa’s small rental house. Inside, three large, intimidating men sat, their eyes gleaming with hostility.

“Have some tea, gentlemen,” Clarissa fawned, pouring them tea. Shelia felt a chill run down her spine, but she steeled herself and walked in. The men scrutinized her, their expressions unreadable.

Clarissa pulled her aside, whispering, “Why did you only come now?”

Shelia asked, “Are these your… squees?”

“Of course,” Clarissa whispered. “When repossessing Juan’s wife’s property, those hired hands refused. Fortynde Kerkope recommended these three. They’re… professionals.” She made a throat-cutting gesture.

Seeing her troubled expression, Shelia asked, “How much do they want?”

Clarissa held up a finger.

“100 thousand dollars?” Shelia asked.

“One million!”

“What? That’s absurd!” Shelia freaked out. Clarissa explained, “They’re professionals. If you want to kill Debra, they can provide after-sales service. They guarantee no one finds Debra’s body, and no one knows it was you.”

“No, it won’t work,” Shelia frowned. “If Debra disappears without a trace, Juan will keep looking for her. Only when he sees Debra’s body will I have a chance to marry into the Nichols family.”

Her mother wrung her hands, her voice filled with worry. “But one million dollars… Who can come up with that kind of money?”

Since these desperadoes were already here, they would not leave without gaining something. Shelia thought carefully before saying, “It’s one million dollars, right? As soon as Debra is killed and I become Mrs. Nichols, I’ll have more than enough money.”

She walked up to the three men and announced, “I’ll give you 100,000 dollars as a deposit. If you manage to kill Debra, I’ll pay you the rest once I become Mrs. Nichols.”

The men exchanged glances and sneered. Without warning, one of them stepped forward and pressed Shelia’s head against the door, making her face instantly pale.