Chapter 276
Melody furrowed her brow and chimed in, “Why didn’t you come back if you were alive? Do you know how worried everyone was? And now you show up at the funeral. How thoughtless can you be?”
“You received the clothes retrieved by the rescue team and couldn’t wait to hold the funeral. Naturally, I had to come and see for myself.” Debra looked around the church, taking in the surroundings, and remarked, “It’s a stylish place, but unfortunately, I won’t be able to enjoy it.”
She vividly remembered trying so hard to please Melody in her past life. She had listened to Melody’s every word and shown her more respect than she had shown her parents. But Melody had seen her as nothing more than a tool to be used and discarded. When Melody found that Sheila could benefit Juan more, she welcomed Sheila into the family without a second thought, casting Debra aside like an old, unwanted toy. Like Juan, Melody had ice running through her veins.
Debra turned her attention back to Sheila. “Miss Miles, how long have you been pregnant? Two weeks? Three weeks? Or four?”
Her words drew gasps from the guests. Two weeks ago, Debra had still been unharmed, meaning Juan had been unfaithful even before the accident. The scandal of the affair and Debra’s near-death experience painted a clear picture of a ruthless battle for family power.
Sheila shifted uncomfortably under Debra’s scrutiny, her gaze darting away. “This is none of your business. I don’t need to tell you.” She wanted everyone to know she was carrying Juan’s child, but she didn’t want to be branded a mistress. Melody, sensing the potential damage to the Nichols family’s reputation, intervened swiftly.
“Since you’re back, let’s talk this over privately. You need to be mindful of the public setting,” she hissed.
Debra, however, was not about to be silenced. “Mrs. Nichols Sr., you welcomed Sheila into your house when I went missing. I’m not being unreasonable. Since Sheila is pregnant, I naturally should step aside.”
Melody thought she heard things. “What?”
Debra turned to the crowd, declaring, “Everyone, I am divorcing Juan today. I just want to let you all know that Juan and I will go our separate ways.”
Sheila’s face lit up with uncontainable joy, but Melody’s expression darkened. Debra’s public announcement had not only embarrassed the Nichols family but had also ensured they would become the laughingstock of the city.
“What nonsense are you spouting? I think you’re confused after falling into the sea,” Melody said, reaching out to grab her.
Just then, ten bodyguards in black suits surged into the church, forming a protective barrier around Debra. Melody was astounded, realizing Debra had come prepared.
“Mrs. Nichols Sr., get it straight. Juan failed me, and it’s only reasonable for me to divorce him.”
“You… This is outrageous!” Melody pointed a finger at Debra. Before she could say another word, her eyes rolled back, and she fainted, her body crumpling to the floor.
The crowd erupted into chaos, guests rushing to Melody’s side as someone frantically called for an ambulance. Debra stood by quietly, her demeanor calm and composed as she watched the commotion unfold. The funeral, meant to be a grand affair, had turned into a spectacle. The reporters, summoned by Melody, swarmed the church like vultures, eager to capture every sordid detail.