“Control him,” she commanded.

“Mrs. Nichols Sr…,” Hester pleaded, unable to believe she was being abandoned again. Despite her best efforts to care for Melody, she felt cast aside like a used rag.

Melody offered a kind smile. “Don’t worry. When Debra and Juan get divorced, I’ll bring you back.”

Hester’s heart sank. Given Juan’s attitude, he would never agree to a divorce. And even if he did, she wouldn’t stand a chance of becoming Mrs. Nichols.

Melody turned to Sophie. “Have the driver take Miss Vargas home and thank Mrs. Vargas for sending her daughter to care for me.”

“Will do,” Sophie replied.

As the driver departed with Hester, she muttered, “Miss Vargas is so clueless. She kept crying and refusing to leave, dreaming of becoming Mrs. Nichols. If you ask me, Debra is…”

Melody shot Sophie a cold look, silencing her instantly.

“How’s the investigation going?”

“Miss Miles hasn’t been found yet. We don’t know where Mr. Nichols has hidden her.”

“Shelia is carrying the Nichols family’s offspring. She cannot be left out there. We must bring her back, no matter what.”

“Understood.”

Shelia was detained in a grimy prison cell. Her inmates whispered amongst themselves, “Did you hear? The CEO of Nichols Group got arrested.”

One prisoner leaned over and asked, “Was that his name? I just know it’s the CRO of Nichols Group.”

Another prisoner sneered, “Don’t talk to her; he’ll just start claiming she’s a rich lady again.” The CEO was reportedly accused of attempted rape, but he was released from the station within an hour. “If she were Mrs. Nichols, how could she be stuck here for days without being bailed out?”

Shelia bit her lip, the reality of her situation sinking in. She had been languishing in this prison for several days, and Juan hadn’t made any move to secure her release. It was no wonder these prisoners didn’t take her claims seriously.

Just then, intense crying echoed through the cell. A prisoner sobbed in the corner, clutching a ring.

Having been around Juan and his luxurious lifestyle, Shelia was no stranger to valuable items. Even from a distance, she could tell the ring was extraordinary.

She walked over and asked, “Why are you crying?”

The prisoner shrank back instinctively. Shelia’s gaze fell on the ring. “Personal items aren’t allowed here. Is this your first day?”

The prisoner nodded anxiously. She was attractive but appeared malnourished and weak.

“Why are you here?” Shelia asked.

The prisoner faltered.

Another prisoner interjected, “What else could it be? Prostitution.”

Shelia asked, “Does this ring mean a lot to you?”

“It was left to me by my family,” the prisoner replied.

Shelia’s mind raced. Someone with a ring like that couldn’t possibly be involved in prostitution. But she didn’t have time to dwell on the prisoner’s story. She was formulating a plan to use the ring to her advantage. Judging by its quality, it would be worth several million at least. That would be more than enough to bribe the warden and secure her release.

Leaning closer, Shelia whispered, “I’m leaving today. You can give me the ring, and I’ll find your family.”

“Really?” The prisoner’s eyes lit up with hope. “You really want to help me find them?”

Shelia nodded, surprised by the prisoner’s gullibility.

The prisoner happily handed over the ring. “I only know my dad’s surname is Blair, and he lives in Seamar City. I was tricked into prostitution on my first day here. Find my dad and tell him Kate Pena’s daughter is looking for him.”

“Kate Pena? Is she your mother?” Shelia asked, feigning concern.

The prisoner nodded, her eyes filled with sadness. “My mom has passed away. She sent me to find my dad in Seamar City. Please help me.”

Shelia maintained a sincere facade, even as her heart raced with excitement. “Okay, I’ll definitely help you.”

As the night wore on, the hospital corridor was silent and still. Debra slept in a chair against the wall. In her dream, she was back on the operating table, crying out in agony.

A nurse’s frantic voice echoed. “Doctor, the patient is in a state of severe hemorrhage. The A-type blood from the blood bank was just urgently taken.”

The familiar smell of disinfectant filled Debra’s nostrils, and the harsh white ceiling lights glared down at her.