Chapter 314

The doctor anxiously dialed Juan’s number. “Mr. Nichols, your wife is bleeding heavily, but the blood reserves have already been moved. Please, come and see her one last time.”

In the operating room, doctors and nurses rushed around the table where Debra lay, her life hanging in the balance. She hoped a word of concern from Juan might bring her comfort in her final moments. But instead, his cold, cruel voice echoed in her ears: “She’s not yet? Call me when she’s gone.”

Debra snapped open her eyes, her back drenched in sweat. The warm, sticky blood, the cold scalpel, and the smell of antiseptic felt so real.

“Had a nightmare?” Marion said.

Debra realized she had been resting her head on his shoulder. “I must have fallen asleep,” she murmured, fatigue etched on her face.

The surgery was still ongoing. Marion suggested, “I’ll take you home. My people will stay here and keep us updated.”

Debra shook her head. “I’m worried about Ralph.” He was her only remaining family. Marion tapped her forehead.

She rubbed the spot and grimaced. “Why did you hit me?”

“Go back and rest. I’ll bring you here tomorrow morning.”

“Staying here won’t help. Mr. Frazier will need rest after the surgery, and so will you.”

“Don’t argue with me,” he insisted.

Debra knew this was as gentle as he could be, and she relented. “Okay.”

Debra got into the car with Marion, but they were heading toward Marion’s place.

“I’ll go back to my place.”

“My place is closer to the hospital. It’ll be easier to get there tomorrow.”

Debra was too exhausted to argue. Her body sank into the seat as she closed her eyes, seeking a brief respite from her worries. She didn’t know how long she had been asleep when she was suddenly jolted awake by a chime.

She opened her eyes to find Marion’s face inches from hers. She instinctively moved back. Marion reached over and unbuckled the passenger-side seatbelt before sitting back down.

“Your phone,” he reminded her.

Debra realized her phone had chimed. She pulled it out and saw that it was Ben calling.

“What’s up?”

“Madam, Stanley has been taken away.”

“What?” Debra jolted awake.

Joe explained, “Stanley has been taken by Mr. Nichols.”

“Juan?”

“Our men guarding him were overpowered by Juan’s people. After Juan and his team rushed in, they found the basement, dragged Stanley out, and drove away. We have no idea what’s going on. It was urgent, so I called you immediately.”

Debra frowned, trying to make sense of the situation. She hadn’t thought anyone would target Rosalie and Stanley, so she hadn’t left many guards at home. Juan’s sudden actions were unexpected.

“Are you sure he went personally?”

“Yes, I’m sure.”

“Don’t panic. I’ll head over right away.”

Debra hung up the phone and turned to Marion. “Juan has taken Stanley. I need to go back immediately.”