Chapter 343

“Ms. Frazier, is there anything else?” Andrew asked.

“No,” Debra shook her head.

“Then you can leave,” Andrew said bluntly.

Debra felt a mix of embarrassment and frustration. In front of him, she felt like an inexperienced schoolgirl.

Across town, at the Nichols family’s house, a different kind of tension unfolded. Melody slapped Shelia across the face, and the latter burst into tears.

“What’s your problem? Who told you to make a scene at the Emerald Hotel? Do you even know what that place is? You brought this on yourself, and now you’re dragging the Nichols family into your mess.”

Juan, sitting silently on the sofa, made no move to defend Shelia.

Shelia, between sobs, tried to explain, “Mrs. Nichols Sr., Juan went to see Debra, and it was at a hotel. I just couldn’t stand it.”

Melody sneered, her voice dripping with disdain. “When you climbed into Juan’s bed, how could Debra tolerate it?”

Shelia’s face paled, the weight of her actions settling heavily on her shoulders.

Melody continued, “If it weren’t for the fact that you’re carrying Juan’s child, do you think I’d let a woman like you into our house?”

“Mrs. Nichols Sr., I know I was wrong. Please, forgive me,” she pleaded, turning to Juan. “Juan, I’m carrying your child. I know I made mistakes, but can you please forgive me?”

Unfortunately, her pitiful look couldn’t arouse the slightest sympathy from him.

Juan stood up, his expression hard. “I have things to do. Grandma, I’ll leave it to you.”

He turned and headed upstairs, leaving Shelia to face Melody’s wrath alone.

Shelia’s heart sank, and Melody’s frustration grew. “You can’t even hold onto your own man. You’re truly useless.”

She walked away, leaving Shelia crumpled on the floor in despair. Sophie, who had always disliked Shelia, spat on her as she passed.

Shelia clenched her fists, her humiliation complete. But she refused to give up. She had worked too hard to secure her place in the Nichols family, and she wasn’t about to let it slip away without a fight.

Late that night, she quietly made her way upstairs. Since Juan had returned home, he had been staying in the bedroom once used by Debra. Seeing Juan asleep in bed, Shelia quietly approached and hugged him from behind.

Juan sensed the movement and immediately woke up, pushing her away. In the dimly lit room, Shelia’s pale face showed a hint of shame.

“Juan, I…”

“Get out!” Juan said, his voice cold and dismissive.

Shelia bit her lip, her voice pleading. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t control myself. I’m not asking for anything else right now, just to give birth to the child for you.”

She looked down at her slightly swollen belly. “If you can’t forget Debra, that’s fine. Just please, give me and the baby a place to stay.”

Juan remained unmoved. “I’ve already let you into my house. That’s my biggest concession. Don’t think about anything else.”

“I can be nameless and unacknowledged. But our child can’t be born without a name or status,” Shelia said, grabbing his arm. “I’ve realized my mistakes. Such things won’t happen again. Could you give me another chance?”

Juan shook off her hand, his voice hard. “Get out before I lose my temper.”

In a desperate attempt to change his mind, Shelia began to undress.