Chapter 402

A shiver ran down Shella’s spine like a drip of ice water. She’d once pegged Edgar as a gentleman, easy to manipulate. But she’d been dead wrong. He was as ruthless as they came, and his so-called affection was nothing more than a smokescreen. He merely wanted the Blair family’s support to bolster his influence in Seamar City.

Edgar’s voice cut through the air, cold as steel. “If you don’t want to end up like her, you’ll toe the line and stay on my good side.”

“I won’t make that mistake,” Shelia said, shaking her head fervently. “As long as I remain Jade and your fiancée, I’ll do whatever you ask.”

“Excellent!” Edgar shrugged off his coat. “Tomorrow, you’ll accompany me to the hospital. You’ll apologize to Michael.”

“What?” Shelia blanched. “You want me to bow to Michael?”

“Not just Michael. Debra, too,” Edgar specified.

Her face drained of color. “No. I can’t do that.”

Edgar’s gaze sharpened, and Shelia wilted. “Just not Debra? Anything but that?”

Edgar scoffed. “Would you rather go to jail?”

Shelia shuddered at the thought.

Edgar continued, “You’ve messed with Michael. Do you think you can avoid jail? If we can’t settle this privately, you’ll be arrested. I’m sure you know what life in jail is like.”

Shelia shivered, turning ashen. Desperation clawing at her throat, she clutched at Edgar’s pants.

“I’ll do it. I’ll do anything to stay out of jail.”

Edgar crouched, cupping her cheek. His expression softened, reverting to the affectionate façade she knew so well. “That’s what I’m talking about.”

Shelia held her tongue, her eyes wide with fear. Only after Edgar left did she dare to move, her body stiff from the cold floor. She glanced down at her slightly rounded belly, a spark of relief igniting within her. She was glad she hadn’t gotten rid of the baby. Now she still had a retreat.

The next day, Debra was escorted to the hospital by Edgar’s men. She entered the room to find Shelia already on her knees, eyes downcast, her voice filled with remorse. “Mr. Austin, I’m so sorry. Please, forgive me.”

Debra raised an eyebrow. This was a far cry from the Shelia she knew.

“What’s all this about, Mr. Odom?” she asked, sitting on the sofa, her gaze fixed on Shelia’s penitent form. “And Miss Miles, with your status, you shouldn’t be groveling on the floor.” She added, as a polite gesture, “You can get up and speak.”

But Shelia continued her repentance. “I was wrong. Edgar has opened my eyes. I let jealousy cloud my judgment, and I’m truly sorry. Please, Debra, find it in your heart to forgive me.”

Debra calmly watched Shelia’s performance.