Chapter 413

“Happy birthday, Debra!”

“Thank…”

Before Debra could finish, a voice like nails on a chalkboard echoed through the mall. “Booking out the whole mall? Quite the spectacle.”

The crowd parted as Melody Nichols swept in, her eyes fixed on Debra. Behind her, a squadron of bodyguards quickly secured the area, drawing curious stares.

Debra’s smile vanished.

“Ms. Frazier, wasn’t it you who was so eager to divorce Juan? And now, here you are, coaxing him into throwing you this lavish birthday party. Is your family fortune running dry? Hoping to weasel your way back into the Nichols’ good graces?” Melody scoffed, her eyes flashing. “Keep dreaming.”

Juan’s expression darkened. “Grandma…”

Joe rushed in, startled by the scene. Melody, it seemed, had accessed Juan’s financial records and tracked them to the mall.

“Mrs. Nichols Sr.,” Joe interjected, “this is a public place. Perhaps we should discuss this elsewhere.”

Melody silenced him with a withering glance. “You’re just a lapdog, always at Juan’s heels.”

Joe flushed, stepping aside.

Juan stepped forward. “Grandma, this was my decision. I wanted to throw this party for Debra. She’s not at fault here.”

“Not at fault? Have you taken leave of your senses? Squandering money on this gold digger? Have you forgotten what she said publicly? How she humiliated our family?” Melody jabbed a finger at Debra, her voice shaking. “Now that her family is broke, she’s trying to use you as her meal ticket back to the top. Can’t you see that?”

Juan’s frown deepened. “Grandma, I don’t care what she thinks or feels for me. She’s the only one for me. The position of Mrs. Nichols is hers, and hers alone.”

“Juan, you’re blinded by love,” Hester chimed in, her voice shrill. “This woman is after your money. How can you be with someone so…gold-digging?”

“I don’t need you to teach me what to do,” Juan snapped.

Hester recoiled under his sharp gaze. The onlookers’ expressions shifted to a mix of curiosity and condemnation.

Debra, with as much grace as she could muster, placed her bouquet on a nearby gift box. “Ms. Nichols, thank you for the birthday surprise. Please have Joe send me the bill to cover all expenses.”

Juan started to speak, but Melody cut him off. “That’s for the best. Since you’ve already filed for divorce, let’s sever all ties. And don’t think of squeezing another cent…”

Juan’s face hardened. “Grandma, you should leave now.”

Melody’s eyes widened. “What? Are you going to dismiss your grandmother?”