Chapter 457

Juan had withdrawn his investment, yet Debra seemed unfazed. This could only mean one thing: someone else was secretly backing her. Edgar had underestimated her, but it was becoming increasingly clear that she was a force to be reckoned with.

A soft knock at the door heralded the arrival of a maid. “Sir, Mr. Blair and Miss Miles are here.” The mention of Declan brought him a sense of relief, but learning that Shelia had come too caused his lips to curl into a sneer. He thought, ‘Shelia has gone to plead with Melody behind the scenes, showing no signs of submission. It’s high time I teach her a lesson.’

“Tell them to wait for me in the front hall,” Edgar instructed.

“Sure, sir,” the maid acknowledged, swiftly retreating.

Edgar stood, adjusting his sleeves with a sense of purpose. He needed to meet Shelia and have a serious conversation with her.

Shelia sat down at the table, her eyes wandering nervously around the room. After a moment of hesitation, she turned to Declan. “Dad, can’t we just eat at home? Why did we have to come here?”

Declan offered her a reassuring smile. “Sweetheart, I know you’ve had a misunderstanding with Edgar recently. But he’s a good man. He’s been searching for you all these years and is far better than Juan. Just listen to me and make amends with Edgar.”

A sense of unease washed over Shelia. “Dad, we didn’t argue. Why are you saying this now?”

Declan’s expression turned serious. “Sweetheart, do you think you can hide things from me? We know about your visit to Juan. But Edgar loves you. He won’t hold it against you.”

“What?” Shelia’s face paled, her expression frozen in shock.

“Jade.” A low, happy voice cut through her thoughts. Shelia turned to see Edgar leaning against the doorway, a smirk playing on his lips. Her heart pounded as she clenched her fists nervously.

Edgar approached her, his voice deceptively gentle. “Why are you dressed so lightly? It’s cold outside. You should wear more.”

“Thanks,” Shelia trembled, trying hard to suppress her fear.

Now that Edgar had learned about her visit to Juan, she was in big trouble. Desperate to escape the situation, Shelia looked at Declan pleadingly. “Dad, I’m not feeling well. Can I go home first?”

Declan, however, misinterpreted her request as a reluctance to reconcile with Edgar. “I’ll be away on a business trip for a few days. I don’t want you alone at home, so I’ve asked Edgar to take care of you. If you’re not feeling well, just rest upstairs. Edgar and I need to talk.”

Chapter 458

First and foremost, Edgar would try to get rid of the child in Shelia’s womb.

“Miss Miles, please follow me.” A maid came up to lead her upstairs.

Shelia hesitated, but with no viable alternative, she reluctantly complied. As they reached the room, she attempted to make a run for it, only to find that the maid had already locked the door behind them. The door was designed to be impenetrable from the inside, leaving her trapped.

“Open the door! Open the door!” Shelia pounded her fists against the solid wood, but the maid remained unmoved.

“Mr. Odom said you need to rest, Miss Blair. The doctor will come soon.”

Shelia’s heart was gripped by fear as she listened to the distancing footsteps. She didn’t know what Edgar was up to. She quickly retrieved her phone, dialing Juan’s number. The call wouldn’t connect. She tried Joe next, only to find that he had also blocked her.

Panic set in as she understood the extent of her isolation. Edgar was a powerful man, so calling the police was not an option.

As her panic escalated, the door suddenly swung open. Edgar strode in, his presence commanding and menacing. He had dismissed Declan, leaving Shelia at his mercy. Edgar approached her slowly, his voice a low growl.

“I never thought you’d still dare to betray me,” he said, grabbing her hair and forcing her down to the floor. She cried out in pain and fear. “Mr. Odom, I’m sorry. Please, spare me.”

“You should never, ever have tried to find Juan,” Edgar snapped, pressing Shelia’s face against the cold, hard floor.

“I was wrong. It won’t happen again,” Shelia pleaded bitterly.

Edgar’s hand came to rest on her belly, sending a wave of terror through her. “Do you think the child can help you take Debra’s place? You’re dreaming.”

With a brutal shove, Edgar sent Shelia crashing to the floor. She curled up in a ball, cowering against the side of the sofa.

“Shelia, remember your place. You’re just an impostor. With a word from me, everything you have will disappear.”

“I understand.”

“Then you will do as I say and not upset me. Otherwise, you know what will happen.”

“I know. I’ll do whatever you say.” A satisfied smirk played on Edgar’s lips. “I need you to do something now.”

“Okay. I’ll do it if you let me go.”

“I need you to use the baby to frame Debra.”

“What?” Shelia gasped.

Edgar leaned in closer, whispering his malevolent scheme into her ear. With each word, Shelia’s face grew darker, her body weakening until she finally collapsed onto the floor.