Chapter 469

“A marriage certificate can’t trap me, Juan. Do you even look like the head of the Nichols family right now?” Debra delivered this scathing remark and walked out.

Juan stood there, a mocking smile playing on his lips. He knew he didn’t embody the image of the Nichols family head at that moment. The family always expected their leaders to prioritize the family’s interests above all else. With the Frazier family bankrupt and Debra having lost her chance to be Mrs. Nichols, it was time to find a more suitable candidate. Yet, despite Debra publicly asking for a divorce months ago, Juan still hadn’t agreed. The Nichols family elders were growing increasingly unhappy with him, but they couldn’t force him to change his mind.

Juan watched Debra’s retreating figure, his expression darkening. Joe approached cautiously and said, “Sir, Mr. Hardy is still waiting upstairs.”

“Tell me what happened tonight in detail,” Juan said, regaining his composure. He was unaware that Melody had decided to announce Shelia as the future Mrs. Nichols that day. The dinner party was aimed at humiliating Debra.

Joe lowered his head. “I’m sorry, sir. I didn’t catch wind of this.”

Juan’s eyes narrowed. “Didn’t catch it, or pretend not to?” Joe had been by his side for years, always quick and efficient. Joe never missed anything related to the Nichols family. But this time, Melody had sent out invitations to most of their business partners, and Joe had heard nothing. That wasn’t normal.

After a moment of hesitation, Joe finally admitted, “Mrs. Nichols Sr. has been pressuring you through the upper echelons of the family. You might ignore it, but the board members are already unhappy. Keeping Mrs. Nichols in her position affects your standing, so I…”

“So, you kept this from me and sent out those invitations for my grandmother?” Since Juan took over the family business, Melody had largely stayed out of it. But this time, she had used his name to invite their business partners and announce Shelia as the future Mrs. Nichols. The dinner party was designed to remove Debra from the picture. Melody wanted to embarrass Debra and force her out.

Juan rubbed his forehead. “Looks like I’ve been too lenient lately, letting them forget who’s in charge of the Nichols family.”

“Sir, I’m sorry. I just wanted you to see things clearly. Mrs. Nichols has…”

“Shut up!” Juan snapped. “If it weren’t for your long-term service, you’d be out of a job by now.”

Joe bowed his head, and Juan added, “I don’t want anyone around me doing things for anyone else. If this happens again, you’re out.”

“Sir, it…”

“Sir, it won’t happen again.”

Juan thrust the phone into Joe’s hands. “Post the video online. I want everyone to know that Debra is the victim tonight.”

Joe froze. “But if we do that, our relationship with the Blair family…”

Juan’s expression hardened. “If they mess with my people, they should face the consequences.”

Besides, he had never intended to keep that child.