Chapter 471 + 25 Bonus

It was late at night when Edgar returned to the hospital room after sending Declan away. Shelia was lying on the bed, her eyes closed. Her face was an unsettling shade of pale.

“Stop pretending to be asleep,” Edgar said, grabbing her arm.

Shelia gasped in pain, her eyes flying open. “I—I did what you said. Please, spare me.”

Edgar’s eyes were cold and unforgiving. “You fool. You ruined my plan. How dare you ask me to spare you?”

He released Shelia’s arm, and she recoiled, her face contorting with pain and fear. “What are you talking about? My child is gone. Debra pushed me down the stairs. Everyone saw it.”

Edgar scoffed. “You’re so clueless. Do you think Debra is as stupid as you? She had already planned for this. Now everyone knows you tried to frame her and ended up killing your own child. Declan is utterly disappointed in you, and Melody would love to see you dead. Debra will come after you, too. You’ve offended so many people. Even if I spare you, they will not.”

Shelia’s mind reeled. She grabbed his arm desperately. “No, please, help me.”

Edgar showed no hint of pity. He pinched Shelia’s chin and growled, “You might as well beg Juan. Don’t think I don’t know you secretly contacted his people.”

Shelia’s eyes widened in shock and fear. She had only hoped to use the child to gain a little sympathy from Juan, but she hadn’t expected Debra to be one step ahead, exposing her scheme on the spot. She worried Juan would not let her off the hook once he found out she had killed their child. The thought sent a shiver of terror down her spine, and she shook uncontrollably. She couldn’t let that happen.

“You let me do that. You threatened me,” she accused.

Footsteps echoed outside the door, and she clung to Edgar’s arm, crying out, “I did what you said. Please, don’t kill me.”

Edgar frowned, his gaze flicking to the door as Juan stepped into view. He quickly realized Shelia’s intention of shifting the blame onto him. Juan’s eyes were filled with a dangerous intensity. Unwilling to confront Juan there, he said, “Since Mr. Nichols is here, I’ll leave you to it.”

He turned to leave but paused at the door, casting a glance back at Shelia. His voice took on a falsely gentle tone as he said, “Jade, talk things through with Mr. Nichols. After that, we’ll go home.”

Shelia bit her lip, realizing Edgar’s intention. He was trying to make Juan misunderstand their relationship. After Edgar left, Shelia looked up at Juan pitifully. “I thought you wouldn’t come.”

Juan stood at a distance. Shelia had braced herself for his coldness, and she began to sob, “I can explain what happened today.”