Chapter 499

Debra ended the call. Oscar, noticing her tense expression, sidled up to her. "Anything wrong?"

"You and Michael should stay to meet some veterans in the entertainment industry. Something's coming up, and I have to leave early."

"But can you really leave at a time like this?"

Debra's eyes darted to Juan, who was engrossed in conversation with Michael. "I'll slip away quietly." She downed a glass of wine and handed the empty glass to a stunned Oscar. With a glance around, she hiked up her skirt and dashed towards the exit. Oscar made a futile grab for her, but she sprinted out of the hall.

Fifteen minutes later, a sleek sports car screeched to a halt in front of the gate. Erica jumped out and questioned Debra, “What's happening? Why the sudden change of plans?”

Randy echoed, “Did Juan threaten you? Don't worry. With Marion backing you up, he wouldn't dare try anything.”

Debra shook her head. “No. I just made a deal with him.”

“What kind of deal?”

“I signed a divorce agreement with Juan. The papers are signed, but publicly, we have to maintain the façade of a happy marriage to restore the Nichols Group's image.”

Erica exploded. “That bastard! He's so calculating. He knows he can't avoid a divorce, so he's using you to save face.”

Randy frowned. “Have you thought about how you're going to break this to Marion?” Both he and Erica had seen that Marion and Debra's relationship was serious. If Marion found out about this, he would definitely cause a scene.

“I haven't figured out how to tell him yet, but this is the only chance for a divorce.” Debra was sure Marion had pressured Juan about the divorce, but Juan was too proud to concede. Their power was equal, and she had to handle it her way.

Suddenly, shouts and screams echoed from the house. Guests streamed out of the grand entrance. Debra, Erica, and Randy looked over, finding the house plunged into darkness. Debra spotted Ben rushing out of the house and grabbed his arm.

“Ben, what's happening?”

“Thank God, I found you.”

“What’s going on?” She couldn't believe something had happened right after she left the house.

“Someone broke in through the back. I think they're robbers.”

“Robbers?” It didn't make sense, given the Nichols family's state-of-the-art security system.

She moved to rush into the house, but Ben held her back. “Ms. Frazier, it's dangerous. You can't go in there.”

“What about Michael and Oscar? Have they gotten out?”

“They're fine. They might have gotten separated in the chaos, but Mr. Nichols is still inside.”

Debra's eyes were glued to the entrance. As the last of the guests fled the house, she made her move, but Erica blocked her path. “Don't go. The Nichols family has enough security to handle this. It will be fine.”