Chapter 523

By the time Debra arrived at the Nichols family residence, it was already afternoon. She took out her keys, but just as she was about to open the door, she remembered the locks had been changed long ago. Right then, Sophie opened the door. Her face lit up with uncontainable joy at the sight of Debra.

“Madam, you’re back! Come on in,” Sophie ushered Debra inside, beaming. “I heard you were coming back today, so I prepared a table full of dishes. Mr. Nichols said you would be staying. Is that true?”

Debra shook her head slightly. “Not quite. I still have to leave for work.”

Sophie nodded understandingly. “That makes sense. Work matters.”

Juan descended from the second floor. His usually cold and distant expression softened when he saw Debra. Melody emerged from her room and glanced at Juan, clearly displeased. However, she eventually reined in her temper, saying, “Sophie, you really don’t know how to follow proper etiquette. How could you not inform me that we have a guest?”

Sophie hurriedly explained, “Mrs. Nichols Sr., I just happened to see Mrs. Nichols at the door. It wasn’t intentional.”

Melody’s moods had been erratic lately, swinging unpredictably. Debra turned to Melody, smiling politely. “I’m still part of the family. How can you call me a guest?”

Moving closer to Juan and looping her arm through his, she added, “Besides, this is my and Juan’s home. Mrs. Nichols Sr., you’ve been staying here for quite a while now. Don’t you think it’s about time you visited your own place?”

Her words were like a slap, leaving Melody momentarily speechless. Juan glanced at Debra’s hand resting on his arm, and then, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, he walked with her toward the dining table.

Looking at Melody, he said calmly, “Debra is right, Grandma. You should consider returning to your own home. This place is a bit small. When Debra moves back in, it might become inconvenient for you.”

Melody’s face darkened as she saw Juan siding with Debra, but she said nothing further. Juan had made it very clear to her yesterday what was at stake with his marriage. Rather than having him marry Shelia, who had killed her own child, it was better to see him reconcile with Debra. Besides, with the Frazier family’s bankruptcy, Debra had no power, influence, or standing. That made it easier for Melody to manipulate Debra.

“I won’t lie, I wasn’t exactly thrilled when you decided to come back,” Melody said. “But since Juan wants to remarry you, I respect it. I just hope you two can live peacefully from now on and not cause any more scandals that would disgrace our family.”

She paused, then added, “Also, about your job. I imagine it doesn’t pay much. Juan and I discussed it, and we’ll give you an allowance every month. That way, you can stay home and won’t have to struggle. Since the two of you are so devoted to each other, you should focus on having a baby. That’s the key to securing your marriage.”

She gave Debra a fleeting, meaningful glance. She was certain that Debra’s salary at the McKinney Group couldn’t be more than a few thousand dollars a month. For someone who used to live as a pampered heiress, that kind of money would hardly be enough to support her lifestyle. If Debra wanted to be a wealthy wife, she’d need to learn how to compromise.

Debra, observing Melody’s thinly veiled intentions, smiled. “How much exactly are you planning to give me?” she asked.

Chapter 524