Chapter 529

“What nonsense are you talking about?” Melody shot Debra a sharp glare, displeased.

Unfazed, Debra continued, “How about one billion dollars? I’ve heard Melody has quite a personal fortune. That should compensate for your emotional damages.”

Hester wavered. Her family business was only mid-sized, and one billion dollars was a massive sum. If she could bring that much back, perhaps they would overlook her loss of chastity and not see her as a useless daughter.

“I disagree!” Melody snapped. She didn’t have nearly that much, and the thought of giving it to someone who used to fetch her foot-washing water made her blood boil.

Hester barked, “Shut up!”

Melody, held at knifepoint, didn’t dare move. Hester glared at her before adding, “I don’t just want one billion dollars. I want a villa in the city center, too. And I demand the Nichols family partner with mine. For every project, you’ll give us a three percent profit share.”

Hester’s outrageous demands hung in the air. Debra chuckled, “I have no problem with that, but you’ll have to ask Melody and Juan if they’re willing to comply.”

“I don’t agree!” Melody’s face flushed red, but Hester sneered, “If you don’t agree, then you can die with me.”

Melody’s face paled as the knife pressed against her neck. Desperate, she shot a pleading look at Juan. After a brief hesitation, Juan said, “I agree.”

“Juan…” Melody clenched her teeth, but seeing no way out, she gave in. “Fine. I agree. Now, put the knife down.” There was nothing in writing; without a paper trail, no one could hold her accountable. All she needed to do was calm this madwoman down.

Just as Hester was about to lower the knife, Debra spoke. “Wait.”

Melody’s face darkened. “Debra, what do you mean? Are you trying to get me killed?”

Debra chuckled, “Do you think Miss Vargas is that naive? You made a verbal agreement, but without anything on paper, do you believe she’d let you go that easily?”

Her words struck a chord with Hester, who quickly realized her mistake. She hesitated before pressing the blade against Melody’s throat again.

Melody, gritting her teeth in fury, had no choice but to say, “Fine! Juan, get the lawyer to draw up an agreement.”

It was clear Melody wasn’t ready to die yet. Juan took out his phone and called Joe. Within moments, the fax machine upstairs buzzed, spitting out a contract. Sophie retrieved the document and handed it to Juan, who was about to sign when Debra interrupted again.

“This contract is between Melody and Miss Vargas. Naturally, Melody should be the one signing it. Don’t you think, Grandma?”

Debra was trying to ensure the payment would come directly from Melody’s savings. Melody almost choked on her anger, and Sophie had no choice but to place the contract in front of her. As Melody stared at the document, her hands trembled with hesitation.