Chapter 682

Debra’s voice dropped to an icy calm. “I can tell that. I entrusted the company to you because I believed in you. Now, I find it in disarray. I need a reasonable explanation.”

The elevator hummed to a stop, and the doors slid open to reveal the third floor. Debra’s brow furrowed. “Why are we stopping here?”

“Madam, it’s not convenient to talk here. Let’s head to my office first.”

The apprehension in Ben’s expression sent a chill down Debra’s spine. While no one was around, he added, “Your office has been occupied by the new GM.”

Debra let out a sharp, frustrated laugh. “New GM? Who authorized a new GM? I’m the owner of this company. Nothing happens here without my say-so.”

Ben sighed heavily. “It was Mr. Nichols.”

“Juan?”

“Yes, Madam.”

“And where does he get the authority?”

“While you were away, the company came under attack from the Nichols Group. At first, Michael was caught in a scandal and couldn’t extricate himself. Then, he got into a fight and was arrested. He’s still being held at the police station. With you gone and Mr. Houston and Mr. Osborne rushing to the island, I was left to run the company alone. That’s when the Nichols Group launched a major offensive, buying up our shares from scattered investors.”

Debra’s face darkened like a storm cloud. “How many shares have they taken?”

“20 percent.”

“How could they grab so much?”

“Some of the key shareholders sold their shares for reasons unknown. Combined with the scattered shares they bought, the Nichols Group has gained control over 20 percent of the company. We tried to reach you, but you were out of contact, and with Mr. Houston and Mr. Osborne also gone and Michael being detained, the shareholder with the most control gets decision-making power.”

The truth settled over Debra like a shroud. The Nichols Group had infiltrated her company and become a major shareholder. She was silent for a long time, digesting the news.

“Was it Juan?”

“Yes, Madam.”

Debra’s fists clenched, her nails biting into her palms. “I was with Juan during the island shoot. How could he orchestrate all this remotely?”

“It wasn’t he who did it personally. It was Melody. But she’s old and doesn’t understand finance, so…”

“So, you think Juan planned this all along? That agreeing to the island shoot was just a ruse to get me, Marion, and Randy away while he put his plan into action?”

Chapter 682

“That seems most likely. Plus, we hinted to Juan before that Michael was the real boss behind the McKinney Group. Then, while you were away in Flesta, Juan came to the company to introduce the new GM.”

Debra took a deep breath, struggling to keep her emotions in check. “Who is this new GM?”

“It’s Shelia.”

When she heard the name, whatever hope she had left died a quiet death. It seemed nothing had changed. Just like in her previous life, Juan would never fall in love. Everything he did was just a calculated move in his larger game for power and control.