Chapter 843

All eyes turned to the new arrival, and the room fell silent as they recognized Juan. Everyone knew that Debra was once Juan’s wife, and their recent divorce made his presence even more unsettling. Juan and Marion were both powerful figures not to be trifled with.

Randy was stunned. “What the hell? How did he get in? What were the guards doing?” He moved to intercept Juan, but before he could, Juan’s men rushed in.

Debra frowned. “Today’s event is hosted by the Potter family, not the Nichols family. Are you trying to challenge all of us here by doing this?” Although Juan had been the dominant force in Seamar City for years, the combined strength of the five families was not something he could easily overcome.

He glanced around at the guests and replied coolly, “You stole Drake’s guests. Can’t I do the same?”

“Juan, don’t get cocky,” Randy shouted, pushing past a bodyguard and coming out of the crowd. Erica followed suit, standing beside him.

“You had your days,” Randy said. “That’s only because we never bothered to deal with you. But today is Marion’s engagement party. If you dare cause trouble, I’ll make sure you pay the price.”

Erica echoed, “My family may not rank among the Four Great Families, but we hold significant status in Seamar City. If you dare disrupt my cousin’s engagement party, you’re in for trouble. Take your people and leave now. Don’t push my hands.”

Juan didn’t respond to their threats. His eyes scanned the crowd as he declared, “The Nichols family always makes the rules in this city. We have allied with the Lowe family, and I’ll give you a choice. If you come back to Drake’s party now, you’ll be received with respect. If you don’t, consider yourselves enemies of the Nichols family from this day forward.”

The guests exchanged nervous looks, caught between a rock and a hard place. The alliance of the five families was formidable, but so was Juan.

“I think we should go back,” one guest murmured. “Everyone knows the Nichols family rules this city.”

“That’s right,” another agreed. “If we stay, we might never have a chance to work with the Nichols again.”

“The McKinney Group and the five families are powerful, but even they wouldn’t dare to provoke Juan. We’ll be the ones to suffer if we choose the wrong side.”

The guests were torn. Leaving now would be a slap in the face to the five families, but staying would earn them the enmity of the Nichols. They all turned to Marion, hoping he would provide a way out of this dilemma.

Unfazed, Marion slowly walked to Debra’s side. “Marion…” Debra was about to suggest a solution when he pulled her behind him protectively. He reached into his pocket, pulled out a lollipop, and casually put it in his mouth.