Chapter 86
“How can you say that? Debra is so kind, but this woman upsets her. Don’t you have any sense of responsibility as her husband?” Melody snorted.
“Grandma, it was Debra’s fault that Shelia had the accident! She…” Juan retorted.
“Enough!” Melody snapped. “Blaming your wife because of such a woman? Don’t call yourself a man.”
Juan, never daring to defy Melody, fell silent. Melody glared at Shelia. “We paid for your education. Not only did you fail to appreciate it, but you also dreamed of marrying Juan. Do you think I can’t see through your little scheme? You can dream on! As long as I’m alive, you’ll never marry into this family.”
Juan could hold back no longer. “Grandma, Shelia isn’t like that.”
“Not like that?” Melody pulled out a stack of photos from her bag and threw them on the table. “See what kind of student you’ve been sponsoring!”
The photos showed Shelia in heavy makeup and revealing clothes, dancing at nightclubs and drinking with men. Her behavior was very suggestive. The photos rendered Juan speechless and drained the color from Shelia’s face.
Melody sneered, “This kind of woman just wants to marry into a rich family. For her, you offended the Mathis family and turned us into a joke. You’re so disappointing.”
“Grandma, I’ll handle this,” Juan said, looking at Sophie. “Take my grandma home.”
“Yes, sir.” Sophie helped Melody leave.
Juan’s silence made Shelia uneasy. “Juan, I can explain…”
Juan cut her off. “The facts are right here. What is there to explain?”
Shelia bit her lip. “These were taken when I was working part-time. I had no choice.”
“Part-time?” Juan repeated skeptically.
Shelia lowered her head. “I saved your monthly allowance. I wanted to be independent, so I tried to earn money on my own. The expenses at school are high, and I had to work to make enough money.”
Juan pressed his lips together.
Shelia continued, “I was wrong. I won’t go back there again. Please don’t misunderstand me.” She started to cry. Seeing her swollen face, Juan softened. “I’ll get a doctor to come check on you. It looks like you’re badly hurt.”
Shelia shook her head. “Your grandma already misunderstood me. I don’t want to trouble you anymore. These small injuries will heal quickly.”
Juan dismissed his doubts and said, “Stay here for a few days. No one will bother you.”
Shelia nodded cautiously.
In the evening, Juan was in his study working on documents. He glanced at the time on his computer. A full day had passed since Debra moved out. Juan picked up his phone and looked at the chat thread. Debra hadn’t sent him any messages. Feeling a wave of depression wash over him, he dialed Joe’s number.