Chapter 98 + 25 BONUS

“And don’t try to threaten me with my time at Arcane Academy. Worst case, we get a divorce and both lose,” Debra said, unconcerned that Juan would tell Melody. He would keep this secret, at least until he’d extracted enough benefits from the Frazier family.

Juan took a deep breath. “What do you want?”

“A deal. I’ll speak well of you to Grandma, but you have to play along with my act.”

“Play along with your act?” Juan looked at her skeptically. “Is it that simple?”

“In front of others, you must act like the perfect husband. Accommodate me, back me up in front of my family, and stand up for me when needed. This is a small effort for you, and you won’t lose anything,” Debra said, getting straight to the point.

She still needed Juan’s help to deal with Ralph. However, since the recent scene caused by Melody, Juan had been giving her the cold shoulder.

After a moment’s thought, Juan agreed, “Alright, you have a deal.”

“Good.” Debra set down her tablet, dusted off her dress, and said, “Invite Grandma for dinner. I’ll cook.”

Juan frowned. “What are you planning?”

“To show Grandma we’re a loving couple, so she’ll let you go out.”

Juan sneered, “So you’ve thought this all through.”

Debra ignored his sarcasm.

In the afternoon, Joe brought Melody over. Debra was busy cooking in the kitchen, with Juan assisting her, like any affectionate couple. Melody nodded in satisfaction.

At dinner, Juan thoughtfully served Debra food, occasionally joking with her. Melody finally felt at ease.

“Grandma, I want to go shopping tomorrow. Can Juan come with me?”

Melody was overjoyed at Debra’s request. “Sure! Let Juan go with you and have fun.”

Thus, Juan’s grounding was lifted.

The next day, to avoid arousing Melody’s suspicions, Debra went to the mall with Juan. His real intention, naturally, was to meet Shelia.

As they sat down in the seventh-floor restaurant, Juan excused himself to go to the bathroom. From a distance, Debra spotted Shelia anxiously looking around outside. Debra nonchalantly sipped her water and then received a call from Erica.

“Debra, is Juan with you?” Erica asked urgently.

“What’s wrong?”

“That jerk has been messing with my company. I need to teach him a lesson!”

“What?” Debra frowned. “He’s targeting your company?”

Debra remembered that three days ago, when she returned to the Nichols family’s house, Erica mentioned an urgent company matter. She hadn’t expected Juan would target Erica’s company for Shelia’s sake.