Chapter 172

Debra handed the ring box back to Juan. “Give this to the girl you truly like. I’ve grown tired of being Mrs. Nichols.” With those words, she turned and walked away, leaving Juan frozen in place.

Later that evening, Debra returned to her apartment. The online world was abuzz with news about the McKinney Group and the Nichols Group. Rumors spread like wildfire overnight, each more sensational than the last. Some claimed the Nichols Group was on the brink of collapse, losing its position as the top player in the industry. Others suggested the McKinney Group’s owner was a powerful figure beyond Juan’s reach. Further rumors insinuated that Juan was merely a pawn and that Tracy had come to claim his rightful position.

Erica couldn’t stop laughing as she read the news. Debra leaned on the couch and sighed. “Your laughter is going to collapse the bed. You don’t want to disturb those downstairs.”

“But this is funny! I’d love to see Juan’s reaction when he reads this news. Juan was always so… arrogant. Who would have thought he would be seen as another person’s lackey? If it were me, I’d be bedridden with anger.”

She saw Debra’s thoughtful look and asked, “Did he suspect you when you went back today?”

Debra nodded. “He did, but it wasn’t quite as I expected.”

“What do you mean? Suspicion is suspicion.” Erica hugged a cushion, ready to listen.

“He gave me a ring and said he liked me,” Debra replied.

Erica was stunned. “Juan?”

“Yes.”

“Why do I feel like this is something Marion would do?” Erica was perplexed.

Debra rested her chin on her hand, thinking hard. “Juan likes Shelia. He talked to me like that, probably because of the McKinney Group’s emergence. The Nichols family can’t afford more scandals right now. He wants to keep me stable. If I stay married and out of trouble, it saves him a lot of trouble.”

As if strategizing for herself, she repeated, “Yes, it must be the case.” In this life or the last, Juan’s affection for Shelia had never wavered. There was no way he would like her.

“Not long ago, he was publicly flaunting his love for Shelia, taking her everywhere. He pampered her, putting on her shoes and clothes, and even introduced her to business tycoons.”

Erica paused and added, “You mustn’t fall for it. Men’s words are deceiving. I think your analysis makes sense. Juan just wants to keep you stable. After all, you have the Frazier family backing you, while Shelia has nothing. With the McKinney Group in the picture now, the Nichols family won’t let him marry Shelia.”

Debra found her reasoning sound.

The next day, Debra began relentlessly targeting the Nichols Group. She didn’t go after their major projects but started with insignificant ones.

-DE BONUS-

For a giant like the Nichols Group, a perfect façade often concealed deep-seated corruption. Appearances could be deceiving, especially for such large enterprises where flaws were abundant.