Chapter 329

“Grandma, you shouldn’t have come today,” Juan said, his voice laced with disapproval. It would have been fine if Melody had come alone. She shouldn’t have brought Shelia.

Melody, however, swept her gaze over the Frazier Group’s executives, her chin held high. “This is a significant day for the collaboration between the Nichols and Frazier families. How could I not be here?” Her imperious demeanor was a remnant of a bygone era when the Nichols family held uncontested power in Seamar City. Times had changed, but Melody had not. The murmurs of discontent around the room grew louder.

“Mrs. Nichols Sr., it’s highly inappropriate to bring someone like her today.”

“Ms. Frazier is still present. Have you no respect for the Frazier family?”

“This isn’t a collaboration; it’s a humiliation.”

Melody still held her head high, seemingly oblivious to the discomfort she was causing. Debra observed the spectacle with calm detachment. She understood Melody’s intention to intimidate the Frazier family and herself, but the execution was so poor that the reporters present were sure to spin this into a scandal. The sight of the pregnant Shelia by Melody’s side would make for sensational headlines, and the Nichols family would bear the brunt of the negative publicity. It wouldn’t be easy to mitigate the negative impact quickly.

Joe, attempting to smooth over the situation, stepped forward. “Everyone, the Nichols family sincerely wishes to cooperate with the Frazier family. We mean no offense.”

Before he could finish, Michael interjected smoothly, “I believe the Nichols family meant no disrespect. Bringing the whole family to celebrate this collaboration shows their commitment to the partnership and their warm welcome to the Frazier family.” He turned to Debra and asked, “Don’t you agree, Ms. Frazier?”

The media’s cameras swiveled to focus on Debra, who maintained her cool indifference.

“Since Miss Miles is pregnant, she should be resting at home. There was no need for her to make any appearance here today.”

With those words, the atmosphere in the room grew increasingly tense. Everyone was aware of the elephant in the room: Juan and Debra were still married, yet Melody had brazenly brought her mistress to the event. It was a spectacle bordering on the absurd.

“Shelia is my future granddaughter-in-law. Of course, she should be here,” Melody declared, her words drawing a flurry of camera flashes that nearly blinded everyone.

Debra raised an eyebrow at Shelia’s smug expression, finding it almost comical. Shelia seemed utterly unaware of the precariousness of her situation. Debra wondered idly where all the money Juan had lavished on Shelia had gone. It was almost embarrassing to think that she had once been outmaneuvered by someone so lacking in foresight.

Suddenly, a loud crash echoed through the room. A wine glass lay shattered on the floor.

The GM of Frazier Group, his face flushed with anger, glared at Melody. “It seems the Nichols family has overstepped its bounds. Juan has an affair, supports a college student, and now she’s pregnant. And you bring her to a joint banquet? What is the meaning of this?”