Chapter 45
“Relax,” Juan lowered his voice, casually reminding Debra.
“I’m not nervous,” Debra countered, facing the various camera angles with ease. Juan recalled how seldom Debra had attended such events in the past, oblivious to the efforts she had made in her previous life to get closer to him. He never found out, not even after her death.
Soon, the product manager finished the introduction. Juan took Debra’s hand, and they stepped onto the stage together. The journalists eagerly raised their cameras. Rumors about the two had recently circulated online, prompting many media outlets to vie for scoops.
“This new property, developed by the Nichols Group, is divided into two sections, A and B. Larger apartments with four to five bedrooms are in section A, while smaller ones with one to three bedrooms are in section B. Surrounding amenities include large malls, primary and secondary schools, and excellent subway and bus access. The landscaping is designed by top-tier architects, and the interior layouts aim for cozy environments, ensuring every resident feels the warmth of home,” Juan said, squeezing Debra’s hand. Debra took the hint and gave a radiant smile. This scene stung Shelia’s heart.
Soon, it was the Q&A session. A journalist asked, “Mr. Nichols, there have been rumors online recently. Could you take this chance to address them?” Debra knew this was arranged by Juan; otherwise, no one would have the audacity to ask such a sensitive question at the session’s start.
“Rumors are just rumors. I never interfere in my wife’s life because I trust her completely,” Juan replied calmly, looking at Debra. Debra smiled knowingly. At that moment, Juan’s image as a devoted husband was undeniable.
While Debra was adjusting her pose, she inadvertently caught a glimpse of Shelia in the corner. She hadn’t expected Juan to invite Shelia. She detected a sense of envy in Shelia’s eyes, but that look passed in a flash. Debra wondered if she had imagined it.
Suddenly, a man’s voice rang out: “But I heard Mr. Nichols was close to a female college student. Is that true?”
The room fell silent. Juan looked at the journalist, his gaze shifting from momentarily cold to gentle. “She’s a student I sponsor. There’s no intimate relationship.” Debra glanced at the journalist, noticing the logo on his badge. He seemed to be working for a media outlet affiliated with the Osborne Corporation. This could be Randy’s doing.
“I love my wife very much, and I believe she feels the same,” Juan replied. Debra felt his gaze on her and turned to see deep affection in his eyes. She was momentarily dazed because Juan had never looked at her like that before. It felt like he truly loved her. But soon, Debra realized that, for people like Juan, even deep affection could be feigned for personal gain.
When the press conference ended, Shelia moved against the crowd. Joe intended to intercept her, but Shelia walked too quickly. By the time he caught up, Shelia was already in front of Juan and Debra.