Liza mmed her hands on the table. "How could you fall for a married woman?"


    "Liza, calm down. It''s not like that," Gand tried to exin.


    Debra interrupted him with a sigh, "Your confession was really touching. If you had shown up a bit earlier..."


    Liza was shocked. "You what? That''s it. I''m telling Dad."


    "Liza!" Gand was eager to soothe her, but she dashed upstairs.


    Nonchnt, Debra continued to sip her soup.


    "How could you do this?" Gand grumbled.


    "I was speaking the truth." Debra shrugged innocently. "Or do you have ulterior motives to ask about my daily routine?"


    Gand swallowed hard, knowing it was yet another test.


    ''As Juan said, Debra is not easy to fool. And following this logic, I''d be the lovelorn third male lead, following Juan. No. I don''t deserve that title.''


    "Mrs. Houston," Gand hesitated, "honestly, I don''t have feelings for you. It''s just that I have myplicated reasons."


    He couldn''t decide whether to spill everything or keep quiet. If he told Debra the truth, Juan would definitely teach him a lesson. But if he didn''t, his reputation would be at stake.


    After a moment of internal struggle, he spoke. "Actually..."


    "Actually?" Debra waited for him to continue.


    Gand bit the bullet and said, "Actually, I''m here investigating your meal ns for my brother. At Liza and Drake''s engagement party, he fell for you at first sight. I''m only here with his approval and O instructions to track your habits."


    Debra was speechless. "Do you think I''m stupid?"


    Just earlier in the day, he''d imed he adored her. Now, just a few hourster, he was saying Fermin was in love with her. At this rate, when the lies were exposed, he''d say о


    someone else had feelings for her.


    "Everything I said is the truth. Heaven is my witness," Gand said anxiously.


    Debra was unimpressed. "How about you swear?"


    "Uh..." Gand fidgeted. "Alright, I swear. If what I said isn''t true, may I be struck down by lightning! May I die a horrible death."


    He wasn''t even sure what kind of


    oath he was swearing anymore. This was supposed to be a modern


    society, not one where old


    superstitions woulde to life. But


    his hands, hidden beneath the table, were sped together.


    ''God, please don''t take my words seriously,'' he silently prayed.


    Debra relented. "Well, since you''re so sincere, I''ll take your word for it."


    Gandughed awkwardly, "That''s good."


    "Well," Debra added casually, "It seems Liza is calling home. Maybe you should go check on it."


    "What?" Gand''s eyes widened in horror.