"What do you mean?" Debra said.


    "I don''t want those things anymore. They''re all yours," Melody exined. "But you must return those shares."


    "Are you sure you understand the situation?" Debra asked. "My shares are worth far more than a hundred chests like yours. You''re letting greed cloud your judgment."


    "I..." Melody faltered.


    She certainly knew the worth of the shares, but this was already her best offer.


    "Those shares were given to you by Juan. Don''t you care about his feelings?" Melody argued, ncing at Marion.


    He met her gaze, and she quickly looked away. "You didn''t spend a single dime on the shares. My jewelry should be enough for your appetite."


    "You see, Juan willingly transferred the shares to me. I didn''t force him," Debra reasoned. "It''s a done deal. As for your treasures, I''ve kept them long enough. You''re wee to redeem them anytime."


    "I..." Melody''s face darkened.


    With Juan absent, she didn''t have enough money to reim those items. Worse still, the shares she once held were now in Theda''s hands.


    "What are your terms? What does it take for you to return the shares?"


    "There''s a solution. If you''re willing to give


    vel


    Ve that chest of jewelry


    along with your other prized


    possessions, I could consider


    returning 10% of the shares to you."


    "What? 10%?" Melody mmed her fist on the table. "Do you have any idea how much my treasures are worth?"


    "Apart from that chest, they total just a few billion," Debra responded. "10% shares are worth just as much, if not more. I''m already giving you a discount."


    Melody''s chest heaved with rage. Debra continued, "Think about it. Without shares, you''ll have no thepany. The other


    just because of your age. Theda holds 10% of the shares and can easily make things difficult for you. I''m doing you a favor here."


    shareholders won''t respect next


    "You are unbelievable!" Melody was furious, yet helpless. "I thought, if you had some decency left, I''d overlook our past grievances and let you stay as long as you sever ties with Marion. But now, it''s clear. You''re unfit to be in this house." Cóntent