The next day, at the McKinney Group headquarters, Ben handed a file to Debra.


    "Since Juan took over, the Nichols Group has been recovering. Here are a few brands and shops he''s recently acquired," he reported.


    Debra opened it, scanning the contents. Most of the pages detailed partnerships with big-name brands, but a few unfamiliar names caught her attention.


    "They have partnered with several major brands and acquired a few smaller ones," Ben exined. "The brands we originally intended to sign with are now choosing the Nichols Group because of Juan''s takeover. Given their recent moves, it''s clear they''re expanding their business scale and trying to take our market share. If this continues, our market share could drop from 70% to 40% or even less."


    When Debra didn''t respond, he continued, "Madam, we need toe up with a n to safeguard our profits."


    "These brands look familiar."


    "That''s normal since they''re some of the most well-known brands on the market."


    "I''m not talking about the big brands. It''s the few brands they acquired."


    "Huh? These are all new brands thatunched this year. The Nichols Group must have seen a trend, but I don''t see much market optimism for these brands. Have you heard of them before, Madam?"


    "Maybe. Prepare a report on the Nichols Group''s financial situation over the past few days and bring it to me."


    "Understood."


    Once alone, Debra reopened the file and looked at the list with confusion.


    These brands were new and had almost no reputation in the market. The reason why Juan acquired them was hard to figure out.


    Suddenly, her attention was drawn to a brand called Pure Color. The name triggered a memory from her past life.


    Juan had always been indifferent toward her. After three years of marriage, their rtionship had made no progress. Melody had once given Debra a bottle of perfume to win Juan''s favor.


    Debra had used the perfume and gone to thepany to find Juan. But he wasn''t there. Instead, she found Shelia in his office, organizing documents. By then, Shelia had already be a senior assistant.


    That evening, Debra experienced one of the most direct insults from Shelia. She still remembered it vividly.


    In the office, Shelia had been


    wearing a white pencil skirt, her long,


    straight hair cascading down her


    back She smiled at Debra, who,


    despite also wearing white, felt


    utterly out of ce in front of Juan.


    "Mrs. Nichols," Shelia had said, "Mr. Nichols and I are about to attend a party. He may not have time toe home for dinner."


    Shelia had then walked over to


    Debra, leaning in close. She sniffed the perfume on Debra''s skin and smiled, "Mrs. Nichols, I see you also like this perfume brand. Juan likes it too He gave me a bottle."


    She pulled out the same bottle of perfume. Debra finally realized Melody''s gift hadn''t been a gesture of kindness. It was a cruel reminder that Shelia wore the same brand and Juan liked it.


    Pure Color was the brand name of that perfume.