The crowd gasped in shock.


    "What is he doing? Didn''t he sign a contract with Debra?" Randy fumed.


    Debra frowned, and Erica demanded, "You better exin yourself. Didn''t you..."


    "Miss Mathis, some things can''t be said openly, like when the previous CEO of the Mathis Group stepped down. Would you like to exin that?" said Juan nonchntly.


    Seeing that his words rattled Erica, he continued, "If you don''t want to talk about it, the Nichols family matters are none of your business."


    Debra''s keen eyes caught a change of expressions from both Erica and Randy. Apparently, Juan was forcing them to back up.


    Liza whispered to Gand, "Why does the atmosphere feel so off?"


    "Don''t know, but Seamar City''s a mess," he replied.


    Earlier, Juan had promised to give all his shares to Debra, but in just a few days, he had changed his mind.


    Gand quietly stepped into the corner.


    Meanwhile, Erica took a step back and staggered. Randy quickly caught her and said to Marion and Debra, "She''s not feeling well. I''ll take her home."


    "We''ll leave too," replied Debra.


    There was no point in staying there any longer.


    Just as they turned to leave,


    called


    to Debra and came


    bay vett


    "May we speak privately?"


    Marion lowered his voice, saying, "I''ll wait for you over there. Call me if necessary."


    "Alright." Debra nodded.


    Marion then walked over to a spot five meters away.


    Theda nced at him and said, "He dotes on you. Your love is enviable."


    Debra brushed it off. "What do you want to discuss?"


    "Well," Theda smiled, "when I offered to buy your shares, that was a test of your stance."


    "Juan and you nned this, didn''t you?"


    "Yeah. I don''t bring a knife to a gunfight."


    "So, are you here to make a show of force?"


    "Not at all," Theda chuckled. "I just heard that you care deeply about the people around you. Since you''ve said that the Nichols Group doesn''t mean much to you, why not just tear up the transfer papers? It would be easier for me to take over Juan''s shares, and it would save your friends from any harm. Surely, you wouldn''t want to hurt those close to you over something you don''t even need, would you?"


    Her eyes glinted, as if mocking Debra''s decision to give up such


    Depany for some so-called


    big


    friends.


    Debra remainedposed. "So, you think you''ve won?"