"That's up to Debbie," said Carlos. However she wanted to handle James, he would support her.

Miranda smiled. She stood up, walked over to Carlos and patted him on the shoulder. A warm gesture meant to comfort. "Carlos, I think..."

"Yes?"

"One day when you have your memory back," she continued, her smile growing bigger, "Debbie's going to get back at you. Boy, you'll be in trouble then."

Carlos didn't know what to say. He had anticipated that, planned for it, counted on it.

After leaving Carlos' office, Miranda called Debbie.

Debbie was doing a clothing commercial. When Miranda told her she was back in the city and was close by, she asked for a break and went to see Miranda in her working clothes.

At a tea house

Debbie arrived wearing a white sundress, setting off her killer figure. Men turned their heads to watch the vision of beauty entering the quiet shop. Women turned green with envy, in some cases scolding their husbands and boyfriends.

"Were you at work?" Miranda asked when she noticed Debbie's makeup.

"Yeah. Why are you back so suddenly? Is this a business trip?" Debbie had rushed over as fast as she could. Thirsty, she gulped down a cup of tea without waiting for Miranda's answer.

Watching this, Miranda frowned and said in a reproachful tone, "You're in public now for God's sake."

Debbie giggled and sat up straight. "Too thirsty."

Miranda just shook her head and decided to drop it. Anyway, that wasn't why she was here. "Why didn't you tell me you had a daughter?" she asked bluntly. They kept in touch, but mostly by phone. They didn't usually have involved conversations. If Debbie kept something from her, she'd have to find out second-hand.

Debbie was a little flustered when Miranda mentioned Evelyn. "You are one of the Huos, and Carlos' birth mother. I was keeping it hush-hush because I didn't know how Carlos would take it. He could easily marry Stephanie and take Evelyn away. I didn't tell Carlos either, but he found out anyway." Debbie sighed heavily.

"What? O ye, of little faith." Miranda sounded disappointed.

"Yes... But what if the plan falls apart? Carlos asked me to divorce Ivan and told me he would marry me. But he's still engaged to Stephanie. How am I supposed to marry him?" Debbie was frustrated and annoyed.

Miranda poured herself another cup of tea and said slowly, "Don't worry about it. And don't divorce Ivan yet. Carlos found out James hired a doctor to give him injections that messed up his memory. He'll get his wits back soon. Then you can get even with him your way."

Debbie was stunned to hear that. "Aunt Miranda, are you really Carlos' birth mother?" she asked.

Miranda rolled her eyes at her, but there was no blame in her eyes. "What do you think?"

Debbie grinned, "I think you are."

Miranda took a sip of tea and was ready to begin discussing the issue that had brought her here. "I'm moving back here. I'll take care of Evelyn myself. She's my granddaughter, after all. You can't keep moving her back and forth to different places, Curtis' today, Ivan's tomorrow. If she stays with me, she'll get some stability."

Guilt rose in Debbie's heart. Miranda's words cut her like a knife. The older lady might be harsh, but she was right. So Debbie agreed, "Okay."

Miranda went on, "Good. When Carlos' memory is back, don't let him off easy. You might want to stay away for a couple years, in that foreign country you fled to. Let him miss you till it hurts. Some people do this to punish their partners. I think it's a pretty good idea."

Debbie gaped, thinking that Carlos probably should get a test to make sure Miranda was really his mom. Here she was, plotting against her son. "You say 'some people.' Who exactly?" Debbie asked.

Miranda felt a little embarrassed about what she was about to say. She cleared her throat and answered, "A couple characters in a drama I was watching. To punish the hero, the heroine suddenly takes off with their kid. Of course, the guy's miserable afterward. You don't have to take Evelyn with you if you don't want to. You can visit any time you want."

Miranda didn't sound like she was joking. Dumbfounded, Debbie sat there like a stone, listening to her.

Only after a long while did she speak again. "He'd find me. You know that, right?" She had thought about getting even with Carlos. She had also thought about leaving him. A million times actually. But she usually gave up these plans as futile. She was afraid that Carlos would find her even before she got on the plane.

She had read a lot of love stories. Most of the heroines who tried to run away from the heroes ended up being dragged back.

"I'll help you," Miranda said after a moment of thought.

"Okay," Debbie replied.

Then Miranda changed the subject. "Find anything about Stephanie's links to James?"

"Yeah," Debbie said excitedly. In a low voice, she began, "Stephanie is James' biological daughter. Thirty years ago, he was messing around with Glenda, even though she was already married to Angus Li and had a boy. James was Angus Li's friend, and then he started seeing her behind his friend's back. And suddenly Glenda was pregnant with Stephanie. Glenda didn't tell Angus initially, afraid he'd find out about the affair."

So Stephanie was actually James' daughter, Lewis' sister.

Now it made sense why James insisted on letting Carlos marry Stephanie. He wanted to give his daughter the best.

Miranda was as surprised as Debbie. But she maintained a stony face. Tapping the top of the table, she warned Debbie, "With both you and Carlos poking into his business, that old snake has to know. Be careful. Don't release this right away. Let your trail go cold, then do it."

"OK. Got it."

Debbie turned to look at the city through the window. She felt her spring was coming.

Miranda felt sorry for her. Debbie used to be spoiled by Carlos like a queen. However, James split them up, and she had to flee the country, find work and raise a kid by herself. "I need a couple days to wrap things up in New York and then come back here. I'll talk to Wesley and Damon. They're Carlos' best friends and James deceived them too. They won't be happy with him when they learn the truth. You, Carlos, Wesley, Damon, Curtis, and me. We'll deal with James together. He'll pay for what he did."

Debbie was moved. Miranda had been helping her ever since Debbie proved her innocence to her. Debbie summoned up the courage to hold Miranda's hand and said, "Aunt Miranda, thank you so much. When all this is over, Carlos and I will take care of you and Uncle Wade."

Miranda didn't like moments like this. Too sentimental. And she wasn't used to holding hands either. But she didn't take her hand out of Debbie's grip. With a sigh, she said, "What can I do? Carlos loves you."

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