Drake smiled faintly. "I want to marry N."


    Alexander scoffed. "Ambitious, aren''t you?"


    If N sessfully inherited the Nixons'' legacy, Drake''s status would soar as her husband.


    Drake pulled out a chair and sat across from Alexander. "If I''m engaged to her, I can legitimately support her return to the Nixons. Don''t you agree?"


    He leaned forward. "I don''t have lofty ambitions. I only want the MK Company. Once she''s secured her position, we can annul the marriage anytime. This arrangement benefits you without costing you a thing."


    Alexander tapped his fingers on the rim of his ss, considering Drake''s proposal.


    After a prolonged silence, he said, "MK could be yours, but I don''t trust you."


    "Mr. Kinsey, we can draw up a contract if trust is an issue. That way, if I break my word, you''ll have legal recourse," Drake suggested.


    Alexander didn''t respond immediately. "Leave for now. I need to think it over."


    He also needed to gauge N''s reaction to learning about her ties to the Nixons. This wasn''t a decision he could make alone.


    Drake''s confidence grew as Alexander hadn''t outright rejected him. "Alright. If you need anything, don''t hesitate to reach out. We''re on the same side here-I don''t want anyone else in the Nixons gaining that power, either."


    "Mm," Alexander hummed in acknowledgment.


    Once Drake left, Alexander set his ss down and exited the room.


    The next morning...


    N was about to head home after dropping Mason off at school when Alexander approached her.


    "Ms. Kinsey, we''ve met before. I''d like to talk. Do you have time?" he asked.


    Recognizing him as the man who


    had saved Mason-and likely the "master Mason had


    mentioned—she nodded. "Sure.


    What would you like to talk about?"


    "This isn''t the best ce for a


    the


    Let''s talk there,"


    street. There''s a café a


    Alexander suggested. Conocross


    "Alright," N replied.


    They entered the café and took their seats.


    Alexander handed her the menu. "Order whatever you like."


    "I''m not much of a coffee drinker," she said, shaking her head.


    Alexander passed the menu to the waiter. "An iced Americano for me and warm milk for thedy."


    "Got it. Coming right up," the waiter replied.


    Once the waiter left, N turned to Alexander. "Mr. Kinsey, what did you want to talk about?"


    He studied her intently before speaking. "Aren''t you curious why we share the samest name?"


    She blinked in surprise before chuckling. "Plenty of people share the same surname."


    "Your mother is my father''s younger sister," Alexander said evenly. "That makes me your cousin."


    His calm tone didn''t soften the impact of his words.


    N stared at him, stunned. She had never heard anything about her mother having siblings.


    "Mr. Kinsey... are you serious?" she asked hesitantly.


    Seeing her disbelief, Alexander


    pulled out a family photo and ced it in front of her. "This is a picture of


    the family. Your mother always regretted that you weren''t inat."