Damon let out a chuckle, his expression full of mockery. "A better life? Then where were you when the Jaystons went bankrupt? Why didn''t you take her to Meristate to live this so-called better life then?


    "Let''s not pretend—your real reason foring back is obvious. No need to spout these hypocritical lies."


    The other end of the call fell silent.


    Alexander hadn''t expected Damon to uncover his real reason for his arrival to Saintornia so quickly.


    After a long pause, he finally spoke. "Even if my motives aren''t entirely pure, taking her and Buddy to Meristate would undeniably offer them a better life, wouldn''t it?"


    "A better life? Or a life of constant fear? I won''t let her be a pawn in your family''s power struggles. If you want to take her and Buddy, you''ll have to go through me first," Damon gritted through his teeth.


    "If shees to Meristate with me, she''ll have a strong chance of inheriting the Nixon fortune. Mr. Sumner, you haven''t even asked N how she feels-how do you know she doesn''t want to live a life of luxury and prestige?" Alexander retorted.


    If N became the Nixon heiress, her life would reach unimaginable heights, with wealth that wouldst several lifetimes. Surely, such a life would be better than staying in Saintornia.


    "Aren''t you telling me this because she turned you down this morning?" Damon taunted.


    If N had truly wanted that kind of life, Alexander wouldn''t be wasting his breath with Damon right now.


    "She only refused because she doesn''t yet understand what the Nixons represent. Once she knows, she''ll leave with me," Alexander argued.


    "Fine. Then we''ll see who knows her better," Damon replied.


    After hanging up, his face darkened.


    He had worked so hard to earn N''s trust and love. There was no way he''d let anyone disrupt their family''s happiness.


    ...


    That evening, Damon returned to the vi.


    Inside, N was ying Pictionary with Mason. She was drawing while Mason was guessing.


    Despite his best efforts, Mason couldn''t guess her drawing before time ran out.


    When N revealed the word she was trying to depict, Mason stared at the sketch in silence.


    The word and her drawing... not only didn''t match, but they had nothing inmon. Unless someone had


    X-ra vision, there was no wave


    guess it.


    Seeing his disappointed expression, N asked, "What''s wrong, Buddy? Are you upset because you couldn''t guess it?"


    Mason gave her a look. "Mommy, I think you''re just not cut out for this game."


    They had been ying for a while,


    and not a single one of her drawings had been guessable. Even Mondrian would have called them abstract.


    N was stunned for a moment, then burst outughing. "Why not?"


    "Because your drawings are way too abstract. No one but you could possibly understand them," Mason whined.


    N nced at Damon, who was nearby, and handed him the drawings. "You take a look. Can you guess what these are?"


    Damon


    seem examined the first one. It


    depict an


    whether it was an elephant hippo, he couldn''t tell.


    Furrowing his brow, he ventured, "A walrus?"


    "No... try again," N urged.


    "Hippo? Elephant?" Damon guessed.


    After about ten more guesses, he was still wrong.


    N''s face darkened. She snatched the first drawing away. "Guess the second one."


    The second one was easier-it appeared to be a pair of feet.