Emerald looked at N and asked, "What are your conditions?"


    "First, Buddy stays in Saintornia. He can''te to Meristate with me. Second, I need you to provide resources to Damon''spany to help him take it international. Third, I want full control over my marriage decisions," N stated firmly.


    Emerald narrowed her eyes and pondered briefly before letting out a softugh. "Once you join the Nixons, you and Damon will belong to two entirely different worlds.


    "As for Buddy—if you leave him here, his life trajectory will end up just like yours. Are you sure you want to leave him behind?"


    N''s second condition wasn''t difficult for Emerald to guess. She could see where this was heading, though N clearly underestimated the Nixons. Even with abundant resources, Damon could neverpete with them.


    As for N''s third condition? Once she was in Meristate, who she wanted to marry would hardly be her decision to make.


    "I''m sure," N said resolutely. "You want me to go to Meristate because you need a pawn. I refuse to let my son be one too."


    "Naive," Emerald spat.


    Whether it was Mason or Damon, Emerald knew either man could be used to control N if necessary.


    From the moment Emerald decided to bring her to Meristate, N''s autonomy ceased to exist. The only variable would be whether sheplied willingly or resisted until it proved futile.


    "Just tell me whether you agree to my conditions. Whether my decision is naive or not is irrelevant to you," N retorted.


    Emerald frowned, clearly displeased with N''s defiance.


    How Harrison had managed to raise such a headstrong daughter was beyond herprehension. Once N arrived in Meristate, Emerald vowed to teach her proper manners.


    "Fine. I agree. When will you be ready to leave for Meristate?" she asked.


    "I''ll need time to say goodbye to Damon and Buddy," N replied.


    "Three days. That''s all you get. I''m very busy and can''t waste my time here," Emerald decided curtly.


    N''s face paled slightly. After a long pause, she finally nodded. "Okay."


    "I''ll have Alexander deliver your


    ticket. See you at the airport in three days." With that, Emerald grabbed


    her bag and left without another word. .


    The silence that followed was broken by Alexander. "Why did you suddenly change your mind?"


    Before today, he had assumed the two would reach a stalemate. Yet, in a matter of minutes, everything had been resolved.


    Earlier, N had been steadfast in her refusal to go to Meristate. What had changed?


    "It doesn''t matter why I changed my mind. The oue is what''s important," N answered.


    Alexander frowned. Although he hade to convince her to go, her sudden agreement unsettled him.


    "You should think carefully. Things areplicated with the Nixons. You might face challenges you can''t foresee," he cautioned.


    N chuckled, her eyes glinting with faint sarcasm. "Mr. Kinsey, weren''t you the one encouraging me to goz earlier? Now you''re telling me to think twice? So, what is it that you really want-for me to go, or to


    stay?"


    P.n


    "I want you to understand the full picture before making a decision," Alexander


    replied.


    "It doesn''t seem like I have much of a choice," N remarked.


    Alexander was rendered speechless. Emerald''s domineering nature had left no room for negotiation.


    After a moment, he finally said,


    "Don''t worry too much. The Nixons


    areplicated, yes, but my dad


    and I will help you. That said, leaving


    Buddy behind might mean you''ll


    never see him again."