The maid nodded. "Yes, Madam. And this youngdy is..."


    "N Kinsey. My... eldest daughter," Emerald replied.


    "I understand. Ms. Kinsey, pleasee with me," the maid said.


    Without another word, N turned and followed the maid out of the study, leaving only Emerald and Alexander behind.


    Alexander approached the desk and said, "Aunt Emerald, you shouldn''t be too harsh on N. She didn''t grow up by your side, so naturally, she''ll think differently


    from you.


    "If you want her to listen, you''ll need to ease into it. Once the distance between you two shrinks, she''ll naturallye around."


    Emerald huffed. "Am I not being nice enough? Did you hear what she called me? ''Ms. Kinsey''? I could die of anger right now!"


    The cold, detached way N had acted toward her stirred another wave of frustration in Emerald''s chest.


    True, she had divorced Harrison when N was young, but during the time they had spent together, Emerald had done everything she could to care for her.


    And this was how N repaid her? Like some ungrateful child?


    Alexander continued. "It''s been years since youst saw each other, and she only recently found out that you built a life here-married and raised two kids.


    "It''s understandable she''d haveplicated feelings. If you really want a rtionship with her, you can''t treat her the way you treat your subordinates. You need to show her the same patience you show Delia and Brian."


    Emerald red at him. "Do you think that''s possible? Every time I see her emotionless face, it pisses me off."


    "If she feels like you''re always dissatisfied with her, she''ll only pull further away," Alexander pointed out.


    "I don''t care about that. As long as she does what I say, that''s all that matters," Emerald said firmly.


    Alexander sighed and shrugged.


    "Alright, Aunt Emerald. Do whatever you think is best. Just don''t be surprised if the oue is theplete opposite of what you expect."


    With that, he turned and left the room.


    Emerald tossed the files on her desk aside, pulled out a cigarette, and lit it. No matter how much she smoked, she couldn''t shake the irritation gnawing at her.


    Before she returned to the country, her sole intention was to bring N to Meristate, use her as a shield against the political infighting within the Nixons, and protect Bria and Delia.


    However, the moment she saw N in person, she realized how much N resembled her younger self.


    Although she hadn''t changed her initial n, the cold indifference in N''s eyes still left her feeling inexplicably irritated.


    With a sigh, she stubbed out the cigarette and left the study.


    The maid led N to a room in the farthest corner of the third floor. "Ms. Kinsey, this will be your room from now on."


    N pushed open the door. The decor was simple, the colors to her liking. She nodded. "Alright. By the way, how far is this from Ms. Kinsey''s room?" The maid hesitated momentarily, realizing "Ms. Kinsey" referred to Emerald, before answering, "It''s about a ten-minute walk from here to her bedroom."


    From the start, she had no intention of cing N near Emerald, Delia, or Brian. Thest thing she wanted was for N to find an opportunity to win Emerald''s favor.


    After all, the next sessor of the Nixons had yet to be decided. For N to suddenly be brought into the picture, it was possible she was here topete for power.


    The maid had watched Brian and Delia grow up, and she naturally didn''t want an outsider to take what rightfully belonged to them.