Emerald put down the documents in her hand and narrowed her eyes. "Who told you that?"


    N stared at her coldly. "Does it really matter who told me? If you''re not going to follow through on what we agreed upon, then I won''t stay here and be your puppet."


    Emerald met N''s icy gaze,ughed mockingly, and leaned back in her chair, a trace of ridicule shing through her eyes. "You think you have a choice?"


    From the moment N agreed toe to Meristate, she had lost all say in the matter. Any bargaining power she thought she had was nothing more than an illusion.


    Emerald had never intended to keep her promise.


    Why would she provide resources to strengthen Damon''spany, only for him to use them against her in the future? That would be nothing short of insanity— nurturing her own enemy.


    As for N, whether she liked it or not, she had to obey. There was no other option.


    N studied Emerald for a moment, then nodded. "Alright, I understand."


    With that, she turned and left without another word.


    Emerald''s expression remained unreadable as she watched N''s retreating figure, her eyes dark and calcting.


    Back in her room, N took out her phone and sent a message to Damon.


    He didn''t respond immediately.


    She wasn''t in a rush. Instead, she opened herptop and began researching the Nixons.


    Over an hourter, Damon finally replied.


    It was just one word.


    Damon: [Okay.]


    N deleted their conversation history and continued reading.


    As the sun dipped below the horizon, a maid knocked on her door, calling her to dinner.


    When N entered the dining room, she noticed a new face alongside Emerald, Alexander, and Delia, whom she had met earlier that day a young man about Delia''s age.


    N recognized him immediately. She had seen his picture before.


    It was Emerald''s son, Brian Nixon.


    Brian didn''t show any hostility toward her. In fact, he looked rather intrigued, as if genuinely curious about her presence.


    The dining table was massive.


    N sat in the only remaining seat with set tableware, keeping her gaze down and ignoring both Brian''s inquisitive stares and Delia''s barely concealed hostility.


    Emerald shot her a cold nce. Seeing that she was at least behaving herself, she said indifferently, "Serve the food."


    During dinner, Delia, Brian, Alexander, and Emerald engaged in lively conversation, making the dining atmosphere warm and harmonious.


    From the way Emerald spoke to them, N could tell-she genuinely loved her nephew and her own two younger children.


    N quietly ate her meal.


    Surprisingly, she felt no sadness, no resentment—just an overwhelming sense of calm.


    After finishing, she set down her utensils and stood up. "I''m done. You all enjoy your meal."


    For a brief moment, the previously lively dining room fell silent.


    f


    Emerald looked at her, her expression dark with disapproval. "Do you have no table manners whatsoever? Didn''t you see that we''re all still eating? You should wait until we''ve finished before getting up


    N met her gaze, fully aware that Emerald didn''t care about table manners. She was just looking for an excuse to put her in a difficult spot.


    1.n


    "Ms. Kinsey, Lapologize, but as I''ve mentioned before, my mother only gave birth to me—she never taught me the table manners you''re referring to. So, I don''t have those things. I''m sure you understand that, don''t you?" N retorted before walking away.


    "N, stop right there!" Emerald shouted.