Emerald stiffened. "That still doesn''t give you the right to insult her."


    Setting her utensils down, N feigned innocence. "So what you''re saying is, she can insult me, but I can''t insult her back?"


    Emerald could tell she was being led into a trap and held her tongue.


    Seeing her silence, N pressed, "Since you''re not saying anything, I''ll take that as a yes."


    "Who said I agreed?!" Emerald snapped, her face grim.


    She took a deep breath and added, "I''ll let it slide this time. But if it happens again, both of you will be punished."


    Delia opened her mouth to protest, but under Emerald''s icy stare, she had no choice but to drop her head and angrily stab her food.


    Still, her eyes burned with resentment. She wouldn''t let N off the hook so


    easily.


    Meanwhile, N stood up with a smile. "I''m full. You guys enjoy your meal. I hope this little incident didn''t ruin your appetite!"


    With that, she turned and left.


    Delia ground her teeth, her face twisted with frustration.


    Emerald frowned, clearly displeased, but said nothing and continued her meal.


    Across the table, Brian watched N''s retreating figure with amusement. It seemed his half-sister wasn''t the submissive pushover everyone had expected her to be.


    After dinner, Emerald called Delia and Brian into the study.


    "I''m nning to throw a banquet for N this Saturday," she said. "It''s time to officially introduce her as a member of our family."


    Delia''s face twisted with outrage. "Mom, I hate her! I don''t want a sister! Can''t you just send her back to where she came from? She doesn''t respect you at all, and she


    treats us terribly!"


    Emerald ignored her and turned to Brian. "What about you? What do you think?"


    Brian''s expression remained neutral.


    "Mom, whatever you decide, I''ll


    support you. Besides, since she''s


    already living here, it makes sense to introduce her to everyone.


    Emerald nodded in approval. "Good. Many important people will be attending, so make sure you behave properly. We can''t afford to embarrass the family."


    Brian nodded. "I understand, Mom."


    "That''s all. You can go now," Emerald dismissed them.


    As soon as they left the study, Delia grabbed Brian''s arm, her face still twisted in anger.


    "Brian, why did you agree with Mom? Do you really want another personpeting with us for the inheritance?" she questioned.


    More than anything, she just despised N and didn''t want her around.


    Brian gave a small smile. "Why not? She''s Mom''s daughter too. You should try being nicer to her instead of picking fights all the time."


    Delia scoffed. "Why should I? I hate her! Even if you and Mom throw a banquet for her, I will never acknowledge her as my sister!"


    With that, she stormed off in a huff.


    Watching her go, Brian chuckled and shook his head.


    Their mother had coddled Delia too much. She still foolishly believed that N''s presence meant she''d have topete for the Nixons'' inheritance.


    How naive.


    Maybe that was a good thing, though. If Delia ever found out that N was nothing more than a pawn in Emerald''s grand scheme, her big mouth might end up ruining everything.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!