?Chapter 1260:


    n chuckled and gently tapped her forehead. “You’re smart.”


    Nina giggled.


    Watching her, n felt a little more at ease.


    Donna might be hesitant to reach out, but Jerome? That kid had good instincts. He knew how to make smart choices.


    With that thought lingering, n walked the kids out of the building. Just as he was about to open the car door, a voice called from behind. “n Briggs, can we talk?” It was Kevin.


    “About what?” n kept his expression neutral as he helped the kids into the car.


    It was still pretty hot outside at that hour.


    Kevin got to the point. His gaze was sharp. “What will it take for you to stay out of this?”


    n raised a brow. “You want the truth?”


    Kevin gave a stiff nod.


    n kept his voice easy, but direct. “Normally? I wouldn’t care. I don’t make a habit of interfering in other people’s business. But this time? It’s different. Nina really likes Jerome. And if I don’t help out, she’ll cry.”


    Kevin blinked. “Your daughter?”


    That caught him off guard. n wasn’t married—or at least, not that he’d heard. But if that wasn’t the case, whose child could he possibly care so much about? Ethel Briggs had only recently married and didn’t have children yet. n smiled faintly. “My cousin’s.”


    Kevin’s confusion deepened. “Ethel Briggs?”


    “No,” n said simply. “The other one. Ethel’s older sister.”


    Kevin’s frown deepened. Hugh Briggs had only ever publicly acknowledged one daughter.


    Sure, there had been quiet rumors of an older one returning, but she’d never appeared at events, and no formal announcement had been made. He’d never given it much thought—until now.


    “She’s pretty low-key,” n continued, unfazed. “Most people don’t know about her yet. But Trent’s a close friend of hers. The head of the Lambert Group? That’s her husband. And Greta? Her best friend.”


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    He left out any mention of Anita International Group.


    Kevin had walked into this thinking he could negotiate. But the second he heard Lambert Group, his certainty began to crumble. The Lamberts were known for being discreet, yes—but also fiercely loyal and well-connected.


    If push came to shove, they’d be a tough enemy to face.


    “And,” n added casually, “she really can’t stand jerks. If she finds out what’s going on, she’ll probably be more involved than I am.”


    Kevin paused, clearly reevaluating things. Then he shifted tactics. “Jerome living with me doesn’t have to affect his friendship with Nina. In fact, they could see each other more—same school, more ydates. If you’re open to it, we could even talk about a betrothal.”


    n raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. “You’re forgetting one thing—Jerome doesn’t want to go back with you.”


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