Ricky smiled. "Nice to meet you, Ms. Kinsey. I''m Ricky."


    He spoke in N''snguage so fluently and without an ent that, had she not seen him in person, she wouldn''t have guessed he was a foreigner.


    Emerald stood up and nced between them. "N, take Ricky for a walk around the garden. I have something to take care of. We''ll have lunch togetherter."


    N nodded. "Alright."


    Satisfied with her response, Emerald left the room.


    As she had anticipated, N needed to understand that she had no choice but toply. This would stop her from resisting.


    Emerald had invited Ricky to stay for lunch, and he had readily agreed.


    Once she was gone, the spacious living room seemed to grow quieter, leaving just N and Ricky.


    Ricky turned to her. "Shall we go?"


    "Sure," N replied.


    As they walked toward the garden, Ricky kept up a steady stream of conversation, making the stroll feel less tedious.


    About an hourter, he asked with a smile, "Ms. Kinsey, I like you. What''s your first impression of me?"


    Back in the living room, N had already figured out Emerald''s n—she was trying to set them up.


    There was no point in confronting her about it. Even if N opposed Emerald, the woman would only find another way to force her hand.


    Instead of outright rejecting the n, N decided to approach it on her own terms. She met Ricky''s gaze and replied, "Mr. Chilton, you''re a very nice person."


    He raised an eyebrow. "So, I''m getting the ''good guy'' card?"


    N couldn''t help butugh. "You know that phrase?"


    "Of course. I don''t live in a bubble. Ms. Kinsey, I assume you know why Mrs. Nixon wanted us to meet," Ricky replied.


    "Yes." She paused before asking, "Can I ask you a question?"


    "Go ahead," Ricky said.


    "Does your father, mother, or anyone in your family work for the Nixons?" N asked.


    Ricky hesitated before answering, "My father works under Mrs. Nixon in the Nixons. My mother is a close friend of hers."


    "Then did she tell you that I was already married back in my country? That I have a five-year-old child and that love my husband deeply N asked.


    The moment she finished speaking, Ricky''s expression darkened.


    "I... suddenly remembered I have


    something urgent to take care ofet


    he said stiffly. "I won''t be staying for lunch Please tell Mrs. Nixond. apologize."


    N smiled. "Of course."


    With that, Ricky turned and hurried off.


    Watching him leave, N smirked.


    The real drama was about to begin.


    ...


    Less than an hourter, Emerald stormed into her room, furious. "N! What did you say to Ricky?!"


    To fully control the Nixons, Emerald needed Ricky''s father''s support. Now, thanks to N, everything was falling apart.


    N remained calm, as if she had


    expected this reaction. "I simply told him the truth. After all, how was


    supposed to know whether you had


    told him about P


    marriage to


    Damon back in the country?