Brian''s expression was grim as he approached Emerald. "Mom, do you have any suspects for who took N?"


    "There are a few-Jacob, Darcy, Toby, and Antoine. These four have been the biggest obstacles to my control over the Nixons. Every time I make a decision, they push back on purpose," Emerald replied.


    Brian nodded. "Alright, I''ll look into them now and update you as soon as I find anything."


    "Good. We need to find her before the banquet begins," Emerald reminded him.


    "I understand," Brian answered.


    Once Brian left, Delia grew even more anxious.


    A message from her friend popped up on her phone, asking if she had used the methods they had discussed to deal with N.


    She frowned at the message, ignored it, and deleted the chat.


    An hourter, Alexander entered the estate''s living room.


    The moment Delia saw him, it felt as if an angel had descended her whole body rxed in relief.


    Alexander, however, barely noticed her reaction. He walked straight to Emerald. "Aunt Emerald, you called me?"


    that someone is


    "Do you know tha


    secretly helping Prospectus Technology? And that N


    disappearedst night after leaving the estate? I still haven''t found her." Emerald''s voice was heavy, her expression unreadable.


    Alexander remained indifferent. "I didn''t know. Now I do."


    Emerald frowned, her voice sharpening. "I''m telling you so you can help me resolve it. Prospectus Technology must go bankrupt, and N must be found before the banquet!"


    "Aunt Emerald, I''m afraid I can''t help you. I''ve already decided to stay out of the Nixons'' internal affairs," Alexander said.


    "What?!" Emerald stared at him in disbelief, fury shing in her eyes. "What do you mean? Are you still holding a grudge overst time?!"


    Alexander shook his head. "No, you misunderstand. I just don''t agree with your approach. I can''t support some of your actions and you


    refuse to listen to my advice. So I''ve decided to step awaypletely. Do whatever you want."


    "So you came here not to help me, but to sever ties?" Emerald demanded.


    She had raised Alexander like her own son for years, yet now he was turning his back on her just because she wanted to take down Prospectus Technology?


    "Aunt Emerald, I''m not severing ties with you. I just don''t want to be involved anymore.


    "And let''s be honest this situation is your own doing. If you had kept your word and supported Prospectus Technology instead of trying to destroy him, N wouldn''t have run away," Alexander stated.


    "If I had to guess, whoever took her is positioning themselves to take over the Nixons instead of you.


    "Even if you manage to bring her back, she won''t be on your side anymore. You should give up on her and find another way," he analyzed.


    "Impossible!" Emerald''s face was ice-cold as she red at him, disappointment written all over her features. "Alexander, I misjudged you. If you refuse to help me, then from this moment forward we''re done!"