Alexander frowned. "Aunt Emerald, must you force me?"


    Before going to Saintornia, Emerald had promised to respect N''s wishes as much as possible.


    Yet, once she arrived, she acted entirely on her own terms, leaving no room for negotiation. She even went back on the conditions she had agreed to once N reached Meristate.


    Sometimes, Alexander couldn''t understand.


    Was N really Emerald''s daughter, or was she her enemy? What kind of mother could be so ruthless to her own child?


    Even if Emerald had only ever seen N as a tool, did she really have to be this cruel?


    Emerald''s expression darkened, her gaze filled with anger and disappointment as she looked at Alexander.


    "Alexander, who''s really forcing whom here? Don''t forget, the Kinseys'' sess today is in no small part thanks to me. The position your father and you enjoy now exists because of my efforts. Anyone else can betray me, but you cannot!" she barked.


    Alexander pressed his lips together, staring at his aunt, who now seemed like a stranger to him.


    It was true that Emerald had helped the Kinseys immensely, but now that he could see she was on the wrong path, he couldn''t continue supporting her.


    "Is it really worth sacrificing your daughter and your conscience just for your son?" he asked.


    "That''s not for you to decide! You only need to answer me-will you help me, or are we cutting ties?" Emerald pressed.


    The room fell into an uneasy silence.


    Sensing the tension, Delia quickly got up and rushed over. She grabbed Alexander''s arm, pleading, "Alexander, just apologize to my mom! Tell her you know you were wrong. She''ll definitely forgive you!"


    Panic was written all over her face. She had never seen Alexander argue with Emerald before, let alone hear Emerald threaten to cut ties with him.


    The consequences of that scared her.


    Alexander nced at Delia, noting her fear and desperation.


    He had always


    doted on his cousin.


    Yet, reflecting on what N had endured over the yearspared to Delia, who had been pampered and carefully raised-he couldn''t help but feel a pang of injustice for Ny?a.


    At that moment, he finally understood why N had always been cold and distant


    toward Emerald, why she refused toe to Meristate with her.


    If he were in her ce, he wouldn''t have forgiven Emerald either.


    With that realization, Alexander turned to Emerald and said firmly "Aunt Emerald, if you can''t treat N the same way you treat Delia and


    Brian, then I can help you anymore."


    Emerald let out a coldugh. "So, you''re really willing to cut ties with me over N?"


    "She''s not just anyone—she''s your daughter. And she''s my cousin," Alexander emphasized.


    "To me, she''s just a pawn. I stopped seeing her as my daughter long ago," Emerald retorted.


    Alexander nodded. "You have your own views, and I can''t change them. But I have my own principles, and I won''t abandon them. I hope you g?t what you want. If there''s nothing else, I''ll take my leave."


    With that, he turned and walked out.


    Emerald''s sharp, furious voice echoed behind him. "Alexander, don''t regret this! If we cut ties, everything I''ve given to the Kinseys—I can take it all back in an instant!"


    Alexander paused for a brief moment but didn''t look back. He walked straight out of the living room.


    Emerald was livid, her anger nearly driving her mad. Her hatred for N deepened. Ever since N arrived in Meristate, nothing had gone her way!