Being stuck in the mansion meant there was no way for N to pass on any useful information, even if she did learn something valuable. With that thought, a


    determined look shed in her eyes.


    For the next two days, N stayed in her room, recovering. It wasn''t until the third morning that she finally went downstairs for breakfast.


    At the dining table, only Emerald and Delia were present. Brian was nowhere to be


    seen.


    When Delia saw N, she snorted and turned her head away, pretending not to notice her.


    Emerald''s expression remained aloof. "How''s your cold?"


    "It''s getting better. Thank you for arranging the doctor," N replied.


    Seeing N act so obediently, Emerald froze mid-sip of her coffee. She raised an eyebrow and studied her with a scrutinizing gaze.


    After all, every time they''d met before, N had been sharp-tongued, always saying something to provoke her. But today, it was as if she were apletely different person.


    Suppressing her suspicions, Emerald replied calmly, "Since you''re feeling better, I''ll have Filipe call Andre. You''ll resume your lessons today."


    N nodded. "Okay."


    Just as she responded, the harsh scrape of Delia''s knife and fork against her te broke the moment, drawing both N and Emerald''s attention.


    Emerald''s face darkened slightly. "Delia, if you''re done eating, leave. It''s rude to disturb someone else''s meal."


    Delia''s grip on her utensils tightened, her hands trembling slightly as if she were barely holding back her anger.


    After a long pause, she shot N a re and coldly said, "I won''t give up so easily!" With that, she mmed her knife and fork onto the table and stormed out.


    Emerald looked displeased. "She''s bing more and more unrefined."


    N pulled out a chair and sat down, smiling. "She''s still young. In a few years, she won''t be so willful."


    Emerald studied her, growing more certain that something was off. N never used to speak like this.


    "N, I advise you not to try anything underhanded. Otherwise, I have plenty of ways to make you regret it," she warned.


    "I''m not trying anything," N said. "I had time to think while I was sick. If I keep going against you, I''m the one who suffers, since I''m already in Meristate, there''s no point in making things difficult for myself."


    Seeing that N seemed genuinely at peace, Emerald gave a cold nod. "Good. As long as you understand."


    After breakfast, Emerald left, and N headed for the study.


    When Andre pushed open the study door, he was surprised to see N reading a book on microeconomics. For a moment, he thought he had the wrong room.


    Hearing the door open, N looked up and smiled when she saw him. "Andre, you''re here."


    "Mm." Andre walked into the room, closed the door behind him, and sat across from her. "Did something happen these past few days?"


    Confusion shed in N''s eyes. She shook her head. "No. Why?"


    "Because you seem like a


    N couldn''t help but smile. A bit of life returned to her pale face. "Well, whether I like it or not, I have to study The only difference is whether oit painfully of happily choose thetter."


    Andre smiled. "I like your attitude. Let''s start the lesson, then."


    N nodded. "Okay."


    Andre set hisptop down on the desk, ready to begin, but just then, a knock


    sounded at the study door.