N stared at Emerald. "Don''t forget, you promised I could visit my father anytime. Are you going back on your word again?"


    Emerald paused for a moment. "You can go after work, but not during office hours."


    "Fine. I''ll go tomorrow evening." N turned and left without another word.


    A flicker of something crossed Emerald''s eyes while watching her go.


    Suddenly, her phone on the desk buzzed.


    Seeing the caller ID, she quickly answered. "Cortez, why are you calling me sote?"


    Cortez''s cold voice came through the receiver. "Emerald, I just heard you sold thatnd in the south to the Bumards?!"


    Emerald''s grip tightened around the phone. "How did you find out about that?"


    "How I know is none of your concern. What matters is that you need to buy it back. If you don''t, I won''t support you anymore!" Cortez threatened.


    Cortez had supported Emerald''s rise to power within the Nixons because she had promised to relocate them to the south.


    For years, the Nixons had longed for that move-north could neverpete with the more economically developed south of Meristate. Only by relocating could the Nixons continue to grow.


    They had spent over a year securing that southernnd, nning to use it as the family''s future headquarters.


    But now, before they could even begin making ns, Emerald had foolishly sold it to the Bumards for her son!


    Just thinking about it made Cortez furious.


    Emerald replied, "Cortez, the Bumards will drive a hard bargain if I try to buy thend back."


    "That''s your problem. I want that


    stop supporting you, but everyone who backed you will abandon You


    You wouldn''t want us all backing


    Mary''s son, would you?"


    "Are you threatening me?" Emerald snapped.


    Cortez sneered. "It''s not a threat but a warning. Brian is an idiot. I suggest you cut ties with him before he drags you down any further."


    Emerald''s expression darkened, and her voice turned cold. "Don''t worry. I''ll find a piece ofnd that''s just asrge, with a better location."


    "Good. I''ll give you a month. After that, I want thatnd. Nond, and you can retire and live quietly," Cortez said, his tone final, before hanging up.


    Emerald mmed the phone down onto the desk, her face twisted with fury.


    A month-so little time! How was she supposed to findnd that quickly?


    She had hoped Cortez wouldn''t find out so soon, giving her more time to figure out how to handle thend issue. But she hadn''t expected Ross'' side to leak it so quickly.


    A surge of rage red up inside her. Grabbing the phone again, she dialed Ross'' number.


    The phone quickly connected, but instead of Ross'' voice, it was the


    voice of his butler Good evening


    Mrs. Nixon. Mr. Bumard is resting now. If you need anything, you can catt him in the morning."


    Emerald took a deep breath, her voice cold. "Tell Ross he won''t get away with scheming against me like this!"


    She hung up, realization hitting


    her-Ross had been scheming


    against her ever since the fight between Brian and the Bumgard


    member. That was why he had


    pushed for the southernnd.