"Ms. Kinsey, Madam is in a bad mood today. If she says or does anything unpleasant, try to endure it to avoid unnecessary trouble," Filipe reminded her.


    "Got it," N replied.


    Dinner that night was tense.


    Emerald sat at the head of the table, her face so dark it seemed a storm was brewing.


    Even the usually chatty Delia was unusually quiet, keeping her head down and eating timidly, not daring to crack a single joke.


    N remained indifferent, acting as if she noticed nothing. She ate at her usual pace, unbothered by the heavy atmosphere.


    Halfway through her meal, she set down her utensils and announced, "I''m done."


    Just as she stood to leave, Emerald spoke in a cold voice. "Wait. I need to talk to youter."


    At this, N sat back down, casually pulling out her phone and starting a zombie- shooting game.


    Delia nced at her from the side, her eyes shing with dissatisfaction at how N seemed unaffected by Emerald''s mood.


    She could understand why Emerald didn''t like N. Who would like someone so indifferent to their own family?


    After dinner, Emerald asked N to join her in the study.


    "You''ve spent enough time around Andre now. I''ve decided-you''re getting engaged next week. We''ll throw a formal reception to announce it," Emerald dered.


    "I refuse," N said tly.


    Emerald furrowed her brow. "This isn''t a discussion. Your refusal is irrelevant. Even if it''s not Andre, it will be someone else. You and Damon are impossible. You need to ept that."


    N chuckled. "Whether Damon and I are possible or not doesn''t matter. I will never be with another man. If you force me, the only thing you''ll get is a corpse. And as for who you want to arrange a marriage with that corpse, that''s entirely up to you."


    "N, aren''t you afraid I''ll do something to Damon and Buddy?" Emerald threatened.


    "Do whatever you want. Even if you promise not to hurt them, I won''t believe you. You''re not someone worth trusting," N countered.


    Emerald mmed her hand on the desk, her voice sharp with anger. "Say that again!"


    "Ms. Kinsey, no matter how many times I say it, the result will be the same. Why make me repeat myself?" N challenged.


    "This engagement is happening whether you like it or not! If you refuse, 4''ll bring Damon and Buddy here and make them watch you get engaged Emerald kissed


    N''s face darkened. "You''re so cruel. Aren''t you afraid of retribution?"


    Emerald sneered. "Retribution? I only believe there''s nothing in this world I plish As for


    can''t


    I''ll deal with it whenes


    "Fine. Then I''ll just wait and see when it catches up to you." With that, N turned and left.


    ...


    Back in her room, N opened her chat with Andre and asked if he knew about Emerald''s n for their engagement next week.


    His reply came quickly.


    Andre: [She talked to me about it today. I agreed.]


    N: [...]


    Andre: [Once we''re engaged, you can move out of the estate and live with me. She won''t be able to control you anymore. Plus, you''ll have an easier time meeting Damon


    A thoughtful look crossed N''s face as she read the message. If getting engaged


    meant she could move out, that was definitely tempting.


    N: [Are you sure I can move out after the engagement?]


    Andre: [Of course. She promised me.]


    Seeing that, N immediately grew wary.


    Emerald had made plenty of promises before, but she had never once kept them.


    N: [Let''s talk about this tomorrow. I need to think it over tonight.]