N exited the chat app, set her phone aside, and contemted whether or not to follow through with the engagement.


    The prospect of moving out of the estate was a huge incentive. However, if Emerald went back on her word, N would have no recourse.


    While she was lost in thought, a sudden, urgent knock interrupted her.


    She rose and opened the door to find a flustered maid. "Ms. Kinsey, Madam wants you in the main hall immediately."


    Seeing the maid''s ashen face, N felt a sinking sensation in her gut. She asked quietly, "What happened?"


    The maid hesitated, as if struggling to find the right words. "I-It''s Mr. Nixon... You''ll understand when you get there."


    Without further questioning, N hurried to the hall.


    Upon entering, she saw Emerald sitting on the sofa, her expression as dark as a thundercloud. Delia sat beside her, crying.


    N took a seat across from Emerald.


    Before N could speak, Emerald did. "Brian had an ident. I''m leaving for the south first thing in the morning. For the next few days, you and Delia are to stay in the estate and behave. If you cause any trouble while I''m gone, you''ll answer for it when I return."


    She turned to Filipe. "Is the flight booked?"


    Filipe''s face was grim. He shook his head. "The earliest avable flight is at 6:00 a.m. tomorrow."


    "Then get the private jet ready. I want the pilot on standby at the airstrip!" Emerald snapped.


    "Understood. I''ll make the call now," Filipe replied.


    Without another word, Emerald strode out.


    Watching her leave, N felt confused. She still had no idea what had happened to


    Brian. Given Emerald''s reaction, it was no minor incident.


    After Emerald left, Delia quickly retreated to her room.


    N stayed in the hall, waiting for Filipe''s return.


    When he finally did, she asked, "What exactly happened to Brian?"


    Filipe sighed heavily. "I heard he was in a car ident... and lost a leg. But I don''t know the full details. We''ll have to wait for Madam to return for more information  fo


    N paused. Now she understood why Emerald had looked so grim and why Delia had been crying so much.


    Emerald had always viewed Brian as the heir to the Nixons. Losing a leg was a devastating blow.


    It didn''t mean much to N, though. She had no real bond with her half-brother. His fate was of no concern to her.


    Seeing her silence, Filipe spoke softly. "Ms. Kinsey, you should get some rest." N hummed in response.


    ...


    News of Brian''s injury spread quickly within the Nixons.


    Within hours, it reached other powerful families, including the Bumards. By the end


    of the day, nearly all the major families in the north had heard about it.


    Late that night, Darcy rushed into Edward''s hospital room.


    "Mary, I just got word. Brian was in a car ident in the south. He''s still in surge and Emerald''s already left to handle it This is our chance!" he announced.


    They had waited years for an opportunity like this.


    Mary kept her excitement in check. "What should we do now?"


    "I''m gathering the Nixons'' key members for a meeting to see who''s willing to back


    us," Darcy replied.


    Mary nodded. "And don''t forget-go


    to the estate and take Delia and N under control.


    sefü


    They''ll bec


    bargaining chips when it''s time to negotiate with Emerald."