Once his men left, Darcy freshened up and walked into the living room.


    Mary and Vik were already awake.


    He turned to Mary. "Mary, take Vik to the hospital after breakfast to stay with Edward. Leave the rest to me."


    Mary nodded, though her gaze was filled with worry. "Be careful."


    "I''ve weathered bigger storms than this. A small matter like this is nothing," Darcy reassured her.


    After breakfast, Mary and Vik left while Darcy prepared to call a meeting.


    Just as he was about to gather his allies, his phone rang.


    He narrowed his eyes when he saw Emerald''s name on the screen. Answering, he


    said, "Emerald, what brings you to call me at this hour?"


    "I''m back. Come to the estate immediately," Emerald said coolly.


    Darcy''s expression darkened. He hadn''t expected her to return so soon.


    "You''re not joking, are you?" he asked.


    "You''ll know when you get here." With that, Emerald hung up.


    A sense of unease crept into Darcy''s heart. He immediately called one of the family members who had pledged their support to him the day before.


    The phone rang for a long time before the other party finally picked up. "Darcy? Why are you calling so early?"


    "Did you know that Emerald is back?" Darcy asked.


    There was a pause on the other end before the person''s shocked voice echoed. "What?! How did she return so fast?"


    By their calctions, Emerald should have stayed in the south for at least three days. Yet, she hade back after just one night.


    "She called me, saying she wants to hold a meeting. But I suspect that''s just a cover -her real goal is to deal with me," Darcy disclosed.


    The man on the other end panicked. "What should we do?"


    "I have to go, but you need to start


    gathering our people. If I don''t


    contact you wit


    within an hour, storm


    the estate and get me out. We have no way out now. No matter what happens, we have to fight her head-on," Darcy instructed


    "Understood. I''ll get on it now," the man replied.


    Rustling sounds came through the receiver, indicating the man was getting dressed.


    "Good. I''m heading out," Darcy said.


    After hanging up, he ordered his butler to prepare the car and drove straight to Emerald''s estate.


    ...


    As soon as his car pulled up to the gate, a maid stepped forward, e opened the door for him, and bowed respectfully. "Mr. Payne, Madam is waiting for you in the garden Please follow me."


    Darcy didn''t speak. His face was cold as he nodded and followed the maid inside.


    In the gazebo, Emerald was sipping tea. When she saw him, she smirked.


    "Darcy, you got here quite fast. Have a seat," she invited.


    Darcy scoffed and sat down across from her. "Emerald, since we''re past the point of pretending let''s getto the point. Hand over contrat of the Nixons, and I''ll release Delia."


    Emerald raised an eyebrow. "And what if I refuse?"


    Darcy''s expression turned ice-cold. "Then I''ll have no choice but to use force. When


    that happens, I can''t guarantee what wille next."


    Emerald chuckled. "So, should I be thanking you for giving me a choice?"