The porcin shattered against the floor, tea sttering everywhere.


    Emerald''s gaze remained fixed on the broken shards, her eyes burning with rage. Filipe, who had been walking down the hallway, entered the room.


    Upon seeing the mess on the floor, he didn''t seem the least bit surprised. Instead, he turned to Emerald and said, "Madam, Mr. Nixon has woken up."


    At those words, the anger on Emerald''s face was reced by a flicker of relief. She immediately stood and hurried toward Brian''s room.


    Before following, Filipe nced at the nearby maids, who were trembling in fear, and instructed, "Clean this up."


    "Yes, sir!" the maids answered in unison.


    Only after Emerald and Filipe had left did the maids finally breathe a sigh of relief, quickly grabbing cleaning supplies.


    A short whileter, Emerald arrived at Brian''s bedroom.


    He was already sitting up in bed, eating some soup. His face was pale, drawn with exhaustion and a deep sense of despair.


    From the moment he had woken, he knew something was wrong—his right leg was gone.


    Emerald walked over and took the bowl from the maid''s hands. "I''ll do it."


    She scooped up a spoonful of soup and held it out to Brian, but he shook his head. "I''m full. I don''t want any more."


    He turned his head away, his expression cold and distant. Emerald''s heart ached at the sight.


    "Brian, I know losing your leg is hard to ept, but medical technology is very advanced now. Once you recover, you can get a prosthetic. You''ll be able to walk just like before—no one will even notice the difference," she said softly.


    Brian let out a bitterugh, his face contorting with mockery.


    "No difference? How could there be no difference? The whole world knows I''ve lost


    a leg. Do you really think they''ll still let me inherit the Nixons?


    "If I had known this would happen, I never would''ve let you save me when the Bumards had me locked up. At least then, I wouldn''t have lost my leg he cried the words sharp with regret.


    Emerald''s frown deepened, her voice turning cold. "You think if I hadn''t saved you, they would''ve


    t let you go? They made it very clear very clear ty refused to hand over thatnd, they would release you missing a limb."


    Brian let out a bitter chuckle. "Might as well have agreed. I''m missing a limb now anyway."


    Now, not only had he lost his leg, but thend in the south was gone too. It was aplete disaster.


    Emerald''s expression darkened. "No one could have predicted this oue. And don''t tell me that if I


    hadn''t saved you, you wouldn''t have


    resented me for choosing the Nixons over you."


    Hearing the anger in her voice, Brian clenched his jaw and said coldly, "I want to be alone. Please leave."


    Without another word, he turned his back to her, signaling that the conversation was


    over.


    Looking at his lonely, defeated figure, Emerald felt a sharp pang in her heart. But in the end, she could do nothing but sigh and walk out.


    She lingered at the door for a moment. Then, from inside, she heard the sound of muffled sobs.


    Brian was crying.


    Emerald''s heart twisted with pain.


    When Brian had been born, she and Edward had been at the height of their love,


    and she had poured so much affection into him.


    Of all her children, Brian had been the one she loved the most.


    Now, the son she cherished most had lost a leg in a ruthless scheme—one that had robbed him of the future he was meant to have.