The day Vik was locked up was the longest and most agonizing of his life. He no longer wanted to live in constant fear. If they kept fighting with Emerald, they could end up dead.


    Mary looked at him. "Vik, do you really think Emerald will let us go? Do you think you can hide the truth about Brian''s ident forever?"


    Vik''s face went pale, and his entire body trembled. "Mom... I don''t know what to do. I don''t want to fight anymore. I''m scared."


    Mary stepped closer, cing her hands on his shoulders. "Vik, look at me."


    At hermanding tone, Vik summoned the courage to lift his head.


    "The only thing we can do now is fight Emerald and Brian," she said.


    "If we seed, you''ll never have to worry about Brian finding out about the ident because I won''t let him live. If we fail, then the oue will be the same as if we hadn''t fought at all."


    She paused. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Think carefully about whether you want to fight."


    Vik swallowed hard. After a long silence, he spoke. "Okay, Mom, I''ll fight for it."


    Mary smiled with satisfaction. "That''s my son."


    Just then, Edward woke up.


    Upon seeing Vik, his emotions red, and his eyes burned with anger. "Vik, you caused Brian''s ident and made him lose his leg! I won''t let you get away with "


    Before he could say anything else, Mary pped him across the face.


    The sharp sound of the p stunned both Edward and Vik. Neither of them had expected Mary to strike Edward.


    "You dare hit me?!" Edward growled. "Mary, you''re asking for it!"


    For over 20 years, Mary had always been obedient to him. She''d tolerated so much to give birth to Vik and stay by his side. But at that moment, Edward realized he never truly understood Mary.


    Her expression was icy. "What''s wrong with pping you? Edward, you caused this situation yourself."


    "You!" Edward''s voice trembled with fury. "Mary, I will never let your n seed. I''ll hand the Nixons overto Emerald and I''ll never give them to you and Vik!"


    Mary chuckled mockingly. "Since you woke up, Emerald hasn''t evene to see you once. You should have guessed by now who among: the Nixoris is the one most eager to see you dead."


    Edward''s face turned ashen, but he remained silent.


    "You should''ve figured it out—Emerald is the one who most wants you dead. Once


    you''re gone, the Nixons will truly belong to her," Mary emphasized.


    "That would be better than leaving it to you!" Edward growled.


    "Whether it''s left to me or not is no longer your decision," she countered.


    Just then, the door to the room opened.


    Daniel walked in, handing Mary a ss bottle containing white powder.


    "Ms. Jewell, here''s the drug you requested. Just give him one gram daily for seven


    days, and he will fall into aa," Daniel exined.


    Mary took the bottle, smiling as she replied, "Thank you. Go rest."


    After Daniel left, Vik turned to Mary. "Mom, this drug..."


    "It''s for your father," Mary answered.


    Vik instinctively nced at Edward, his hands clenched at his sides. "Mom... do we really have to do this?"