Emerald''s expression darkened. "Cortez, that''s a serious usation. I have never tried to hollow out the Nixons. Since taking over, I''ve worked tirelessly for the family''s sess. If you choose not to believe me, so be it."


    She added, "If you insist on resolving the Kajer Tech issue first, then this meeting is over. We''ll discuss it again once I find my daughter."


    Without another word, Emerald stood and left.


    The moment she was gone, murmurs erupted throughout the room-voices filled with frustration and resentment.


    "We can''t let Emerald keep leading the family like this! Who knows how much more damage she''ll cause?"


    Several people turned sharp res toward Cortez.


    "Cortez, you''ve always backed Emerald. Did you really not know she''s turned Kajer into her ownpany?"


    "I bet he turned a blind eye because she gave him something in return!"


    "Hold on. If Cortez was really benefiting from Emerald''s deals, he wouldn''t have called her out just now. I trust him."


    Cortez let out a coldugh, sweeping his gaze over the group. "Believe whatever you want—it makes no difference to me. I only look out for my own interests."


    Without sparing them another nce, he turned and walked out.


    Mary watched him go, a smile on her face, before quickly following after him.


    "Mr. Rex," she called. "Would you be free for a mealter?"


    Cortez turned to her, his gaze frosty. "Ms. Jewell, I have work to do. I''m not interested."


    Mary''s smile froze for a moment, but she recovered quickly. "I''d like to talk about Edward and Emerald. If you ever have time, just let me know."


    Cortez''s voice was as cold as ever. "I doubt I''ll have the time. Emerald may have mismanaged things, but that doesn''t mean I''d ever let Vik run the Nixons."


    As he spoke, his gaze flicked toward Vik, who stood behind Mary,ced with contempt.


    Vik? Running the Nixons? He might as well let Emerald keep running it.


    Vik and Brian were nothing more than pampered, useless children.


    Under the weight of Cortez''s gaze, Vik''s face paled, and he instinctively looked away.


    Cortez scoffed, then turned and walked off, his presence radiating ice-cold indifference.


    It was only after he disappeared from view that Vik scowled. "He looks down on us!"


    Mary remained calm. "Of course he


    does. To him, I''m just Edward''s


    mistress, and you''re just an


    illegitimate son. But it doesn''t


    matter Soon enough, I''ll make sure he knows who truly runs the Nixons."


    ...


    Back at the estate, Emerald arrived home with a storm cloud hanging over her.


    Filipe noticed immediately. "Madam, did something happen?"


    "Nothing," she replied curtly. "Bring tea to my study."


    "Yes, Madam," Filipe obeyed.


    Emerald strode into her study, tossing her bag onto the couch, fury burning in her eyes.


    How dare Cortez treat her like that?


    They were supposed to be on the


    same side, yet he had sided with


    Mary in front of everyone. Content.


    She had clearly misjudged him.


    The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. She grabbed her phone and dialed cortez


    number. Content belone


    The phone rang twice before he picked up. "Emerald, what do you need?"


    "Get to the estate. Now," Emerald demanded.