Cortez''s light chuckle came from the other end of the phone. "If this is about Kajer Tech, I don''t see the need for a private meeting. We can discuss it publicly once you''ve found your eldest daughter."


    Emerald suppressed her anger. "I want to know why you publicly went against me!"


    He could have spoken to her privately, but instead, he chose to humiliate her in front of everyone.


    "I''m not going against you. You''re just too greedy," Cortez sneered. "You deliberately transferred Kajer Tech''s shares to your daughter so you could use thepany''s annual dividends as leverage over us. That way, we''d have no choice but to let you continue leading the Nixons. Am I wrong?"


    His mocking tone felt like a p to Emerald''s face, making her even angrier. "Cortez, don''t forget—you''re supposed to be on my side!"


    Cortez chuckled. "I''ve always said I only act in my own best interest. I supported you in the past because our interests aligned.


    "But now? You''re hurting my position. We''re no longer partners—we''re opponents."


    "You!" Emerald snapped.


    Cortez interrupted, "If I were you, I''d focus on finding your missing daughter before things spiral further out of control."


    Emerald took a deep breath. "So you''re saying you won''t support me anymore?"


    "That''s right. You''re on your own," Cortez confirmed before hanging up.


    Emerald furiously threw her phone onto the desk, her expression as dark as a storm. She waspletely surrounded by enemies now.


    ...


    An hourter, George entered Emerald''s study.


    She had calmed down somewhat, though her eyes still carried a sharp chill. "George, I told you to find N and Damon. Why haven''t you found them yet?"


    "Ms. Kinsey, our people are doing their best, but there''s a powerful force blocking our investigation...". George hesitated before adding, think would be best to ask, Alexander for help His inteligencework is "


    "Enough," Emerald interrupted coldly. "Keep looking."


    "Understood..." George replied, sensing her foul mood. He didn''t dare say more and quickly left.


    Emerald set down her documents, picked up her phone, and found Alexander''s


    number. Her finger hovered over the dial button, hesitating.


    She thought about what he had said to her before, and how she had told him, in no uncertain terms, that their rtionship was over.


    In the end, she put the phone down without calling.


    She would find N on her own. It was just a matter of time.


    ...


    Alexander was already making preparations to send N, Damon, and Harrison back to Saintornia.


    Although Emerald had taken control


    of Harrison, she had ensured he


    received the best medical care and


    had top-tier nurses looking after him. His condition was stable enough to handle a long flight home.


    "My aunt won''tst much longer," Alexander told them. "Just hold an


    for another two weeks, and you''ll be,


    able to return to Samt?rnia


    1


    arrange for my private jet to take you there."


    N nodded. "Alright. Thank you."


    "No need to thank me," Alexander said with a small smile. "After all, I''m Buddy''s mentor—and your cousin."


    N lowered her gaze. "I really do appreciate it. If it weren''t for you, I probably would''ve been caught by her already."


    Sensing her lingering distrust, Alexander smiled and stood up. "Alright, I have things to do. Call me if you need anything."