Even Brian and Delia, whom Emerald had spoiled, were expendable in her eyes—if they ever posed a threat to her position, she wouldn''t hesitate to give them up.


    To her, family had alwayse second to the Nixons.


    At exactly 3:00 p.m., Emerald''s car pulled up outside Alexander''s vi.


    She stepped out and walked into the living room, where Alexander and N were already waiting.


    Without a word, she sat down, picked up the documents on the table, and flipped through them.


    After confirming there were no issues, she signed thest page, then pulled a bank card from her bag and ced it on the table.


    She slid it toward N. "The password is six zeroes."


    Alexander picked up the card and handed it to his assistant. "Go check it."


    Emerald''s expression stiffened. "Alexander, what the hell does that mean?!"


    Was he trying to humiliate her by having his assistant verify the card right in front of her?


    "Aunt Emerald, it''s for both our peace of mind. This way, there won''t be any issuester," Alexander exined calmly.


    Emerald let out a coldugh. "Fine!"


    Too angry to say anything more, she turned away, refusing to look at them.


    Alexander, unfazed, waited patiently for his assistant to return.


    Ten minutester, the assistant walked back in and handed the card to Alexander. "Mr. Kinsey, everything checks out."


    Alexander nodded and passed the card to N. "N, take this. Think of it aspensation for everything my aunt put you through."


    N shook her head. "No. I don''t want anything to do with her anymore. From this moment on, I have no connection to her. As far as I''m concerned, my mother died when I was in elementary school."


    The words had barely left her mouth when Emerald snapped, "N! What nonsense are you spouting?! Are you cursing me?!"


    "Ms. Kinsey, in my heart, you are not my mother. So I meant no offense. If you feel insulted, I apologize," N said calmly.


    Although her words were polite, her expression showed no hint of regret.


    Emerald''s chest tightened in anger.


    "Fine. If you''re cutting ties, then take the money. From now on, I''ll act like I never had a daughter!" Emerald snapped.


    "I don''t need your money," N replied.


    What she needed was a mother''s love—and no amount of money could ever make


    up for the 20-plus years she had spent without it.


    She grabbed her bag and walked out without looking back.


    Emerald turned to Alexander. "Do you see how she acts? Even if I wanted to make amends, she''s making it impossible!"


    "Aunt Emerald, you owe her too much. But at this point, it doesn''t matter anymore. Just don''t disturb her life again. Maybe this is the best oue for both of you," Alexander replied.


    For some reason, Emerald felt a sharp pain in her chest when she heard those words.


    She closed her eyes briefly, then stood up. "Make sure she takes the money. After this, we have nothing to do with each other."


    With that, she strode out of the vi.


    Watching her leave, Alexander sighed and went to find N.


    No matter how much he tried to convince her, she refused to ept the money.


    Left with no choice, he went to Damon and exined the situation.


    After hearing everything, Damon simply said, "I agree with her decision If she''s cutting ties, it should beplete Taking th money would onlyplicate things."


    Alexander shook his head in frustration: "You and N are both so stubborn. If it were me, I''d take the money in a heartbeat and leave. Consider it payment for emotional distress."