Trading My Ex for His Uncle

Realizing that Alexander had no intention of helping him, Brian let out a cold laugh and stopped pleading. "Fine. Remember what you said today. Since you refuse to help us, from now on, we're enemies!"

With that, he stood up and stormed out.

Watching him leave, Alexander shook his head, sighed, and returned to his bedroom.

Whatever had happened between them was no longer his concern, and he had no intention of getting involved further.

After storming out of Alexander's villa, Brian headed straight back to the estate.

With Alexander refusing to help, Brian was left with no options for resolving the issue with the land in the south.

Should he really go and beg the Bumards?

The thought crossed his mind, but he dismissed it almost immediately.

Even if the Bumards were willing to return the land, they'd surely demand an exorbitant price.

The mere thought of it made Brian's expression darken.

That night, no one in the estate slept well, except Nyla.noveldrama

The next morning, Brian followed Emerald into the study after breakfast.

"Mom, I plan to go south myself and see if I can find another piece of land comparable to the one we lost," Brian announced.

Emerald frowned, immediately rejecting the idea. "No. You're not familiar with the power dynamics in the south. Some areas are off limits, and if you offend the wrong people, money won't be enough to fix it."

The Nixons and the Bumards had been at odds for years, constantly trying to outmaneuver each other. Despite their rivalry, they had some unspoken boundaries.

The south was a different story. The forces there didn't have a long-standing conflict with the Nixons, but that also meant they had no reservations about protecting their own interests.

It had taken the Nixons over a year to secure that piece of land. If Brian went, he could easily offend someone without even realizing it.

Unlike the Bumards, the forces in the south wouldn't just capture him to negotiate -they might kill him outright.

"But you need to stay here and

stabilize the Nixons. I'm the only one

who can go: If you're worried, you can send your secretary with me. He was with you last time you went south and knows the landscape weff. With him there, I won't step on any toes," Brian suggested.

Emerald thought for a moment but remained firm. "No. You'll stay here, recover from your injuries, and focus on learning how to manage the family. I'll figure out the land situation."

Brian met her gaze. "And how exactly are you going to fix it? Just keeping the family together is already overwhelming.

"Besides, this mess is my fault. I should be the one to make it right. If I don't start handling things myself, when will I ever grow up?"

Seeing his determination, Emerald was silent for a long time before speaking. "If I refuse, will you sneak off anyway?"

Brian nodded. "Yes."

Once he made up his mind, no one-not even his mother-could change it.

"Fine. I'll have George go with you.

But you have to promise me one thing-no conflicts with the local forces. If you don't find suitable land in two weeks, you come back immediately," Emerald relented.

"Got it," Brian replied.

Emerald picked up her phone and called George Salter, instructing him to come to

the estate immediately.