Trading My Ex for His Uncle

The dining room was thick with tension when Brian finally spoke. "Nyla, even though we have different fathers, now that you live here, we're family. Mom is throwing this banquet so everyone knows you're officially part of the Nixons."

Nyla turned to him with a smile. "If this banquet is for me, why am I the last one to know about it?"noveldrama

Brian's gaze darkened slightly, but he remained silent.

Emerald let out a cold laugh. "Does it really matter when you found out?"

"It doesn't," Nyla replied. "But I'd prefer if you didn't pretend this is for my benefit when it's obviously for your own gain. That just makes you look desperate."

"Nyla! Who do you think you're calling desperate?!" Emerald snapped.

If Nyla weren't her biological daughter, Emerald would have kicked her out immediately.

This girl was nothing like the child she remembered. When she was little, she had been sweet and adorable. What had happened to her?

Nyla showed no fear. "I mean you. Do you really need me to spell it out?"

Emerald's fury was palpable. She slammed her utensils down on the table. "Get out!"

Without hesitation, Nyla stood. "Sure. Just have someone open the gate for me. I'd love to leave, but I have a feeling certain people won't actually let me go."

Emerald sneered. "Fine! I'll have the service staff open the gate for you. Let's see how far you get without money or a phone."

"That's none of your concern." With that, Nyla turned and walked toward the estate's entrance.

Brian's expression changed. He leaned toward Emerald and whispered, "Mom, the invitations have already been sent. If she doesn't show up tomorrow, the banquet won't happen."

Besides, people both inside and outside the Nixons already knew about Nyla.

They couldn't just replace her with someone else.

Emerald shot him a cold look. "Let her go! Let's see how long she lasts before she comes crawling back."

It was freezing outside, and Nyla had no money. Danger lurked everywhere. Once she ran into trouble, she'd have no choice but to beg to return.

Seeing that Emerald was too angry to listen to reason, Brian didn't argue further.

After all, Nyla was nothing more than a shield to him—someone to take the hits meant for him. Whether she lived or died was of no concern to him.

Still, letting her die wouldn't be ideal.

He turned to the butler. "Have some people follow her. Make sure nothing happens to her."

Before the butler could respond, Emerald snapped, "No one is to follow her! Let her learn her lesson."

Many people were keeping watch

outside the estate. The moment Nyla stepped out, they'd be on her. If she got caught and suffered a little, so be it.

Once she had a taste of hardship,

Emerald would personally go to net

"rescue" her. After that, she'd be obedient—no more talking back, no more attitude.