Nichs arched an eyebrow, sensing an opportunity and chose not to rectify the misunderstanding. He extended his hand for a handshake and greeted Ariel. "Hello there, can wee in and talk?" "Of course, of course, pleasee inside," Ariel replied, originally nning to leave but deciding to stay upon their arrival.


    Quinn wasn''t certain about Nichs''s intentions, but she trusted his judgment and followed them inside.


    Ariel weed them warmly, offering water and serving fruit. Nichs scanned the room. A worn-out nket was strewn haphazardly on the sofa, an anomaly in the otherwise luxurious setting. Picking up the nket, Nichs didn''t need to sniff it to recognize the distinct scent of the elderly. "Ay, Alexander, this is dirty. Let me take it away." Ariel hastily grabbed the nket and tossed it into a hamper in the bathroom.


    Nichs continued to survey the room, his eyesnding on a bowl with a Sebastian resting on it, ced on a liquor cab next to the dining area. Behind the closed kitchen door, someone was cooking, but it was unclear who it was. Upon Ariel''s return, Nichs asked him, "Is that your wife cooking in the kitchen?" Ariel''s expression subtly shifted. His wife had gone to her mother''s and hadn''t returned, so the cook was naturally his mother. He forced a chuckle, "No, it''s my mom. You know how seniors are. They''ve got to keep busy with something, or they get restless."Nichs nodded and settled back onto the sofa, "Let''s get down to business." Ariel''s eyes sparkled with anticipation, and he rubbed his hands together, "Quinn must have told you, right?" Nichs nodded, "Yes, she told me everything. So cut the act and get to the point."


    Ariel smirked, realizing his mother still held some sway in The Kennedys, enough to bring Alexander personally to his doorstep. He couldn''t help but contemte extracting a substantial sum. Suddenly, half a million seemed too little.N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


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    "All right, let''s not beat around the bush. Five million, and you can take my mother away. Otherwise, there''s no deal!"


    Quinn became anxious, wanting desperately to interject but unable to speak. Ariel couldn''t understand signnguage, leaving her feeling helplessly frustrated. But Nichs shot her a reassuring nce."You''re extorting us, using your own mother as a bargaining chip. That''s no different than kidnapping. Aren''t you afraid we''ll sue you andnd you behind bars?"


    Ariel''s demeanor shifted instantly, his once ingratiating smile disappearing without a trace. With a stern look, he retorted, "Go ahead, sue me! She''s my mom. I''ll do as I please. Do you think I''m scared? Do you have any proof? I haven''t kidnapped her!"


    Nichs countered, "And your ckmailing us isn''t evidence enough?"Ariel, taken aback, grew visibly impatient. "What are you even doing here? If you''re not here to talk seriously, then leave. You Kennedys, with your vast fortune, squabbling over five million dors. You''re downright embarrassing, ugh!"


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    "As we leave, you''re not going to mistreat your mother, are you?"Ariel chuckled, "Mind your own business. If you don''t want to pay up, don''t stand around here pretending to be saints."


    In the midst of his rant, Juliet emerged from the kitchen unannounced, and with a heavy thwack, her spat struck Ariel on the head. "You beast! How dare you trade me for five million dors? You might as well kill me!"


    As Ariel clutched his head and whirled around to re at Juliet, his hand rose. He was ready to strike, "You senile old hag, are you looking for trouble?!"


    Unfazed, Juliet thrust her face forward, challenging, "Go on, hit me! Show them what kind of son you are, you heartless brute, still after the money. Serves you right to be penniless all your life!"


    Ariel was seething, his chest heaving with rage. Were it not for fear of harming the frail figure before him, his p would have alreadynded on her.


    He wanted the money, sure, but not the charge of murder.