Chapter 158 Plan B: Buy an Island
Warren's POV:
"You're saying Emma deliberately cut all ties with North Enterprises?" I asked, my voice strained as I processed this information. "When she insisted on not taking a single share in that contract, I thought she just found the monthly board meetings and decision approvals too troublesome."
"Exactly," Dad confirmed with a grave nod.
Victor, who had been quiet until now, shifted in his leather chair.
"We should have seen this coming," he said.
"What do you mean?" I leaned forward.
"Last year, several gang factions emerged in New York and caused quite a stir," Victor explained. "Various businesses, families, and their enterprises were affected. Construction vehicles were blocked at sites, materials intercepted. CEOs were threatened and blackmailed at high-end clubs. There were even kidnappings of family heirs." He paused. "Do you remember?"
"Of course, but what does this have to do with Emma?" Olivia asked, confusion evident in her voice.
"Countless New York businesses were impacted. Even construction sites under Sterling Group were blocked," Victor continued. "But North Enterprises remained completely untouched."
Olivia's eyes widened. "Are you suggesting Emma was behind this?"
"Not behind it—she was the one who resolved it," Eleanor interjected, understanding dawning on her face. "These matters were settled by Luca and his people. And the only person who could command Luca is Emma."
I remembered how we'd increased security at all our properties when the trouble started, but strangely, these troublemakers never even approached North Enterprises projects. We'd heard of Luca and Noah by reputation, but never suspected any connection to Emma until we rushed to Italy during her coma and saw Luca standing vigil by her bedside.
"Emma has hidden her activities so well in New York, right under our noses," I said, running a hand through my hair. "Her influence in Italy must be even greater than what we've seen or imagined."
Victor gave a dry laugh. "The Norths have been in business for generations. Who would have thought you two would produce a little mafia boss?"
"That wasn't exactly in our parenting plan," Eleanor sighed. "We used to keep track of which police stations she hadn't visited yet. Now we're counting which sections of criminal law she hasn't violated."
"On that front, you can relax. In New York at least, she's probably broken very few laws," Olivia assured us. "From what I know, Luca and Noah are part of the North Tides Club. Given the club's name, it's not hard to figure out who's really in charge."
"Industry insiders know that businesses under the North Tides Club are forbidden from involvement in pornography, gambling, and drugs," she continued. "I'm certain our stubborn daughter established that rule."
Olivia shook her head. "But her activities in Italy... if those were investigated, they'd probably have to rewrite the criminal code, maybe even add some supplements."
Everyone nodded in solemn agreement.
"That's precisely why I called you all here," Dad said, his weathered hands clasped tightly. "To discuss what we should do about Emma's situation."
Eleanor took a sip of her tea before responding. "Dad, you can put your mind at ease about this."
Dad turned to my wife, confused. "What do you mean?"
"If Emma needed us to figure out what to do, the position of the Phoenix family's Donna would have changed hands long ago," Olivia stated matter-of-factly.
"What we need to consider is what we should do—how not to interfere with her or affect the North family," Eleanor added.
"And what should we do? The answer is obvious," Olivia continued. "Everyone in this room is Emma's true family. What we need to do is keep our mouths shut and not say a word. We continue living normally, pretending we know nothing. And if someday she gets tired of it all and wants to stop, we can sell North Enterprises, take the money, take her, and move our entire family to a country where no one knows us."
Everyone nodded in agreement with Olivia's proposal. Only Michael sighed deeply.
"Why are you sighing?" Dad asked, eyeing my son.
"Selling North Enterprises isn't scary. Moving the whole family to another country isn't scary either," Michael explained. "What's truly frightening is that my sister's reputation might have gone global. With the Phoenix family's reach, we might not be able to find a single country where she can live anonymously. That's the terrifying part."
The room fell silent as we contemplated this sobering thought.
Brandon suddenly stood up from the sofa, heading toward the door. Michael called after him: "Brandon, where are you going?"
"Me? I'm going online to search for islands for sale. I'll buy one," Brandon explained, his hand on the doorknob. "When Emma needs us, we can all move there if necessary."
"Save your energy," Eleanor called after him. "I bought an island the day I returned from Italy. I didn't use my real name—I used a hidden identity."
Everyone exchanged stunned glances.
"Since Emma has chosen to protect the family, we must also protect her," Mom, who had been quiet until now, finally spoke. "No one should mention any of this in front of her. Her awakening is already a great blessing."
"Absolutely," Dad agreed.
I hesitated before speaking again, exchanging a glance with Eleanor. "Mom, Dad, there's something Eleanor and I haven't told you."
"What is it? " Dad encouraged me to continue.
"Emma is awake, but she... has lost her memory," I revealed, my voice dropping. "She doesn't remember any period of her life or any person."
"Emma has amnesia?!" Dad stared at Eleanor and me in disbelief.
"You two, pack your bags for Italy," Olivia suddenly instructed Michael and Brandon.
"Huh?" Both men looked at her in confusion.
"When she was well, she always protected the North family, protected all of you," Olivia said, her eyes reddening though she refused to let tears fall. "Now she doesn't remember anything. She'll be vulnerable. As her brother and cousin, you should go protect her."
"They don't need to go," Eleanor interrupted, looking at a message on her phone. "I suspect her amnesia is fake. She's planning something."
"Why do you say that?" Everyone turned to Eleanor, not understanding.
"If Emma truly has amnesia, why would she stay in Italy? What is she trying to do?" Eleanor asked, putting away her phone calmly. "If she really lost her memory, Alexander wouldn't leave her there by herself."
"Explain further," Olivia pressed.
"I suspect Emma is pretending to have amnesia, and Alexander is pretending not to know anything," Eleanor theorized. "I can't guess why Emma is faking it, but it's likely connected to her organization in Italy. As for why Alexander is pretending not to know—there's only one reason. He knows what Emma wants to do. He's taking everyone away from Italy to give her enough space to do whatever she needs to do."
After Eleanor finished speaking, we all considered her words. Her theory seemed to align with what we knew of the situation.
"We'll continue our normal lives," Dad finally said with a resigned sigh. "For over a hundred years, no one in the North family has been involved with the mafia. So we can't help Emma in this regard. The best help we can offer is not to cause her any trouble."