Chapter 14 Zoe's Performance
In that split second of chaos!
From the crowd, two tall figures shot forward like arrows, breaking through the pandemonium and racing toward her!
Time stretched endlessly.
The anticipated agony never came.
Just as the glass rain began to fall, she saw a flash of white.
Then a broad, warm chest slammed into her back, pulling her tightly into protective arms.
The heavy impact nearly knocked the breath from her lungs, but it brought with it an overwhelming sense of security.
The deafening crash of shattering glass filled her ears, yet seemed muffled behind a barrier.
That person had used his own body to shield her from everything.
As the chaotic sounds gradually died down, Emma's lashes trembled as she slowly opened her eyes.
She found herself gazing up at Matthew's sharp jawline and the undisguised urgency and concern in his deep eyes.
His arms held her impossibly tight, his burning warmth seeping through the thin fabric of her dress.
"Are you hurt?"
His voice carried the slight breathlessness of exertion, his gaze rapidly scanning her entire body, checking for injuries.
"Tell me where it hurts."
Emma shook her head, still not fully recovered from the shock.
Just then, a tearful cry came from the other side.
"Nicholas!"
Emma looked over, her heart clenching painfully.
Zoe had thrown herself into Nicholas's arms, crying inconsolably as she clutched his arm.
"You're bleeding! Nicholas, your hand is injured!"
Nicholas's left hand and forearm bore several clear gashes, blood seeping through and staining his expensive white tuxedo.
The glass shards had been sharp enough to slice through fabric with ease—if they had cut her flesh directly, the damage would have been horrific.
"I'm so sorry, Nicholas."
Zoe sobbed hysterically, her performance painfully obvious.
"It's all my fault—I shouldn't have stood so close... If you hadn't tried to save me, you wouldn't have gotten hurt."
She continued her tearful lament while carefully cradling Nicholas's injured hand, tears streaming down her face.
Emma stared at Nicholas, just two steps away.
He had also been racing in this direction, just as fast as Matthew.
For a fleeting moment, she had even felt a tiny spark of hope—one she barely dared acknowledge.
But now reality delivered the most resounding slap to her face.
So when he had rushed forward so desperately, his target had never been her.
It had always been his precious Zoe.
Even with Emma in danger, he saw only Zoe.
Her heart felt like it was being pierced by countless tiny needles, a dull ache spreading through her chest until she could barely breathe.
His heroic rescue had nothing to do with her. It never had.
Nicholas's gaze moved past Zoe's head to land on Emma.
Seeing her safe and unharmed in Matthew's protective embrace, the flash of alarm in his eyes quickly faded, settling into an unfathomable calm.
He didn't even ask if she was alright.
Instead, he lowered his head, his voice carrying a tenderness Emma had never heard before as he gently patted Zoe's back in comfort.
"Don't cry. I'm fine." He paused, then added, "As long as you're okay."
Those words hit Emma like a stinging slap across the face.
The burning pain was unbearable.
Charlie rushed over, his face etched with worry.
"Mr. Harrison, you're injured. Please come with me to the medical bay."
Nicholas nodded, allowing Charlie to carefully support his wounded arm.
Before turning to leave, he didn't spare Emma even a glance.
The event coordinator also hurried over, directing staff to quickly clean up the mess while loudly reassuring the startled guests.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we sincerely apologize for this minor incident. Please don't be alarmed!"
"Everything is being handled. Please move to the lounge area."
Emma's gaze followed Nicholas's retreating figure until he disappeared around the corner.
The dense, throbbing pain in her chest didn't lessen—if anything, it intensified.
She knew with crystal clarity that something had shattered along with that champagne tower.
Completely and irreparably broken.
It could never be put back together.
Soon, the scene was cleaned up, leaving no trace of the earlier accident.
Zoe reappeared in the ballroom and walked directly to Emma's side.
"Emma, you shouldn't be here. You're just an orphan—did you really think that pretty face could secure you the position of Mrs. Harrison? Stop deluding yourself. Nicholas has always loved me."
Zoe spoke with righteous indignation, clearly trying to provoke her, continuing her tirade:
"You should understand—interfere with Nicholas and my relationship, and my mother won't let you get away with it."
Indeed, she had mentioned her mother.
Emma looked at her coldly, her eyes freezing over.
A long-forgotten face surfaced in her mind—the face that had caused her so much suffering.
Zoe continued stoking the fire, "Emma, you need to face reality. In such a dangerous moment, Nicholas's first instinct was to save me. You know what that means."
Emma stared at this woman and said coldly, "Zoe, you're truly pathetic!"
Zoe instantly bristled.
"Emma, what did you say? Nicholas doesn't love you—you're the pathetic one! You don't even know, do you? When you miscarried, he was in my bed."
Zoe covered her mouth and laughed, knowing the devastating impact of those words.
Emma's eyes darkened for a moment before quickly regaining their composure.
"Ms. Perez, you'd better keep working hard to marry into the Harrison family soon."
Zoe sneered confidently, "Emma, I have plenty of ways to make Nicholas throw you out with nothing."
Evelyn had just walked over and, hearing such cruel words, felt her anger flare. But she smiled with icy menace.
"Well, well, if it isn't Ms. Perez."
Evelyn's voice was perfectly pitched—loud enough for several people nearby to hear, her mockery undisguised.
"That outfit must have cost a fortune. Anyone who didn't know better would think you were here for a red carpet event."
Zoe's smile froze momentarily. Turning to see Evelyn, disgust flashed briefly in her eyes before she quickly replaced it with a practiced smile.
"Ms. Jackson, you're too kind. Today marks the Harrison Group's fiftieth anniversary—naturally, I wanted to dress appropriately to show respect."
"Respect?" Evelyn scoffed, stepping closer and lowering her voice, though her eyes were like poisoned daggers.
"This is the first time I've seen a mistress lurking in the shadows maintain such righteousness and composure at an event like this. Ms. Perez, your psychological fortitude is truly... admirable!"
"How dare you spout such nonsense!"
Zoe's expression instantly changed, her voice turning shrill as she nearly knocked over her wine glass in her agitation.
"Evelyn, stop making false accusations!"
"Am I making false accusations? Don't you know the truth in your own heart?" Evelyn raised an eyebrow, her tone becoming increasingly cutting.
"You were just bragging about your bedroom prowess. What's wrong? Can't handle a little criticism?"
People around them had begun to notice the commotion, casting curious glances their way.