Chapter 179 Dr. N's Mysterious Boyfriend
"What are you talking about?" Emma snapped defensively.
"Nothing, just planning ahead." Nicholas gently ruffled her hair, his eyes overflowing with indulgence.
The executives around them were stunned, hardly daring to look directly. When had they ever seen their CEO so tender?
Next, Nicholas pulled the report from her hands, his well-defined fingers spreading the document open.
"Don't worry about the complicated stuff. Just focus on these key numbers."
His long index finger tapped lightly across the pages.
"This is sales revenue."
"This is inventory."
"This is income versus expenditure."
"And this," his fingertip finally stopped on one particular figure, "is profit."
Emma's gaze followed his finger's movement. When she saw the long string of digits clearly, her eyes widened instantly.
A full ten digits.
And this was just from the domestic 277 HG Malls, for only one month.
She remembered Charlie mentioning earlier that international revenue was roughly double the domestic figures.
He'd been so generous in gifting her the malls, wouldn't this infuriate Mia?
Emma's mind raced, and suddenly something occurred to her.
She slowly lifted her head to look at the devastatingly handsome man beside her.
Then, in a casual tone, she dropped a bombshell.
"Nicholas, you make so much money, yet you only gave me three hundred million in the divorce. Doesn’t your conscience bother you?"
Nicholas fell silent.
The gentle expression on his face froze completely.
The four executives didn't dare speak. They all lowered their heads in unison, wishing they could disappear into the floor, desperately trying to minimize their presence.
Charlie's internal alarm bells went off, his mind spinning frantically.
With a single glance, everyone understood and quietly retreated from the room.
"Emma, the three hundred million was just cash. Fixed assets weren't included yet." Nicholas's voice was confident. "Everything I have belongs to you. Whatever you want, I can give you."
His voice was deep and magnetic, almost hypnotic.
Emma stared directly at him, her clear eyes showing no emotion whatsoever.
She watched him for a full ten seconds before slowly speaking.
"Then I want your black card." She paused, then added, "The unlimited one."
The deep affection and certainty on his face instantly froze.
The air fell deathly silent.
Emma watched his expression change, and the last trace of warmth drained from her eyes.
She pushed away his arm that was braced against the armrest and stood up.
"I'll get back to coding now. Unless it's something important, don't disturb me." Emma said coldly.
She got up and left.
Nicholas remained frozen in place, his expression darker than a storm cloud.
Charlie looked at this scene, completely baffled.
He cautiously approached, "Mr. Harrison, why didn't you agree to give Mrs. Harrison the card?"
It was just a card, wasn't it? With Mr. Harrison's wealth, ten cards wouldn't matter.
Nicholas's expression was thunderous, the pressure around him suffocating.
He ground out through clenched teeth, "The card... I gave it to Zoe."
Charlie fell silent.
His brain crashed for three seconds. What a mess this had become!
Back in her office, Emma coded at lightning speed, her fingertips dancing across the keyboard with crisp, rhythmic sounds.
She really did want to finish quickly and leave Harrison Group as soon as possible.
All morning, her chest had felt stuffed with cotton, heavy and uncomfortable.
At lunch, she barely touched her food before putting down her cutlery.
Nicholas stared at her small figure on the screen, his heart feeling even more stifled.
He didn't know when it had started, but her emotions now directly controlled his own.
FD's little head suddenly poked around the door, and it toddled over on short legs.
"Hi, Emma! Long time no see. I missed you so much!"
Emma lifted her eyes to look at the little thing and casually picked up some vegetables from her plate, holding them near its mouth.
"Come on, open up. Want a bite?"
FD’s electronic voice carried a hint of its helplessness. "But I can't eat human food. It's such a shame—I'd really love to taste it."
It just stood there, watching longingly with a pitiful expression.
"Unit 001, I'm sorry." She reached out and took its cool little hand.
Actually, she was apologizing for what had happened a few days ago.
FD looked up, its electronic eyes blinking. "Emma has nothing to be sorry for. 001 still likes Emma very much."
She patted its head. "Thank you."
FD suddenly seemed to remember something and perked up. "Emma, you look unhappy. Let me sing for you! I just learned something new."
Emma's eyes instantly brightened. "You can sing? Quick, quick—let's hear it!"
FD cleared its throat and suddenly burst into song.
A musical theater number delivered in electronic tones poured out.
The melody and rhythm made Emma burst into laughter.
Seeing her laugh, Nicholas's expression softened considerably.
That afternoon, Charlie arranged for afternoon tea to be delivered.
Emma stopped him directly. "Charlie, I might need a small laboratory."
She explained, "I have a previous research project that's reached its final stage. I must complete the trial medication within two months."
Charlie immediately replied, "Mrs. Harrison, everything's ready."
"Half the floor upstairs has been converted into a laboratory according to the highest standards. You can use it whenever you want, and Harrison Group has all the necessary certifications."
Emma was delighted. "That's wonderful, thank you."
"This was all prepared in advance on Mr. Harrison's orders," he quickly added.
The smile faded from her face. She nodded lightly, said nothing more, and turned back to her computer.
Night fell.
Nicholas's car sat parked outside the building, waiting for Emma to appear.
Seeing her emerge, he was about to approach when another black sedan silently glided to the entrance. The door opened and Daryl stepped out.
Nicholas could only watch as Emma got into that car, completely intercepted.
His expression grew even more displeased.
That evening, he went straight to Stellar Soiree to drink.
Nicholas sat on the sofa, downing one glass after another.
Ethan walked over and sat beside him, clinking their glasses together.
"I heard the White family's heiress is having her recognition ceremony next month, and you're specifically invited. You're not seriously going to Empire City, are you?"
Nicholas swirled the ice in his glass, his voice calm. "Of course I'm going."
Ethan was somewhat surprised. "Though the White family wields enormous power in Empire City, with your influence, do you really need a strategic marriage? If you go, what about Emma?"
He said flatly, "I'll bring her along. Let her see the world."
Ethan laughed. "That's Dr. N you're talking about. You'd better keep a close eye on her. My grandmother watches her constantly, wanting to steal Emma away as her granddaughter-in-law."
Nicholas looked up, shooting him a cold, sharp glance.
"You'd better drop those scheming thoughts. She's not for anyone to touch."
She could only be his!
Just as he finished speaking, Ethan's phone screen lit up with a notification.
He glanced at it, his expression becoming amused. "Nicholas, looks like you have plenty of competition."
The phone was pushed in front of Nicholas.
On the screen was a cozy photo.
Emma was having dinner with a handsome, refined-looking man at what appeared to be an upscale bistro. They were chatting and laughing, the atmosphere warm and intimate.
The caption was even more irritating: [Dr. N's mysterious boyfriend revealed—devastatingly handsome!]
The comments were already exploding. Within moments, netizens had identified the man as Dr. Lawson, a renowned domestic heart surgeon.
People were commenting below, "Perfect match! Wishing Dr. N happiness!"
Nicholas's handsome face twisted with rage.
He shot to his feet and strode outside without a word.
Before getting in his car, Charlie called, asking cautiously, "Mr. Harrison, should we initiate crisis management?"
He was silent for several seconds, jaw clenched tight. "No. Get everyone to Riverside Bistro."
The upscale Riverside Bistro buzzed with evening energy.
Nicholas's appearance instantly drew everyone's attention.
"Is that Mr. Harrison? What's he doing in a place like this?"
Ignoring the surrounding chatter, he headed straight for the private dining area.
The door was pushed open forcefully as Nicholas entered with an aura of barely contained fury.
He arrived just in time to see Leon placing a perfectly grilled piece of steak into Emma's bowl.
Emma looked up, somewhat surprised to see him, and set down her fork.
Nicholas strode over in several quick steps and reached out to pull her. "Come with me."
His voice was clearly suppressing anger.
"Mr. Harrison, I'm having dinner with a friend. My personal time doesn't seem to be under your jurisdiction."
She directly shook off his large hand.
Nicholas's gaze cut like a blade toward the man across from them. How could he not see that this bespectacled doctor harbored improper thoughts about her?
He forced down the rage in his chest and softened his tone. "If you want dinner, I'll take you. Come with me."
She was irritated by his entitled attitude.
"Mr. Harrison, I don't need your company. I'm perfectly fine eating here. If there's nothing else, please leave and stop disturbing us."
That statement completely ignited Nicholas.
The fury in his heart could no longer be suppressed. He stepped forward and scooped her up horizontally in his arms.
"What are you doing!" Emma shrieked.
Leon immediately stood to intervene, but Nicholas ruthlessly kicked him aside, sending him stumbling into the table edge.
Emma cried out, "Dr. Lawson, are you alright?"
She looked up and shouted at Nicholas, "Nicholas, what's gotten into you?"
This outburst completely snapped his last thread of sanity.
Seeing her protect another man enraged him beyond measure.
Without another word, he locked her tightly in his arms and headed for the exit.
Emma struggled desperately in his embrace, pounding her fists against his chest.
"Nicholas, put me down!"
He lowered his head and spoke in her ear, his voice only audible to them both, "Behave. There are reporters outside."
"Let me go! Put me down!" Emma continued shouting.
As they reached the entrance, sure enough, blinding camera flashes erupted.
Reporters swarmed toward them.
Nicholas didn't break stride, and before Emma could speak again, he suddenly lowered his head and sealed her lips with his mouth.
If she were making headlines, it would be with him!