Chapter 151 Confronting the Scott Family
Emily let out a helpless sigh, her tone carrying an indulgence she herself hadn't noticed. "Fine, do whatever you want. Just don't cause me more trouble."
This was less an agreement than a tacit surrender—she'd been disarmed by his sudden puppy-dog offensive and given up resistance.
Charles's eyes lit up instantly!
That clumsy, pitiful expression was immediately replaced by overwhelming delight, his lips curving upward uncontrollably. The finger hooked around her pinky tightened as he pressed his advantage, wanting to envelop her entire hand in his warm palm.
The hospital room's air seemed to heat up instantly, intimate tension flowing silently under the dim yellow light.
Their gazes met—his filled with triumphant joy and longing, hers with helplessness and bashfulness.
Just as Charles's fingers were about to completely grasp Emily's hand, just as Emily lowered her lashes with an inexplicably racing heart—
"What time is it?" A drowsy mumble echoed from the visitor's couch in the corner!
Kate rubbed her eyes, sitting up groggily, clearly awakened by their conversation. She looked toward the hospital bed with unfocused, sleepy eyes. "Charles? Emily? You're still awake? What are you talking about?"
Her words cut off abruptly.
Because she'd gotten a clear view of the scene by the bed: the cold, domineering Charles was clutching Emily's hand like a shy teenager experiencing his first crush, wearing a smile so innocently foolish she'd never seen before!
And Emily hadn't immediately pulled away; there was even a blush on her face!
Kate was instantly wide awake!
Emily jerked her hand back as if burned, her cheeks flaming red and spreading to her ears. The romantic moment was shattered by embarrassment at being caught; she couldn't even look at Charles or Kate. She shot to her feet so quickly that the chair legs scraped harshly against the floor.
"I have work at the company! I'm leaving!" She stammered out the words, grabbed her bag, and practically fled.
Left in the room were a stunned Kate and Charles, whose expression had turned grim.
Charles stared at the empty doorway, then slowly turned his head, his gaze like a cold blade stabbing at the culprit, still in shock.
"Kate!" Charles's voice squeezed through gritted teeth, carrying approaching fury and extreme displeasure at being interrupted.
Kate shivered at the frigid tone, fully snapping back to reality. Seeing Charles's look of wanting to devour her alive, her scalp tingled as she stammered tearfully, "I didn't mean to, Charles! I really didn't know you two were..."
She trailed off, too embarrassed to say the word.
Charles pointed at the door. "Get out! Don't let me see you again tonight!"
Kate gratefully scrambled out of the room, her heart still pounding.
Dear God, what had she just witnessed? And what had she interrupted? Charles's look was terrifying, scarier than enemy combatants on the battlefield!
Emily had run fast, too, faster than her training runs.
She'd never noticed Emily would make a good reconnaissance soldier.
Wait, that wasn't the point!
The point was, had she just caused major trouble?
The door closed, returning the room to silence.
Charles slumped back against the headboard, staring at his empty palm, which seemed to still hold traces of her fingertips' warmth and delicate texture.
So close. He'd been so damn close!
He closed his eyes in frustration, regretting not sending Kate home tonight. Meanwhile, Emily, who'd fled, leaned against the cold elevator wall, feeling her racing heart and burning cheeks, unable to banish the image of Charles's face, trying so hard to look pitiful, like a large, injured dog both vulnerable and needy.
That man was becoming increasingly impossible to resist.
Charles took a moment to compose himself before calling Nathan. "Bring the car. We're going to Scott Manor."
"Now?" Nathan, just awakened, was confused.
"Yes, now."
"But your injury..."
"This won't kill me." Charles gritted his teeth and threw back the covers, attempting to get out of bed. The movement pulled at his back wound, sending sharp pain through him. He let out a muffled groan, cold sweat instantly beading on his forehead.
Nathan heard his pained sound and cursed Kate's unreliability while rushing to the hospital.
In the darkness, a black Rolls-Royce Phantom silently left the hospital, merging into Emerald City's glittering traffic, heading straight for Scott Manor—secluded in the suburbs, tranquil yet heavily guarded.
The Scott Manor blazed with lights yet emanated an ancient, forbidding coldness. The heavy carved gates slowly opened, and the guard's face showed undisguised shock at seeing who emerged from the car.
"Mr. Windsor?" The butler, notified by the guard, practically ran out to greet them, his voice filled with disbelief.
Charles had come calling voluntarily? At this hour?
"Inform Mrs. Scott that Charles Windsor is here to see her."
The butler didn't dare delay, immediately bowing as he led the way. "Please wait a moment, Mr. Windsor. I'll inform the madam immediately."
In the study, Daphne had been staring at the legal document from Louis and Watson's name, her thoughts churning, when the butler's urgent announcement snapped her back to reality.
"Who? Charles? He's here? What does he want? Is he alone?"
"Yes, madam, just him and an assistant," the butler replied.
Daphne's heart instantly sank.
Charles arriving injured in the middle of the night meant trouble!
Considering his relationship with Emily and Emily being targeted by the Scott family, Charles's purpose was obvious.
Daphne didn't want to see him, but the Windsor family's reputation and Charles's influence meant she had to suppress all emotions.
"Please escort Mr. Windsor to the main hall. I'll be right there." Daphne straightened her appearance and headed for the main hall.
In the main hall, Charles hadn't sat down but stood with his hands behind his back before the massive floor-to-ceiling windows, gazing at the deep night and the shadowy garden lights. His posture remained upright, but the slight lean against the window frame betrayed his physical weakness.
"Mr. Windsor honors us with this late-night visit. How may I assist you?" Daphne entered with a formulaic, distant smile, her eyes sharply assessing Charles.
Charles slowly turned, cutting straight to the chase, "Mrs. Scott, the Genova BioTech matter needs to end. Now."