Chapter 173 Ms. White is Zoe
That evening, Nicholas returned to Rosewood Manor, where the overwhelming scent of lilies throughout the garden threatened to engulf him.
The intoxicating fragrance made his heart ache even more—he was going mad missing Emma.
Perhaps this brush with death had branded her so deeply into his very being that she could never be erased.
He walked into the bathroom, water cascading noisily.
Stripping off his shirt, he saw her name tattooed across his chest, reflected in the steam-fogged mirror.
His fingertips traced the inked lines on his skin, his mind flooded with every moment they'd shared, each memory crystal clear and torturous.
Soon after, he went downstairs.
Tyler had already arrived, sitting alone at the bar counter, casually swirling his glass.
Nicholas wore only a loosely tied bathrobe, his black hair still dripping. Water droplets traced down his defined neck and collarbones before disappearing beneath the robe's depths.
His face, illuminated by the amber light, was devastatingly handsome.
He walked directly to the sofa and sank into the soft leather.
"Who is the White family's daughter?" His voice was ice-cold.
Tyler took a sip of his drink, speaking leisurely, "Zoe."
Nicholas's head snapped up, his eyes filled with disbelief.
"Impossible."
His tone was absolute.
"She's clearly Karen's biological daughter—Emma is the adopted one. How could she possibly be the White family's daughter?"
Tyler paused, setting down his glass and studying Nicholas with interest.
"I thought you'd be happy to hear this news. Don't you want Zoe to be the White family heiress?"
Nicholas's jaw tightened like steel. "I won't let anyone steal her identity."
Tyler smiled, though it didn't reach his eyes. "Looks like this little vacation completely conquered you, Dr. N."
He leaned forward, lowering his voice.
"I investigated. Twenty-four years ago, Karen gave birth to a boy who was later switched. So neither Emma nor Zoe is her biological daughter."
Nicholas's pupils constricted sharply.
"What's the White family basing this recognition on?"
"DNA testing, of course." Tyler answered matter-of-factly. "Apparently, the White family still had a butterfly-shaped jade pendant from back then—both pieces of evidence matched. Mrs. White is absolutely smitten now and has already brought Zoe to Empire City."
He paused, then added, "I heard they're planning a recognition banquet next month, inviting global elites. It's officially about acknowledging their daughter, but really it's to find her a suitable husband. You're definitely on the VIP guest list with excellent odds—after all, you have history together."
Nicholas's expression darkened.
"Something's wrong. There must be an error somewhere." He muttered to himself, then his gaze sharpened. "Investigate again!"
Tyler shrugged. "Fine, I'll go through all the evidence once more."
"Can you get Emma's DNA?" Nicholas asked.
"That shouldn't be difficult," Tyler replied confidently.
"What about that incident four years ago?"
Tyler poured himself another drink, speaking methodically, "I looked into it. There were three boats on the water that day—yours, Zoe's, and Matthew's. Emma was on Matthew's boat."
"However, everyone saw Zoe jump into the water and pull you out."
Seeing Nicholas's expression change instantly, he continued, "Though many key details seem to have been deliberately erased. Possibly to protect Dr. N. Our people are conducting discreet interviews—we should have results soon."
The air fell silent for several seconds.
Nicholas suddenly asked, his voice slightly hoarse, "How do you make a woman fall in love with you again?"
Tyler burst out laughing.
"With your assets, you need to ask me? There are two paths. First, dominate her in bed. Second, use your charm—pursue her relentlessly until she surrenders, then dominate her in bed."
Nicholas glanced at him. "Finish your drink and leave."
He turned toward the stairs, having no patience for Tyler's nonsense.
Back in his room, the emptiness seemed to hold her shadow in every corner.
He pulled out his phone and opened the newly added contact 'N.'
He sent a message: [Are you asleep?]
No response.
He tried again: [The stars are beautiful tonight. Can you see them?]
Still nothing.
Growing restless, he finally decided to send: [I have a headache. Did the virus not clear completely?]
This time, she responded with a symbol: [?]
Nicholas's eyes lit up as he practically bounced off the bed, unable to hide his excitement.
He immediately typed back: [My head hurts, can't sleep. Do you have medicine? Could you bring some to Rosewood Manor?]
She seemed to hesitate before replying: [It's too late. Are you in pain right now?]
[Yes, it's awful.]
Without thinking, he typed: [Should I come to you instead?]
Silence.
Just as Nicholas's heart began to sink, his phone buzzed with a single word: [Okay.]
Nicholas felt his blood surge like he'd been injected with adrenaline. He leaped from bed and rushed frantically to his walk-in closet to change clothes.
Half an hour later, Nicholas's Rolls-Royce silently stopped outside the Jackson family estate gates.
It was nearly midnight.
He didn't exit the car, simply watching the closed gates until they slowly opened. Only then did he reach over and open the rear door.
In the master bedroom on the east side of the Jackson estate, two heads peered through a gap in the curtains.
Ruby huffed indignantly, "That Nicholas has some nerve, brazenly coming to kidnap someone in the middle of the night!"
She kicked Daryl beside her. "Go bring her back!"
Daryl looked helpless. "What if Emma still loves him?"
"That scumbag doesn't deserve to pursue Emma!" Ruby's eyes blazed. "Have you forgotten about the divorce announcement?"
Daryl immediately flared up. "That bastard dares to come back? I'll break his legs!"
He quickly threw on a robe and hurried downstairs.
The car door opened, and just as Emma bent to enter, a powerful force yanked her inside.
She gasped as she tumbled heavily into a burning embrace.
Nicholas held her tightly, burying his head in the curve of her neck, greedily breathing in her sweet scent. The emptiness and restlessness in his heart instantly felt filled.
The partition quietly rose as the driver quickly escaped the vehicle.
In this narrow, intimate space, her entire body pressed against his solid frame.
"I thought you had a headache?" Emma's voice was unsteady as she held out a small medicine bottle. "Try one of these first—they should help with the pain."
Nicholas took the bottle and casually tossed it aside, tightening his arms around her.
"Seeing you makes it better." His voice was deep and husky. "Don't move. Let me hold you for a while."
Emma stiffened against his chest, where two buttons lay open revealing enticing muscle.
His strong, steady heartbeat thundered in her ears—one beat, then another, pounding against her heart.
This heart beat with such strength.
He had truly come back to life.
She suddenly felt dazed.
Seeing her unexpectedly compliant demeanor, Nicholas's heart leaped. Could she be thinking of him too?
He breathed hotly against her ear, whispering seductively, "Emma, come back to Rosewood Manor with me, hmm?"
Like a demon in the night, he tempted her.
Then a wet, hot kiss landed on her sensitive earlobe.
The temperature in the car instantly became charged with tension.
Emma shivered and pushed him away firmly. "Nicholas, I don't like it when you do this."
"Emma, it's my birthday." He gazed at her with dark, intense eyes. "I want an answer."
That's right—he had asked her 'Can you love me again?'
The weight of that answer left her conflicted and hesitant.
So he tried a different approach, "Can you give me a birthday gift?"
"What do you want?" she asked softly.
"Give me yourself!"
Yes, he wanted to have her—he wanted to make love to her!