Chapter 41 Harrison Group's Official Statement
The sky had completely darkened, the deep blue canopy above showing not a single star.
Emma returned home to find the foyer lights off, fumbling in the darkness to change her shoes.
The living room was pitch black.
Evelyn had offered to come home with her, but Emma had declined.
She pulled out her phone.
The screen lit up, showing over a dozen missed calls from Matthew.
Her finger swiped across the screen as she called him back.
The phone was answered almost immediately.
"Emma?" Matthew's voice carried barely detectable tension.
"I'm sorry." Emma's voice was soft, with a slight rasp from her recent fever. "I had a fever today and slept it off. It's gone now."
"As long as you're okay. Have you had dinner? I'm nearby—I could bring you something to eat."
His voice became somewhat urgent.
"I'm not hungry. You should get some rest." Emma paused, then added: "I'll be at the office tomorrow."
After hanging up, she turned on a single lamp on the balcony and walked straight outside, looking up at the crescent moon above.
The evening breeze carried a chill as it brushed against her cheeks.
She gazed into the distance at that brightly lit towering building, like a silent beast standing in the night.
Her gaze settled there, gradually losing focus, becoming hollow and dim.
She couldn't quite figure out what kind of person Nicholas really was.
The scene from their noon argument was still vivid, yet by afternoon he'd seemed like a completely different person.
She couldn't tell which version was the real him.
Below.
A Maybach sat quietly in the shadows.
Matthew stood beside the car, looking up, his gaze locked firmly on that balcony glowing with faint white light.
The night obscured his handsome features, leaving only a deep shadow.
He suddenly remembered a poem: "You stand on the bridge watching the scenery, while someone below watches you."
Perhaps this described exactly how he felt.
Bitter!
......
Night completely swallowed the city.
At Crestview Medical Clinic, VIP suite.
The air carried the scent of disinfectant, though it was largely masked by expensive aromatherapy diffusers in the room.
The doctor had just finished giving Zoe a complete examination and was reporting to Nicholas, who stood nearby.
"Mr. Harrison, Miss Perez is physically fine. All indicators are normal. After a night's rest, she can be discharged tomorrow."
The doctor tactfully withdrew.
Only Nicholas and Zoe, lying in the hospital bed, remained in the room.
Zoe's face was pale, her eyes red and swollen. She reached out with a trembling hand to gently grasp Nicholas's sleeve.
"Nicholas, I'm sorry." Her voice was thick with tears, broken yet pitifully endearing.
"I shouldn't have caused you trouble. Really, I just... I just wanted to quietly leave this world alone."
She sniffled, tears falling again.
"I don't know... I don't know why Emma just won't let me be. The fan appreciation event was my happiest, most blissful time. If she hates me, she could tell me privately. How could she..."
Nicholas said gently, "I'll investigate this matter. Don't overthink it."
Zoe was stunned. So it wasn't Emma? Or was he deliberately protecting her?
It must have been Evelyn then—they were all in the same camp.
"It's all my fault for not being able to help wanting to stay by your side. If I'd been more self-aware, none of this would have happened."
She sobbed twice before continuing.
"Dad's company can barely hold on anymore. Mom has a relative who works at Dreamy Garden, and just because they accidentally offended Ms. Rodriguez, they were... they were sent to the police station."
"I know she hates me—she can come after me directly. Why involve my family?"
Zoe grew more agitated as she spoke, her body trembling.
Nicholas pulled over a nearby chair and sat beside the bed.
He looked at her without speaking.
Zoe felt panicked under his gaze, her small fists clenching tightly.
Nicholas finally spoke, his voice very calm.
"Don't overthink it."
"Leave these matters to me."
He reached out, gently patting the back of her hand in a soothing gesture.
"Promise me you'll never do anything this foolish again."
His tone wasn't harsh, but carried undeniable authority.
"Otherwise, I really will be angry! I won't always be able to arrive in time."
Even now, thinking back made him feel afraid—if he'd been even a minute later, the consequences might have been unimaginable.
Zoe stared at him blankly, tears blurring her vision.
She nodded vigorously.
"Nicholas, Harrison Group's stock has fallen so much because of me. What should we do?"
Nicholas rubbed his forehead. "It's fine, I'll handle it. Rest for a while—I'll have someone bring you something to eat."
"Okay."
Zoe obediently lay down!
Nicholas walked out the door to find Charlie standing there, looking like he wanted to speak but hesitating.
"You have something to say?"
Charlie quickly spoke up: "Ms. Rodriguez has been discharged!"
"Mm!"
He nodded without any emotion. Indeed, he didn't know what else he could say at this moment!
But his heart seemed to have reached a decision!
Facing two women's life-and-death situations in one day had apparently clarified his own thoughts!
The next day.
Emerald City was in uproar again because of a single statement!
The internet exploded once more!
[Harrison Group Official Statement]
"Regarding recent online rumors involving our CEO Mr. Nicholas Harrison and Miss Zoe Perez, we hereby state: Mr. Nicholas Harrison and Miss Zoe Perez signed divorce papers on [XX/XX/XXXX], ending their marriage. Mr. Nicholas Harrison is currently in a romantic relationship with Miss Zoe Perez. Please stop spreading false information and refrain from creating or spreading rumors. Harrison Group reserves the right to pursue legal action."
Below the statement was an attached image.
The image was a partial screenshot of divorce papers with key information pixelated out.
But at the bottom, Nicholas and Emma's signatures were clearly visible.
The announcement created massive waves.
#Nicholas indeed divorced long ago#
#NicholasZoe legitimate relationship#
#Feel sorry for Zoe#
#Emma steps down as billionaire's wife#
Several hashtags quickly dominated the trending topics.
"So they were already divorced? Then Zoe wasn't a homewrecker at all!"
"OMG, such a quick reversal! So Mr. Harrison was dating Zoe while single?"
"No wonder Mr. Harrison immediately went to save Zoe—that's his legitimate girlfriend!"
"Everyone who cursed Zoe needs to apologize!"
"What's Emma's deal? Divorced but still won't let go?"
"This is terrifying to think about—could all that dirt have been spread by this ex-wife? What a malicious woman!"
Public opinion shifted quickly.
Zoe, who yesterday was universally condemned, instantly became a wronged victim.
Meanwhile, Emma was pushed into a new, even more embarrassing position.
Many netizens cursed her as a vicious woman who, even after divorce, still wanted to destroy Harrison Group.
Harrison Group's stock price, following the release of this statement, miraculously stopped falling and began recovering, gradually returning to normal.
The boycotts and negative comments vanished like mist dispersed by sunlight.
Once Harrison Group's PR team took action, all the scandals about Zoe naturally disappeared.
No one dared publicly call Zoe a homewrecker anymore.
After all, Nicholas had personally stepped forward to confirm they were "long divorced."
This reversal upon reversal left the watching netizens somewhat dizzy!
This time, Nicholas's love for Zoe was definitely real.
The next day, Emma walked out of her apartment building.
Reporters swarmed around her.
Camera flashes nearly blinded her.