Chapter 53 He Watched the Camera Footage
Blood.
Vivid, shocking red.
The scene on the screen was as grotesque as a low-budget horror film.
But Nicholas knew every moment of it was real.
It had happened to her.
His hand gripping the desk edge suddenly clenched tight. Veins bulged prominently across his knuckles, twisted and menacing.
His fingers turned bone-white from the force.
Charlie stood several steps behind him, head bowed, though his peripheral vision never left Nicholas's rigid silhouette.
The air seemed frozen solid.
Only the occasional faint sounds from the screen broke the silence, along with the man's increasingly labored breathing.
Nicholas's gaze remained locked on the monitor.
He watched it all.
That disgusting gecko, sliding wetly across the floor, crawling onto her body, moving with deliberate slowness.
Her body trembled slightly. She closed her eyes softly.
That was all.
Nicholas's heart felt seized by an invisible fist, twisted tight.
Pain. Dense, overwhelming pain.
The scene shifted.
That deranged psychopath held a knife, first pressing it against her face, then moving it to her chest.
One button.
Flicked open.
The second.
Also undone.
The movements were slow, mocking, dripping with humiliation.
The blood in Nicholas's veins seemed to flow backward, a cold, destructive rage surging from his feet straight to his skull.
On screen, her exposed body.
Yet her face remained expressionless—no humiliation, no tears.
Those eyes stared vacantly toward some unknown point, as if her soul had already departed.
Until the attacker slashed her arm with the blade, bright red blood flowing from her body.
Staining the ground, horrifyingly vivid.
Nicholas's jaw clenched so hard his teeth ground audibly. He could feel his head ready to explode.
From beginning to end, she didn't cry or beg for mercy. Even when treated like that, even with blood dripping from her wounds, her spine remained straight.
This damned stubbornness was like the dullest knife, repeatedly cutting into Nicholas's heart.
He would have preferred her to cry, to plead, to break down like any normal person!
Anything but that silent endurance, using silence to resist everything, bearing it all with unyielding pride.
This made it hurt even more! Pain that nearly suffocated him.
Nicholas couldn't watch anymore.
He suddenly raised his hand, slamming it hard against the desk.
The solid wood surface produced a dull crash, making even the screen tremble.
He shot to his feet, his chair sliding far back with a harsh scraping sound that shattered the study's deadly quiet.
His chest heaved violently.
His eyes churned with intense fury—a world-destroying storm.
Reason?
It had burned to ash the moment he saw her bleeding!
Now only violence possessed his mind and body!
Only murderous intent!
Only the insane desire to grind those who hurt her into dust!
At this moment, the rage in his heart had completely consumed his rationality.
"Find who's behind this. I want them dead!"
Charlie quickly responded, stepping forward. "Miss Perez has arrived at the company. She's demanding to see you."
Nicholas fell silent for several seconds, then said, "Prepare the car!"
Around ten o'clock, Nicholas entered his office.
Zoe was eating breakfast, the table laden with an elaborate spread and coffee.
Seeing him, she immediately bounced up from the couch, her face bright with a syrupy smile, her voice coquettish.
"Nicholas, what took you so long!"
She hurried over, her arm naturally moving to wrap around his.
"I waited a whole hour for you! You have to be punished—you must have breakfast with me!"
Nicholas stopped abruptly, the pressure around him dropping sharply.
He turned his head, his gaze settling heavily on her face with scrutiny.
With a sharp motion, he shook off her attempting hand without mercy.
He spoke, his voice devoid of warmth.
"Zoe, let me ask you something."
He stepped closer, his eyes sharp as blades.
"That Julie—did you know exactly what she did? Is that why you specifically came to me, begging me to release her?"
Zoe's smile froze momentarily. She quickly adjusted her expression, displaying perfectly calculated confusion.
"I thought it was something serious. Just that maid from Dreamy Garden!"
Nicholas's expression darkened further.
Zoe continued explaining at an unhurried pace.
She said this maid was her relative who had once saved Karen. This incident was just about her stealing thirty thousand dollars, and afterward her family kept coming to Karen crying for help.
She was just so annoyed by it all that she mentioned it to him.
If Nicholas cared about this matter, she could just return Julie to him.
Nicholas watched her speak so earnestly—could she really know nothing about Julie's true crimes?
He'd known Zoe for years. Her spoiled and willful nature was real, and occasional tantrums were routine.
But it seemed impossible for her to plan or participate in such cruel things.At least, she lacked both the brains and the courage.
Seeing his dark expression, Zoe moved closer again. "How about I kiss you as an apology, don't be angry!"
With that, Zoe leaned her face toward his!
Nicholas looked down at her face so close to his.
But he stepped back, an inexplicable sense of disgust rising in his chest.
He'd never felt this way about her before, but today something was different.
Zoe opened her eyes, asking with some surprise, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing. I need a cigarette."
Nicholas lit a cigarette and walked to the floor-to-ceiling windows, smoking while his gaze fell on the green balcony of a distant apartment building.
What was she doing now? Was she eating properly?
Why did he suddenly think of Emma? Irritation surged through him.
He shook his head, trying to banish her from his thoughts.
Just then, a knock sounded and Charlie pushed open the door.
"Mr. Harrison, Miss Jackson is here."
Nicholas glanced back at Zoe. "Do you still want to join The Pear Blossom Grove cast?"
Zoe's eyes lit up. "Of course! But Harper keeps interfering, and the screenwriter still has issues with me from before, so they haven't decided who to use."
His tone was firm. "Don't worry. You'll get what you want!"
Zoe was overjoyed. "Really? I knew you cared about me most."
He never interfered in her affairs, but this time he was actively helping—that should seal the deal.
"I'll have someone drive you home. I'll find you later when I'm done."
Zoe smiled contentedly. "Alright, but remember to eat breakfast. Don't starve yourself."
She turned to leave, her movements lively.
Charlie watched her manner and couldn't help shuddering.
She was getting off that easy?
Before Charlie could open the door, it burst open as Evelyn stormed in furiously.
"Nicholas, where's Emma? Where are you hiding her? How badly is she hurt?"
Nicholas frowned at Evelyn—where was any trace of high society refinement? Henry would have his hands full!
"She's fine. Don't worry. I'll take care of her. When she's healed, I'll naturally send her back."
Evelyn glared at him viciously, sneering coldly.
"Nicholas, she was by your side for three whole years. You never shared a single meal with her, never accompanied her to a doctor's appointment, never celebrated her birthday. What gives you the right to say you can take care of her now?"
Nicholas found himself speechless, unable to find a counterargument.
Evelyn pressed her attack with vicious words. "Nicholas, you've lost your chance."
Nicholas waved his hand irritably. "Throw her out."
"Nicholas, you'd even hurt her only friend. I curse you to never win the true heart of anyone you love!"
Nicholas's expression changed instantly!
Charlie covered his mouth, too frightened to move!