Chapter 80 Who Does His Tenderness Belong To?
Evelyn laughed angrily. "Zoe, who do you think you are? Do you think you're worthy of this dress?"
Zoe pulled out a black card from her purse and handed it directly to the sales associate.
"Why? Because this is Harrison Mall, owned by the Harrison Group. Because I'm the future Mrs. Harrison. Because of Nicholas's unlimited black card. Is that qualification enough?"
An unlimited black card—Nicholas's supplementary card, and he'd given it to her?
In the past, Nicholas had transferred a million dollars to Emma's account every month for shopping money, but compared to this black card, that was a joke!
When the sales associate heard this, she immediately bowed respectfully. "Oh, the future Mrs. Harrison! Please wait a moment."
She walked over to Emma with a cold expression. "Please take off this dress. We're not selling it anymore."
"Not selling it anymore? Making a customer undress—is this the standard of service at Harrison Mall?"
Emma's voice was icy, and her words clearly made the sales associate hesitate.
But then Zoe pulled out her phone, dialed Nicholas's number, and put it on speaker.
The phone rang for a long time before he picked up.
"Nicholas, there's this really annoying woman fighting with me over a dress, and she's saying Harrison Mall's staff has poor service quality."
"Have the mall manager put her on the Harrison Group's blacklist. I'm still in a meeting—gotta go!"
The call ended abruptly.
"Did you hear that?" Zoe said smugly to everyone around. "I'm going to find the mall manager in a moment and have them both blacklisted."
Evelyn exploded. "That damn Nicholas is so arrogant—what an absolute bastard!"
Being blacklisted from Harrison Group properties was serious business. The Harrison Group had holdings nationwide—healthcare, real estate, entertainment, dining. It meant they'd be banned from everywhere.
Later, Nicholas would learn just how much he'd have to pay for that one careless sentence!
Emma said nothing and turned toward the fitting room.
...
After hanging up, Nicholas's mood plummeted instantly.
He was still bothered by Emma's blind date today. Why was this woman in such a rush?
Didn't she have Matthew? Why was she still going on blind dates? Apparently she didn't really like Matthew.
Thinking about it that way, his heart skipped a beat, and he didn't seem quite as angry anymore.
He leaned back in his executive chair, unconsciously drumming his fingers on the armrest, eyes closed.
The quiet didn't last long before his phone started buzzing.
The group chat was going nonstop, with dozens of messages flooding in.
Nicholas frowned and picked up his phone.
At the top of the screen, a photo caught his eye immediately.
Emma. Wearing a powder-purple evening gown he'd never seen before, standing in front of a fitting room mirror, slightly turned to the side, with a faint smile playing at her lips. The lighting outlined her graceful curves, her skin almost luminously white.
Nicholas's gaze seemed glued to the screen.
His breath caught for a moment.
That waist, those collarbones, and that face—the more he looked, the more his heartbeat spiraled out of control.
How had he never noticed before how damn sexy and alluring Emma was?
His finger unconsciously traced her image on the screen.
The group chat was already in full swing.
Ethan: [Holy shit! Emma's looks and figure are absolutely killer!]
Eric: [Real talk, that elegance totally destroys Zoe. Such a waste, really such a waste.]
Nicholas's expression darkened.
Before he could think further, Ethan dropped another screenshot—from Evelyn's social media post.
The photo was the same one of Emma.
The caption read: [Currently single, quality men please apply, first come first served!]
The comments section already had dozens of replies.
[If Evelyn's recommending her, she must be legit! Drop her social media!]
[I'm signing up! When can we meet?]
[Me me me! Right here!]
Every commenter was a recognizable heir from their social circle.
Nicholas's face turned completely grim.
Everyone was tagging Henry to come handle the situation, but he just shrugged, saying his engagement to the Jackson family had been called off and he was powerless to help. Everyone started getting rowdy.
Nicholas had no patience for their nonsense and threw his phone aside, out of sight, out of mind.
But the anger in his chest kept building.
A knock came at the door.
"Come in." Nicholas's voice was ice-cold.
Charlie entered, holding a tablet.
"Mr. Harrison, the Medical Association just sent notice about a last-minute charity gala tonight. Should you...?"
Nicholas waved dismissively.
"Not going."
Charlie paused, then added, "I saw the guest list. Matthew will be attending, with a plus-one..."
Nicholas stopped moving. Matthew's plus-one didn't need thinking about—who else could it be?
He was silent for several seconds, tapping his finger on the desk. "Then we'll go."
Charlie nodded. "Yes, I'll arrange it immediately."
"Oh." Nicholas called out to him, his tone emotionless but his eyes unfathomable. "Bring Zoe along. Have her be my date."
"Yes, sir!"
...
Night fell, and the city lights began to twinkle.
In an ordinary five-star hotel in Emerald City, a medium-sized conference hall was brightly lit.
The Medical Association's charity gala was underway. The theme was clear and direct: supporting healthcare systems in smaller cities.
Everyone in attendance was from the medical field or related industries, all dressed elegantly and behaving with perfect decorum.
When Nicholas entered the ballroom with Zoe on his arm, they instantly became the center of attention.
Greetings and small talk surrounded them from every direction.
In a corner not far away, Matthew was standing with Emma, showing her promotional brochures.
Emma kept her head down, reading with particular focus, her long lashes casting faint shadows under the lights.
Matthew stood beside her, quietly explaining something that occasionally made her smile softly.
On the large screen at the front of the hall, the names of donating companies and individuals scrolled by.
"Moore Group, $50 million" was prominently displayed in first place.
Before long, the association president walked up to the podium, picked up the microphone, his voice excited.
"Ladies and gentlemen, let us especially thank Mr. Harrison from the Harrison Group! Mr. Harrison has generously donated $100 million directly to this cause!"
The moment he finished speaking, thunderous applause filled the room.
On the screen, "Harrison Group, $100 million" shot up rapidly, instantly surpassing the Moore Group to claim the top spot.
Emma looked up just in time to see Nicholas approaching with Zoe on his arm.
Matthew raised his hand in greeting first. "Mr. Harrison, quite the philanthropist."
His tone was impossible to read—whether sincere or mocking.
Nicholas curved his lips slightly, his gaze sweeping over Emma before responding, "Likewise, Mr. Moore isn't far behind."
Zoe casually picked up a glass of red wine from a passing waiter's tray and was about to bring it to her lips.
But Nicholas reached out and gently pressed her wrist.
His movement was light, but his voice carried unquestionable tenderness.
"That's your third glass tonight. No more drinking."
He paused, his voice dropping lower. "You'll get drunk in a moment. Be good, hmm?"
His tone carried clear affection.
After speaking, he reached out naturally to brush away a strand of her hair, his eyes full of devotion, as if no one else in the room existed.