Chapter 89 Oops, Wrong Person
So Nicholas'd asked Emma to come for this so-called "final dinner" just to make her witness his happiness firsthand?
Her heart felt like it was being squeezed by an invisible fist, the pressure making her chest ache.
Under the gaze of hundreds, Nicholas walked step by step toward the stage.
Reaching the front, he suddenly dropped to one knee.
The venue fell completely silent, every eye fixed on him.
He looked up, gazing at that silhouette with deep affection, and began the confession he'd been rehearsing.
"Stella, I'm sorry!"
"Please forgive me for taking so many years to truly come to your side."
"These past three years, I failed to cherish you properly, failed to truly enter your life—that's my deepest regret."
"I've made many mistakes and hurt your heart. Please forgive me. Come back to me!"
His heartfelt confession and apology echoed throughout the third floor.
Finishing his speech, he pulled out a velvet box from his pocket. Opening it revealed an enormous pink diamond ring that sparkled brilliantly under the lights—at least thirty carats!
Simultaneously, the drone squadron above transformed into a massive heart shape.
Then countless pink rose petals began falling from the sky like the most romantic petal shower imaginable.
The screams from the crowd nearly lifted the roof!
"Oh my God! It's so beautiful! So romantic!"
"Who could resist an apology like that!"
"Nicholas really knows how to make a statement—such sincerity!"
Everyone whipped out their phones to capture the moment frantically, while media flash bulbs created a strobe effect.
Charlie stood nearby, nervously watching the scene, constantly signaling the livestream team, "Film everything! Full coverage! We must capture this perfect moment!"
Emma stood in the distance, listening to his heartfelt confession and apology, watching this elaborate romantic spectacle he'd created, when suddenly her eyes began to sting.
On stage, the woman slowly turned around amid everyone's anticipation.
Her face was already streaked with tears of joy, overwhelmed with emotion.
However, when her face became visible...
It wasn't Emma!
It was Zoe!
The deep affection on Nicholas's face and the curve of his smile instantly froze, then his expression visibly darkened to the color of charcoal.
How was it her? Where was Emma?
He shot to his feet, his sharp gaze rapidly scanning the crowd, but he couldn't spot the figure he'd expected to see anywhere!
A surge of humiliated fury rushed to his head!
"Clear the venue!"
His icy command, brooking no argument, shattered the romantic atmosphere.
But Zoe was completely lost in her own joy. She gathered her skirt and rushed over, throwing her arms tightly around Nicholas's waist, crying out, "Nicholas! I knew it! I knew you had feelings for me!"
The waiting security guards quickly surrounded them, beginning to disperse the crowd and forcibly cutting all media livestream signals.
Charlie's legs went weak with terror, his face deathly pale.
What had happened?
How had Zoe become the leading lady?
Where was Emma?
Which part of the plan had gone wrong? He'd clearly seen Emma arrive and had his assistant escort her up.
This was a complete disaster!
Emma was ushered out of the third floor along with the other spectators.
People around her were still excitedly discussing the scene.
"I bet Mr. Harrison and Ms. Perez want some privacy now—that's why they cleared everyone out, right?"
"Ms. Perez is so lucky! I told you she was the rightful billionaire's wife!"
"I never imagined Nicholas could be so romantic in private. Even his apologies make global headlines—how dreamy!"
Back on the third floor, the atmosphere was frigid.
Nicholas's devastatingly handsome face was now terrifyingly dark.
He'd apologized to the wrong person? This was absolutely humiliating!
The air pressure around him was suffocatingly low.
Zoe was still foolishly basking in her happy bubble, a sweet smile still lingering on her lips.
She gazed up at him with sparkling eyes.
"Nicholas, you haven't put the ring on me yet."
That sentence completely detonated Nicholas's powder keg.
He slammed the jewelry box shut with swift, merciless force, without a moment's hesitation.
"Zoe!"
Nicholas's voice was ice-cold, each word hitting Zoe like a physical blow.
His eyes were razor-sharp, filled with undisguised disgust and fury.
"You dared to drug me that night? The moment you conceived that idea, you should have known—there could never be anything between us!"
Every word was delivered with cutting precision.
With that, he didn't spare the crumpling woman another glance.
He turned, strode away, and left decisively! His retreating figure was as cold and unyielding as stone.
Zoe felt all her strength drain away as she collapsed onto the cold floor.
Her beautiful dream shattered completely, tears streaming uncontrollably down her face, smearing her makeup.
She clenched her fists so tightly that her long nails dug deep into her palm's tender flesh, causing sharp pain.
But how could this physical pain compare to even a fraction of her heartbreak?
She raised her tear-filled eyes toward where Nicholas had disappeared, her expression rapidly shifting from shock and disbelief to bone-deep hatred.
Zoe's teeth chattered audibly as her lips twisted into a grotesque smile.
'Emma—what I can't have, you'll never get either!'
'Never!'
Emma silently walked out of the restaurant entrance, stopping to look back one last time.
On the third-floor terrace, pink petals still danced in the air, and the drone formations still sparkled brilliantly.
It really was beautiful.
Her phone rang insistently—Nicholas calling. After a moment's hesitation, she answered.
"Emma, where are you?" His voice was urgent and anxious.
She took a deep breath and said calmly, "Nicholas, I saw everything. It was truly beautiful. I wish you happiness."
She hung up and promptly turned off her phone.
She tried to force a carefree smile, but something cold trickled down her cheek.
Emma quickly ducked her head and hurried into the crowd, not letting anyone see her current emotional state.
When Nicholas tried calling back, the line was already dead.
He was consumed with anxiety now, striding toward the exit. Seeing Charlie, he shot him a murderous look.
"If you can't find Emma, you can pack your bags for Luminous City!"
Luminous City—that hellscape of a lawless territory, a breeding ground for crime that made your skin crawl just thinking about it.
"Yes, I'll find her immediately, immediately." Charlie frantically pulled out his phone.
He'd caused too much trouble today. If he couldn't fix this, his life was forfeit!
Meanwhile, in a speeding Maybach, Matthew stared at the interrupted livestream footage from Galaxy Restaurant.
Seeing Nicholas's stunned and livid expression, he burst into delighted laughter.
"Ha ha ha ha! Nicholas, karma's a bitch!"
He picked up his phone and instructed his assistant,
"Since Nicholas loves grand romantic gestures so much, how can we not support him wholeheartedly?"
"Contact all our global media partners immediately. I want Mr. Harrison's passionate confession to Ms. Perez trending everywhere!"
"Buy trending spots! Keep them up for ten full days!"
After hanging up, his eyes gleamed with excitement.
This show was getting more entertaining by the minute!
"Mr. Moore, Ms. Rodriguez is just ahead!" the driver suddenly called out.