Chapter 99 Was Matthew the One Who Saved Her All Those Years Ago?
Nearly eleven o'clock, Emma emerged from the gates of the Moore Manor.
A figure stood in the shadows beneath a streetlight, three or four cigarette butts scattered at his feet.
It was Nicholas.
He couldn't explain why he'd followed her here—just that his mood had been inexplicably restless. The thought of what might happen between her and Matthew had sent him into a spiral of anxiety.
Only now, seeing her walk out unharmed with his own eyes, did that heart that had been thrashing wildly in his chest finally settle back into place.
He crushed the cigarette between his fingers, his voice slightly hoarse. "Let me give you a ride."
Emma's steps faltered, her tone distant. "No need to trouble yourself."
The words had barely left her lips when a black Maybach glided silently toward them, stopping smoothly in front of her.
The door opened, Emma bent down and slipped inside, and the vehicle immediately disappeared into the night.
On the second floor of the mansion, Matthew stood by the window holding a glass of red wine, the liquid swirling gently in the crystal.
He watched Nicholas's dejected figure below and the Maybach that had quickly vanished, his deep eyes churning with terrifying malice.
"Nicholas." His thin lips curved into an icy smile. Enjoy your last few good days.
"You're only three days away from hell!"
...
Meanwhile, Tyler had been stationed at that location for a full day and night, but still hadn't caught the mastermind who was supposed to appear. So he quietly withdrew his team and redirected his investigation toward Zoe.
His instincts told him that her appearance had been far too coincidental to be mere chance!
For the past two days, Nicholas had been holed up at the company, attending various meetings large and small, with the focus still on the FD global launch.
Five days until the FD global release. The worldwide strategic deployment was in place, all promotional campaigns were heating up perfectly—he wanted this product to be an overnight sensation, reaching households everywhere and benefiting families around the world.
This was his dream, and his original motivation for choosing medicine!
Two days later...
The Moore Group's press conference finally began amid worldwide anticipation.
A full week had passed since the rumor that had nearly dragged the Moore Group to its knees.
In one week, the Moore Group's stock value had shrunk by over 120 billion dollars globally—an astronomical figure that would have crippled any corporate giant.
Yet Matthew had weathered it for this long, only choosing today to step forward and clarify.
No one knew what explanation he was prepared to offer.
The press conference was held in the group's internal auditorium, with only about fifty invited media outlets, leaving large empty sections in the back rows.
But that didn't matter.
The Moore Group's own global media channels were more than sufficient to deliver every word and image from here to any corner of the world with perfect accuracy.
Under the spotlight, Matthew wore an impeccably tailored black suit that made his tall frame appear even more commanding.
His expression was calm, betraying no emotion, only those deep eyes that seemed like an ancient well—impossible to fathom.
His thin lips parted, his voice carrying clearly through the microphone to every corner of the venue and to every screen watching.
"First, I'd like to thank all our media friends for taking time from your busy schedules to attend."
After the pleasantries, he cut straight to the point.
"Regarding the malicious rumors that have recently targeted both myself and the Moore Group, causing enormous losses to our company and shaking market confidence among investors and the public, I deeply regret these developments."
He bowed his head slightly, the gesture carrying an air of unquestionable authority.
Then he gestured, and immediately a high-definition scan of a document appeared on the large screen behind him.
An official document from Lumaria, bearing a bright red seal of unmistakable authority.
"As you can see," Matthew's voice was steady and powerful, "I did indeed have dealings with the so-called 'mafia.' But this wasn't the collusion suggested by rumors—it was a special mission."
"The mission's purpose was to rescue a very important person. After completing the mission, I returned to Novaria to focus on rebuilding and developing the Moore Group."
"As for the identity of that important individual and the specific details of the mission, I must keep those confidential for now. If anyone questions the authenticity of this document, you're welcome to verify it with the relevant departments in Lumaria."
His tone was frank, without a hint of evasion.
In front of her screen, Emma's hand holding her water glass suddenly trembled, spilling some liquid, though she didn't notice.
Her pupils contracted sharply.
Lumaria... that nightmarish place.
The Laurent family had been willing to collaborate with the Lumarian mafia just to steal her formula.
That year, she'd been trapped in a foreign country, isolated and helpless, almost convinced she would die there.
Could it be that the person who had secretly rescued her from that quagmire was him?
Matthew?
Impossible!
Her mind went blank, yet her heart began pounding like a drum.
At the press conference, chaos had already erupted.
"My God! It was an undercover mission?"
"I knew Mr. Moore couldn't possibly have connections with organized crime!"
"Official documents from Lumaria! How could those be fake?"
"This is incredible! This plot twist—even TV dramas wouldn't dare write something like this!"
Reporters whispered among themselves, camera flashes nearly blinding in their intensity.
At the Harrison Group, in the CEO's office.
Nicholas's long fingers gripped his wine glass so tightly his knuckles turned white. On the screen, Matthew's unperturbed face seemed unbearably irritating to him now.
Rescue mission?
Lumarian undercover work?
He found it so hard to believe!
Would someone like Matthew, who stopped at nothing for profit, really engage in such a thankless endeavor?
Unless that important person could bring him even greater benefits!
Just as everyone was still processing this shocking revelation, Matthew spoke again, his voice carrying even more conviction than before.
"Today, taking advantage of this opportunity and with so many media friends as witnesses, the Moore Group will officially launch a revolutionary product to the world."
He turned to gesture behind him.
"Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome our household intelligent medical device—the Disease Conqueror, or simply DC!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Jack, dressed in a sharp business suit, carefully carried onto the stage a smart device shaped like a small bear.
The bear was pure white with light blue accents, its large eyes blinking adorably with an irresistibly cute appearance.
Simultaneously, the large screen behind Matthew blazed to life.
A high-quality promotional video began playing, filled with cutting-edge technology and expert production.
Against stirring background music, the narrator's voice rang out clearly:
"DC features a built-in database of over 12,000 known disease symptoms, powered by more than 300 million independent computational intelligent modules, capable of accurately diagnosing and assisting in the treatment of virtually all common diseases known to humanity, plus over 500 rare conditions."
"It's not just a medical device."
"It will be your most caring health manager, the guardian angel of every future household, humanity's ultimate partner in the fight against disease!"
The video was visually stunning, every word delivered with impact.
The entire auditorium—no, the entire world watching the live stream—felt as if a bombshell had been dropped.
"What? It can treat all common and rare diseases?"
"Can detect over 12,000 disease symptoms? 300 million intelligent modules? What kind of concept is that?"
"Household intelligent medicine? Is this going to destroy the current healthcare system?"
After a brief silence, the reporters went wild like they'd been injected with adrenaline, surging toward the stage with their cameras and microphones practically shoved in Matthew's face.
"Mr. Moore! Mr. Moore! What's the difference between this DC and the FD that the Harrison Group is about to launch?"
"Mr. Moore, the Moore Group had absolutely no advance word about this new product! Does launching it like this today mean you're planning a direct confrontation with the Harrison Group?"
"Mr. Moore, what's DC's pricing strategy? When will it officially hit the market?"
"Mr. Moore..."
Questions flooded in like a tide, the scene threatening to spiral out of control.
Matthew deflected all questions to the vice president who had stepped onto the stage, then waved goodbye amid the expectant gazes and departed.
At the Harrison Group, in the CEO's office.
"Crash!"
The wine glass in Nicholas's hand shattered on impact, crimson wine mixed with glass shards splashing across his hand.
He seemed not to feel the pain, staring fixedly at the adorable little bear on the screen and Matthew's composed face.
"Fuck!"
He cursed under his breath, his chest heaving violently.
All along, he'd felt that Matthew was plotting something sinister, but he never expected the revenge to be waiting for him here!
Matthew had beaten him to the punch by launching a product identical to the FD？