Chapter 106 Her Redemption
Emma stepped inside.
The bedroom was instantly filled with a distinctive fragrance—something special, unlike any floral scent, yet carrying an oddly soothing power that seemed to calm the soul.
They say smell was humanity's most primitive sense, with emotional response preceding cognitive evaluation. When sadness overwhelmed, a single breath of fragrance could restore balance fastest.
"Nicholas," she called softly.
He didn't look up, but she felt the barely perceptible tremor that ran through his body.
Emma had never imagined Nicholas could look so broken, so utterly defeated. Matthew's blow had clearly hit harder than she'd expected.
She took a deep breath, her voice turning ice-cold as she deliberately provoked him.
"Nicholas, are you giving up?"
"Surrendering to Matthew?"
"Surrendering to the world?"
"Planning to slink away from medicine entirely? Become a coward hiding in the shadows?"
His previously vacant, lifeless eyes suddenly blazed with intense hatred as he snapped his head up to glare at her.
That look seemed ready to devour her whole.
Emma felt her chest tighten at seeing Nicholas so utterly unhinged, radiating such destructive energy for the first time. But her expression remained calm as she unleashed her full arsenal of cutting words.
"Actually, I quite liked FD. Such a shame it's doomed to die before it ever had a chance."
"The Harrison Group—tsk, seems like they lack the courage to face reality."
"That Nicholas who claimed to carry the world's suffering patients in his heart, full of noble ideals—guess it was all just talk. I almost believed it!"
Nicholas's fists clenched inch by inch, knuckles white, veins bulging.
Emma didn't pause, continuing to drive verbal daggers into his most vulnerable spots.
"It's only been one day, and the Moore Group's DC has already captured 92% of the global market share. Orders booked solid for the next decade—ten years!"
"Nicholas, I suppose that remaining 8% isn't worth your attention?"
"Of course not—that's only sixteen million families! Naturally beneath your notice!"
"But even if FD could save just one person, that would justify its existence. No one has the right to deny that! Don't you see? Medicine's greatness isn't measured by money or profit, and it has nothing to do with borders, race, or wealth!"
"Its most powerful ingredient comes from a physician's fundamental purpose! Where's yours?"
Nicholas's heart took a brutal hit, his eyes instantly churning with turbulent emotions.
"Nicholas, don't make me lose respect for you! Tomorrow's press conference—if you show up, I'll be there to support you. If you want to keep hiding here like a coward, that's your choice!"
With that, she turned and strode toward the balcony, her powerful words ringing out.
"When God closes one door, He always opens a window!"
"Swoosh—"
She yanked the heavy curtains and sheer panels open in one swift motion. Brilliant sunlight poured in unobstructed, instantly banishing the room's oppressive gloom.
Emma stood in that pool of radiant light, her posture proud and straight.
In that moment, she radiated an indescribable dignity and presence that made him feel small, unreachable.
His heart, silent for so long, slowly began to beat again.
Without another glance at him, she turned and left the room.
Soon, the melodious sound of piano drifted up from downstairs.
Canon!
The melody floated through the air, beginning gently before building to passionate intensity, each note striking his heart like a hammer blow.
A cool tear slipped from Nicholas's eye, quickly disappearing.
After what felt like hours, Nicholas stood. He walked into the bathroom, shaved until his face was perfectly smooth, and changed into crisp, clean clothes.
He was once again the coldly elegant Nicholas of old.
Heading downstairs, he found the main hall empty.
But on the dining table sat a bowl of steaming meatball marinara pasta.
He quietly took his seat, picked up a fork, and began eating slowly.
One bite, then another...
...
The next morning.
Emma stood before her mirror wearing a tailored blue business suit that hugged her figure perfectly.
Her makeup was subtle but striking, enhancing her natural beauty.
Evelyn entered wearing an identical outfit, even styling her hair to match.
She looked Emma up and down with a pout. "You look better in blue than I do."
Then she turned in front of the mirror, admiring herself. "But I look pretty good too, don't I?"
Emma's lips curved upward. "You're the most beautiful."
The two women shared a smile before pulling a third blue-clad figure through the door. All three wore similar wide-brimmed hats that shadowed most of their faces.
"Nina's definitely the prettiest—mainly because she's young!" Evelyn pinched her soft cheek.
"Ah!" Nina's face instantly flushed red.
Emma pulled both Evelyn and Nina into a tight embrace. "Promise me you'll take care of Mom and Dad! Evelyn, stop picking on Nina."
Nina looked up with reddened eyes, signing quickly, asking where Emma was going and what she planned to do.
Emma smiled. "I'm going fishing for a big catch. This fish is very clever—once I've caught it, I'll come home!"
She hadn't expected FD's data to leak, much less that she'd be supporting Nicholas today. Once Dr. N's identity was exposed, the danger would be immense.
The "Alice Project" she'd been secretly preparing would have to launch ahead of schedule.
Right now, her greatest immediate threat came from a man named Elvin.
That maniac had previously stolen core human genetic data and accidentally been poisoned by the lab's defense systems.
Only she could cure that particular toxin.
So Elvin would stop at nothing to find Emma, no matter the cost.
This would surely be a brutal battle, but she couldn't retreat. This monster had to be caught, or he might trigger a terrifying genetic war.
What she hadn't anticipated was that Elvin wasn't working alone—the sharpest blade had been hanging over her head all along.
Even less did she expect that Nicholas would risk his life for her.
Evelyn's eyes also reddened. "Promise me you'll protect yourself. Take plenty of bodyguards—no going alone!"
"I promise!" Emma nodded, holding them even tighter.
Soon, two cars—one black, one white—pulled out of the Jackson Villa garage in tandem.
Each carried a woman in a blue suit and hat.
The surveillance teams watching from nearby were instantly confused.
"Damn! They're identical—which one's Emma?"
One bodyguard pointed at the front car. "Follow that one! That's the route to the Harrison Group!"
Another man smacked the back of his head.
"You idiot! The enemy knows you'd think that way—it's a diversion!"
He barked orders viciously.
"Chase the rear car! Send another team to intercept the front one. Emma cannot reach the Harrison Group press conference!"
"The boss said the moment we grab her, bring her straight to the Moore Group!"
"Yes sir!"
After the two black sedans sped off in different directions, the garage door slowly rose again.
A flashy red convertible emerged with a low engine growl, moving leisurely.
Behind the wheel sat another blue-suited beauty wearing large sunglasses and an elegant hat.
"Clever enough!" Jack muttered from his deeper hiding spot, grinning as he started his engine and followed at a relaxed pace.
He thought to himself, 'Emma certainly has no shortage of tricks.'
The red convertible cruised smoothly for a while, apparently sensing something.
Suddenly the engine roared and the car shot forward!
Taking a sharp turn, it executed a smooth, stylish drift, tires screaming against asphalt.
Ruby glanced in her rearview mirror at the car scrambling to keep up, smiling smugly.
"Want to chase me? Ha! I was racing before you were even a fertilized egg!"
She floored the accelerator. The convertible shot forward like an arrow, nearly losing its tail entirely—soon just a tiny red dot in the distance.
Jack's expression darkened as he gunned his engine, simultaneously speed-dialing.
"Target vehicle suddenly accelerating toward Riverbend Road—arrange interception!"
After successfully drawing away all three pursuit teams, a fourth unremarkable black sedan finally emerged slowly from the Jackson Villa garage.
Daryl's gentle voice came from the driver's seat. "Let's go. Today I'll be your escort."
Emma removed her sunglasses, revealing bright, clear eyes. She smiled. "Thank you!"
'Nicholas, here I come!'
...