Chapter 119 Found Her, Kissed Her Directly
A subordinate reported nervously, "There were two skilled fighters with her. When we went after them, Elvin's people had already arrived... The scene was chaotic... Later, Ms. Rodriguez... Ms. Rodriguez was rescued by Mr. West."
"Mr. West?" Matthew narrowed his eyes dangerously. "Doesn't he usually stay out of these things?"
No one could answer his question.
Matthew paced around the room irritably, then suddenly stopped and asked, "What about that old bastard?"
The subordinate quickly replied, "Still at the base."
A vicious look flashed in Matthew's eyes, and a cruel smile curved his lips, "Go cut off one of his pinky fingers and send it over!"
Mr. West, daring to compete with him for her—sooner or later he'd have someone blow up his castle.
"Yes!" The lead man's body stiffened. He responded in a deep voice and quickly led the others out.
Matthew took a deep breath, trying to calm the rage in his chest. Every extra day he stayed here, he feared Emma would face more danger.
This time, he would take her away for sure!
As for that lunatic Elvin... hmph, he wouldn't let him leave here alive.
Everything would end here!
...
Night fell.
The ancient castle blazed with lights under the night sky, like a luminous pearl dropped in the mortal world, quiet and mysterious.
Emma stood by the window. Only after seeing Tom return safely to the castle did she breathe a sigh of relief, turn around, and go rest in her room.
Not far away by the bar, Mr. West sat alone.
He had no desire to sleep. The wine glass in his hand swirled with amber liquid as he drank glass after glass.
All because she was next door, separated from him by just a wall.
He restrained his surging thoughts, the impulse to rush over and hold her nearly consuming him.
The next morning, when Emma walked to the dining room, Mr. West was already seated at the table, looking rather pale.
He had barely slept, spending the whole night thinking about Emma.
"Mr. West, good morning!" She smiled brightly.
Mr. West looked up and saw her sunny cheerfulness, his mood beginning to clear.
"Miss NOVA, did you sleep well last night?"
"Yes, very well. The castle was quiet, and I didn't hear any dogs barking." She nodded.
Mr. West's face showed undisguised satisfaction, though no one knew he had specifically ordered all the guard dogs in the castle to wear muzzles.
"Miss NOVA, are you planning to go to the forest again today?" He stared at her, wanting to hear a negative answer.
Emma paused, then said casually, "The forest was badly damaged yesterday. If I go again, I can't afford the compensation."
Was she mocking him?
Then she added, "Mr. West, don't worry, I'll pay every penny of the compensation I owe. Today I just want to go out and look around, see the sights of Luminous City."
His mouth twitched. Coming to this place where killers don't blink an eye to see the sights?
He calmly placed a piece of cheesecake on her plate. "Then you could go see Tianshui Peak. The scenery there is beautiful, and there are hot springs that can heal injuries. Quite a few tourists visit!"
After a pause, he added, "I happen to be free today. I can show you around!"
Emma smiled. "Then I'll trouble Mr. West!"
She stared at his face carefully, not missing any subtle expression.
Then her gaze swept lightly over the exquisite food on the table.
"I'd like a glass of milk." Her voice wasn't loud, but it clearly reached the man across from her.
Milk?
He was obviously stunned for a moment.
Then something moved quickly in the man's deep eyes, as if he understood something.
He calmly raised his hand, and the butler immediately bowed and approached.
"Have the dairy farm bring two cows over right now to milk fresh milk for Miss NOVA."
The man's voice was steady but carried an unquestionable command.
He wanted to see if she dared to drink it!
Emma's heart, suspended in mid-air, quietly settled back down.
It seemed this Mr. West... probably wasn't the person she suspected.
A relaxed smile instantly spread across her face, with just the right amount of apology, "That would be too much trouble, making such a fuss. I'll just have juice instead. Yes, juice is fine."
She quickly covered for herself.
Mr. West leisurely picked up a uniquely shaped pastry and took a small bite, his manner elegant.
"Yesterday Miss NOVA broke into the forest as if looking for someone. I wonder if you could show me the photo?"
His tone was casual, as if just making dinner table conversation.
"Perhaps I could help you find some useful leads."
But Emma kept her guard up. Given her superficial relationship with Mr. West, they were far from being able to trust each other completely and lay all cards on the table.
"I won't trouble you, Mr. West. This small matter, I should be able to handle myself." She politely declined, not wanting him too involved in this whirlpool.
Changing the subject, she took the initiative, "Mr. West, I wonder if your people got any valuable information from those men yesterday?"
She was referring to the captives his men had carried away like chickens.
"Just some local desperados who amount to nothing, it seems. Looks like they were bought off with money." Mr. West gently wiped the corner of his mouth with a napkin.
Then he added, "However, according to the interrogation, they all previously followed someone called Hawk."
"Hawk..." Emma silently repeated the name in her mind.
"That's a complete, bloodthirsty mad dog." Mr. West concluded, his tone carrying undisguised disgust.
Who would have thought—this Hawk wasn't that Hawk.
Emma's eyes flickered. She knew that Luminous City had two major figures, the money-obsessed Mr. West before her, and the bloodthirsty Hawk.
Anyone who offended either one could immediately report to hell! Those wanting to do shady business in Luminous City had to pay respects at the dock first.
Could it be that Elvin had bought off Hawk's men? Then he must have been entrenched here for a long time. But her master's residence was unknown to anyone—why would it be drawn into this war?
It seemed she'd have to make another trip to Red House to dig up some leads.
After breakfast, Emma and Tom left the castle.
Mr. West stood alone on the second-floor terrace, his gaze heavy as he followed that petite, departing figure.
He didn't say much, just waved his hand, signaling the bodyguards behind him to follow.
"Protect her."
At least with her staying in his castle, his anxious heart could settle down considerably.
Emma and Tom went to Red House again, familiar with the route. The two pushed the door open and entered.
The light inside was somewhat dim. A hunched figure suddenly bumped into Emma.
It was an unfamiliar old woman.
The old woman said nothing, just quickly pressed a small wooden box into Emma's hand, then hurriedly left.
Emma suspiciously opened the box.
With just one glance, all color drained from her face, leaving it deathly pale.
On the other side, Tom was enthusiastically exchanging today's new code with the red-haired little boy.
The boy, sporting eye-catching red hair but eyes holding a depth beyond his years, slowly recited, "The eagle flies at midnight."
Tom smiled proudly and quickly responded, "But the owl sees all."
The boy's lips curved, "Follow me."
Tom agreed, but when he turned around, he found nothing but empty space behind him.
"Emma?"
Emma was gone!
His heart skipped a beat. Frightened, he bolted outside.
Emma clutched the black velvet box tightly. Inside was a bloody pinky finger. She recognized the vintage ring on the finger, and it made her whole body go cold, her stomach churning.
She rushed out the door, trying to catch up with that strange old woman.
After just a few steps, a tall man blocked her path.
The man's face was expressionless, his voice ice-cold, "Want to see the person you're looking for? Come with me."
Emma's heart tightened. Without time to think, she could only follow him.
The man led her into an ordinary-looking residential house.
Almost simultaneously, a shadow rushed into the house like lightning.
At the back door, a black car had already started, speeding away with Emma.
Tom chased to the vicinity, searching frantically for her. A strong sense of foreboding spread wildly in his heart, twisting his insides.
"Emma!"
But it was all too late.
Soon after, another woman sneaked into Red House.
This person was Evelyn.
To avoid mistakes, she had specially changed into local clothing, wrapping herself up like a dumpling, completely covered.
She had heard you could buy information here. She had to find her brother, Theo.
Entering the inner room, a man in his sixties slowly walked out.
He squinted and looked over this woman who had wrapped herself up so tightly and suspiciously, then asked unhurriedly, "Miss, did you bring enough money? Do you know Red House's prices?"
Evelyn's face showed obvious embarrassment. Money? She really didn't have any, but Hawk didn't lack it.
"Yes, feel free to give me the information! I'm Mr. Zane's woman!"
"What's your name? Show me your face." Daring to claim she was Mr. Zane's woman—that took some guts.
Evelyn quickly pulled off the cloth covering her face, revealing a face beautiful enough to outshine all flowers.
Then she grinned, her smile as bright as could be, "I'm called Lily. From now on, wherever you go, just mention my name—it works!"
She even confidently patted her chest.
At the same time.
Emma's eyes were covered with thick black cloth as she was taken to an extremely hidden wooden house area.
The air here was filled with the damp smell of wood, an indescribable scent that somehow relaxed body and mind.
When the blindfold was roughly torn off, the harsh light made her squint.
When she adjusted to the light and saw the person before her clearly, she froze completely.
An overly familiar handsome face came into view.
"Matthew?" Emma's voice trembled with disbelief. "How are you here?"
Matthew walked toward her step by step. His originally cold, hard features softened the moment he saw her, his deep eyes carrying suppressed tenderness and the joy of reunion after disaster.
After so long, he had finally seen her again.
God knows how many people he'd sent to find her during this time, how many times he'd gone crazy in secret.
He extended his long arms and pulled her tightly into his embrace, with such force he seemed ready to merge her into his bones and blood.
"Emma." His low voice sounded by her ear, carrying a trace of barely detectable hoarseness. "I've missed you so much!"
He cupped her small face, about to kiss her...