Chapter 136 His Attack, Her Resistance
Nicholas burst through the door, fury radiating from every fiber of his being.
Emma was changing clothes, her snow-white dress only half on, barely covering her chest.
He strode forward in several quick steps, swept her up in his arms, and threw her heavily onto the bed.
"Nicholas, what are you doing! Get out!" she screamed, her voice trembling.
His face was cold as ice, each word grinding through clenched teeth: "I want to have another child with you."
With that, he leaned down, his burning lips crushing against hers.
Emma's mind went completely blank.
What did he just say?
Had he lost his mind?
"Nicholas! Get away from me, don't touch me!" she shrieked, using hands and feet to push him away.
But he was like a completely enraged lion, ignoring her cries entirely. His large hand yanked, and her dress was instantly torn to shreds.
The cool air hit her skin, making her tremble even more violently.
A sharp slap rang out.
But he didn't regain his senses. Only one thought consumed his mind—to possess her, to make her never leave him again.
Perhaps he'd held back too long. Right now, he only wanted her.
At this moment, his eyes rolled with terrifying crimson, like a demon crawling out of hell.
"Nicholas, have you lost your mind? Snap out of it, get away!" Emma had never seen him so out of control.
She pushed against him with all her strength, but her small hands were pinned above her head, held down firmly.
He lowered his head to kiss her neck, then used his other large hand to forcefully pry her legs apart.
"Stop it, Nicholas, let me go!" Emma shouted desperately.
He remained unmoved, like a man possessed, raining down overwhelming kisses.
"Nicholas, let me go, mmph..." In her panic, Emma accidentally bit her tongue, pain bringing tears to her eyes.
The metallic taste of blood instantly spread between their lips and teeth. His harsh movements didn't stop—if anything, he seemed more like a blood-crazed demon, savoring the sweetness in her mouth.
"Charlie, help me!" she suddenly screamed. "Charlie, get in here now!"
Charlie had been pacing anxiously outside the door like an ant on a hot pan. Hearing Emma's cry for help, he steeled himself and burst through the door.
The awkward scene before him was hardly something a lowly assistant should witness.
"Get him off me, quickly!" Emma shouted again.
"Oh my, Mr. Harrison, you... you..." Charlie rushed forward, pulling the irrational man away.
Emma quickly got up, adjusting her torn dress, and walked over to slap Nicholas hard across the face.
Nicholas's face snapped to the side, his eyes slowly focusing.
Still not satisfied, Emma clenched her small fist and threw a punch directly at his handsome face.
"You've gone too far!"
Pain shot through her knuckles as she shook her hand.
This blow finally brought Nicholas completely back to his senses. Fragmented scenes of his wild loss of control flashed through his mind, shocking him to his core.
Suddenly, he fixed Charlie with murderous eyes, demanding coldly, "What did you put in that porridge?"
Charlie fell silent immediately.
Emma looked suspiciously at Charlie.
"That was from Mr. Robert Harrison," he looked guilty, suddenly dropping to his knees. "Mrs. Harrison, I was wrong. Please punish me!"
"Hmph! What kind of nonsense!" Emma glared at Charlie and stormed out angrily.
Nicholas lightly wiped the bright red blood from his lip, saying quietly, "Go see payroll for a six-month bonus later."
Charlie's mood instantly brightened. "Yes, thank you, Mr. Harrison!"
"If you can't win her back, you're staying here forever!" With that, Nicholas turned and walked out.
Nicholas went to his study and called Dr. Lee as Mr. West.
He reported on the past few days, mentioning how he'd been losing control and doing strange things lately.
James reassured him, saying he'd return in five or six days with the antidote, and asked him to take good care of Emma.
After hanging up, his heart settled somewhat.
James was Dr. N's mentor after all—this poison truly wouldn't stump him. Matthew had calculated everything except this crucial factor!
At noon, Emma returned to Skywater Peak.
Evelyn was happily arm-in-arm with Daryl, preparing to go out, chattering about attending Declaration Day.
The moment Daryl saw her, his brow furrowed. "Emma? Why are your eyes as red as a rabbit's? Who's been bullying you?"
Emma quickly composed herself. "It's nothing, just got sand in my eyes earlier."
Daryl patted her small hand. "Alright, tomorrow, come home with me."
Evelyn pouted nearby. "I haven't gotten my passport yet. Dad, where's yours?"
Daryl snorted. "Don't have one."
He'd taken a free flight here, after all!
Not far away, Hawk's expression darkened. Without his approval, no one would be leaving easily.
Daryl led Emma to a secluded balcony.
"I heard Nicholas is here too. Has he been bullying you?" His tone carried suspicion.
After a pause, he asked again, "What's really going on between you and Mr. West?"
He'd only learned later that the man in the golden mask who'd fought on the battlefield was Mr. West.
He couldn't figure out why all the men here loved wearing masks. Did they all have some unsightly blemishes on their faces?
Emma said softly, "Nicholas is injured and recovering. Dad, I want to go home."
She rested her head on his shoulder as he comforted her. "If you want to come home, then come home with Dad."
She nodded, her nose stinging with emotion.
Soon after, Evelyn came over and pulled them away.
Eventually, they all went together to Red Lake, Luminous City's famously renowned declaration site.
Red Lake was surrounded by vast lawns dotted with carefully constructed flower wreaths wrapped in blooms.
This was the legendary venue for Luminous City's confession ceremonies.
At this moment, over a hundred young women clutched colorful seven-colored berries in their hands, shyly yet bravely declaring their love to their chosen men.
A gentle breeze stirred, sending flower petals cascading down like snow, dancing through the air in a romantic, heartwarming display.
Evelyn fluttered like a happy butterfly through the crowd, running about with infectious enthusiasm.
Hawk followed at a measured distance, his expression impassive yet radiating an intimidating presence that made everyone nearby bow respectfully as he passed.
But his brow was deeply furrowed, torn by an agonizing decision.
Once initiated, he might very well lose her.
That wasn't a consequence he could bear.
Emma sat alone on a stone by the lake, watching everything unfold, feeling utterly out of place.
Her thoughts drifted far, far away.
She remembered over three years ago, when she'd decided to leave school and return home. She'd secretly run to the campus bulletin board.
Clutching a lily she'd bought from a roadside flower shop, she'd whispered to Nicholas's confident photo, "Nicholas, I've come back to find you."
Back then, her heart had been full of joy and anticipation.
How had they ended up like this?
So close, yet growing ever more distant!
In this moment, she wanted to forget his kindness, forget her love for him, and forget her resentment too.
She buried her head in her knees, shoulders trembling slightly. Suddenly thinking of that child, tears fell silently, creating small dark spots on the dry stone.
The late autumn air was cool, and the lakeside wind carried moisture that chilled her fragile frame.
"Don't cry." A familiar voice that made her heart race spoke from above.
It was Nicholas.
He'd appeared beside her without her noticing.
His cheek was still flushed, bearing the handprint from her morning slap.
"I'm sorry." His voice was terribly hoarse, heavy with guilt. "I lost control this morning and scared you."
He looked at her carefully, his posture humble. "Please don't be angry anymore, alright?"
"Forgive me." He dropped to one knee on the grass before her.
When had Nicholas ever apologized so humbly to anyone?
Never before, because of his inherent arrogance and disdain for all.
Now he could, because he understood better than anyone that her tears had soaked through to his very heart.
Emma slowly lifted her gaze, eyes shimmering with moisture, clearly showing tear tracks and inner turmoil.
"Go away!" Her voice carried obvious anger, still furious about the morning's incident.
Just then, a little girl of about five or six with pigtails came running over.
She held out a string of seven-colored berries tied with red cord to Nicholas, speaking in a sweet, childish voice.
"Grandma says when big brother wants to propose, he has to use these!"
Nicholas instinctively opened his palm, and the vibrantly colored, gem-like seven-colored berries fell into his hand.
He certainly knew the local custom.
When ladies declared their love, they used seven-colored berries.
When men proposed, they had to return the seven-colored berries given by the woman, adding one more to the original string.
That additional one represented unwavering devotion.
He gripped the unexpected string of berries tightly, his knuckles white, frozen in place, motionless.
Emma, seeing this awkward and suffocating scene, suddenly stood and walked away quickly without looking back.
Nicholas slowly rose from the ground, silently following behind her, maintaining a careful distance as he walked.
Suddenly, he seemed to understand something.
True love wasn't about possession.
Sometimes, simply watching her silhouette, knowing she was safe, was precious enough.
When the heart has no place to rest, everywhere becomes wandering.
From a street corner, a pair of sharp eyes watched that beautiful figure.
Suddenly, a large, clumsy bear in a blue costume suit waddled over, blocking Emma's path.
It wanted to give her a lily.
"No thank you," Emma declined politely, trying to pass, but the stubborn bear kept blocking her way.
Nicholas saw trouble brewing and rushed forward, pulling Emma behind him and delivering a flying kick with his long legs.
The bear was sent flying fifteen feet away, groaning in pain on the ground.
Its head costume fell off, revealing Charlie's features scrunched up in a grimace.
Emma gasped and ran over. "Charlie, is that you?"
Nicholas's face darkened. What was this fool trying to pull, dressed like that?
Charlie rolled around on the ground, too round and clumsy to get up. "Mrs. Harrison, I came to apologize to you."
"That's not necessary!" Emma's attitude was cold.
"Mrs. Harrison, if you'll forgive me, I'll tell you two big secrets!" He struggled for two more circles but still couldn't rise. "They're about Mr. Harrison—guaranteed to satisfy you!"
Emma glanced back at Nicholas with amusement. "Let's hear them."
Charlie was about to speak when Nicholas's handsome face came into view, radiating deadly coldness.
He whistled and ran away.
That evening, Emma finally cornered Charlie alone.