Chapter 142 He Pressed Her Onto the Bed
Nicholas quickly secured all exits at the wedding venue, conducting searches methodically, but found nothing.
He forced himself to stay calm. Who would dare snatch someone right under his nose? Several suspects came to mind: Wesley, Nora, and finally Matthew.
A chill ran through him—had Matthew returned? He immediately split his forces, sending one team to monitor the estate while another scoured the city for any trace of Matthew.
Charlie tentatively suggested, "Mr. Harrison, perhaps we should ask Mr. Zane for help. He has more manpower and knows every corner of Luminous City. Finding Mrs. Harrison is our priority right now."
Nicholas considered this, his lips barely parting. "Just inform Evelyn."
Perfect. Given her personality, she'd have Hawk tear the entire city apart searching.
Besides, he'd previously discussed a certain plan with Hawk. Though he hadn't made his final decision, if the timing proved right, everything would fall into place naturally.
Sure enough, shortly after Charlie informed Evelyn of Emma's disappearance, she called directly.
Nicholas tossed his phone to Charlie, who carefully answered.
A torrent of explosive language erupted from the speaker—every curse word imaginable.
Was this really the Jackson family's precious daughter? She sounded like a fishwife!
Just as Charlie's eardrums were about to burst, the line went dead.
Evelyn looked up as Hawk entered the room, immediately wrapping her arms around his waist.
Hawk leaned down to kiss her forehead, his voice indulgent. "Heard shouting before I even walked in. Who upset my little princess?"
She pushed him onto the armchair, then settled onto his lap, her small hands encircling his neck.
"Mr. Zane, I need a favor."
Hawk's burning gaze locked onto hers as he spoke slowly, his voice coaxing. "As long as you can pay the price, I'll help with anything."
His large hands tightened around her waist, radiating dangerous intent—a wolf eyeing his prey.
Evelyn slapped his hands away, instantly irritated. "Hawk, enough! My waist is about to give out. Get off."
She tried to stand, but Hawk pulled her back down onto his lap.
"My little princess has quite the temper. Should I give you the day off?" He chuckled low, stroking her hair.
"Really?"
"Of course. What favor do you need?" Even as Hawk spoke, his hands wandered beneath her clothing, thoroughly restless.
Seeing her about to explode again, he didn't dare move further, quickly soothing her. "I won't do anything, don't be nervous."
Evelyn urgently explained Emma's disappearance. Hawk fell silent for several seconds, then made a phone call, ordering his subordinates to mobilize search teams.
Evelyn rewarded him with several pecks on his lips, like treats for good behavior.
Hawk gently pressed his forehead against hers, speaking tenderly. "Change clothes. I'll take you to dinner."
"Okay!"
As dusk approached, Nicholas stared at the Wishing Tree, his eyelid twitching uncontrollably. His instincts screamed the truth.
Whoever had taken her—it had to be Matthew. His fists clenched tight, veins bulging on the backs of his hands.
Indeed, at that very moment, Matthew sat in an inconspicuous SUV heading toward the western bay, cradling the sleeping Emma in his arms.
Her cheeks were flushed pink, long lashes resting against her eyelids, fluttering slightly—breathtakingly beautiful.
Matthew held her tighter, as if clutching the world's most precious treasure. His forehead pressed against hers, breathing in her wine-scented breath.
Two Novarian-registered yachts waited in offshore waters. At sea, they'd be safest.
Nicholas would never imagine he'd leave Luminous City's mainland. Let him search every corner—he'd never find Emma.
Around nine o'clock, Emma gradually stirred awake.
Opening her eyes, she found herself in a spacious room resembling a ship's cabin.
The floor swayed gently beneath her.
A boat!
She shot upright, heart racing, and rushed toward the door.
The moment she cracked it open, someone forcefully pushed it shut from outside.
Two black-suited bodyguards blocked her path, their faces expressionless.
"Who are you? Where am I?" Emma demanded, both shocked and furious. "I want to see your boss!"
"Emma, you're awake." A familiar voice that chilled her to the bone spoke from behind.
Matthew.
He carried a tray containing a bowl of steaming porridge.
Emma's eyes immediately hardened, like a frozen lake surface.
She silently retreated into the room.
Matthew strode inside on long legs, closing the door behind him with his free hand.
The sound of the lock clicking made her heart leap.
"Hungry? I had the kitchen prepare some porridge for you." His tone was gentle as he carefully lifted the bowl from the tray.
"We're at sea? Where are you taking me?" Emma's face was ashen, her voice tight with suppressed rage.
Matthew walked to the window and yanked open the heavy curtains with one swift motion.
"Don't worry, we're still near Luminous City. We're not going anywhere." He turned his head, his jawline sharp in the dim light. "The yacht is anchored in offshore waters."
Emma followed his gaze and indeed saw the towering silhouette of Skywater Peak, still clearly outlined against the night sky in the distance.
Her heart settled slightly.
But this brief comfort was quickly overwhelmed by greater unease.
"Matthew, why did you bring me here? Let me go back." Her voice held no warmth whatsoever.
He turned around, his expression instantly hardening—that previous gentleness now seeming like a momentary illusion.
"Go back? Where exactly?" He sneered. "Back to Nicholas?"
Emma's heart sank. As expected.
She took a deep breath. "Elvin is dead, and the Alice Project is terminated. I'm returning to Novaria."
Matthew's eyes flickered with barely concealed joy at the words "returning to Novaria."
"If you're willing to go back to Novaria, I'll accompany you tomorrow." His voice softened again.
Emma stared at him, her gaze cold as poisoned ice arrows. "I'll return on my own. Matthew, we haven't been on the same side for a long time. From now on, we don't need to travel the same road."
His kidnapping of James last time, using James to threaten her—those actions had thoroughly frozen her heart.
Her disappointment in him was complete.
Matthew's expression grew extremely ugly, as if he'd been violently slapped.
"Not on the same side?" He stepped closer, radiating dangerous energy. "Emma, have you forgotten who's walked alongside you all these years? Wasn't staying by my side good enough? Why are you so obsessed with Nicholas? Do you still want to marry him?"
He was referring to today's wedding ceremony.
But Emma assumed he meant her three-year-old obsession with Nicholas.
"Isn't your feeling for me also an obsession?" She fearlessly met his gaze. "It's impossible between us. Let go. I don't love you."
Each word struck his heart like a small hammer.
She'd pronounced his death sentence in the calmest possible tone.
Matthew listened to this clean, decisive rejection, his chest heaving with rage, momentarily at a loss.
He couldn't hit her, couldn't bear to scold her.
Suddenly, he reached out with both hands, gripping her shoulders with crushing force, as if trying to shatter her bones.
He suddenly laughed—a chilling sound.
"You want Nicholas to stay with you forever?" He released her, his tone carrying an eerie certainty and mockery. "You two won't make it to the end. Don't you know that yet?"
His words carried obvious probing.
Emma's heart skipped a beat, confused. "What do you mean?"
Matthew carefully studied her expression, seeing genuine bewilderment that couldn't be faked. Understanding dawned.
Damn Nicholas!
He truly deserved to die!
Still hiding this from her!
Did he want her to completely shatter at the last moment, or did he think he could still be saved?
Suddenly, his eyes flashed—he'd miscalculated a crucial factor.
He abruptly changed direction, concealing the sinister gleam in his eyes and returning to that gentle facade, as if his earlier loss of control had never happened.
"Have some porridge first. Don't go hungry." He picked up the now-cooling bowl, speaking softly. "Later I'll take you up to the deck for some fresh air. Tonight's starry sky is magnificent."
He took a small spoon, gently stirring the contents, his movements patient and meticulous.
As he approached with the porridge, Emma instinctively raised her hand and pushed.
The white ceramic bowl crashed to the teak flooring, shattering on impact.
Creamy porridge mixed with ceramic shards, splattering everywhere.
She startled herself with the loud crash.
She didn't dare eat anything he offered, nor trust a single word from his mouth.
Matthew felt his heart pierced by countless fine needles—a dense, overwhelming pain.
"You think I'd hurt you?" His voice was hoarse.
Emma didn't answer, but her silence was tantamount to confirmation.
"Am I really so despicable in your eyes?" His tone carried genuine anguish.
She remained silent, unsure how they'd reached this point.
This wasn't what she'd intended!
The last trace of tenderness vanished from Matthew's eyes, replaced by suppressed fury and hurt.
He felt his dignity, patience, and four years of devotion had been shattered by her in this moment.
He was furious!
He strode over, his large hand firmly gripping the back of her head, preventing any chance of escape.
"What are you doing!" Emma tried to retreat in terror.
His other hand clamped around her waist like an iron vice, pressing her tightly against him.
Then he lowered his head and bit down hard on her soft lips!
"Ah!" Emma felt sharp pain as her lower lip split, the metallic taste of blood spreading through her mouth.
Yes, he'd bitten her.
With hatred and fury!
Emma was shocked, and before she could recover, he pushed her onto the bed.
"What are you doing! Let me go!" She struggled violently, pounding her fists against his chest. "Matthew, let me go!"
He wanted to do what he'd thought about for so long but never dared attempt...