Chapter 149 Emma, Can You Love Me Again?
Somewhere deep in the forest.
Matthew watched the helicopter disappear into the distance, his deep eyes churning with endless hatred.
He had lost Emma once again, but he hoped Nicholas would manage to save her.
At least the antidote was destroyed.
Nicholas would never survive these ten days.
He began anticipating Emma's possible actions—she would definitely try to recreate the antidote.
But that was impossible.
Time wouldn't allow it.
So her most likely choice would be to take Nicholas to Novaria's Bluebird Tech laboratory.
Or, using her identity as Dr. N, she'd gather the world's top biologists to develop that serum together.
Maybe she really could bring Nicholas back from the dead.
He had to make preparations in advance.
This time, he would make sure Nicholas died for good!
To extract the antidote, two things were essential—Seven-colored Flower, and the Warm Heaven that James kept in the mountains.
If he destroyed just one of them, even if Nicholas could clear the neurotoxin, he would still die of heart failure.
Ten days—that was Nicholas's entire remaining lifespan.
A cruel smile curved his lips, his voice ice-cold and bone-chilling.
"Bring James. We're heading back to Novaria."
Indeed, the people who know you best will either be your greatest ally or become the deadliest blade thrust into your heart.
Without any surprise, Nicholas's men sent to retrieve James came back empty-handed.
That cunning fox Matthew had already prepared for this.
When the news came back, Nicholas's aura was terrifyingly oppressive, his expression dark.
Just then, Emma awakened.
She slowly opened her eyes to see Nicholas's handsome face.
He was sitting right beside her, his large hand gripping hers tightly, as if afraid she might suddenly disappear.
A pair of clear, lively eyes met his deep gaze.
"Emma, you're awake! Are you feeling uncomfortable anywhere?" he exclaimed with joy.
Emma felt pain in her right hand. Suddenly, as if pricked by a needle, she bolted upright.
"The antidote! Did we get the antidote?" Her voice was urgent.
Nicholas looked at her, extending his arm to pull her back into his embrace, his chin resting against the top of her head as he softly comforted her.
"I've already taken it. Don't worry."
She didn't believe him, frantically reaching to check the wounds on his body.
After just one glance, her face immediately fell, all color draining away.
"The poison wasn't neutralized at all, was it?" Her voice trembled as despair crept into her heart.
"It wasn't neutralized at all!"
She looked down at her carefully bandaged right hand. "I crushed the vial, didn't I?"
She frowned slightly, her eyes quickly reddening.
The antidote was gone.
She couldn't save Nicholas now.
Nicholas gently stroked her head, comforting her repeatedly, "Don't be afraid. I won't die. There has to be another way."
His voice was low and firm, carrying a convincing strength.
Indeed, his people had already sprung into action, contacting the world's top biologists.
Although none of them were as skilled as Dr. N.
But by combining everyone's wisdom and strength, they could surely race against time!
Charlie walked in carrying a bowl of clear porridge.
Nicholas took it, carefully blew on it to cool it down, then sat on the bedside, feeding her spoonful by spoonful.
His movements were incredibly gentle, his eyes full of tender affection, as if she were the most precious treasure in the world.
Emma had no appetite and could only manage to eat half the bowl before shaking her head.
"I don't want anymore."
"Alright." He didn't force her. "Rest a little more then."
He helped her lie back down, tucked in the corners of her blanket, and only then got up to leave the room.
Charlie was standing right outside the door. Nicholas spoke with icy coldness, "Send people to the airport. Don't let Matthew escape. I want him to pay the price."
"Yes." Charlie nodded.
"Contact Tyler and have him thoroughly investigate what Emma went through four years ago. Every detail—I want to know everything."
From Matthew's words, he vaguely sensed that the crisis Emma experienced four years ago seemed connected to himself somehow.
No matter what, he would never let her encounter danger again. He couldn't bear the result of losing her.
He didn't realize his heart had already been deeply rooted in love.
Charlie nodded again, then suddenly reported, "We received news today that Karen was bailed out of prison."
Nicholas's voice carried anger, "Who did it?"
"The White family from Empire City. It seems the White family has been secretly searching for a lost daughter, and apparently Karen knows some clues."
This information was quite significant, but it lit a spark of hope in Nicholas's eyes.
"The only people connected to Karen are Zoe and Emma."
Charlie's heart jumped, "Mr. Harrison, do you mean that Mrs. Harrison might very well be..."
Nicholas remained silent for a few seconds, "Have someone secretly investigate this. The White family has deep, complex connections. Don't let Emma know for now."
"Understood." Charlie nodded knowingly, then asked, "You haven't eaten all day. Dinner is ready."
Nicholas strode downstairs, suddenly saying, "I want to make a cake."
Charlie fell silent.
Was Nicholas becoming addicted to cake-making?
An image suddenly appeared in his mind of himself standing at a bakery entrance, calling out, "Welcome! Fresh Harrison Group cakes just out of the oven today!"
A group of gorgeously dressed women would surge in frantically, shouting to buy the ones made personally by Mr. Harrison...
Charlie shuddered on the spot.
From the direction of Luminous City Castle came the sound of explosions, and brief flashes of fire appeared in the pitch-black sky.
As if trying to shatter the night itself.
Indeed, at this moment, Luminous City had been turned upside down. The wealthy district was now under Hawk's control.
Yesterday at 1 AM was when Nicholas and Hawk had coordinated from within and without, staging a brilliant diversion.
Only then could Hawk's forces so easily penetrate the impregnable Los Castle.
Mr. West had been shot and killed in the chaos.
At this moment, Hawk was leading his subordinates in a carpet search through Los Castle, purging Wesley's remaining supporters.
There were two things he had to find before he could rightfully take control of all of Luminous City.
First was the Skyfire Dagger.
A hundred years ago, when Luminous City fell into chaos, a general wielding this dagger had pacified the turmoil and established Luminous City as an independent small nation. Later the small nation split apart, and the largest city became present-day Luminous City.
This dagger symbolized supreme power and prestige.
Second was Wesley's vault.
It contained wealth belonging to all of Luminous City that absolutely could not be allowed to flow elsewhere.
Only after completing these two tasks could Hawk truly retire in triumph.
Just then, his subordinates escorted a woman over to him.
It was Nora.
Nora watched as Hawk approached step by step, four burly bodyguards following behind him.
This man was as powerfully commanding as an emperor ruling the world, making her originally dim eyes instantly brighten.
She spoke, her voice carrying a barely detectable note of seduction.
"Mr. Zane, don't waste your efforts."
"You won't find that dagger. My brother hid it in a very safe place."
She paused, her red lips curving into a meaningful smile.
"But I can help you."
Hawk stopped, his gaze falling on this beautiful woman before him.
Nora was stunning but venomous as a serpent, her entire being radiating deadly menace.
His eyes narrowed slightly with a hint of inquiry, "Ms. West, we can talk."
He merely gave a look.
His subordinates immediately understood and released their hold on Nora.
Nora smoothed her slightly disheveled clothing and gracefully walked up to him.
"Mr. Zane, that depends on your sincerity."
She boldly extended her hand, her fingertips lightly tracing across the cold, hard silver mask on his face.
The sensation beneath her fingertips made her heart flutter.
Conquer a man, and you can conquer a city.
Hawk's eyes darkened slightly. He suddenly bent down to lift her up and carried her into the Castle...
Hearing the explosion, Emma also got up from bed. She stood at the window, looking at the orange-red horizon, seemingly deep in thought.
Suddenly, she quickly grabbed her phone and made a call.
Indeed, her thoughts aligned perfectly with Nicholas's.
She wanted to invite the world's top biological science elites to rush to Luminous City and assist her in recreating the antidote!
She made three consecutive calls, speaking in different languages. These three people had always been talents she valued highly.
With their assistance, the work would surely be twice as effective.
She also called Susan, having her prepare materials and arrange for all the most advanced equipment from the laboratory to be airlifted over.
For her, staying in Luminous City right now was far safer than returning to Novaria.
Novaria was Matthew's stronghold.
This time, she wouldn't allow any accidents to happen to the antidote!
After arranging everything, she walked out to the garden for a stroll.
Winter was approaching, and the large temperature difference between day and night sent cold winds whipping through the garden, making the lily stems dance wildly. Though their fragrance was scattered, the air still carried their sweet perfume.
She walked to that green lily and noticed a drop of dark blood on one of the inner petals.
She gently touched the dried blood, guessing the reason for Nicholas's absence that night.
Her heart felt painfully blocked.
"Emma." A familiar voice came from behind her.
She turned around.
He was holding a cake, emerging from among the flowers with a slight smile on his lips. The wind tousled his hair, making it disheveled yet carefree.
Candlelight illuminated his handsome face, vivid and alive.
"That night, I said I'd give you a makeup birthday celebration, but then I broke my promise. I made another cake to give you another birthday."
He placed the cake on the table, then led her over to it.
Emma looked at the cake. A lily was drawn on top, with "My Emma" written in black chocolate.
She couldn't help but complain, "It's really ugly."
"Being uniquely ugly is also its value." He laughed carelessly and urged, "Quick, make a wish!"
Emma didn't make a wish, smiling faintly, "If wishes could come true, there wouldn't be so much suffering in the world."
The wind suddenly extinguished the candle flame.
Nicholas took her hand, his expression serious, "Emma, listen carefully. No matter what happens in the future, don't ever hurt yourself."
"When you jumped into the sea to grab that antidote, I was scared out of my mind."
"Thank God you were unharmed, but I... I'm really afraid now!"
"You are Dr. N. Your life belongs to all the people of the world, and you can't..."
Suddenly, liquid flowed from his nose. He paused.
Emma frowned and immediately pressed her left hand against his nose.
He took a deep breath and continued, "Emma, can you love me one more time?"
"Even if... it's only for ten days..."
His passionate gaze locked onto hers, his voice pleading.
He had sent her away once before, but this time, he didn't want to let go.
He was being selfish, but just in case—he didn't want to leave with regrets.
Blood seeped through her fingers, then slid down the back of her hand, drop by drop, hitting the ground.
It burned her eyes.