Chapter 155 Using the Plan Against Itself
Charlie felt his heart drop like a stone. Without hesitation, he spun around and charged down the mountain with his team, moving with military precision.
Within minutes, the villa complex housing the laboratories was surrounded—no one was getting in or out.
In her room, Jane heard the commotion outside and allowed herself a satisfied smile. The massive mobilization could only mean one thing—her plan had worked.
With her specially crafted poison coursing through his system, Nicholas was as good as dead. Two days, maximum!
She quickly pulled out her phone and typed a brief message: [Mission accomplished.]
Soon after, Jane found herself face-to-face with Emma, flanked by armed guards.
Emma's gaze was ice-cold as she stared her down. "Why did you poison him?"
Jane burst into maniacal laughter, her composure completely cracking.
"Dr. N, how quickly the privileged forget! Don't tell me you don't remember little old me?"
Her eyes blazed with venomous hatred as they bore into Emma.
"You thought marrying Nicholas would give you your fairy-tale ending? Well, guess what—you don't deserve him any more than I did!"
Emma's brow furrowed as she searched her memory. That face... suddenly it clicked!
This woman was Jane Gray—the mayor's pampered princess and campus queen from their university days. She'd made a spectacular public declaration of love to Nicholas, only to be rejected just as publicly, becoming the laughingstock of the entire school.
Unable to handle the humiliation, she'd transferred schools shortly after.
Apparently, she'd used her family's influence to work her way up to a PhD, changed her name, and infiltrated their operation.
"I knew you looked familiar," Emma said with dawning recognition.
Then her voice turned arctic. "But I tested your solution myself. It wasn't poisoned."
Jane's smile became even more twisted, radiating sick satisfaction.
"Of course it wasn't. Because I coated the inside of the bottle rim with the poison."
"The moment you poured it out, contamination was inevitable."
Emma's lips curved in a cold smirk. "How... clever of you."
"Really went above and beyond with your attention to detail," came a deep, resonant voice from the doorway.
Nicholas emerged, standing tall and commanding. Though his complexion was still pale, his eyes were sharp and alert—showing no signs of being at death's door.
He approached Jane with predatory grace, his gaze cutting like a blade.
"Initially, I assumed you were one of Matthew's operatives."
Jane's triumphant expression crumbled instantly, replaced by sheer terror and disbelief.
She stared at Nicholas, pointing with a trembling finger. "You... you're fine? That's impossible! That poison is lethal to anyone!"
Nicholas moved to Emma's side and gently took her hand, his voice turning glacial as he addressed Jane.
"That's because Emma isn't just anyone."
The moment Emma had seen Nicholas cough up blood, she'd immediately identified the compound toxin and administered the proper antidote. Everything that followed had been an elaborate performance to draw out the real culprit.
Jane completely lost it, screaming and ranting like a woman possessed.
Nicholas watched her breakdown with complete indifference.
"Enjoy your accommodations," he said casually.
"Maybe I'll drop by to visit when I'm feeling generous."
With that, he took Emma's hand and they walked away, leaving Jane's desperate shrieks echoing behind the heavy iron door as it slammed shut.
Meanwhile, in a luxury penthouse in Luminous City, Evelyn paced like a caged animal.
That bastard really thought he could keep her prisoner! Two days now—no word from him, and she wasn't allowed to leave.
Another wave of nausea hit her, sending her rushing to the bathroom. Her stomach was completely empty, but she couldn't keep anything down.
Yes, she was pregnant.
The thought made her anxiety spike even higher.
When she emerged, she found an stunning woman lounging on her sofa—the same woman she'd seen on Nicholas's arm that night at the club.
Emma had mentioned she was Mr. West's sister. And more recently, the woman Hawk had been embracing.
Nora rose gracefully, studying Evelyn's pale features. Despite her extraordinary beauty, Nora seemed unimpressed.
She shook her head dismissively. "I expected Mr. Zane's kept woman to be more... spectacular. How ordinary."
She casually adjusted her dress collar, revealing fresh love bites that made it clear she'd been quite busy the past few days.
'Hawk, that bastard!' Evelyn fought down her nausea and fury, forcing a bright smile.
"Ms. West, making house calls now?" She settled into the opposite sofa like she owned the place. "By my count, I'm number one, and you're about number seven this month."
"Bring her some tea," she called to the staff, adding sweetly, "Make sure the water's scalding—otherwise it won't brew properly."
"Yes, Miss Jackson," came the dutiful reply.
Nora's face flushed red with indignation, but she fought to maintain her composure. "Mr. Zane's been quite... vigorous these past two days. Still wasn't enough to satisfy him. I suppose keeping multiple women around makes sense."
"Though he's about to announce his takeover of Luminous City, so don't get any delusions. I'd advise you to leave quietly before I get irritated."
Evelyn stood with a laugh. "Ms. West, you're welcome to my leftovers. Break them all you want—no refunds necessary!"
She called toward the door, "Show our guest out."
Without warning, Nora lashed out with her leg, sending Evelyn crashing into the wall before she collapsed to the floor.
Evelyn gasped in pain.
"Nobody in Luminous City has ever dared speak to me like that," Nora snarled, producing a knife and pressing it against Evelyn's cheek.
Hank burst through the door, his heart nearly stopping at the scene. He immediately drew his weapon. "Let her go."
Nora straightened and pocketed the blade with a cold smile. "Until next time, Evelyn."
As Hank rushed to help her, he noticed bright red blood spreading beneath her.
She clutched her stomach, body trembling with pain.
"Miss Jackson!" He scooped her up and rushed her to the bedroom.
Half an hour later, Hawk returned home.
Seeing Evelyn unconscious and deathly pale, he felt like someone had driven a knife straight through his heart.
"Save the baby!" he roared at the two doctors, adding menacingly, "Or I'll take your hands."
"Yes, yes sir," they stammered, working frantically.
Hawk lifted her small hand to his lips, pressing a gentle kiss before storming out with murderous intent radiating from every pore.
That afternoon, a devastating article sent Harrison Group into global crisis mode.
The headline read: [Harrison Group CEO Nicholas Harrison Fatally Poisoned—72 Hours to Live.]
The news exploded across international media, sending Harrison Group employees into panic.
Indeed, Nicholas hadn't made any public appearances since the FD product launch, and his phone had been unreachable.
Robert called Charlie directly, who broke out in a cold sweat.
Nicholas took the phone with a weak voice. "Grandfather."
"You little punk, where are you? The whole company's falling apart—get back here now!" Robert's voice boomed with authority.
Nicholas remained calm. "Grandfather, the media's just spreading rumors. Emma and I are honeymooning on a private island. Don't you want great-grandchildren?"
Robert's mood instantly brightened. "Really? You're not lying to me?"
Nicholas pulled Emma into his arms and suddenly pinched her waist without warning.
"Ow! That hurts..." Emma yelped.
"Easy there, son—don't hurt my Emma," Robert chuckled fondly from the other end.
Both Charlie and Emma were speechless.
No one could have predicted that just two days later, Nicholas and Emma would share their final goodbye.