Chapter 16 She Never Stopped Captivating Him
Nicholas stood at the front, his burning gaze fixed on Emma on stage, his heart racing uncontrollably.
He had never known Emma could play piano!
Even international masters might not be able to play at such a level without sheet music.
It was unlikely anyone could play so movingly!
She was undoubtedly a musical genius!
Nicholas felt as if he was discovering Emma for the first time.
This woman, whom he had once overlooked and dismissed, possessed such dazzling brilliance!
Below the stage, Matthew's eyes burned with affection. How many years had it been since he'd heard her play?
As the piece concluded, Emma slowly opened her eyes, her long lashes fluttering gently like butterfly wings—breathtakingly beautiful.
The entire hall fell silent, everyone lost in the enchanting music that had just filled the air, unable to return to reality.
Suddenly, thunderous applause erupted, with praise echoing throughout the space.
Marianne's eyes moistened as she approached Emma, speaking emotionally in Novarian.
"You played so beautifully! Thank you for helping me complete the performance."
Emma simply smiled softly.
Marianne took Emma's hand, and together they walked off stage, accepting the applause and cheers from the entire audience.
At that moment, Marianne's husband approached alongside Nicholas.
Ryan Berry said to Emma in Novarian, "Thank you so much for helping my wife."
Nicholas was about to translate when Emma responded fluently in Novarian, "Mr. Berry, you're too kind. I absolutely adore Marianne's singing. Being able to perform alongside her was my honor."
This woman... Nicholas's Adam's apple bobbed.
He watched the woman before him, fluent and perfect Novarian flowing from her rosy lips with a unique melodic quality.
She actually spoke Novarian?
And she'd casually mentioned Ryan's name, clearly aware that Ryan was Novaria's diplomatic ambassador, someone of tremendous importance to the Harrison Group.
How many secrets did she still harbor that he didn't know about?
She was like an exquisitely bound forbidden book. Even though he knew that opening it might lead to eternal damnation, he was unable to resist the compulsion to explore its mysteries.
This damnable temptation!
Marianne embraced her, saying gratefully, "Darling, thank you so much. I hope you'll visit Novaria someday so I can properly return your hospitality."
Emma smiled gently. "I'm sure there will be an opportunity. I adore Novaria."
Ryan suddenly asked Nicholas boldly, "Nicholas, is this beautiful lady your wife?"
Nicholas was about to respond when a cold voice cut through the air.
"She's my date, Mr. Berry."
Matthew approached at the perfect moment, gently placing a possessive hand on Emma's shoulder.
Nicholas's expression immediately darkened, his gaze turning sharp as he looked at Matthew.
Zoe suddenly appeared, linking her arm through his and saying, "Nicholas, let's go to the deck to watch the fireworks."
Seeing Matthew chatting pleasantly with Ryan, Nicholas reluctantly withdrew from the small gathering.
Soon after, thunder roared across the sky.
The fireworks had begun, and guests slowly moved outdoors.
In the night sky, explosive sounds echoed as brilliant fireworks burst like enormous colorful flowers against the deep night canvas.
Orange-red, emerald green, bright purple, golden yellow... countless points of light trailed long tails, weaving together and exploding, illuminating the entire sea area like daylight, yet dreamlike.
The fireworks barge was positioned approximately three nautical miles from the Harrison Group's main yacht.
This distance was perfect—far enough to avoid the main ship's commotion, yet close enough to capture the full spectacle of those heavenly displays, like watching a flowing, dazzling panoramic masterpiece.
"Wow, it's gorgeous!"
"Quick, take photos! This angle is perfect!"
Guests raised their phones enthusiastically, camera shutters clicking rapidly as they tried to capture this ultimate display of romance and luxury.
Above, the Harrison Group's drone fleet circled silently like faithful eyes, recording this grand and beautiful moment from every angle.
Zoe was like a peacock finally allowed to display her plumage, practically melting into Nicholas's solid chest.
She tilted her face up, her eyes sparkling brighter than the fireworks above.
It was a complex emotion mixing excitement, infatuation, and wish fulfillment.
"Nicholas, look how beautiful it is."
Zoe's voice carried deliberate charm and a subtle tremor.
A server passed by with a tray, and Zoe quickly grabbed two flutes of golden champagne.
Turning, she offered one to Nicholas, her gaze burning as it locked onto his.
"Nicholas," she took a deep breath, her tone becoming incredibly sincere.
"Before... I was so foolish, so immature. When you needed someone most, when you were going through your darkest time, I left you because of... because of my so-called career."
Zoe paused, seeming to weigh her words, as if remembering her past.
"The truth is, I thought... I needed to become strong enough, successful enough, to have the right and ability to return and help you, rather than become your burden."
Her eyes reddened slightly, her voice catching with emotion.
"Thankfully, God still blessed me. Today, the person standing beside you again... is still me."
Nicholas looked at her, his lips curving into a subtle smile, his eyes still holding deep affection.
"I don't blame you. As long as you behave, everything you want can be yours."
Everything?
Zoe's emotions ignited to their peak!
Was this his promise?
Tonight, she would give herself to him, here on this romantic sea.
She raised her glass, her gaze determined yet filled with anticipation.
"Nicholas, here's to us... to forever."
The crisp sound of glasses touching rang especially clear against the fireworks' background symphony.
Both tilted their heads back, draining their champagne completely.
Zoe set down her glass, contentedly leaning into him again, as if trying to embed herself permanently into his life.
Just then, Nicholas's phone buzzed insistently in his pocket.
He frowned slightly, checking the caller ID before telling Zoe, "I need to take this."
He turned and walked toward a relatively quiet corner by the railing.
On the other end, Charlie's voice reported rapidly.
Nicholas listened quietly, his deep eyes gradually turning cold as ice.
After ending the call, he stood there, his sharp gaze deliberately scanning and sweeping across the crowd on deck.
Evelyn was nearby, chatting and laughing with several socialites.
Henry held a wine glass, speaking quietly with another lady in a corner.
But Emma was nowhere to be seen.
That woman who always managed to stir his emotions had vanished.
Wait—Matthew was also missing.
An uncontrollable thought invaded Nicholas's mind.
Where were they? Had they used this festive distraction to steal away to some unknown corner for a secret rendezvous?