Chapter 19 Leaving Zoe with No Way Out
Nicholas lifted his head slightly from where it was buried in Emma's neck, his eyes unfocused as he stared at the wall. Then his tone became surprisingly gentle, as if he were coaxing a tantrum-throwing child.
"From now on, no matter what day it is, whenever you want, you can always come to me. I... I can give you everything."
Emma asked, "What?"
This damned response made Emma's heart sink completely.
He wasn't lucid at all!
Taking advantage of his momentary distraction, Emma suddenly spun around and bit down hard on his shoulder!
She used tremendous force, tasting blood almost immediately.
Nicholas let out a muffled groan, but instead of anger, he laughed—a laugh tinged with sick excitement.
"You want to try something different?"
The pain seemed to stimulate him, making him even more aroused.
He moved closer again, one arm locking her completely in his embrace while his other hand lifted her chin, about to kiss her again.
"Nicholas! No!" Emma's tears fell as she cried out her final plea.
"I'm sick! Please... don't touch me."
Nicholas's movements paused again.
He looked down at her tear-filled eyes, a flash of struggle and hesitation crossing his gaze.
His calloused fingertips traced her soft, red lips with an eerie gentleness.
In the past, he would have already pressed her down.
But now, looking into her beautiful, icy eyes, he hesitated.
His voice was terribly hoarse. "Then help me in another way."
Just at this critical moment!
Clear knocking echoed, accompanied by a familiar, anxious voice.
"Emma! Are you in there? Are you okay?"
It was Matthew!
Hearing Matthew's voice outside the door, the madness in Nicholas's eyes didn't diminish—it increased, even flashing with a trace of savage excitement.
As if his prey was about to be stolen, triggering an even stronger possessive desire.
"Let me go!" Emma lowered her voice, pleading through her tears.
Nicholas was like a stimulated wild beast, bending down to kiss her again.
He wanted to make some noise to drive away whoever was outside.
Matthew outside clearly heard the commotion inside, his voice becoming more urgent, even threatening to break down the door.
"Emma! Answer me! Nicholas, try laying a hand on her!"
Through her chaotic thoughts, Emma suddenly remembered something. Instinctively, she reached for the necklace she always wore—the large blue sapphire pendant.
She pressed hard with her fingers, gently turning the blue sapphire. An extremely faint, almost imperceptible special fragrance began to drift from the gemstone.
Nicholas was buried in her neck and inadvertently inhaled several wisps of the scent.
His movements froze. The crimson madness in his eyes faded at a visible speed, replaced by confusion and drowsiness.
The next second, his tall frame went limp, completely losing consciousness!
He collapsed heavily onto Emma.
Emma helped him onto the bed, then frantically straightened her disheveled dress and hair.
She took several deep breaths, trying to calm her racing heart and trembling body.
Then she walked to the door and opened it.
Outside, Matthew stood with worry etched on his face, sweat covering his forehead, his hand still positioned as if to break down the door.
When he saw Emma's disheveled clothes, red-rimmed eyes, and swollen lips, Matthew's expression darkened instantly, fury blazing in his eyes.
He could guess what had just happened inside.
"Nicholas!" Matthew roared, trying to push past Emma to storm in and beat the bastard who dared hurt her!
"Don't!" Emma grabbed him, her voice still hoarse, carrying the exhaustion of someone who'd barely escaped disaster.
"I'm fine. Take me off the ship."
She just wanted to immediately leave this suffocating place.
Matthew looked at her pale face and forced composure, his heart aching beyond measure.
He suppressed his rage, took off his suit jacket, and gently draped it over her shoulders, covering the red marks on her skin.
Then he took her hand.
"Alright, let's go."
The night was deep, fireworks still bursting brilliantly over the ocean as Emma and Matthew boarded the return yacht.
She bravely looked up at the beautiful display in the sky, but her eyes welled with tears!
Her heart bled as it struggled to breathe.
That year, when she was only 10, she'd been locked in a storage unit, abandoned for hours in the cold darkness.
Water had slowly seeped in, soaking her clothes. The night was black, and she was freezing.
She'd cried out in terror and despair for help!
It was Christmas Day, and through the crack under the door, she could see beautiful fireworks bursting across the sky.
...
Near dawn, Emma finally dragged her exhausted body back to her apartment.
She soaked herself in the bathtub, eyes closed, but couldn't wash away the bone-deep weariness.
On her pale neck, the ambiguous red mark stood out starkly.
Nicholas had left it there.
His words echoed uncontrollably in her mind. "Zoe and I have never slept together."
She couldn't understand—then why was he so infatuated with Zoe, so protective of her?
Suddenly, she remembered that white figure again, his cold gaze, and that bloody left hand.
Her heart was a mess, like it was stuffed with wet cotton—heavy and impossible to sort through.
Forget it!
She shook her head, trying to shake out those chaotic thoughts.
She quickly finished washing and climbed into her soft bed.
The night was deep.
Just as Emma drifted into sleep, Emerald City's internet exploded.
【SHOCKING EXCLUSIVE! Actress Zoe Suspected of Affair with Henry Garcia!】
【Ms. Jackson Beats Down Homewrecker? Zoe's Public Slapping Video Goes Viral!】
【Zoe's Image Collapses as Past Scandals Surface!】
Countless media accounts swarmed like sharks smelling blood, frantically sharing illustrated news stories.
In the photos, Zoe and Henry were caught in compromising positions in dark corners, the angles suggestive and scandalous.
But the video of Evelyn's attack was in crystal-clear HD.
The footage showed Evelyn in a rage, delivering crisp, resounding slaps while Zoe was beaten senseless, covering her face and crying pitifully—both pathetic and utterly humiliated.
Internet users were absolutely thrilled!
Zoe's team had quickly moved to control the damage, trying to remove trending topics, but found themselves completely powerless.
Nicholas's side wasn't answering calls—complete radio silence.
With the Jackson and Garcia families' influence at stake, who would dare offend these two powerful families for an actress with an uncertain future?
So the news snowballed, continuing to ferment.
Three related trending topics were nailed to the top of all social media platforms, with discussion easily surpassing ten million engagements.
Zoe was completely stunned.
Hiding in her apartment, looking at the vicious comments on her phone screen and the constant notifications of contract cancellations, she felt ice-cold, as if she'd fallen into a frozen hell.
No, she couldn't fall now!
She would make Evelyn and Emma pay a heavy price.