Chapter 191 You Repaid the Favor Incorrectly
"Lifesaver?"
Emma repeated the word under her breath, as though her mind couldn’t fully register it.
Charlie nodded vigorously, almost excited to share what he believed to be a great revelation. “Yes! Exactly that! Four years ago in Novaria, Mr. Harrison attended a farewell party on a yacht. Someone slipped a drug into his drink. He lost consciousness and fell into the ocean. He lost consciousness and fell into the ocean. And Zoe, Zoe was supposedly the one who rescued him!”
He leaned forward, animated. “That’s why Mr. Harrison has been so patient with her all these years! Why he tolerated her tantrums, her recklessness… he felt indebted. He couldn’t bring himself to be too harsh with his ‘lifesaver.’”
He fell into the sea… and Zoe saved him?
Emma’s mind buzzed loudly, drowning out all noise around her. Her vision went slightly unfocused.
Charlie, unaware of the emotional bomb he had detonated, continued speaking in detail, recounting how Zoe “heroically pulled Mr. Harrison from the water” four years ago, then launching into the twisted tangle of emotions, misunderstandings, and messy involvement between Nicholas and Zoe throughout those years.
Everything—Nicholas’s supposed protectiveness, his tolerance, the preferential treatment Zoe basked in—had not been affection…
…but guilt.
A debt he believed he owed.
Finally, Charlie concluded with heartfelt sincerity, “But after Zoe was sent overseas, Mr. Harrison let go of whatever he felt for her. Now the only person he cares about, the only woman he truly cherishes, is you.”
He stopped there, swallowing what he didn’t dare reveal—that Nicholas had rewritten his will and left almost all his assets to her. If that wasn’t love, what could possibly be?
After listening to the entire explanation, Emma let out a laugh.
It was a soft sound, barely audible…
…but beneath it was a profound emptiness, mockery, desolation, and heartbreaking absurdity.
So that was it.
For four entire years, Zoe had lived comfortably under Nicholas’s guilt, wrapped in affection that never belonged to her. She wore the false title of “lifesaver” like a crown.
But the real person who had saved him, the one who dragged him out of the cold waves that night was Emma herself.
How… how had it become Zoe? Matthew had been there. He had witnessed what happened. He knew the truth.
She had assumed Nicholas simply didn’t care to hold onto such a trivial memory.
But reality was far crueler. This was the truth she had never been given.
After a long moment, she finally spoke, her voice soft and distant. “Charlie… you should head back first. I’ll find a taxi later.”
Charlie hesitated, but eventually nodded, giving her a few gentle reminders before leaving.
Emma remained alone on the side of the road, wind tugging at her clothes and hair, as she tried to digest everything she’d just heard. Her chest felt painfully tight. She took out her phone, scrolling through her contacts until she found a number she hadn’t dialed in years.
When the call finally connected, she whispered only one word, “Matthew.”
Her voice trembled.
Her eyes instantly turned red. Just when one crisis seemed to settle, another erupted. That same night, the Jackson family’s security system was breached once more.
A shadowy figure leapt with ease onto the second-floor balcony and slipped silently into Evelyn’s bedroom.
It was Luke. Nicholas had previously mocked him, saying that if he couldn’t even climb to the second floor, he might as well stop dreaming about pursuing Evelyn.
Of course, Nicholas himself had been “climbing” quite frequently.
Tonight, Luke came too quiet, determined. He would soon leave for Empire City to prepare for the family recognition ceremony.
Before that, he wanted to see her properly.
In the dim room, only a soft nightlight glowed faintly. The breeze drifting in through the open window made the curtains flutter like mist.
Near the door stood an easel.
He walked toward it, his long fingers gently lifting and flipping through the sketches placed there.
Besides two beautifully detailed portraits of Theo… every other drawing was of Hawk.
The man in the sketches wore a distinct, mysterious mask, every version of him perfectly captured.
There were drawings of him holding Evelyn tightly in his arms. Drawings of them kissing passionately.
Drawings of his cold, sharp profile. Moments from the hot springs, his hand on her waist, steam curling around their silhouettes.
One drawing showed him shirtless while boxing, muscles coiled and taut.
Her artistic skill was extraordinary. Every sketch was so lifelike it felt like the images could breathe.
Every line, every shadow, every curve…overflowed with longing. Overwhelming, unfiltered yearning.
Staring at the drawings, Luke’s chest tightened painfully. Regret crashed over him in waves. He regretted everything.
He should never have carried out that wretched plan, he should never have made her endure that pain.
He approached the bed with soft, quiet steps and sat carefully at her side. She slept curled on her side, completely relaxed, utterly defenseless.
His large hand gently brushed aside the strands of hair that had fallen across her cheek.
His gaze drifted down.
He rested his palm on her lower abdomen. Through the thin fabric of her nightgown, he stroked it lightly.
Inside… their child was growing. A tenderness so deep it was almost heartbreaking filled his eyes.
She seemed to sense something, her body shifting slightly before she turned over to lie on her back.
Her head tilted slightly to the right, her brow furrowed a bit, sleeping somewhat restlessly.
Supporting himself with one hand on the mattress, he leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to her lips.
She stirred at the contact. He froze.
He didn’t dare deepen the kiss, he barely allowed their lips to brush, feather-light.
Her familiar, clean scent wrapped around him, stirring warmth in his chest.
He traced the outline of her lips with trembling restraint. He missed her so much it hurt.
He traced the outline of her lips with trembling restraint. He missed her so much it hurt.
After stealing countless soft kisses without waking her, he finally stood, bent down to carefully pull the blankets up around her shoulders…and quietly left.
...
The next day.
Nicholas had barely stepped into his office when a call from Empire City shattered the silence.
Zoe had disappeared.
The news came fast and urgent, but it didn't surprise him in the least.
Just as expected.
The moment her identity had been announced privately, she had gone out to attend a small gathering…and had been abducted on her way home without a trace.
The White family was in uproar.
Search teams were dispatched throughout the city. They even ordered Luke to return to help find Zoe.
Nicholas stood by the office window, holding an unlit cigarette between his fingers.
The city skyline reflected in his deep eyes, but his expression was dark, ominously so.
He had anticipated this exact outcome.
The White family possessed immense political influence. That meant countless enemies. Among them, the most dangerous was Minister Castillo, a man who had been watching like a predator for years.
The White family’s newly discovered daughter was not just a reason for joy. She was a glaring vulnerability.
The upcoming recognition ceremony was a strategic move, a public announcement meant to force political factions to take sides.
And they intended to use Zoe as the centrepiece of a marriage alliance as well.
Of course, the White family also hoped to arrange a strategic marriage alliance for their daughter, partly to make certain people back down when they saw the difficulty.
Unfortunately, no matter how good their schemes, they couldn't compete with human treachery.
Before the recognition ceremony could even begin or serve its purpose, Zoe had become someone else's captive.
Nicholas exhaled slowly and flicked the unused cigarette into the ashtray.
At the moment, he had no interest in Empire City's affairs.
His mind was entirely occupied with Emma.
Charlie entered carrying a freshly brewed cup of coffee, the warm aroma breaking the tension..
Suddenly, his phone rang.
Seeing the name flashing on the screen, Charlie trembled with excitement, nearly spilling the coffee in his hands.
He quickly swiped to answer and frantically hit the speaker button.
"Mrs. Harrison!"
Emma's voice came through the speaker, cold and calm.
"Charlie, I want to attend the White family's recognition ceremony. Please send me two invitations."
Charlie froze for several seconds before jolting upright.
"Yes, yes! Of course!"
He instinctively glanced at Nicholas, then hurriedly added.
"Mr. Harrison will be taking a private jet there. Shall I come pick you up?"
"No need."
Those two simple words made Charlie’s stomach sink.
He tried again. “Then I’ll book a flight for you. Mr. Harrison’s residence in Empire City”
The other end said, "No need to trouble yourself. I'll handle it myself."
Charlie swallowed. “Alright. Then... "Mrs. Harrison, when will you return to the company? Unit 001 misses you terribly—it keeps asking to see you."
The phone went silent for a few seconds.
When Emma spoke again, her tone remained the same.
"Send me a computer with authorized access, and bring Unit 001 along too."
"Absolutely!" Charlie immediately agreed.
She said softly, "Thank you."
Then the call ended, the dial tone echoing in the quiet office.
Nicholas still faced the window, but hearing her steady voice finally eased the tension inside him.
Charlie exhaled shakily, then turned to Nicholas with excitement, "Mr. Harrison, Mrs. Harrison is willing to attend the White family's recognition ceremony—that's wonderful! I was still thinking of ways to persuade her to go, especially since it's a grand banquet hosted by the White family, and she's the real White family heiress!"
Nicholas turned, his cold expression finally softening.
"Make the arrangements."
His voice was low, steady, and commanding.
"There are only a few days left until the recognition ceremony. Whenever she decides to leave, we'll depart then too."
"Her safety is the top priority. There absolutely cannot be any mistakes."
Charlie's expression became equally serious as he nodded firmly. "Yes."
Nicholas’s gaze deepened.
Her agreeing to attend was an incredible sign.
A hint of joy flashed in Nicholas's eyes.
He intended to publicly reveal her true identity at the ceremony, before the entire upper circle.
He wanted everyone to know who the real White family heiress was.
He wanted to stand at her side for that moment.
But before that…He had to remove every possible threat.
He would never let her suffer even the slightest harm again.
Of course, evidence of Minister Castillo's corruption had long been sitting in his safe. That threat would have to be eliminated sooner or later...
The White family's immense power naturally meant they understood that Harrison Group controlled far more than just wealth.
He turned back and gave another instruction, his tone coldly decisive.
"Deploy our people to Empire City ahead of time. Clean up what needs to be cleaned up."
Charlie immediately responded, "Yes."
Someone knocked on the door.
Seconds later, Tyler strode in, looking exhilarated, almost smug.
“I’ve uncovered two explosive pieces of information,” he announced proudly. “You will never guess.”
As he spoke, he walked straight to the coffee table and unceremoniously picked up the freshly brewed coffee, tilting his head back to take a gulp.
"Don't..." Charlie tried to warn him, but it was too late.
Nicholas turned around, his eyes dark as he looked at Tyler. "Speak."
Tyler walked over, retrieved a cigarette from Nicholas’s box, and lit it with leisurely calm.
He took a deep drag and exhaled a thick white cloud of smoke before finally beginning to speak leisurely.
“That Leon you had me investigate? Turns out he’s Professor Frank’s stepson.”
Charlie blinked. “Professor Frank’s…?”
"Ms. Rodriguez... Emma's blood sample was personally handed to him by Chris."
Tyler spread his hands casually. “And the timing lines up perfectly with when all of you were in Luminous City.”
Nicholas’s expression tightened.
Charlie’s face drained of color.
They had never expected that innocent-looking Chris to be involved.
"Continue," his voice was cold as ice.
Tyler took another drag, deliberately drawing out the suspense. "There's something else you'll find even more unbelievable."
"This Leon is actually the White family's illegitimate son."
"Twenty-five years ago, when the White family patriarch was still climbing the ladder of power, he had an affair with his female secretary. She got pregnant. He fired her, gave her a huge sum of money, and told her to get rid of the child.”
"But the woman took the money without getting the abortion. She used the money to flee abroad and gave birth to the boy."
"Later, she married Professor Frank and had another son, Chris."
Nicholas’s gaze sharpened dangerously.
"So he deliberately arranged for Zoe to enter the White family as revenge against them?"
Tyler flicked his cigarette ash. "That's only part of it."
“But here’s the bigger part, Leon has severe heart disease. He’s desperately searching for a suitable donor.”
This time, it was Charlie's turn to be shocked, the pieces suddenly clicking into place in his mind!
"So! He also inherited the White family's genetic condition, meaning normal anesthetics have no effect on him! If he needs surgery, his only option was to deliberately approach Mrs. Harrison and trick her into developing new anesthetic drugs for him."
“That’s why no one could find the mysterious ‘patient’ he kept talking about!”
Tyler patted his shoulder approvingly and nodded.
"Not bad. It's a shame you're not working as a detective. Want to come work for me?"
Charlie gave a strained smile, flashing a professional expression.
"Mr. Thompson, I appreciate the offer. When I retire, I'll definitely report to your office."
"You're such a smartass."
Nicholas, however, was silent. His instincts screamed that Leon’s intent wasn’t just manipulation, it was vengeance, deeply rooted and personal.
He ground out his cigarette and asked, “What’s the second piece of news?”
Tyler’s amused expression faded a bit. He exhaled another long stream of smoke, his eyes growing profound.
Looking at Nicholas, he spoke each word extremely slowly.
"Nicholas, you'd better prepare yourself mentally for this news."
“You were grateful to the wrong person. The one who saved you from the ocean in Novaria four years ago wasn’t Zoe.”
"It was Emma."
Nicholas’s pupils tightened sharply. The cigarette box slipped from his fingers and fell to the floor.