Chapter 197: Propose to Her at the Recognition Banquet
Nina Jackson sat quietly at the banquet table, nibbling on pastries.
She was genuinely hungry—excitement had made her skip dinner entirely.
The desserts from the Vast Star Hotel were exquisite, though she detected a faint bitterness beneath the sweetness.
Just then, Evelyn Jackson’s phone rang. She stepped aside to take the call.
"Nina." A gentle male voice brushed her ear.
It was Ethan Martinez.
He appeared before her, his gaze soft as he watched her eat with obvious relish.
A dab of white cream clung to the corner of her mouth. Without hesitation, he picked up a napkin and wiped it away — a gesture so natural, it was clear he had done it countless times before.
His eyes radiated tenderness he couldn't hide.
Nina froze.
She quickly reached for the carefully wrapped gift beside her chair and held it out to him.
Her hands moved in sign language:
Happy birthday.
She had practiced saying the words aloud — “Ethan, happy birthday” — until she could pronounce them clearly. She had wanted to surprise him.
But now, she chose silence.
Ethan accepted the light package, surprise flickering across his face."You bought me a present?" he asked warmly.
"Let me guess — it’s not candy, is it?"
Nina lowered her eyes and gestured again.
'Won it in a grocery store raffle.'
Ethan laughed, indulgent.
"Whatever you give me, I love it. Thank you."
He reached out, ruffling her hair with familiar affection.
Nina gestured once more:
The food here is really delicious.
His smile deepened. "Then eat more."
She hesitated, then signed a playful question:
'Do you still have snacks I like in your pockets?'
Ethan stood up and gently opened his arms. "Come on, search for yourself."
Nina suddenly threw herself into his embrace, clutching his waist tightly.
Her small hands clasped together, afraid that if shelet go, he would vanish. But deep down, she knew — he no longer belonged to her.
Ethan froze, his heart struck hard.
"Ethan." A soft, feminine voice cut through the moment.
It was Emily White.
Nina quickly released him. As she turned away, Ethan glimpsed tears in her eyes.
Emily slipped her arm through his with practiced familiarity, pulling him away.
Nina turned back to the table. The gift lay forgotten.
He hadn't taken it.
Her fingertips trembled as she picked it up.
She wiped her tears, bowed her head, and mechanically finished every last bite of pastry — as if completing a duty.
Then she rose, gift in hand, and walked toward the exit.
The pool shimmered under the ballroom lights, rippling with reflections.
As Nina passed the edge, a sudden force struck her back.
She pitched forward, unprepared.
The icy water swallowed her whole.
Cold pierced her body. She tried to cry out, but no sound came.
Her swimming was weak. She flailed, sinking again and again.
The gift slipped from her grasp, drifting away. She reached for it instinctively, but her body was dragged toward the deep end.
"Someone's fallen in!"
"Quick, save her!"
Shouts of alarm cut through the party's noise.
Evelyn’s face went white. She rushed to the pool’s edge.
"Nina!" she cried, ready to dive in.
But a strong hand grabbed her arm.
It was Luke Harrison.
"Stay here. I’ll go," he said urgently.
He dove in without hesitation, pulling Nina up from the depths.
Her hands still reached futilely toward the floating gift.
But she ultimately couldn't reach it.
He carried her to shore.
Staff rushed forward with towels. Evelyn wrapped Nina tightly, wiping water from her face with trembling hands.
Emma Jackson hurried over, terrified.
"Nina, how did you fall in? Are you hurt?"
Nina shook her head, lips purple from cold. She gestured:
I’m fine. Just… the gift got wet
Her eyes stayed fixed on the drifting package, filled with sorrow.
Ethan strode over, storm clouds in his expression. "What happened? How did she end up in the water?"
Nina said nothing, only shivered silently.
Emily quickly stepped forward, her tone concerned.
"She's soaked through. We should get her to a room to change into dry clothes, or she'll catch cold."
Her manner suggested she was the hostess here.
But Ethan ignored her.
He removed his suit jacket and draped it over Nina's thin shoulders.
Nina looked up, meeting his gaze, and signed something.
Ethan’s face turned ashen. Fury erupted."No one leaves! Find out who pushed her! Check the security footage!"
Emily trembled at his sudden rage.
This little mute girl.
Ethan truly cared deeply about this little mute.
Before long, the staff member who had pushed Nina was brought forward.
Under questioning, the mastermind was revealed to be Emily.
Emily's face turned deathly pale.
"Ethan, it wasn’t me! They’re framing me!" she cried.
"This mute girl conspired with the staff!
Evelyn’s voice cut sharp. "A daughter of the Jackson family has no need to frame a nobody like you, you bitch!"
Ethan's gaze turned ice-cold.
"Take her away. She's banned from ever setting foot in Emerald City again."
"All Martinez family support for her is canceled."
Two security guards immediately stepped forward and forcibly dragged Emily away despite her struggles.
Emily's anguished screams echoed in the night air, but it was far too late.
The surrounding guests watched this scene unfold, whispering among themselves and pointing at Emily's retreating figure.
"That woman looked so harmless, but she's actually so vicious."
"She really thought she was Mrs. Martinez. Low class."
Ethan turned back to Nina, his voice gentler.
"I’m sorry you suffered.
She looked up at him and smiled—a smile tinged with distance.
She gestured two sentences in sign language, then turned and walked away without looking back.
None of the onlookers understood what those signs meant.
Only Ethan understood.
His eyes completely dimmed.
Emma voice was cold. "Mr. Martinez, please retrieve that gift."
"Nina broke her piggy bank to buy it."
"That represented everything she had."
"If you can't give her your all, then don't give her anything at all."
With that, she turned and left as well.
Returning to the Jackson family estate, the mansion’s lights glowed warmly.
Ruby practically rushed from the living room to embrace Nina.
"Quick, go upstairs and change."
She gestured toward the brilliantly lit dining room.
"Tonight, we've prepared a feast for you."
The dining table overflowed with delicacies: more than forty plates of meats and seafood, mountains of spicy crawfish and specialty foods flown in from around the world. The spread was more lavish than Christmas dinner.
Nina’s eyes warmed. She smiled at her mother and gestured excitedly before running upstairs.
All of this had been arranged arranged by Evelyn, who had asked their parents to prepare it in advance.
Soon, Nina came back down.
She had changed into a clean white dress, her slightly damp hair now dried and flowing smoothly over her shoulders. She looked fresh and clean, showing no trace of unhappiness.
The family gathered around the steaming hot pot, wine glasses clinking, laughter and conversation filling the warm air.
The warmth here was a thousand times better than that cold birthday party.
At that moment, Charlie Jackson appeared — carrying the familiar robot, 001. "Mrs. Harrison, Mr. Harrison asked me to bring this over."
"Thank you." Emma stepped forward to receive it, squeezing its little hand.
As soon as 001 touched the ground, its wheels glided smoothly as it enthusiastically waved its mechanical hand.
"Hi, everyone!"
Its electronic eyes scanned the hot pot setup and let out an exaggerated exclamation.
"Wow, hot pot smells amazing! Life without hot pot is incomplete."
Everyone laughed — except Daryl Jackson, whose expression stayed sour.
001 seemed to sense the negative atmosphere and rolled over to Daryl, tilting its little head up.
"Mr. Jackson, you don't look well."
"I was quite rude before—please forgive me."
Daryl snorted coldly through his nose. "Get lost."
001's programming apparently didn't include a give-up option, as it stubbornly spoke again.
"To show my apology, I'll sing for you."
As soon as it finished speaking, its little arms and legs began moving awkwardly as it belted out in a shrill electronic voice.
"Too bad you didn't stay with me till the end, and hurt my poor back, oh oh oh..."
"Without you, seems like nobody wants me..."
"Shut up!" Daryl finally couldn't stand it anymore and stood up to catch it.
But 001 rolled faster than the wind, nimbly dodging around the spacious living room while leaving behind a trail of bizarrely catchy song.
The girls collapsed with laughter, tears streaming down their faces.
As night deepened.
At the top floor of Vast Star Hotel, the birthday party had long ended, and the evening breeze carried a hint of coolness.
Only Nicholas Harrison and Luke Martinez remained, drinking under the cool breeze.
Ethan had passed out downstairs. Nicholas waved for staff to carry him away.
Luke lit a cigarette, its red tip flickering glowing.
He took a deep drag and slowly exhaled white smoke.
He inhaled deeply, then exhaled smoke into the night. ""Zoe isn’t Olivia," he said quietly. "She’s a fake."
Nicholas didn't even lift his eyelids. He gazed at the city's brilliant lights in the distance, his tone colder than the night wind.
"I thought everyone in the White family was blind."
Luke's cigarette-holding fingers suddenly stiffened. He turned his head, shock evident in his voice, "The real Olivia is Emma?"
Nicholas finally withdrew his gaze and spoke slowly, each word carrying undeniable weight.
"Until all dangers in Empire City are eliminated, I won't let her return to the White family."
"Zoe is the perfect cautionary tale."
Luke's expression became extremely serious as he stubbed out his cigarette.
"I received your materials. Tomorrow, we'll move against the Castillo family first. I'll sweep through again—no hidden threats will remain."
Nicholas picked up his wine glass, gently swirling the amber liquid inside.
"You understand the importance of choosing sides. I plan to propose to her at the recognition banquet."
Luke scoffed, his tone mocking, "Never thought Mr. Harrison would need to go through back channels."
Nicholas's lips curved in the faintest smile.
"You probably don't know—Evelyn's first love just returned to the country."
He paused, his gaze settling on Luke's instantly rigid face.
"And it's definitely not Mr. Garcia."
Luke's complexion visibly darkened, and a sense of crisis immediately rose within him...