Chapter 20 The Truth Behind the Champagne Tower
The next day.
When Nicholas opened his eyes, harsh sunlight was already streaming through the porthole windows.
It was already past nine in the morning.
He rubbed his forehead, and the last image frozen in his mind was Emma's beautiful face, along with her cries and rejection.
She actually dared to drug him unconscious and run away?
Nicholas pulled at the corner of his mouth, a low, amused grunt escaping his throat.
Interesting.
He got up, walked into the bathroom for a shower, and changed into a perfectly pressed custom suit before pulling open the cabin door.
Charlie was already waiting respectfully outside.
"Good morning, Mr. Harrison."
Charlie bowed slightly, handing over a phone.
"Your phone, sir. From last night until now, there have been seventy-three missed calls, all from Ms. Perez."
Nicholas took the phone, looking at the screen densely packed with missed call records, his brow furrowing almost imperceptibly.
"What happened?" His voice carried the hoarseness of just waking up, yet remained ice-cold.
Charlie didn't dare delay, immediately handing over the tablet in his hands.
On the screen were those explosive news stories about Zoe.
#ZoeHenry#
#Evelyn Slaps Zoe#
#Zoe's Image Collapse#
Every headline was shocking.
"The news broke around midnight, and now the entire internet is discussing last night's events," Charlie reported quickly. "The related videos and photos... are all very clear. Currently, at least ten brands have announced unilateral contract terminations with Ms. Perez, and her agency's phones have been ringing off the hook."
For a female celebrity who lived off her face and public image, this was undoubtedly a devastating blow.
Zoe's career would face an unprecedented downfall.
Nicholas's gaze swept over those scandalous headlines and photos, his brow furrowing.
This Evelyn really went for the throat—daring to touch his people was openly slapping his face.
His eyes moved down to see another trending topic with considerable heat below.
#Mysterious Beauty's Stunning Blind Performance at Harrison Family Anniversary#
The accompanying image was a side profile shot, with soft lighting outlining a woman's exquisite jawline and her eyes closed while playing piano.
It was unmistakably Emma.
Nicholas's gaze lingered on that photo for two extra seconds.
Then he looked away, returning the tablet to Charlie, giving instructions in an indifferent tone.
"Have all the trending topics taken down!"
"Yes, sir." Charlie quickly agreed, though he felt somewhat uncertain inside. It seemed the boss was still soft-hearted after all.
As long as Harrison Group intervened, Zoe could still make a comeback.
Charlie suddenly remembered something and quickly reported, "I received this video around midnight."
Charlie handed the tablet over again.
The video showed Zoe "accidentally" bumping into the table, causing the champagne tower to fall and nearly injuring Emma—captured in high definition.
The latter half also clearly showed Nicholas and Matthew both rushing forward to save Emma, with Nicholas anxiously reaching out to block the glass shards that would have hit Emma's face first.
Otherwise, the consequences would have been unthinkable!
Then, Matthew arrived, pulling her into his embrace.
Nicholas's eyes suddenly turned cold, as if frozen.
Zoe was getting increasingly bold—how dare she act so brazenly?
If this video got out, she would never recover.
If he hadn't blocked it in time, Emma would have been disfigured, wouldn't she?
Although he didn't love Emma, he couldn't allow Zoe to act with such impunity either.
At this thought, he couldn't help feeling a wave of belated fear.
It seemed he needed to give her a little punishment!
The car drove smoothly on the road back to the city, the air pressure in the cabin dropping even lower.
Charlie's phone rang again—a call from Harrison Manor.
After listening for a few moments and hanging up, his expression became somewhat grave. He turned to Nicholas in the back seat, repeating word for word.
"Mr. Nicholas Harrison, Harrison Manor, called to say that Mr. Robert Harrison has ordered that you... are not to interfere in Ms. Perez's situation this time."
Nicholas leaned back in his seat, eyes closed in rest, not even lifting an eyelid at the news.
Charlie paused before continuing, "Additionally, Mr. Robert Harrison wants you and Ms. Rodriguez to return to Harrison Manor for dinner tonight."
Nicholas finally opened his eyes, his gaze deep and unreadable.
He didn't respond to Harrison Manor's command.
Just then, Nicholas's private phone rang.
"Zoe" flashed on the screen.
He stared at the screen for several seconds, his fingertip moving slightly before finally swiping to answer.
"Nicholas! You finally picked up!"
The other end immediately erupted with Zoe's tear-choked, hysterical voice.
"Did you see the news? It's Evelyn and Emma—they framed me! You have to help me, Nicholas. You're the only one who can help me now, or my career will be completely ruined."
Her voice was shrill and urgent, filled with fear and dependence.
"As long as you step forward, as long as you tell everyone I'm your woman, those rumors will collapse on their own! Nicholas, please."
Nicholas listened to her incoherent sobbing with no expression on his face, his voice even colder and devoid of any warmth.
"I'll handle this matter."
His tone was calm and steady, yet carried an unquestionable finality.
"Don't leave your apartment for the next few days, and suspend all work temporarily."
Without waiting for Zoe to say anything more, he hung up directly.
Within seconds, the phone began ringing frantically again—still Zoe.
Nicholas didn't even look, pressing mute and tossing the phone aside.
In the past, he would have acted immediately. Anyone he protected wasn't for others to touch.
But after seeing the video of her harming Emma, he actually wavered!
Just as Nicholas reached the ground floor of Harrison Group, his phone received a photo and a message.
The photo showed Zoe soaking wet, eyes tightly closed, with an air of tragic beauty.
[Mr. Harrison, please save Zoe. She attempted suicide by drowning. She's now in the emergency room on the third floor of Crestview Medical Clinic.]
Nicholas froze for two seconds, then slammed the car door with force.
"The sound made both the driver and Charlie flinch.
"To Crestview Medical Clinic."
"Yes, sir."
He closed his eyes tightly, fists clenched. Why was he hesitating? He should have helped her immediately.
If not for her, four years ago, he would have perished at sea.
A deep sense of self-reproach washed over him, instantly restoring his rationality.
He had promised to protect her for life—he shouldn't go back on his word.
Ten minutes later, the luxurious Rolls-Royce arrived at Crestview Medical Clinic. Nicholas strode inside with long steps.
Reaching the hospital room, he heard fragmented crying from within.
Karen was beating her chest, sobbing loudly, and calling out Zoe's name.
Nicholas's heart tightened. Had he arrived too late?