Chapter 213 Spoiling the Wife, Freshness Period of One Day
Empire City
Louis stood before the massive floor-to-ceiling windows, his brow deeply furrowed, a cigarette held between his long fingers.
He gazed up at the gray, overcast sky outside.
It looked like it was about to snow again.
She had already left, seemingly without a trace, yet she had taken his heart with her.
But how could he easily let go of her? She was his Olivia.
A knock sounded at the office door, and his assistant hurried in.
"Mr. Windsor, the Lumaria virus is devastating. All our hospitals are completely overwhelmed."
The assistant's tone was urgent.
"Current treatments are completely ineffective, and we're still losing too many patients."
"They're requesting we immediately send specialists to assist and develop a solution as quickly as possible."
"If we could get Dr. N to participate in researching an antidote formula to eliminate this pathogen, we wouldn't just save millions of lives—it would be an incredible opportunity for the corporation."
Louis remained silent for several seconds, his deep eyes revealing no emotion.
"Send a formal invitation to Bluebird Tech."
"Compile all the viral data our hospitals have gathered and forward it as well."
"We need to extend an official invitation to Dr. N."
"Understood."
The assistant nodded and quickly left.
Louis slowly exhaled a ring of smoke, though his furrowed brow showed no sign of relaxing.
Suddenly, his phone vibrated on the desk.
He picked it up, pressed answer, and his unfathomable expression darkened further.
After a few seconds, he hung up.
A meaningful smile suddenly spread across his coldly handsome face.
"Paternity test."
"How interesting."
...
Imperial Garden
Emma woke to find darkness already settling outside her window.
It was already dinner time.
She shifted slightly and pain shot through her arms as if they'd been dismantled and reassembled
That bastard had been absolutely... intense at lunch.
The memory made her cheeks flush red.
Suddenly, the door opened.
Nicholas entered carrying a glass of water, his handsome face glowing with satisfaction.
He set the glass on the nightstand and gently helped her sit up, his deep voice rough with post-intimacy huskiness.
"Grandpa's here to see you. Come on, get up and freshen up—dinner's ready."
Hearing that Grandpa had arrived, Emma forgot everything else and immediately jumped out of bed.
In the dining room, Robert sat spiritedly in the head chair, and beside him, surprisingly, was Mia as well.
"Grandpa." Emma called out sweetly, walking over to sit beside him.
Robert beamed the moment he saw her. "Emma, sweetheart, Grandpa is so happy today! You must take excellent care of my great-grandchild. I brought our family chef—he's going to make his signature honey-glazed pork ribs for you."
Emma's heart warmed, and she smiled. "Thank you, Grandpa."
Mia, who had been silent until now, finally spoke.
"When Nicholas was little, an elder gave him this pendant, supposedly to protect the wearer's safety. I specifically brought it for you, hoping you and the baby will both be healthy, happy, and safe."
As soon as she finished speaking, the butler behind her presented an exquisite velvet jewelry box.
Inside lay a delicate silver pendant inlaid with a brilliant sapphire, exquisitely crafted and obviously valuable.
"Thank you, Mrs. Harrison." Emma nodded her thanks, still following the rule Mia had established when she first entered the house.
No calling her Mom—only Mrs. Harrison.
Hearing this form of address, Mia's face showed clear embarrassment.
"From now on, call me Mom. Stop saying Mrs. Harrison."
She lifted her teacup and gently blew on the hot liquid. "You're now the young lady of the White family. The alliance between the White and Harrison families is known worldwide. If we remain so distant, won't we become a laughingstock?"
What a "Mom" for the sake of not becoming a laughingstock.
Who knew who had previously spent every day trying to drive her out of the Harrison family.
Emma lowered her eyes, saying nothing, only giving a soft "Mm."
"Come on, let's eat! Can't let my great-grandchild go hungry." Robert cheerfully reached over and placed a large piece of ribs on Emma's plate.
Emma picked up her fork to take a bite, but her wrist suddenly went weak and she couldn't muster the strength.
The fork clattered straight to the floor.
Seeing this, Nicholas immediately instructed a servant, "Bring a new fork."
He turned and moved Emma's plates in front of himself, his voice dropping low with a hint of guilt and coaxing. "Just sit still, I'll feed you."
With that, he picked up the soup bowl.
It was all his fault for being so rough at lunch.
Emma glared at him, forcing words through gritted teeth, "I can manage myself. Go away."
Nicholas acted as if he hadn't heard, his lips curving into a wicked smile as he brought the spoon to her lips. "Be good, open up."
Emma felt her scalp tingle under his gaze and reluctantly took a sip.
Robert watched his grandson doting on his wife and laughed even more happily.
"Emma, that's exactly right! From now on, no matter what needs to be done around the house, make him do it. Don't stress yourself. Look how thin you are—you need to eat more. Your health is good for the baby's health."
Emma nodded. "Yes, Grandpa."
Mia watched the couple's affectionate display without further comment.
After all, the White family's young lady was now her daughter-in-law, bringing her endless prestige.
Just as the atmosphere was perfect, Robert suddenly changed the subject.
"By the way, the Lumaria virus has been quite severe lately. I've heard that many international organizations have sent invitations to Bluebird Tech, hoping to get you involved in researching an antidote formula."
"Emma, you're pregnant now—absolutely cannot get involved in such dangerous work." Robert's expression grew serious. "The child comes first in everything."
His sharp gaze swept toward Nicholas. "Leave everything else for Nicholas to handle."
Emma obediently nodded.
She was aware of this—Susan had already sent her over a dozen emails, all reports about the viral situation.
Nicholas replied solemnly, "Don't worry, Grandpa. I'll watch her. She won't get near any laboratory."
After dinner, Robert and Mia stayed for tea before taking their leave.
Just after seeing them off, Emma's phone rang.
It was James calling.
Sure enough, it was about the Lumaria virus.
They talked in the study for about half an hour. When Emma emerged, her expression was somewhat grave.
Nicholas approached carrying a bowl of warm bird's nest soup, noticing her troubled expression, and wrapped an arm around her waist.
"What's wrong?"
She looked up into his deep eyes and spoke directly, "I want to go back to Bluebird Tech."
Nicholas was silent for several seconds, his expression darkening. "About the Lumaria virus?"
She nodded and briefly explained the situation.
"Actually, I know what the Lumaria virus is, and I have a way to develop an antidote."
"I just need to have Bluebird Tech's doctors do the work while I provide technical guidance. Plus, James will be there too."
Her tone grew serious. "The situation is very dire—many people have already died. If we don't stop it quickly, the virus could spread worldwide and claim even more lives."
"I really want to go back and help."
Within her capabilities, she couldn't just stand by and watch.
Nicholas considered for a moment, then made his decision.
"I'll go back to the company tomorrow to handle urgent matters. The day after, I'll accompany you to Novaria."
He squeezed her hand, his tone brooking no argument. "But you must promise me—your health comes first, and you absolutely cannot directly contact any of those pathogens."
Emma was startled, then smiled.
This was the first time she felt he was being so considerate.
"Okay."
He led her to sit on the sofa. "Come on, drink your soup first."
She reached for the bowl, but he turned his wrist, avoiding her hand.
He picked up the spoon, scooped some soup, and brought it directly to her lips.
One spoonful, then another.
As he fed her, their warm breaths mingled, and the atmosphere grew subtly intimate.
He watched her lips, made lustrous by the soup, his Adam's apple bobbing as he leaned down to kiss her.
...
The Jackson Family Mansion
Deep into the night, darkness thick as ink.
Evelyn turned over, unable to sleep.
Two in the morning, her mind unusually clear. In the dim amber glow of her nightlight, she lay with wide-open eyes, lost in thought.
Her mind was a tangled mess, like a ball of yarn played with by a cat, impossible to sort out. Yet the thread's end was always tied to the same name.
Luke.
Suddenly, extremely faint scraping sounds came from the balcony.
Her heart tightened, and she quickly turned to peer through the gaps in the window curtains.
A tall, dark figure descended from above, landing steadily on the balcony with impossibly smooth movements.
Evelyn gasped, about to call out.
But the familiar silhouette had already slipped inside, closing the balcony door behind him with barely a sound.
Evelyn's mind raced. In a split second, she snapped her eyes shut, slowed her breathing, and pretended to be asleep.
This bastard actually dared to climb through her window in the middle of the night.
She had to see exactly what he was up to.
The room fell quiet. She could feel his approaching footsteps, very light, carrying that distinctive scent of his.
Then, a warm hand, through her thin silk nightgown, gently covered her slightly rounded belly.
The warmth of his palm pressed against her skin, carrying heart-fluttering comfort as it moved in gentle circles.
Evelyn's heart skipped a beat.
She instinctively shifted, moving toward the other side of the bed.
She felt the hand withdraw.
Just as she relaxed, warmth touched her forehead.
A kiss.
Then her cheek.
Finally, that warmth settled on her lips.
Enough!
Evelyn's eyes flew open.
Their gazes met, and the air instantly froze.
Luke's pupils contracted sharply. He pulled away from her lips like he'd been electrocuted, staggering back , his handsome face filled with panic.
She... she wasn't asleep?
Evelyn propped herself up on her elbows and sat up unhurriedly, half-leaning against the headboard, arms crossed over her chest, eyes cold as ice.
"Mr. White, what exactly are you trying to do?"
Her voice wasn't loud, but each word was crystal clear.
"Climbing through walls, breaking into my room in the middle of the night?"
Luke's Adam's apple bobbed, momentarily speechless.
He opened his mouth and suddenly blurted out, "I came to see my child."
Evelyn's eyes widened in disbelief. "What do you mean 'your child'? Luke, have you lost all shame?"
She was nearly laughing from anger.
"What do these two children have to do with you?"
Luke's handsome face actually showed a hint of grievance.
"It's only been three days, Miss Jackson, and you've already forgotten my life-saving grace?"
"I haven't forgotten your life-saving grace." Evelyn laughed coldly. "But what does that have to do with the children?"
"Of course it does." Luke spoke with complete seriousness. "At the hospital that day, you said it yourself—after they're born, you'd give me one."
He stepped forward, his gaze burning as he stared at her belly.
"So one of them in there is mine."
Evelyn was completely speechless.
He'd actually taken that joke seriously?
She took a deep breath, trying to salvage the situation. "They're not even born yet. What's your rush?"
He suddenly smiled, his eyes sparkling like they were full of stars.
"I'm here to provide prenatal education, to build father-child bonds early."
Evelyn felt her blood pressure rising.
"They're still tiny—their ears aren't even fully developed. They can't hear anything! What prenatal education?"
She pointed at her belly, drawing boundaries.
"Besides, you only get one at most! The other one is mine and doesn't need your prenatal education!"
"Exactly."
Luke nodded earnestly.
"So just now I only touched the left one. The right one is yours—I didn't touch it."
Evelyn rolled her eyes and laughed coldly. "How do you know I'd definitely assign you the left one?"
"Should I touch the right one next time?" he probed.
"Luke!"
Evelyn grabbed a nearby pillow, ready to throw it at him.
"Stop playing word games with me! Why did you kiss me?"
He was surprisingly straightforward.
"Building a relationship with the child's mother and keeping her happy also helps the fetus develop better."
He added, "I only kissed the left cheek—that belongs to the left child's mother."
"Bullshit!" Evelyn exclaimed. "You kissed my entire mouth! You were totally taking advantage of me!"
As soon as she finished speaking, the playful smile on Luke's face suddenly disappeared.
His handsome face darkened, and the light in his eyes dimmed.
"I'm sorry."
His voice carried a wounded quality.
"I thought you really would share one with me."
He gave a self-deprecating smile.
"Fine, let the White family line die out. I'll just live alone until I die."
He lowered his gaze, long lashes hiding the emotion in his eyes.
"A useless man like me—even living is a waste of the country's resources."
The mood shift was so sudden that Evelyn was completely stunned.
So his carefree, playboy exterior was all an act?
Deep down, he had such an insecure side?
Seeing his nearly broken expression, the anger in her heart inexplicably faded, replaced by reluctant sympathy.
She softened her tone, tentatively consoling him.
"You... you don't need to be so upset."
"That condition of yours... should be treatable. Modern medicine is so advanced."
Luke suddenly stepped closer, looking at her seriously.
"But it doesn't respond to any other woman. Only you."
His tone carried pleading and probing. "Could you help me?"
He moved another step closer.
Evelyn's heart jumped. He meant...?
Pervert!