Chapter 66 Starlight Dinner
Emma took a deep breath, trying to steady her emotions.
"With the FD, it could really help so many families," she said, breaking the silence.
"Especially in remote areas where medical care is hard to access. It could also ease the burden on the national healthcare system."
She paused, then looked at Nicholas. "But I feel like its database still isn't quite complete. Could I... could I take a look inside its data system?"
The FD hadn't detected her genetic deficiency or her allergy to anesthetics.
Nicholas didn't answer immediately. He remained silent for several seconds.
Emma's heart sank. "If it's not convenient, that's fine."
She quickly added, "I just think there might be some gaps. Even though the diagnosis just now was quite accurate, maybe I could provide some rare case studies."
"If we could integrate more comprehensive case databases, perhaps it could offer more personalized, even deeper diagnostic solutions."
Nicholas studied her. The FD was set to launch globally next month—a product the company had spent years developing. He couldn't make it perfect, but according to test feedback, it already had a 97% approval rating.
"You can."
He pulled a small golden USB drive from his suit pocket and handed it to Emma.
"This contains the FD's core data. Plus the highest access privileges to Harrison Group Medical."
Emma accepted the USB drive, feeling the cool metal against her fingertips.
Highest access privileges?
She'd thought it would just be a regular data interface.
"Yes, the FD isn't perfect," Nicholas said, his voice somewhat subdued.
"It can detect early cancer signals but can't provide specific treatment protocols. That's why..."
His voice trailed off.
"I've been so eager to collaborate with Dr. N."
Emma gripped the USB drive tighter.
So that was it!
The FD was Harrison Group Medical's achievement.
Dr. N was her hidden identity.
She looked at Nicholas.
"Thank you. I'll take a good look and see what areas might need improvement."
Nicholas said nothing, feeling frustrated. This Dr. N kept refusing his friend requests.
Wouldn't even agree to meet. It seemed he'd have to find them at the summit conference.
The conference was still four days away.
"Let's have breakfast first!" Nicholas's voice carried unusual tenderness as he placed a small round plate in front of her. Seven different shaped and colored mini breads sat on it, looking as soft and fluffy as soufflés.
"The pastry chef specially developed these cream puffs for you. Try them."
Emma suddenly sprayed a mouthful of juice, barely containing her laughter.
Nicholas keenly noticed her odd reaction. "What's wrong? Did they prepare it incorrectly?"
"No, no, let me try." She picked up a pink one and took a bite.
Light and fluffy, neither too sweet nor bland—surprisingly delicious.
"It's wonderful, thank you for having these cloud breads made specially for me!" She gave him a brilliant smile, feeling unexpected warmth in her heart.
Nicholas sensed something was off but couldn't pinpoint what.
After breakfast, once Nicholas left for the office, Emma buried herself in the study.
She sat at Nicholas's top-of-the-line computer, fingers flying across the keyboard as she accessed the FD's massive database.
The scrolling data streams and intricate programming code on the screen left her astounded.
Harrison Group had spent four years and invested over $40 billion. They'd partnered with three leading research institutes domestically and internationally, conducting trials in over thirteen thousand hospitals.
This wasn't just a commercial project.
Through the cold data, Emma could sense Nicholas's compassion and care for humanity—that warm idealism to change the world.
The hospital's intelligent systems were running stably. Once the FD officially launched, it would bring hope to countless patients and families.
Her heart was deeply moved.
With delicate finger movements, she quietly created a hidden file deep within the vast database.
She set extremely complex trigger commands.
Then she began inputting those intricate equations line by line.
This was a massive and precise project—every character had to be perfect.
She was completely absorbed, time flowing through her fingers.
For over seven hours straight, she remained immersed in her work.
The lunch the staff had brought sat untouched beside her, long since gone cold.
It wasn't until she finally entered the last character and let out a long breath, stretching her back, that she noticed dusk had fallen outside.
Around seven in the evening, Emma felt exhausted and hungry. She slowly made her way downstairs, supporting herself against the ornate banister.
Charlie spotted her immediately and hurried over. "Mrs. Harrison, please watch your step."
He quickly positioned himself beside her, extending his hands to hover protectively around her without actually touching, wanting to help while maintaining respectful distance.
When Emma reached the dining room, she found the large table completely empty—the butler hadn't prepared dinner.
Charlie's face showed a hint of mysterious amusement. "Mrs. Harrison, Mr. Harrison has prepared a special starlight dinner for you this evening."
He bowed slightly. "Please, allow me to escort you to the car."
Darkness had fully settled, night descending like a curtain.
Charlie carefully helped Emma into an open-top estate cart, and the vehicle slowly started toward the riverbank on the western side of the property.
Meanwhile, at the other end of the city, in a dimly lit but lavishly appointed private room.
Zoe was roughly thrown to the floor. She came to groggily, her vision completely black with something covering her face.
Terror gripped her instantly.
"Who are you? What do you want!" she screamed, her voice trembling with fear.
"Let me go! Release me now!"
Rough hands yanked away the black cloth covering her eyes.
The sudden harsh light made her instinctively raise her hands to shield her face.
After several moments, she finally adjusted to the brightness.
When she saw clearly who sat in the large armchair across from her, her entire body froze as if doused with ice water.
It was a stern yet painfully familiar elderly face.
She trembled uncontrollably, her mouth slightly open but unable to make any sound, even forgetting the most basic pleas for mercy.
The man seated there appeared to be in his early sixties, wearing an impeccably tailored dark suit with an elegant hat perched on his head. His every gesture radiated old-world authority and distinction.
His hands were folded, resting on a heavy walking stick.
The stick's head was adorned with an enormous yellow diamond—easily 100 carats—that refracted dazzling light.
The man watched her terrified expression, his mouth curving into a bone-chilling smile.
"My dear Ella, it's been so long."
His voice was slow and raspy, carrying an eerie nostalgia.
Zoe was petrified, but survival instinct made her cry out desperately.
"No! You've got the wrong person! I'm not some Ella! I'm A-list celebrity Zoe! You want money, don't you? I can have someone bring it! However much! Please let me go! Please!"
Dullon's smile deepened, though his eyes remained ice-cold.
"A-list celebrity Zoe?" He repeated the name with amusement.
"Have you forgotten your past completely?"
He stood and walked over to Zoe, looking down at her from his imposing height.
"Unfortunately, no matter what, I can still smell that essence in your bones."
He leaned down close to her, taking a deep breath with an expression both rapturous and disgusted.
"So wonderfully nostalgic."
His eyes held no anger, only cold, playful cruelty.
He savored her fear, her pain.
Then he methodically removed the belt from his waist—clearly expensive, finest quality leather.
"No!" Zoe's eyes widened in terror as she scrambled backward.
Two vicious strikes across Zoe's exposed arms.
Zoe screamed in agony, angry red welts immediately appearing on her pale skin, burning with pain.
"It's not me! Really not me! You have the wrong person!" She shook her head frantically.
"Please spare me! However much money you want! I can give you a hundred million! Two hundred million dollars! Just let me go!"
She groveled on the floor, crying desperately in her disheveled state.
Dullon suddenly laughed softly, the sound sinister and terrifying.
"How disobedient, Ella."
His tone was like scolding a misbehaving pet.
"You know you only avoid suffering when you're good and obedient."
Before the words finished, he suddenly reached out and grabbed Zoe's hair with tremendous force, making her scalp burn with pain as he dragged her screaming from the floor.
With a violent motion, he flung her entire body onto the large bed nearby.
"Making me search for you all these years—how very naughty of you. Tell me, how should I punish you?"