Chapter 69 The Global Summit Opens
Nicholas called Charlie back, his voice terrifyingly low.
"Evelyn's number."
Charlie didn't dare delay and immediately rattled off a string of digits.
Nicholas dialed the number.
The phone rang several times before being answered.
Before Nicholas could speak, Evelyn's furious voice came blasting through.
"Nicholas! You've got some fucking nerve calling me!"
"I must have been blind to believe your bullshit in the first place!"
Evelyn's voice was thick with tears, sharp and livid.
"You said you could take care of Emma! And what happened? She's hurt worse than before! If you want to play knight in shining armor for Zoe, then leave Emma the hell alone!"
"You're such a bastard! Fuck!"
She ranted incoherently, her emotions running high, giving Nicholas no chance to get a word in.
After a long tirade, she hung up with a vicious slam.
Nicholas gripped the phone, listening to the dial tone, his expression blank, but the air pressure around him dropping to frightening levels.
His phone buzzed with a message.
It was from Charlie—an address.
Matthew's private villa.
Nicholas glanced at it, said nothing, and strode out with quick, urgent steps.
Crown Heights.
One of Emerald City's most exclusive wealthy districts, where every inch was worth a fortune. He himself kept two properties here.
Nicholas's car raced through the streets and screeched to a halt outside the ornate iron gates of one particular villa.
The security guards at the entrance immediately blocked his path. "Sir, who are you here to see?"
Nicholas completely ignored them and shouted toward the house.
"Emma!"
"Emma! Are you in there?"
"I know you're inside! Come out! I need to see you!"
His voice carried urgency and a barely detectable note of panic, echoing through the spacious courtyard.
"Emma! Answer me!"
Before his shouts died down, the villa's front door opened and Matthew walked out.
He wore casual home clothes, hands tucked in his pockets, a mocking smile playing at his lips while his entire being radiated an icy, forbidding aura.
"Well, well. What brings Mr. Harrison here?"
The moment Nicholas saw him, fury blazed in his eyes. Without a word, he lunged forward and grabbed Matthew by the collar.
"Matthew!"
The nearby guards moved to intervene.
Matthew raised a hand, signaling them to stand down.
He looked down at Nicholas's grip on his collar and chuckled softly.
"Mr. Harrison, why so impulsive?"
"Give Emma back to me!" Nicholas snarled through gritted teeth.
He didn't know why he was so worried about Emma's injuries—all he knew was that wherever she went, it couldn't be with Matthew.
Matthew was a wolf in sheep's clothing who had always coveted her.
Matthew's smile deepened, laced with unconcealed mockery.
"Mr. Harrison, when you went off to play hero last night and rescue your beloved, did you never think it would end like this?"
He leaned closer to Nicholas. "Since you've already made your choice and picked Zoe, stop pestering Emma."
Matthew's eyes turned cold. "Unless you want to hurt her again."
A vein pulsed at Nicholas's temple.
"This is between my wife and me—it's none of your business as an outsider!"
He shoved Matthew away and shouted toward the villa again.
"Emma! Come out!"
"I need to talk to you! Emma!"
His voice penetrated the thick walls and faintly reached the second-floor bedroom.
In the bedroom, Emma had been sleeping deeply on the large bed.
Half-asleep, she heard that familiar voice that made her heart race.
Her body stiffened, and she froze.
The next second, she rolled over abruptly and pulled the thick down comforter over her head, completely blocking out that disturbing voice.
Out of sight, out of mind.
Matthew enjoyed watching Nicholas lose his composure—where was that legendary CEO composure now?
"Don't worry, Mr. Harrison. I'll take good care of Emma—including helping her with her baths!"
At that comment, Nicholas's fist was already flying.
After quite a while, Matthew finally walked back into the main hall.
His clothes were disheveled, with faint bruises at the corners of his mouth and eyes—clearly, he and Nicholas had just had another "friendly exchange" outside.
Neither had gained the upper hand.
But Matthew was in an excellent mood.
He walked to the bar, picked up a crystal decanter, and poured himself a glass of amber liquor.
He tilted his head back and downed it in one gulp.
The burning liquid slid down his throat, bringing a searing pleasure.
He curved his lips in a smile tinged with wildness.
Nicholas—this was just the beginning!
......
The next day, Nicholas returned to Crown Heights.
With only two days until the summit began, Matthew would certainly have many hosting duties.
Sure enough, Matthew's car left Crown Heights at 8:30 AM.
Three luxury cars arrived at the villa. Four guards tried to stop Nicholas, but his eight bodyguards quickly subdued them. He strode into the house.
"Emma." He rushed upstairs anxiously, searching every room, but found no trace of her.
"Matthew!" Nicholas's eyes blazed with fury as he punched the wall, producing a dull thud.
Matthew had anticipated this move and had already transferred Emma elsewhere.
In the Harrison Group's executive office.
Nicholas stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows, staring at the apartment complex in the distance as if he could bore holes through it with his gaze.
He chain-smoked, looking somewhat haggard.
These past two days, he felt completely unhinged.
Besides thinking about Emma, he couldn't focus on anything else—he hadn't even visited Zoe.
The scandal online had long been cleaned up.
The Harrison Group's legal team had directly sued the media outlet that published the latest breaking news, making everyone in the industry nervous.
Charlie knocked and entered. "Mr. Harrison, it's time to go."
Nicholas didn't move. He'd been looking forward to meeting Dr. N, but now he felt completely unmotivated.
"Today is the opening day of the Global Medical Summit. Perhaps... Mrs. Harrison will be there too!"
Nicholas finally snapped back to attention. He went into the rest room, tidied his appearance, and instantly regained his handsome, distinguished demeanor.
The Global Medical Summit finally began.
Outside Emerald City's largest convention center, crowds surged like at a Super Bowl event.
Security was tight at the entrance, with police maintaining order and flashing lights silently announcing the prestige of this gathering.
Only those with VIP tickets could enter the main venue—reportedly, tickets were nearly impossible to obtain, with each company limited to just two.
The 6,000-seat auditorium was packed to capacity.
On the perimeter, two massive circular exhibition areas displayed booths in neat rows with uniform styling.
These belonged to companies that had won the bidding process, showcasing their most cutting-edge products and technology.
Reportedly, an inconspicuous 100-square-foot booth had been bid up to a sky-high price of a million dollars.
The Harrison Group's booth was outrageously extravagant.
Located at the most prominent spot near the entrance, it spanned 200 square feet—the premium location of the entire venue, impressively grand.
Nicholas paced alone near the VIP staff entrance of the venue.
His handsome brows carried a barely perceptible restlessness, his gaze frequently sweeping toward the entrance.
Suddenly, his steps halted.
In his line of sight appeared a familiar figure that made his heart race.
His eyes instantly lit up.
Emma was walking alongside Matthew.