Chapter 70 Ladies and Gentlemen, Dr. N
Emma was walking alongside Matthew, approaching with confident strides.
Behind her followed five or six employees in matching uniforms—likely the technical backbone of the Moore Group.
Today, Emma wore a perfectly tailored white business suit with a crisp V-neck design that tastefully revealed her delicate collarbones.
Her hair was pulled back in a simple updo, giving her a sharp, professional appearance.
Small pearl earrings adorned her ears, their lustrous sheen complementing her porcelain skin.
Her makeup was sophisticated yet understated—strikingly beautiful but carrying the composed aura of a seasoned businesswoman.
Her stride was steady and confident in low-heeled pumps, suggesting her foot injury had nearly healed.
The moment Nicholas saw her, he moved toward her almost instinctively.
"Emma!"
His voice carried barely suppressed urgency.
Matthew stopped walking, glanced at Nicholas, then leaned toward Emma and murmured, "I'll wait for you inside."
With that, he led the others through the entrance.
Only the two of them remained in the corridor.
Emma looked up at Nicholas, her beautiful eyes emotionally distant, like they were veiled with a thin layer of frost, revealing nothing of her feelings.
Only that sense of rejection—keeping everyone at arm's length—was crystal clear and suffocating.
Nicholas felt his throat tighten.
"Emma, I'm sorry." He began, his voice hoarse. "That night... I broke our arrangement, and you got hurt because of it. How's your injury?"
Emma's gaze remained calm and unwavering.
"Thank you for your concern, Mr. Harrison."
Her voice was cool and deliberately polite. "It's healed."
Her words hit like a needle, making Nicholas's heart numb.
He studied her cold profile, his emotions churning uncomfortably.
"After the conference ends, could you come somewhere with me?" he ventured.
Emma's lips curved into the faintest arc—almost mocking.
"Mr. Harrison."
She looked at him directly. "Given our current relationship, aside from finalizing our divorce in court, I can't think of anywhere we'd need to go together."
The words struck like an ice-cold blade straight to Nicholas's heart.
He shuddered violently, his face paling several shades.
"I know you're still angry," he rushed to explain, his tone urgent. "I just want... I want us to have a proper conversation."
"About what?" Emma asked back, her tone so calm it was almost cruel. "About how busy and important you are, Mr. Harrison, or about how ungrateful Emma is?"
She paused, then continued, "I'm sorry, but I'm very busy. I don't have time for reminiscing with Mr. Harrison."
"Participating companies should use the main entrance."
"Excuse me."
Every word seemed designed to draw a clear line between them.
With that, she turned to leave, her movements clean and decisive, without a trace of lingering attachment.
Nicholas felt his chest constrict sharply. Without thinking, he stepped forward.
Emma immediately raised her index finger, pressing it against his solid chest.
"Nicholas, don't come any closer." Her tone of disgust was obvious.
Unexpectedly, Nicholas grabbed her finger directly and pulled her into his arms.
Emma's body instantly stiffened, startled.
Warm masculine warmth enveloped her, carrying his distinctive crisp scent.
She struggled briefly but couldn't break free, her emotions becoming agitated.
"Nicholas!"
Her voice suddenly rose, carrying suppressed anger. "Let me go! Don't make me slap you! Do you know where we are? I expect you to maintain some basic dignity!"
He curved his lips, his voice muffled with a hint of roguish defiance.
"Then go ahead and slap me." He held her even tighter.
Emma trembled with fury, raising her right hand toward his face.
But her wrist was caught precisely in mid-air.
His grip was strong that she couldn't move at all.
"I told you," his voice resonated near her ear with undeniable authority, "I just want to have a civilized conversation with you. I have no other ulterior motives!"
Emma felt a surge of anger pressing against her chest. "Nicholas, what gave you the impression that I can't live without you?"
Nicholas responded with casual arrogance, "I don't like owing people favors—it makes me uncomfortable. We didn't finish our dinner that night, so tonight we're making it up."
"Don't worry about it—I don't mind! Let go!" Her attitude was firm.
"Not unless you agree to meet me tonight."
He tilted his head slightly, flashing a handsome yet roguish smile, his eyes locked on hers with naked threat.
That shameless look was absolutely infuriating.
Emma's chest rose and fell with anger.
"Nicholas!" she hissed. "Let me go!"
"No." He continued his threat. "Not unless you agree."
Emma said through gritted teeth, "I never realized before that the CEO of the Harrison Group was such a scoundrel!"
Nicholas chuckled low, his warm breath caressing her ear and making her shiver.
He breathed in the faint fragrance from her hair and skin—a scent he knew well.
"You know." His voice carried bewitching magnetism. "You've always known. I can be even more of a scoundrel."
"Nicholas, my injury has healed. We're even now. Let's just stop contacting each other."
His increasingly presumptuous magnetic voice sounded again, "In Emerald City, you can't escape my reach. Don't try to hide from me. If you're afraid to keep our appointment, it proves you still love me!"
What kind of twisted logic was that?
Nicholas leaned down and whispered in her ear, "I don't like you being around Matthew. You should move back to your own apartment, or move in with me."
Emma stomped hard on his foot. "Nicholas, stop meddling in my business. Let me go."
Nicholas groaned in pain and finally released her, but there was no anger on his face—only serious attention as he looked at her.
"Emma, what are you afraid of?"
"Nicholas, if we have this dinner, can we finally be completely finished?" she asked seriously.
"You can think of it that way. At least on my end, things will be settled." He answered earnestly.
"Fine," she was silent for a moment. "Give me the address. I'll keep the appointment."
Emma didn't want to continue this struggle here. She glared at him fiercely and walked away.
Nicholas watched her retreating figure with deep, unreadable eyes, then pulled out his phone and made a call.
When Nicholas returned to the conference hall, the event had already begun.
Matthew, in his perfectly tailored suit, walked onto the stage with elegant composure.
He delivered an enthusiastic welcome speech, outlining the future of the medical industry.
His remarks were flawless, drawing continuous applause.
After finishing his speech, Matthew showed no intention of leaving the stage. Instead, he smiled mysteriously.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I know what you're all most excited about today."
He raised his voice.
"Next up is the most anticipated segment of this summit! Please triple your applause! Let's welcome the world-renowned Dr. N!"
The entire venue erupted!
Time seemed to stop as everyone in attendance held their breath.
Nicholas stood on the steps, frozen in place, afraid to disturb Dr. N's entrance.
Everyone instinctively rose to their feet, craning their necks and staring intensely at the stage exit.
Heartbeats nearly drowned out the background music.
However, under the spotlight, what emerged wasn't the authoritative elder figure everyone had imagined.
It was a young woman.