Chapter 72 The Truth from Years Ago
"Emma, Dr. N won't blame you. Before she left, she entrusted you to announce the formula on stage. The event coordinator couldn't find you earlier, so Matthew already released it for you." Sheryl's voice rang out from the doorway.
She handed her phone to Matthew. "Matthew, Dr. N wants to speak with you!"
Matthew's eyes flickered as he took the call. "Yes, alright. We won't let our guard down here. We'll strictly vet all licensing partners."
He hung up.
This entire orchestrated performance completely deflated Nicholas's earlier excitement.
"Mr. Harrison, the VIP lounges are in rooms 1-8." Matthew turned to Sheryl. "Please escort Mr. Harrison there."
Before leaving, Nicholas added, "Emma, don't forget what you promised me."
Matthew's eyes darkened, while Emma felt a growing suspicion that everything seemed carefully orchestrated.
"Matthew, what's all this about?"
"Nicholas has been trying to partner with Dr. N. If he discovers your identity, you'll never be able to leave Emerald City!"
Matthew had his own calculations. Once the licensing partners were selected—probably in about a month—he would take her away from Emerald City.
It was too dangerous for her to stay here.
That Nicholas character never played by the rules.
Emma nodded without saying anything.
Indeed, it was better to avoid unnecessary complications.
......
Nicholas returned to the office at noon to find the Harrison Group completely overwhelmed with potential partners from around the globe.
The business development director had sales staff escort them in batches for tours, followed by signing sessions.
Charlie knocked and entered, followed by a middle-aged man with a slight limp.
The man was dressed plainly, his frame somewhat hunched, his right leg clearly causing him difficulty as he hobbled unevenly into the office.
"This is Ted, he used to be the Harrison family's driver," Charlie introduced.
Nicholas looked up. The name Ted, that face—he could find no trace of recognition in his memory.
Nothing but blankness.
However, when Ted clearly saw Nicholas sitting behind the desk, his entire body trembled with emotion, his clouded eyes instantly welling up with tears.
"Mr. Nicholas Harrison!"
His voice shook with disbelief.
"I never thought... never imagined... I'd see you again in this lifetime."
Ted became increasingly emotional as he spoke.
"Thank you for the Harrison family taking care of this old cripple all these years."
His voice broke.
"If it weren't for these useless legs of mine, I should have been working for the Harrison family long ago!"
Before he finished speaking, tears streamed down his face.
He suddenly dropped to his knees before Nicholas, his knees hitting the floor with a dull thud.
Nicholas immediately stood up, quickly walked around his desk, and reached out to help him up.
"Ted, get up. Let's talk."
His tone was calm, but his actions brooked no refusal.
After helping him to his feet, he gestured for Charlie to bring over a chair for Ted.
Nicholas returned to his seat, leaning forward slightly as he looked at the emotionally overwhelmed man.
"Tell me about what happened back then."
Ted looked stunned for a moment.
Then he showed a look of understanding, as if remembering something.
"Oh, right, Mike mentioned to me that you forgot some things because of that car accident."
He nodded, collecting his turbulent emotions, and began to recall.
"That was twelve years ago, Christmas Eve. It was bitterly cold."
Ted's voice grew low, hoarse with memory.
"You found a small wooden crate by the river."
"Inside the crate was a seven or eight-year-old girl, nearly frozen solid, running a high fever. She was practically delirious."
"Seeing how sick she was, we immediately took her to a nearby farmhouse and asked the elderly couple there to care for her while she recovered."
Ted paused, as if the next part weighed heavily on him.
"On our way back to the city, we had the accident."
His voice became strained.
"Your father died at the scene. You were in a coma for months before waking up."
Nicholas listened quietly, his hands unconsciously clenching at his sides.
This forgotten past, pieced together through someone else's account, carried with it raw grief and irreparable loss.
His chest felt tight.
He remained silent for several seconds before speaking in a low voice.
"Was that girl named Stella?"
Ted thought hard for a moment, then nodded vigorously.
"Yes! Yes! That's right, Stella!"
He remembered now.
"You promised her back then that you'd come back for her after Christmas."
Hearing those words, Nicholas felt his heart lurch violently.
Like something sharp had stabbed him hard.
Come back for her after Christmas—but he never did.
Because of the accident, because of the coma, because of his lost memories, he had broken his promise.
He finally understood the truth from all those years ago! He finally knew why she said she'd been following him for 12 years, why she'd married into the Harrison family without hesitation—it was because she'd been holding onto that hope all along!
At this realization, the stabbing pain became even more acute, spreading through him like a dense web.
......
Night had fallen.
In the upscale restaurant, the lighting was soft and the music soothing.
Nicholas sat quietly at a window-side table.
His fingertips unconsciously traced the rim of his wine glass, his gaze occasionally drifting toward the entrance.
Time ticked by minute after minute.
The wall clock's hour hand had already reached nine o'clock—he'd been waiting for two full hours.
The person who had promised to come never appeared.
Nicholas leaned back in his chair, the anticipation that had once lit his eyes now replaced by quiet resignation.
He had wanted to explain. About the accident, about his lost memories, about why he hadn't recognized her sooner.
So many words were trapped in his heart, but she hadn't come.
His phone screen lit up, its vibration breaking the silence on the table.
Caller ID: Charlie.
Nicholas picked up the phone and answered.
"Hello."
His voice revealed nothing of his emotions.
On the other end, Charlie spoke rapidly about something.
Nicholas's expression visibly darkened, the calm in his eyes shattered and replaced by a cold intensity.
The atmosphere around him dropped several degrees.
"Understood."
He hung up without hesitation.
He was already standing, turning to stride purposefully toward the restaurant exit, his urgency undeniable.
Meanwhile,
The Global Summit's business reception was being held in the Vast Star Hotel's largest ballroom.
The ballroom was filled with elegantly dressed figures, wine glasses clinking.
Medical industry elites and power players were almost all clustered around Matthew and Emma.
Emma wore a floor-length golden gown with long sleeves.
The dress was impeccably tailored, perfectly accentuating her tall, graceful figure.
Her thick hair was loosely pinned up with a simple butterfly clip, a few strands falling along her neck, adding a touch of casual elegance to her refined appearance.
Without question, she was the center of attention for the entire venue.
She had chosen to sit on a corner sofa, seeking some peace and quiet.
Even so, six impeccably dressed men in suits had quickly gathered around her, all charm and smiles.
When Nicholas entered the ballroom, a melodious waltz had just begun.
His gaze was sharp, and with just one sweep of the room, it locked onto the figure being surrounded like a star among admirers.
Six men, all poised elegantly, simultaneously extended inviting hands toward her.
His deep eyes darkened.
He quickened his pace, cutting directly through the crowd toward her.
"I'm sorry, I don't know how to dance," Emma said with an apologetic smile, about to decline.
"I can teach you." A low, commanding voice sounded above her head.
The next second,
An irresistible force gripped her right wrist.
She was suddenly pulled up from the sofa, lost her balance, and fell directly into a firm, warm embrace.