Mistaken Match Marrying the Enigmatic CEO novel Chapter 532
Chapter 531
Sometimes, it was hard to tell what was right or wrong.
Sarah then put Amy to sleep. She was approachable, gentle, and patient. “We
should take it slow with Amy, Emmanuel,” Sarah said.
Emmanuel nodded. He asked, “So why are you here anyway? I saw your car
when I came, and I thought I was seeing things.”
Sarah smiled. Before she could say anything, Suri hurried over and answered,
“Miss Sarah’s here to find a herb for the madam. She’s a good daughter.”
“You’re here to look for a herb?” Emmanuel was surprised. “I see. So, what kind
of herb are you looking for? And how did you know this place has it?”
A smile curled Sarah’s lip. “I found out from Yeringhams‘ Healers‘ Association.
There’s botany here in the mountains, and they have a ton of herbs that can’t
be found anywhere else. Mom has always been afflicted by coughs and has
a weak constitution, so I’d like to get a Verdant Bloom for her.”
“Verdant Bloom?” Emmanuel frowned, but not because he hadn’t heard of it.
It was precisely for the opposite reason. Verdant Bloom was something
recorded in the medical books his mentor gave him. That plant belonged to a
world hidden from the public eye. In the mortal world, no doctor would have
heard of this plant, no matter which part of the world they were in. The fact
that Sarah found out meant her sources must be special.
Thinking that Emmanuel hadn’t heard of it before, Sarah said, “This isn’t
something recorded in most medical books. It’s alternative medicine. It’s
normal if you haven’t heard of it.”
Emmanuel smiled, but he didn’t explain himself. Instead, he asked, “So, have
you found it?”
“Not yet.” Sarah shook her head. “I’ve been here for days, but I have no idea
where the botany is.”
Emmanuel and Eve killed Bugsy off too soon. They should’ve asked him more
questions before that. Sarah was a gentle and smart girl. She knew what
Emmanuel was thinking, so she suggested, “We can ask Mrs. Hedge about it.
She has lived here for decades. Maybe she knows something.”
“Sure.” Emmanuel nodded.
They came back to Mrs. Hedge’s house, but she was equally dumbfounded
by the question. “A botany? I’ve been to every inch of these mountains, but
I’ve yet to see a botany.” Mrs. Hedge racked her brains.
Just when Emmanuel and Sarah thought they wouldn’t be able to get any
leads, Mrs. Hedge smacked the back of her head. “Perhaps it’s in North Star
Village’s center area.”
“The center area?” Emmanuel’s eyes shone. Bugsy stayed in North Star
Village. It’s possible his master’s in the same village too.
“So, what is the center area?” Sarah asked. That was Emmanuel’s question as
well.
Mrs. Hedge quickly answered, “Perhaps Bugsy would know. Villagers aren’t
allowed entrance into North Star Village. I hear that there’s a center area
there, and its path to the mountaintop is through there. I haven’t been there
before, so I can’t tell you much.”
Emmanuel and Eve exchanged a look. They wanted to go together. The Ghost
Doctor must have gone to the center area. A secret unknown to anyone was
hidden there.
Chapter 532
Two days later, Emmanuel, Sarah, and Suri arrived at North Star Village. Eve
and the members from the WW had reached the village one day ago and
wiped out all of Bugsy’s lackeys. That was why Eve came here–to avenge
Blockhead and his family.
Emmanuel entered the village and was met with a ton of thugs strewn
across the ground, and he smirked. Still the same old Eve. Looks cold on the
outside, but the flames of justice burn bright within her. She will dispense
justice whenever she sees fit.
“We went through a bit of interrogation and found where the center area is.
It’s in the upper village. Just go through the backdoor of a certain house and
walk straight up,” Eve said. She came with news the moment Emmanuel
showed up, and Emmanuel thought she was efficient as ever.
“Sure. I’ll check things out. You guys stay here and keep an eye on things,”
said Emmanuel. It was his way of doing things. The trump cards of the squad
must be withheld before the situation on the battlefield was made clear. The
mountains were vast. If Bugsy’s allies and backers were hiding somewhere
just waiting for him and Eve to leave so they could cut off their path of retreat,
they would be out of luck.
“Alright, Emmanuel.” Eve knew the reasoning as well.
“I want to go with you, Emmanuel,” Sarah pleaded. “I came to search for the
herb, and it’s been days. It could be right up there.”
Emmanuel looked at her. She seemed genuine, so he nodded after a
moment of silence. Sarah’s mother was his mother–in–law, and he couldn’t
just watch as she wasted away.
The trio did some preparations and started the climb. Eve led them to the big
stone house, where the entrance to the center area was. Emmanuel and
Sarah had seen their fair share of mansions, but they too were astonished by
the building. It was as sturdy as a fortress, and the interior was resplendently
decorated just like how a palace would.
“No wonder the b*stard said he could make you queen, Miss Sarah.” Suri
sighed. “He must’ve been planning to be some sort of king here.”
Eve thought so too, and she told Emmanuel, “There are a ton of treasures
lying around, and we found a few dozen women. When we first came, most
of them were stark naked.”
Emmanuel’s face fell as he was reminded of Amy’s tragedy. That b*stard
probably tormented those who refused to sleep with him until the point of
madness. How many women have fallen prey to him, I wonder?
“Judging from what he said before he died, the b*stard had a powerful
backer. We need to be careful,” said Sarah.
Emmanuel nodded. He had a feeling Sarah was as smart as Mackenzie. If
even a lackey like Bugsy could live the big life, then his masters must be even
more decadent. This case is a lot more complex than I thought. No wonder
my master came to this place. Maybe people more powerful than I can
imagine are hiding somewhere in these mountains.
Emmanuel led Sarah out of the backdoor, and Suri followed them. They were
met with a stretch of woods that unfurled before them like a maze. This was
their first rodeo, so they could only walk the path instead of straying from it.
vever,
eventually. A Wise man once said that paths were
the creations of humans who wished to travel to a destination. If there was
no path here, then that meant no one had traversed these parts of the
woods for some time.
“What now, Emmanuel?” Sarah felt lost. If Emmanuel hadn’t appeared, Suri
and she would have probably given up the moment the path ended.
Chapter 533
“Why don’t you ladies go back?” Emmanuel said. “I’ll keep going. If I find the
botany, I’ll get the Verdant Bloom for your mother.”
“I won’t drag you down, I swear.” Sarah shook her head. “This is what I want to
- do. If you were to do it for me, then I would have wasted my time for nothing.”
There was no need for her to insist, but Emmanuel thought she had a point.
“Fine. We’ll go together, but you can always quit if you can’t go on anymore.”
“Sure, Emmanuel,” said Sarah.
The trio went ahead, and the gra*s was slowly turning into thick patches of
green. There were even brambles tripping them up, and the branches and
leaves were as sharp as knives.
All of a sudden, Suri screamed, and Emmanuel looked back. The maid’s arm.
was cut open by a branch and blood was trickling down the wound.
“Are you alright, Suri?” Sarah quickly approached Suri and whipped out a
bandage to cover the wound.
“I don’t think I can go on, Miss Sarah.” Suri gave Sarah an apologetic look.
Emmanuel was here to search for his mentor, while Sarah was here to help
her mother, but Suri had no reason to go on.
“It’s alright. You can go back. I have Emmanuel with me, so I’ll be fine,” said
Sarah.
Suri nodded and turned back, giving up on the trek. Emmanuel walked
toward Sarah and heaved a sigh. “I know you love your mother, but this is a
really bad place to be. You’re kind of a rich lady, so are you sure you want to
keep going?”
“I can take this, Emmanuel.” Sarah smiled, adamant about seeing this
through.
Emmanuel crouched down and noticed that Sarah’s pants were torn. The
sharp brambles and branches had cut her skin as well, but she didn’t even
complain once.
Sarah quickly put on a smile. “Sorry, Emmanuel. It’s not like I wanted to dress
pretty for this. The pants I was using for climbing got torn. You know who did
- it. These are the backup pants, but they aren’t as durable.”
Emmanuel was surprised that she was still smiling, and he sighed. He was a
guy, and even he could imagine the pain Sarah must be enduring, especially
when her legs were all cut up. “You should go back, Sarah. I’ll get the flower
for you. You did well enough.” He still wanted her to back off.
“Fine.” Sarah pouted unhappily, but then she smiled. “Be careful, then. Don’t
get in trouble, and come back if there’s any danger.”
“I know.” Emmanuel didn’t tell her that he had survived worse places.
In the end, Sarah left. Just when Emmanuel was about to shed some gear
and travel light, a scream came from behind. “Sarah!” He quickly ran back
and saw Sarah fall on the ground, the jutting stones and branches cutting
her up.
“Are you alright, Sarah?” He leaped down to her and looked around. She
tripped on a stone and fell.
The pain made Sarah frown, and sweat drenched her head, but she
stubbornly said, “I’m fine, Emmanuel. I–I can…” She tried to stand up, but all
strength was sapped from her left leg, and she fell on Emmanuel.
Chapter 534
“Hey!” Emmanuel quickly held her. I can’t let her fall again.
Sarah accidentally kissed his neck, and she blushed, but Emmanuel didn’t
feel a thing. Concerned, he said, “You sprained your left ankle.” He then
crouched down and pressed on it.
Pained, a moan escaped Sarah’s lips. Any other men would start to feel their
abdomen tighten just hearing that moan, but Emmanuel was unfazed. He
kept on ma*saging her ankle. “I gave it a bit of ma*sage so it shouldn’t swell
too much, but you have to rest for a bit before you can regain your usual
mobility,” said Emmanuel without even looking up.
Sarah said, “Thanks, Emmanuel. You can leave me here and go back to your
climb. I’ll go back once I can walk.”
Emmanuel frowned, and he stood up. She’s going to walk all the way back?
We spent hours just to get to this point, and that was when we had energy. If
she’s going back alone in this state, it’s going to take a whole day. “I’ll take your
back,” said Emmanuel in the end. It would waste a bit of time, but he couldn’t
just leave his injured sister–in–law behind.
“That won’t do,” said Sarah, refusing to trouble him. “You came all the way
here to find your mentor and save Claudette. You made a promise to solve
that matter in a month. Time is still ticking, and if you waste it on me, you
won’t make it.”
“But…” Emmanuel hesitated. He was in a dilemma.
“No buts. Just go on without me.”
Emmanuel couldn’t just abandon her, not when she was already so
understanding, so he took her on his back.
“W–What are you doing, Emmanuel?” Sarah’s cheeks burned up.
“Sorry,” Emmanuel apologized. He wasn’t trying to be romantic about this, but
he knew Sarah might get that idea. He knew taking her on his back out of
nowhere might be a bit too sudden for her, but he had to do this. “I really
want to find my master, but I need to make sure you’re safe. I’ll take you back
then head into the mountains.” That was the best solution for now. Arguing
any further would be a waste of time.
“I–I see. Thanks, Emmanuel,” said Sarah.
Just when Emmanuel was about to turn back, Sarah pointed at the
mountains, gasping. “Look! There’s smoke there, Emmanuel!”
Emmanuel turned back. Oh, there’s actually smoke. Someone’s starting a
campfire there.
“Look at the trees there, Emmanuel. They don’t seem randomly planted like
the ones around us. Someone probably planted them that way.” Once again,
Sarah was demonstrating her exceptional observation and analytical skills.
She was almost on par with her sister.
Emmanuel nodded. “True. Someone must have set up a home there.”
“We should make our way there. Maybe that’s where the botany is.”
“Sure.” Emmanuel mused for a moment and decided to take a look. The
destination wasn’t too far anyway.
They climbed the mountain, and Sarah’s chest was against Emmanuel’s
back. Even though they were clothed, Emmanuel could feel a pair of warm
sacks resting on his back.
Chapter 535
“Your stamina’s awesome, Emmanuel,” Sarah suddenly muttered into
Emmanuel’s ear, her breath tickling his ear. It made Emmanuel’s ear red.
“It’s alright.” Emmanuel was starting to get a bit awkward. He might be a
gynecologist, but he was still a regular man. He might be a bit immune to the
sight of a woman’s naked body, but he was still weak to their touch. He
couldn’t escape that in this situation, so he had to hold it in.
“Someone’s modest.” Sarah smiled. “Not many men can scale this mountain
alone, let alone carrying a person and two suitcases. Yet you don’t seem out
of breath.”
Emmanuel quickly huffed and puffed. His face was turning redder.
“Oh, are you tired? Why don’t you put me down and get a rest?”
“Sure.” Emmanuel quickly put her down. He wasn’t tired, but he didn’t want to
be in close contact with her anymore. He was sure they were both innocent,
but since Sarah’s pants were torn and he had to hold her thighs while
carrying her on his back, he could feel her skin rubbing smoothly against his
hands. Furthermore, her chest that rested on his back would bounce around,
making him a little aroused.
“Let me wipe your sweat off.” Sarah took out a handkerchief from her
backpack.
Emmanuel was still fidgety, but Sarah smiled. “What’s wrong, Emmanuel?
Can’t let go because I’m your sister–in–law?”
It was surprising that Sarah saw through him so easily, but Sarah didn’t feel
awkward at all. She covered her mouth and giggled. “Mackenzie told me
you’re honest to a fault, and I see that’s true. You don’t have to be this
reserved, though. We can be close even if we’re in–laws. Ignore what the
public might say about it. We both know we’re innocent, and that’s enough,
isn’t it?”
Emmanuel paused for a moment, then he put on a big smile. “You’re right.” He
strove to live a life with a clear conscience. If he could do it when he was with
Claudette, there was no reason he couldn’t do it with Sarah. Is it because I
don’t want Mackenzie to feel sad over a misunderstanding?
“Come here and let me wipe the sweat off you.” Sarah smiled beautifully.
“Thanks, but no thanks,” Emmanuel refused.
Sarah stood up on one leg and wiped his sweat off anyway.
Emmanuel couldn’t say no, so to avoid anything awkward from happening,
he asked the one question that had been lingering in his head for a while.
“Why does your sister seem to be prejudiced against you? What happened in
the past?”
Given his status, he would take Mackenzie’s side, but he knew Sarah was a
kind and gentle soul.
“I’m not very sure about it.” Sarah was still smiling. “Maybe because we’re in
different factions. We don’t have a big grudge, but they only ostracize me
because I chose to be close to Mom. I thought it was really sad that Mom’s
isolated.”
“Is that so?” Emmanuel nodded, but he said nothing. Family affairs were not
the easiest case to handle, and not to mention he was part of that family.
“That’s what I think, but I’m not sure.” Just then, Sarah pointed at something
behind Emmanuel, looking excited. “Hey, look! Someone’s there!”
Driven by excitement, she exerted her seft leg. Pain shot up her body at once
and she fell.
“Careful!” Emmanuel quickly reached out to hold her.
Sarah fell backward, her waist almost bent at an unnatural angle. When
Emmanuel wrapped his arm around her waist, their eyes met, while their
faces were just millimeters away from each other. The air between them felt
so hot, it could burn.
Sarah’s clothes were tattered, to begin with, and now that they were getting
pulled at the seams, her clothes tore open completely.
Chapter 536
A scream pierced through the air. Emmanuel quickly picked Sarah up and
turned around. Even though Sarah had undergarments covering her sensitive
spots, given how unexpected the situation was, it made things awkward for
Emmanuel.
Sarah pulled her clothes closer to herself, her face turning pink. Sheepishly,
she said, “Can you get me a set of clothes from my suitcase so I can change
into them?”
“Sure.” Emmanuel opened up Sarah’s suitcase, and it contained girl’s items,
including clothes and adorable undergarments. “Here.”
“Thanks, Emmanuel.” Sarah took the clothes and said with embarra*sment,
“Can you take me somewhere private?” She was a lady, so she needed some
privacy while she changed.
“Sure.” Instead of taking her on his back, Emmanuel picked her up in a
princess carry. Now that her clothes were torn, taking her in his arms would
prevent her chest from touching his back. It would make him feel awkward
otherwise. Emmanuel had no idea why he would feel awkward with Sarah. He
didn’t even feel this way when he was with Claudette.
Sarah was getting redder and redder. Even though she kept telling herself
“Sarah!” Emmanuel almost jumped. Could there be someone among the
“I’ll get the suitcase. You get changed and we can keep going. I think the
partly because they were related through Mackenzie, and partly because
The guards froze, and then they burst into laughter as if they had just heard
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Mistaken Match Marrying the Enigmatic CEO