Dumped My Cheating Ex. Now I'm Sleeping Next to a Billionaire CEO novel Chapter 1391

Watching her back, Emmy's brows knitted tightly as she asked once more, "Are you sure you won't work with us? What if this collaboration makes James forgive what you've done..."

Mercedes's footsteps faltered. But it was only for a split second, and she didn't look back. "No. When my endorsement contract with Janus Sphere Technologies expires this year, I will step away and not renew it. Let's not see each other again." With that, she opened the door and walked out without a backward glance.

Emmy leaned against the headboard, her frown deepening. It seemed James's forcible extraction of Mercedes's memories had driven her to absolute despair. Putting herself in Mercedes's shoes, having someone, especially someone she had deeply loved for years, use a machine to forcefully rip out her most intimate memories would undoubtedly be a terrifying, soul-crushing experience. That kind of mental torment was even harder to endure than physical pain. Emmy rubbed her temples, pulling up the covers as she prepared to lie down and rest a little longer.

Just then, she suddenly heard a stifled sobbing. The sound was faint and intermittent, like someone suffering an immense grievance but too afraid to cry out loud. Emmy instinctively turned her head. Over in the corner, Nina was standing with her face to the wall. The little girl's shoulders heaved as she wept silently.

Startled, Emmy quickly asked, "Nina? What's wrong?"

Nina slowly turned around, her wet eyes full of panic. "I'm sorry... Miss Emmy." She twisted her hands together tightly, her knuckles turning white. "I... this is my first time being a bodyguard. I really don't have any experience, and I haven't received those formal bodyguard or etiquette courses. I don't know when I should speak and when I shouldn't. Did I cause trouble for you just now?" The young girl lowered her head, large tears splashing onto the floor. "I'm so scared you won't like me, that you'll despise me and not want me anymore... I don't want to go back to the White family... woo woo woo..." The more she spoke, the more heartbroken she became, until she finally dropped to her knees in front of Emmy, burying her head and sobbing uncontrollably. The wails conveyed not just self-blame and grievance, but an overwhelming sense of terror. It was as if returning to the White family was a fate worse than death.

Emmy nodded, her lips curving into a reassuring smile. "I don't."

Nina sniffled, a glimmer of hope instantly igniting in her eyes. "Mhm! I will definitely study hard! I actually learn things very quickly! As long as someone teaches me, I know I can master it!" She eagerly pledged her determination, terrified of appearing worthless. Then, as if suddenly remembering something, her gaze shrank back, and she asked in a small voice, "But Miss Emmy... if, if I do something wrong in the future... could you punish me some other way? Like locking me in a dark room, starving me, or making me run with heavy weights or kneel on gravel. As long as... as long as you don't send me back to the White family."

Emmy's brow furrowed slightly, keenly catching the anomaly in Nina's words. Nina was a lady of the White family, after all. Why would she harbor such a massive psychological trauma about going home? She couldn't help but ask, "Why do you hate going back to the White family so much?"