Chapter 126

That night, Emma arrived at 8 Cloud Road at the appointed time. This was a remote section of Troln City, deserted at night. Liam had deployed his people in the shadows; they would apprehend any other arrivals. Only Emma's phone illuminated the darkness as she received a message: "[Enter that abandoned building.]"

Calmly, Emma spotted a dilapidated building to her right, seemingly a century old, its eerie presence underscored by glass embedded in rotting wood. Her reflection stared back. "Creak!" The unlocked door swung inward at her touch. "Pay attention," Liam instructed through his walkie-talkie.

Liam's team had already secured the area, confirming the absence of explosives. This assurance bolstered Emma's confidence. The building's interior reeked of damp rot; Emma activated her phone's flashlight. The beam revealed a woman in black, seated in the hall.

"It's you!" Emma exclaimed, surprised but not entirely shocked.

"You were the one who tampered with the rock-climbing safety rope, weren't you?" Emma accused.

The woman sneered. "You're smart. Bold, too, coming alone."

Emma's expression remained unchanged. "What makes you think I fear you, Mrs. Dow?"

It was Yolanda Dow, Sebastian's mother. Sebastian, having tortured Aria to death, was arrested and subsequently sentenced to death. Yolanda sought to have Emma take the blame, a plan Emma thwarted, directly contributing to Sebastian's conviction. Now, she sought revenge.

"Your son's been sentenced to death for murder," Emma remarked. "Motherly love is grand; you're eager to join him in hell, it seems." She assessed Yolanda, her face gaunt and pale, a stark contrast to her former self.

Yolanda's voice was hoarse as she laughed. "My son… my son! If Sebastian dies, you won't have an easy time either! You killed my son!"

Sebastian, a notorious playboy, had manipulated Aria Wilson to her death. His sentence was just.

Emma's lips curled into a cold smile. A whip cracked as it landed on Yolanda's face. "It's your fault your son ended up this way! He killed someone, and you tried to shift the blame!"

Yolanda's eyes widened. "You hit me?" The whip’s unique texture tore her skin, drawing blood.

Emma, the flashlight held like a demon's torch, said, "Knowing my identity, consider it fortunate I only hit you once. You tried to kill me; killing you now would be justified!"

"Kill me?" Yolanda laughed hysterically. "So what if you're Stox, the black market's top hacker? I know your secret! Tell Liam, and see if his love remains wholehearted!"

Emma's expression hardened. "Try it." With a swift kick, she sent Yolanda's chair sprawling, sending the woman crashing to the floor.

Yolanda, sensing Emma's lethal intent, panicked. "Don't come closer! I'll send it to Liam!"

Emma approached, finding Yolanda's blackmail materials. She laughed, a chilling sound. "Poor thing. Liam knows I'm Stox, and he's seen those pictures. Send them; I don't care."

Yolanda's jaw dropped. "What?" The realization dawned: Liam already knew.

Panic seized her. "Don't come closer!"

Emma laughed. "I whipped one side of your face; symmetry demands another."

Terror consumed Yolanda. "I warn you!"

"Afraid now?" Emma taunted. "Why not before?"

Yolanda crawled back, knowing Emma's true identity: not just Stox, but Phantom, the world's top assassin. She had held this secret back, fearing Emma’s wrath.

Emma advanced, whip and dagger in hand. Yolanda’s terror intensified. "If you touch me, I'll expose you as Phantom! And Justine Slater! You killed Justine! Liam would never forgive you…"

Emma's eyes blazed red at the mention of Justine. Her killing intent peaked.

The door opened. "Emma!" Liam's voice cut through the tension. He rushed in, pulling her into his arms. "Are you alright?"

Emma's eyes remained red. Liam noticed her distress. "I'm fine," she managed.

Liam glared at the unconscious Yolanda. "Get rid of her." "Yes, Mr. Hall," a subordinate replied. Liam's people had already neutralized Yolanda's planted personnel. He preferred the police handle the situation.