Chapter 138

Fred's face contorted. The truth, now undeniable, twisted his features. He secretly produced a hidden trump card. "Now that you know everything, die with that old man!"

Emma felt the surge of murderous intent, a chilling echo of the cabin attack. She instinctively dodged. Just then, the door burst open, revealing the priests of St. Grace Church.

"Fred! I didn't expect it to be you! You poisoned Master!"

Emma's plan had worked flawlessly. Her conversation with Fred, overheard by the priests, served as his damning confession. Accusations flew. "Fred, why? Master always treated you well!" "No wonder you wanted to fall from the Scripture Repository! You have a guilty conscience!" "Disgusting and despicable jerk!"

Fred, once a highly respected figure, nearly a half-abbot, was publicly humiliated. Powerless before the throng of witnesses, he could only glare at Emma. "Emma, you win!"

"Ha! No matter how ruthless I am, I'm not as ruthless as you—using chronic mercury poisoning against your savior!"

Otis, the abbot, had rescued Fred from the streets years ago, saving him from certain death. Ironically, this act of mercy festered into a venomous resentment.

"I didn't ask him to save me! If he hadn't sent me to this lousy church, I wouldn't be a priest!"

Fred's defiance enraged everyone. "If it weren't for Master, you wouldn't have lived this long!" "That's right. He nurtured you. If you're dissatisfied, leave!"

Facing the condemnation of his brethren, Fred, raised within the church's walls, realized his isolation. Without their support, he would be ostracized and arrested. His overweening ambition, like a snake trying to swallow an elephant, had led to his downfall. He would soon be in jail.

Emma left the church to its internal affairs. After quickly detoxifying Otis and preparing a follow-up prescription for trusted priests, she departed with Liam. At the mountain's base, three black Mercedes waited. Liam's Rolls-Royce pulled away.

The Mercedes driver opened the door for Simon, who looked hale and hearty in a tuxedo, carrying a walking stick. "Thank you for your hard work." Emma had not only treated Otis but also uncovered his attacker.

Simon produced a bank card. "This is $2 million, your reward. And Liam will give you an additional 5% of Holy Mountain's shares!"

"Thank you, Mr. Simon." Emma accepted without hesitation. Simon's generosity—double the promised amount, plus a significant share—was a clear acknowledgment of her status within the Hall family.

Holding the card, Emma looked at Liam, a proud joy evident on her face. Later, at Tasty&Sweetie, she declared, "Your father asked me to go. I'll go. At most, I'll rip him off again. Earning money is secondary. I want him to accept me wholeheartedly. I want to be the one and only Mrs. Hall!" And she had succeeded.

That night, Hall Villa blazed with light. Simon hosted a celebratory feast, attended not only by close associates but also prominent figures from Troln City. This was Simon's public declaration of Emma as his future wife.

Emma and Liam, dressed in matching attire—he in a black suit and light blue tie, she in a sky-blue silk dress—were the center of attention. As guests arrived, the understanding of Simon's intention was immediate. He was publicly announcing Emma's identity. Women approached to congratulate her.

"Congratulations, Miss Emma." "Mr. Hall is at his peak. You'll enjoy life!" "You were an outstanding camper at Mr. Quinn's summer camp! Amazing!"

Emma smiled faintly, accepting the attention. It was impossible to remain unnoticed as Liam's woman, but she was accustomed to the spotlight.

"Oh, you saved Mr. Quinn! His daughter is here today!"

The mention of Mona Quinn instantly dampened Emma's spirits. Mona, approaching with hostility, sneered, "Aren't you just the owner of the Holy Orchid Hero Emblem? Look how smug you are!"

Emma raised an eyebrow. "You're too noisy, like a bug."

"You!" Mona's fury was palpable. "There are many people here! What's so great about a low-level Holy Orchid? Just wait to be exposed!"

Emma waited, anticipating the "special show" Mona had hinted at.