Chapter 163

Emma handcuffed herself to the man, jeopardizing her life. His shock and confusion were evident. Emma remained terrifyingly calm. "You go first," she instructed her subordinates.

Their immediate and unanimous refusal followed: "Not Miss Wilson! We came together; we leave together!"

Emma insisted, "Go! This is between me and Justine. It's an order!" They knew she sought to protect them, yet remained. More than ten people stood on the mountain, unwavering.

"Those who disobey my orders are never allowed to follow me," she declared. Tears welled in some eyes as they knelt before her, understanding the depth of her devotion to Bunny—the only kinship and warmth of her childhood, for whom she'd pay any price. Each had received Emma's aid, even life-saving help. Leaving would break her heart, yet to stay meant forfeiting their place beside her, a fate worse than death.

Finally, Josiah’s trembling voice cut through the silence, "Go!" He rose, the others following suit, their evacuation beginning. Though Emma's subordinates left the mountain, they didn't stray far. Josiah immediately halted, out of her sight.

He activated his equipment, desperately seeking aid for Emma. "Who? Who can save her?" A figure from her past emerged in his thoughts—the enigmatic protector from her encounter with Blanche, a person his investigations had failed to uncover. Only someone beyond his reach possessed such power. Josiah sensed an extraordinary capability, surpassing even Emma's. He swiftly located a signal path, transmitting a distress message and coordinates.

Meanwhile, Emma and the man sat amidst the night's darkness and the threat of bombs. Instead of immediate questioning, Emma spent over twenty minutes easing his fear. She had only half an hour, knowing that without calming him, he wouldn't speak. The bomb around his neck terrified him, but her presence, her shared vulnerability, fostered trust.

After twenty minutes, his guard lowered. Emma stated her case: "I have a bomb, too. I believe I can defuse it, but you're severely injured. Even if we don't detonate it, you won't survive. Tell me."

His defenses crumbled under her psychological expertise. "She died in a competition. Foaming at the mouth... twitching limbs... dead in under a minute. It was horrific."

Emma's body trembled; the vivid imagery felt acutely real. "A heart attack?" she asked, her voice strained.

"No," he whispered, fear etched on his face. He traced something on the ground. Then, the bomb's timer sputtered to life. "What's happening? It's going to explode! You said you'd save me!"

Emma frowned, surprised by the device's sensitivity, triggered by his simple gesture. "Move! Don't impede me!" she yelled. She knew an emergency stop technique, with a fifty percent success rate, their only chance. But his panic rendered him uncooperative, his frantic movements obstructing her. "Don't move!" she screamed.

Ten seconds. Five seconds. Her heart pounded. With gritted teeth, she deactivated the bomb. The screen went dark. Both breathed a sigh of relief. The man collapsed, tears, snot, and the faint smell of urine marking his relief.

Emma stood, about to dismiss him when the screen flickered back to life, numbers flashing wildly. Something was wrong. "Careful!" she shouted, throwing herself to the ground just as the mountain erupted in flames.

The familiar heat of the explosion felt like death's embrace, but a helicopter descended, its ladder extending. A masked figure pulled her from the inferno. Josiah and the others, alerted by the commotion, rushed to the scene. They witnessed Emma's rescue. Josiah quickly photographed the man and the helicopter. Emma's been asking me to find Tobby. I can't, but now I have this…

At the hospital, Emma, thankfully uninjured, underwent a full check-up. Liam stood guard. Soon, Josiah arrived.

"Mr. Hall, why am I here?" Josiah asked, puzzled. Liam, though seemingly uninvolved, had always been aware of Josiah's assistance to Emma. The video of Ruby's competition, sent by Josiah, was the key.

"Delete that photo," Liam commanded abruptly. Josiah, stunned, could only stammer, "You are…"

"Yes," Liam confirmed bluntly. "I'm T. I've been secretly protecting Emma. You've heard of Team Thunder, haven't you?"

Josiah's mind reeled. Liam is Team Thunder's leader! As powerful as our organization! He marveled at Liam's concealment, exceeding even Emma's.

The operating room door opened. "Patient's family?" the doctor called. "She's awake."

Liam rushed in, pausing to glance at Josiah. "Protect Emma. And know what you can, and can't, say about me."

Josiah felt a surge of frustration. Great, another guessing game. I’m stuck in the middle! He could only feign ignorance and follow.

"Emma," Liam said softly. Upon waking, Emma saw Liam first. She reached for him; he clasped her hand firmly. "Don't be afraid. You're fine. Mild gas poisoning; a few days' rest."

Emma nodded, recalling only the helicopter and the masked man. Then, a crucial detail resurfaced, her voice filled with excitement.