Chapter 170
To everyone's surprise, the competition was postponed. Dana's malicious collision had serious consequences; the police detained her for several days, preventing her participation. Emma, undeterred, trained even harder, driven by a desire for vengeance for Justine and Serene.
Serene's earlier match had captivated the nation. Initially, the International Youth Boxing Competition attracted limited attention, but that day's brutal fight ignited widespread outrage, sparking national fury.
Richard, Daniel, and Sean rushed to Emma's side after seeing the video. Sean urged her to withdraw, voicing the concerns shared by Daniel, Richard, and Liam. They felt she was precious, not obligated to become a heroine. However, Emma was resolute: "Don't worry. I know what to do tomorrow." Daniel pressed her to reconsider; she simply nodded, "Yup."
Following her release, Dana's resentment festered. The incident highlighted a stark contrast between this nation's stringent security and Nuverland's comparatively lax law enforcement. Dana's humiliation fueled her rage, promising a brutal confrontation with Emma.
After three days of intense anticipation, the match commenced. Emma's uncles, barred from the venue, watched the live broadcast from their car, forming a group chat with Liam, their only inside contact, for real-time updates. The organizers likely couldn't fathom the number of influential figures gathered to support Emma—a truly newsworthy event.
Emma represented the blue corner, Dana the red. Before entering the arena, Josiah, sounding distraught, called Emma, fretting about her blue corner assignment, her supposed unlucky color. Emma, unimpressed, countered his concerns. The mere mention of working for Dana caused Josiah to recoil.
Before the fight, Emma spotted Liam in the audience. He mouthed, "Go for it," and "Love you." Emma responded with a heart gesture; Liam captured the moment, sharing it with her uncles' group chat. Their ensuing banter reflected their conflicting emotions and unwavering support for Emma.
The host announced the competitors' entry. Amidst the bright lights and roaring crowd, the highly anticipated match began—a global spectacle to determine this year's champion.
Emma faced Dana, a formidable opponent, yet remained undaunted. Dana's taunting about Liam, Emma's boyfriend, instantly hardened Emma's resolve. Dana threatened to reveal their relationship to the King's Association, which strictly forbade romantic relationships among its members. Emma's fury ignited, launching a preemptive attack.
Emma's aggressive start took Dana by surprise. Emma's smaller stature didn't hinder her speed and strength. Dana retaliated with threats, attempting to disrupt Emma's focus, forcing her to the ground with a painful blow. Liam stood, and Emma quickly rose, refusing to be intimidated.
Dana's taunts extended to Emma's skills, echoing the insults she'd previously hurled at Serene. This further fueled the audience's desire for retribution. The fight became a fierce exchange, but Emma held her own. Observing the prolonged fight, Liam instructed Levi to take action.
Suddenly, fireworks erupted in the night sky above the arena – a spectacular blue display—Liam's surprise for Emma. Dana, seemingly agitated, went into a frenzy, exhibiting symptoms of "Knockout," a performance-enhancing drug. Understanding Dana's condition, Emma seized her opportunity, unleashing a flurry of lightning-fast punches, capturing the audience's attention. Years had passed since traditional boxing moves had been showcased so brilliantly internationally. The crowd roared their approval.