Chapter 176

Emma ascended the stairs without a word to Simon, instructing the butler to dismiss him instead. Simon, furious to the point of near collapse, was powerless against her. He couldn't ignore either Grail or Youth's influence; her identities were too formidable. He stormed from Icovine Estate, vowing to prevent Emma from further harming Liam.

Simultaneously, Emma and Simon dispatched their subordinates to locate the antidote. However, the King's Association's decade-long purge proved devastatingly effective; even a single plant was nearly impossible to find.

Two days passed without a trace. Time was dwindling; if Emma failed, she had only one recourse…

Josiah finally broke his silence. "Boss, there's something I've been concealing…"

Emma, sleep-deprived after two days, sat beside Liam, her posture slightly improved. "What?" she asked calmly.

"Liam," Josiah revealed, "is Tobby of Team Thunder. He secretly protected you from Blanche. The entire team answers to him…"

Emma's shock was brief but expected. Liam's extensive protection network, including the near-inaccessibility to even Daley, the second-best assassin, now made perfect sense.

After a moment's hesitation, Emma summoned Levi. "Levi, do you trust me?"

Levi, confused, replied, "Ma'am?"

"Liam is Team Thunder's Tobby," Emma confirmed. Team Thunder rivaled the King's Association in power. Their leader's identity likely remained unknown to the King's Association; otherwise, such a reckless action wouldn't have been undertaken.

Shock registered on Levi's face. "Ma'am, how did you…"

"Shh," Emma hushed, glancing at the door. Ensuring no one was present, she continued, "Charter a plane immediately, using Team Thunder's name. Go to Aubreland; we have a day. Return quickly. There might still be time."

If the search yielded nothing, Emma would compromise with the King's Association tomorrow night.

Levi, stunned by Emma's prior knowledge but compelled by urgency, departed immediately.

Returning to Liam's room, Emma found him still unconscious. Sighing, she gently wiped his brow, nose, and lips with a towel. This will end soon, she thought. I will definitely wake you up.

Later that night, Emma slept against the bed. At five o'clock, a knock roused her. "Madam, a letter," the butler announced.

Uninterested, Emma checked her phone, relieved to see Levi's arrival in Aubreland. "Leave it," she instructed.

"Madam, you haven't eaten in days. I'll have the kitchen send something up," the butler urged.

"Okay," Emma conceded, despite her lack of appetite.

Anxious and drained, Emma opened the letter. Her eyes widened. The coded message would seem like a prank to most, but Emma, versed in hundreds of coded languages from her years in the black market, recognized the highly specialized cipher; fewer than five people worldwide could decipher it.

She understood the message at a glance.

"Madam, who sent this?" the butler inquired, noticing her demeanor.

Emma stood abruptly. "Liam is saved."

Though the sender remained unknown, her extensive medical expertise confirmed the letter contained the cure for King's Poison. The sender's use of the cipher and knowledge of her ability to decode it indicated not only awareness of her full identity but also superior medical skill. Emma wondered why they would help.

Following the instructions, Emma observed Liam's symptoms; the cure was effective.

The butler's excitement was palpable. "Madam, is Mr. Hall cured? Shouldn't we wait for the plant?"

Emma shook her head. "My earlier assumption was correct. They destroyed worldwide samples, fearing the cure's leak. Without this, recovery is virtually impossible."

"Then Mr. Hall…" The butler's heart lurched.

"I used the letter's method and acupuncture to expel the poison. The toxins are nearly gone. While a small dose is fatal, Liam's physique surpasses the average. He just needs time to metabolize it."

"That's wonderful," the butler exclaimed, nearly kneeling in gratitude. He understood that even with the letter, Liam wouldn't have survived without Emma's decoding and medical expertise. "Madam, it's all thanks to you—"

Emma quickly stopped him. "No need. I had to save him."

Relieved yet exhausted, Emma pondered the sender's identity. Who knows me this well? They left no name, helped without asking for anything…

She frowned, her vision darkening before she collapsed.

Upon waking, Liam was awake, holding her hand, his gaze unwavering. "Emma," he whispered.

"Liam, you're awake," Emma breathed, feeling as if she were dreaming.

Seeing his recovery, she smiled. He'd learned of her actions during his unconsciousness. Gripping her hand, he fought the urge to possess her. "You suffered these past days, Emma."

Emma shook her head. "It's nothing… Let's not dwell on this. You need to focus on your recovery."

Liam needed to metabolize the remaining poison. Emma, meanwhile, was reluctant to return to the King's Association. Knowing the antidote, they would retaliate more fiercely; possibly lethally.

In the past, she might have stood a chance against them alone. But with Liam and Team Thunder, the King's Association wouldn't find it so easy.

After resting, Emma and Liam planned their countermeasures. Knowing each other's identities—Liam knowing she was Blaze—they decided to join forces and officially declare war on the King's Association. This time, they aimed for its complete annihilation.