Chapter 189

The atmosphere around the masked man was tense. He stared at the screen, demanding, “Investigate! Find out who did this!” He mused, “Who dared infiltrate our ranks?” Suspicion quickly fell on Emma; Liam was, after all, a difficult man to manage.

Just as the masked man wondered if Emma knew of his plan, his subordinate announced, “Sir, I’ve found our person of interest! Someone from Yenovia!”

“Yenovia?”

Liam, continuing to monitor the radio, smirked slightly. He’d deliberately left a flaw to arouse the King's Association's suspicion, ensuring they'd suspect their own Yenovia operatives rather than him. Liam and Emma had achieved their goal.

The next day, Emma, after her usual warm-up run, went to the canteen. Her breakfast consisted of two eggs, milk, kiwi, vegetables, and nuts. Returning to her seat, she witnessed a heated argument between her roommate, Rielle, and Celia, a notorious student from the neighboring class.

Celia, the most popular girl in Class 3, was known for her undisciplined behavior—rumor had it she'd even served time. Despite her past, Celia possessed impressive physical fitness, placing third in the last midterm exam, a feat that only fueled her arrogance, which the coach seemed to ignore. She was domineering and rarely challenged.

Rielle sat frozen, pale and terrified, lips pressed stubbornly together. Another roommate intervened, "Celia, you hit Rielle's hand while lining up! Her wrist is swollen. She only wanted to switch places; why exaggerate?"

"Swollen? Show me!" Celia demanded loudly, attracting attention.

Rielle hid her hand, unwilling to escalate the situation. Celia, however, flipped Rielle's plate, sending eggs and rolls to the floor. She looked down with disgust and scorn.

Everyone felt Celia had overstepped, but none dared confront her. Humiliated, Rielle remained seated, shoulders trembling, eyes red. She didn't retrieve her food. Celia laughed cruelly, "Don't you know how to act pitiful? Get on your knees and pick it up! Let everyone see me bully you, you conniving little bitch!"

Emma, having just finished eating, observed the scene. Without revealing her expression beneath her military hat, she rose, left her plate, and returned to the counter. "Two eggs and dinner rolls, please," she ordered, calmly carrying the tray through the crowd. Ignoring Celia, she placed the food before Rielle.

Rielle, on the verge of tears, looked up, biting her lip. "Miss Wilson…"

Emma’s simple "Here. Eat up," and a pat on the shoulder offered comfort. Rielle, having previously helped Emma connect with her cousin Blanche, was someone Emma wouldn't leave to be bullied.

Celia, noticing Emma's military cap and neatly folded uniform, her serious expression, and sharp features partially obscured by the hat's brim, felt a flicker of unease. The unfriendly aura emanating from Emma was unmistakable. Celia thought, "She's just going against me."

Sneering, Celia challenged, "Who are you? Can't you see I'm teaching her a lesson?"

Tension filled the air. Celia, the troublemaker, was facing Emma, the Charon Military School legend—recent victor of the International Boxing League.

Mockingly, Celia declared, "Mind your business! I got third in the grade. Challenge me to a duel, and you'll be expelled!"

Celia, knowing only Riley and Lane outscored her, and aware of their appearances, incorrectly assumed Emma was weaker.

Emma, lifting her hat, revealed sharp, cold eyes. "You think so?" she asked confidently. "Can a top-five student expel the champion?" Her calm tone stunned Celia.

Emma, donning her uniform with a serious expression, stated, "A successful day starts with a purposeful morning, and I don't want unhappiness so early." She added pointedly, "People who topple plates and waste food are bitches."

Celia, never before so rebuked, was stunned, as was Rielle. Even Riley, witnessing this, thought, "No one dares provoke Celia…except Emma. Is there anyone she can't offend?"

Celia then realized there was another top scorer she hadn't met: Emma, the boxing champion. Flustered and blushing, she stammered, "Did you call me a bitch?"

Emma smiled. "Aren't you?" she replied. "You hurt Rielle for no reason. If you're not a bitch, what are you?"

Celia challenged, "Say that again!"

Emma refused, fixing her sleeves and standing beside Rielle. "I hate wasted food," she said calmly. "Pick up the food, eat it, apologize to Rielle, and this is over."