Chapter 194
Lane almost choked on her water. "Erza likes me?" she exclaimed.
"That's right!" Rielle replied.
"No way!" Lane scoffed. "He's Miss Wilson's biggest fan! Miss Wilson already has a boyfriend, and he still clings to her. Have you forgotten?" Disdain laced her tone.
Rielle chuckled. "You're right," she said, unconcerned. Erza did follow Emma devotedly. A wealthy, six-foot-plus young man, he acted like an obedient giant dog around Emma. Many at school had witnessed it. Rielle pondered. "Lots of people say Erza is a player, but if you don't like him, that's fine."
The two friends continued chatting and laughing as they headed to the canteen.
Meanwhile, Liam informed the organizing committee that Emma wasn't feeling well and arranged for a substitute to accept her award. Emma's name on the championship board signified not only an honor for Charon Military School, but for the nation and the world.
Back home, Simon witnessed the announcement. Major media outlets were extensively covering the news, focusing on the sports world. Emma's fame had exploded.
Simon gripped his coffee cup so tightly, the lid rattled against the ceramic. Butler Derek, noting his master's agitated state, quietly instructed the kitchen to prepare another restorative soup, fearing a repeat of Simon's previous anger-induced illness.
The King's Association was equally enraged. As Emma's public acclaim soared, their operations became increasingly hampered.
Grail, the miracle doctor and designer of Youth, had already won the Youth Boxing Competition and now the Krot Competition. No longer the sickly girl easily defeated by Dana Coast, she had transformed into a blazing force, especially now with Team Thunder's support.
A masked man's sinister voice declared, "Find out who in Team Thunder is backing her!" Legend held that Team Thunder consisted of four formidable figures, their enigmatic leader even more unpredictable. Even the King's Association couldn't rival them in recent years. Consumed by rage, the masked man had lost all rationality.
Just as his dispatched agents left, the live broadcast on his screen went black. Then, the same race track reappeared, but with altered pixels and lighting. It was footage from five years ago.
"Wh-what is this?" the masked man stammered, shocked.
Moments earlier, after exchanging a knowing glance with Liam, Emma had decisively pressed a small button on a pendant around her neck. Instantly, this video replaced the live broadcast airing globally. This was their prearranged plan. The screen now showed Justine's competition from five years ago. As the girl charged, within seconds, she began foaming at the mouth, convulsing violently. It was the same low pile net, the same track number three.
Krot Competitions rarely experienced such incidents. The sudden death of a young athlete five years prior immediately resurfaced in many memories. The electrical spark incident that day was quickly linked to this past tragedy.
"What's going on? Why is the broadcast gone?" "Can't you tell? Someone's trying to sabotage the competition!" "Someone was electrocuted in such a large-scale competition! Demand justice for the athlete!" "That girl was electrocuted five years ago! The reports said it was a drug overdose." "Who's behind this?"
The competition was inundated with global criticism and pressure, all fingers pointing squarely at the King's Association.
"The King's Association is going to have a very bad few days," someone muttered.
In a luxurious suite, Emma sipped coffee by the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing outside. Liam, having just finished a call, embraced her from behind. "Now that the world is investigating Justine's death, all eyes are on the King's Association. They won't last long."
Emma nodded. After enduring so much, she had finally reached the end. Merciless battles, blood, a duel with slim chances of survival—cruel, dark, and bloody scenes flickered through her mind. She closed her eyes, her lashes hiding her emotions, only the rich aroma of coffee lingering on her palate.
"The King's Association should have faced this a long time ago," she said softly.
"From now on, you're free," Liam murmured, "Except that you're mine." He took her coffee cup, kissing her cheek.
During the competition, Liam's gaze hadn't left Emma. Clad in black, her slender form resembled a black lightning bolt. He wore sunglasses, concealing the intensity of his desire.
"Swoosh!" The curtains closed. He had missed her, his longing restrained for so long.
Hours after Emma's victory, more good news arrived from Charon Military School. Erza, surpassing his best performance, had courageously won the men's obstacle course championship. His ecstatic coach, usually annoyed by him, embraced Erza on the field.
Erza, startled, protested, "Sir, don't! I'm straight!"
"Brat!" the coach roared, laughing. "I'll beat you senseless!" The double victory was an unprecedented achievement for the school.
Erza's first act after winning was calling Lennon Burnson. "Grandpa, can I do whatever I want now?"
Lennon remained silent. Caught up in his excitement, Erza missed the serious undertone. "Oh, where's Emma? Is she at the party tonight?" he asked the coach.
The coach winked. "She left with her boyfriend right after the race. Someone else accepted her award."
Erza was speechless. He'd watched her race intently, and she hadn't even watched his, disappearing afterward. "Where the hell did she go?"
Chapter 191 (Excerpt)
Emma awoke languidly in her comfortable hotel bed. An hour's sleep felt like ten. She lazily opened her eyes, her lashes framing the sunset's glow, her skin tinged orange-red. Shielding her eyes, she saw Liam approaching, fresh from a shower, in a black bathrobe. "Hungry?" he asked. "What would you like for dinner?" His gentleness was unwavering. His intense gaze, dark and penetrating, made her feel exposed. She blushed, lowering her head.
"I'm going to the celebratory party with my coach and Erza tonight," she said, explaining that she had prior commitments, and it wouldn't be polite to stand them up. "Are you coming?" she asked hopefully, "It'll just be a few of us."