Chapter 195

Liam readily agreed, patting Emma's head. "Emma, wherever you go, I go." However, he'd heard from Levi about a problem with Erza. "Levi told me someone reported Erza to the organizing committee for stimulant use. His championship title might be revoked."

Emma frowned. "What?" She sat up, pursing her lips thoughtfully. "Erza worked incredibly hard for this competition. There's no way he'd be stupid enough to take stimulants."

Liam agreed, "I think something's fishy." Erza often seemed frivolous, and Levi had stressed the competition's importance to him. Yet, Liam's years of business experience told him Erza wasn't that reckless.

Emma recalled their conversation at Charon Military School. He wouldn't even let me go easy on him. There's no way he'd take stimulants. "I think I know who did it," she said, a chill in her eyes, her fingers curling. It's the most likely explanation, unbelievable as it seems.

"Emma, if you're worried, I'll accompany you," Liam offered.

"Okay," she nodded.

En route, Emma instructed Josiah and Lane to investigate her suspicions. Pulling up to the organizing committee's office, they found Erza creating a scene at the entrance.

"Are you insane?" Erza raged. "I've said it a thousand times! I didn't take any stimulants!" His usual casual speech was replaced by genuine anger.

Emma quickly exited the car. She saw Erza and his coach arguing fiercely in the heat, the other party appearing impatient. "Erza!" she called. He turned, relief evident in his "Emma." His demeanor visibly calmed upon seeing her emerge from a black Maybach, Liam close behind.

Erza looked dejected. "You know?"

Emma shook her head. "I believe you. Someone's playing tricks."

The coach chimed in, "Who'd do this? The silver medalist from Nuverland?"

Emma couldn't definitively answer. Right now, I can't be sure if it's a competitor or someone else.

Erza, furious and desperate, punched a stone pillar, his hand bleeding profusely. His usually bright face was clouded with gloom. The coach hesitated, unable to intervene.

Emma looked at Erza. "Don't worry. I've started an investigation. Your hand's injured. Calm down."

Erza gritted his teeth, Who would do this?

The incident forced the cancellation of their celebratory party. Back in their room, at 7 PM Yenovia time, Lane called. "Miss Wilson, I've found out. The person who reported Erza was his grandfather... Lennon."

Lane had also uncovered surprising information about Erza. After reviewing it, she sighed, leaving the door. She'd always considered Erza a heartless playboy, but understanding his past revealed a more tragic figure. "Miss Wilson, Erza might be in serious trouble," Lane said.

Emma read the email, her expression freezing. The substance Lennon reported was newly added to the banned list. She was certain Erza wouldn't knowingly take stimulants, but sabotage remained a possibility. Liam sensed her grim mood. "Emma, are you worried about Erza?"

"Yeah," she replied. "Even though we're not close friends, we've trained together for half a year. Seeing this is disheartening." She'd long suspected Lennon.

Lennon was a powerful figure in Troln City, both domestically and internationally. If he's scheming against Erza, Erza can't handle it. He has high hopes for his grandson, and won't hand over the family business easily. I guessed the beginning, but not this ending. He used extreme measures to force Erza into the military…

Emma sighed. "Lennon never intended a fair bet. He added a stimulant-like substance to Erza's sleeping pills, ensuring a positive urine test, then added it to the banned list and reported him."

Erza had been drugged and framed by Lennon. Regardless of the championship outcome, Lennon wouldn't have honored their agreement.

Liam understood Emma's concern. While possessive, he respected her teammate relationship with Erza and didn't want to see her upset. "Emma, if you're worried, I'll handle Lennon." The Halls were prominent, and Liam's intervention would command respect.

Emma refused. "Forget it. Things are tense between you and Dad. No need to antagonize the Burnsons. I'll handle this myself." She'd committed, and would see it through.

That night, she called Lennon personally. Using her Stox identity, obtaining his private number was easy. "Good evening, Lennon. Emma Wilson."

Lennon was surprised but composed. Emma didn't introduce herself; smart people knew each other's circles. He chuckled coldly. "You went to a lot of trouble. What is it?"

Emma smiled. "I can access your number and your subordinates' conversations. I'm calling to tell you something. You know about TFCC injuries? I've trained with Erza; he's had deep ligament tears from unscientific training before Charon, enduring in silence. His arm strength was his weakness in the 100-meter obstacle run." She'd noticed it during his pull-ups; he avoided stressing that area, indicative of a TFCC injury. Her medicine had temporarily relieved it, improving his performance. But my efforts were in vain. He does take stimulants. His grandfather set him up.

Emma continued, "To meet your demands, he's endured high-intensity training beyond his capabilities for over a decade. You haven't seen him fall from parallel and horizontal bars, exhausted and in pain, a 5'9" man rolling on the ground, pale and twitching? You wouldn't forget it." The hardships of athlete training were unimaginable to outsiders. Destroying someone's lifelong dream was wrong, even within a family.

Lennon listened calmly, offering a forced smile. "What point are you trying to make?"

Emma pursed her lips. "Don't oppose him, don't lie to him, and above all, don't torture him."