Chapter 73

“Let’s go. Your brother is getting very angry! I’ve already embarrassed his mother. He might just drive over and knock me down.”

“If he tries that, I’ll be in front of you,” Liam said seriously, even reaching out to playfully scratch her nose. He knew she had consistently supported him, firmly believed in him, and stood by his side. He had completely fallen for her.

Soon, Elsie’s trial began. With solid evidence, she lost and was found guilty. A month remained before the second trial; a guilty verdict there would mean a jail sentence for attempted murder. Brad’s mood was terrifyingly gloomy. He immediately accelerated his cooperation with Vark College, intending to deal with Emma.

Emma had physical education that day. Vark College, a top private aristocratic school, offered piano and violin lessons, basic physical education, fencing, and horsemanship. Horsemanship lessons took place at a nearby range, while the college had its own fencing hall.

As Emma donned her fencing suit, she overheard her classmates discussing the upcoming fencing league.

“Our class is doomed! There’s a transfer student from Nuverland in the next class—a young, nationally ranked fencer!”

“Wow! Is it a boy or a girl?”

“A girl. And the guys in their class are amazing athletes!”

“Terrifying… I hope I don’t have to face her!”

Emma’s elite class excelled academically, but fewer students possessed exceptional athletic talent compared to other classes. Vark College had many extracurricular activities; this time, it was a fencing league.

Finishing changing, Emma heard her earpiece. “Boss, you love fencing and complain about lacking worthy opponents! Why not sign up for the league?” Josiah sounded excited. He’d previously hacked the stadium cameras to watch Emma’s thrilling match with boxing champion, Ruby Crur, and craved more action.

Emma casually picked up her sword. “Forget it. Years since I last fenced. There’s talent in every generation. I'd just be asking for trouble. I have to focus on Brad.”

Just then, someone rushed into the changing room.

“Emma, it’s your turn! Hurry!”

“What do you mean?” Emma was confused.

“Your turn!” The other party was anxious. “They drew lots; you’re first!”

Emma was shocked. Today’s competition? She’d completely forgotten! No wonder her classmates were nervous. She hadn't known there was a competition.

Her lips twitched as a classmate offered sympathetic news: “Your opponent is Alva Ores.”

Emma was speechless. Alva Ores, a recent transfer student from Nuverland, was a professional fencer. One girl had vowed vegetarianism to avoid facing her. Yet, Emma had drawn Alva. No one else was so “lucky.”

“Tell the teacher I’ll be there soon.”

The arena buzzed.

“Where is she? Scared? What a coward!”

Alva was from Class 17, which had the lowest average score but many exceptionally talented, wealthy students. Class 2 students were known for their high profiles.

“Hey, Class 1 nerds, competing or not?”

“Haha, isn’t Emma strong? More like a coward!”

“Give up! What’s the point of stalling?”

“Yeah, back to your textbooks!”

Before the competition even started, Class 2 students began taunting them. Emma’s classmates, while high-achieving, had pride.

“Is fencing that serious? Do they have to be so aggressive?”

Emma’s classmates couldn’t take it anymore.

“Emma’s beautiful, smart, and calculating. What else do you have besides fencing? You’re brawny and simple-minded!”

Class 2 students felt humiliated; they hated being called stupid and low-achieving. They stood, ready to fight.

“So what if you have good grades? You’ll still work for my father, ugly girl!”

“Exactly! Ugly women like you will be single forever, even with doctorates! Working for others your whole lives!”

The elite class girls were simple, unlike the more stylish Class 2 girls. Insulted, they felt aggrieved.

Then, a male classmate stepped forward.

“Watch your words! What’s so great about bullying girls?”

“Right. We might work for your father, but with your intelligence, you might not even be able to clean our company toilets!”

“Stupid pig, get lost!”

“You!”

Class 2 students trembled with rage. A clash seemed imminent. Then, the teacher arrived.

“What are you doing? Save your energy for the match! No fighting here!”

The students quieted. Fighting was forbidden, and the consequences were severe. They calmed down.

Cheers erupted as Alva Ores entered, Class 2 ecstatic.

“Alva! Alva!”

“So smart! Beat them!”

“Yeah! Eliminate Emma! Emma’s trash!”

Supporters should be civilized; these students weren’t. They mocked Emma openly. Her classmates, unable to bear it, shouted:

“Emma! Come on!”

“Emma! You can do it!”

“Emma’s the best! Class 1, fight!”

Class 1, while top students, were outnumbered by the boisterous Class 2. But for Emma, they shouted desperately, faces flushed.

Emma finished preparing, entering to a commotion.

“Boss, your classmates are dedicated,” Josiah commented, having infiltrated the dojo’s cameras. “Aren't you going to have a good match?”

Hearing the insults, Emma’s battle spirit ignited. Her strength was beyond their comprehension.