Chapter 77
During this time, Brad had investigated Emma's identity, but found nothing. Emma felt the police closing in. Time was short, yet her expression remained calm.
"You've been trying to find out who I am," she stated. "Do you still remember the financial war that cost you twenty million dollars a year ago?"
On the screen, Emma's long hair fluttered in the night, her red lips striking. Brad's expression changed drastically at her mention of the past year; he appeared terrified.
"What are you trying to say?" he demanded.
"That one must learn from one's mistakes," Emma replied. "There's always someone better. Nobody is above the law!"
"So?"
Emma scoffed. "You never dreamed I was involved in the financial storm that nearly destroyed you! For over three hundred days, you've had nightmares. I'll make you suffer a hundred times worse than a year ago if you provoke me—even if it risks everything!"
Brad's face contorted. He would never forget the hellish financial storm following his attack on Liam and takeover of Halls Group. He'd lost over twenty million dollars in days, eventually signing a secret agreement and relying on a wealthy overseas family for support—a fact even Simon, the CEO at the time, remained unaware of. How could Emma, an outsider, know?
"Looks like you have a death wish!" Brad's voice was cold, laced with killing intent. He'd intended to have her arrested, but now, it seemed he'd have to handle it himself.
Unknown to Emma, a sniper's rifle was trained on her from Holy Mountain, hundreds of meters away. She remained motionless, her smile radiant, like a midnight dahlia.
"If I die," she said, "the funds you borrowed from the Rafael Harmon family will be withdrawn. Tomorrow, your stocks will plummet. Simon will learn the truth. Everyone will see your incompetence! Dare you risk it?"
Time was running out. She lacked complete confidence in Brad's retreat, but years had taught her there was no guaranteed victory. Only the strongest survived.
Brad, feeling the psychological pressure, checked the company's stocks. An unknown foreign account had attacked Halls Group shares, the amount staggering. He felt himself falling into hell. He received an email from the Rafael Harmon family, warning of the fund withdrawal. The financial storm's loopholes remained unpatched. If the Rafael family withdrew, Halls Group's capital chain would break, leading to Liam's appointment as CEO. Brad feared not Elsie's imprisonment, but Liam's return and his own suffering. He didn't know how Emma secured the Harmon family's backing, but he couldn't attack.
After a long silence, Brad croaked, "What do you want?"
Emma smiled coldly at the drone's camera. "Let Alva's killer turn himself in, and I go free."
Ten seconds later, police, heading toward Emma, spotted a figure fleeing through the forest. The suspect was apprehended; blood and leaves clung to his clothes, linking him to Alva's death. Emma, hidden behind a tree, waited until he was secured.
As she emerged, a figure burst from the bushes, stabbing her carotid artery. Caught off guard, Emma fought back, using her intuition to avoid vital points. Just as a second blow threatened, footsteps approached. Before she could react, someone used a tranquilizer gun on her attacker.
The sound of wheelchair wheels on leaves followed. Liam appeared, worried. "Emma, why are you here?"
Relieved, Emma hugged him tightly. The near-death experience had been terrifying. Later, at Icovine Estate, she told him everything, omitting only her method of forcing Brad's compromise. Liam's expression was unreadable; he simply told her to rest, promising to deal with Brad.
Recalling Alva’s brutal murder—her body covered in blood, limbs broken—Emma sighed. "The world calls you cruel and heartless," she said, "but the ruthless evil is Brad. One day, the world will know he’s the devil."
Brad had killed Alva and her attacker—a pawn among many, sacrificed for his ambition. She would tell the police the truth. Brad would pay for his crimes.
The next day, Halls Group stock plummeted.