Chapter 80

Emma changed into simple clothes after school: sky-blue high-waisted jeans and a light yellow knit Y-neck top. Her exquisite collarbones and long, straight black hair accentuated her striking presence. People were naturally drawn to her.

When the hooligans saw her, they looked like they’d seen a ghost! The leader muttered, "Damn it! This person… it's horrible luck to run into her!"

Her classmates, however, saw her as their savior. "Emma, these thugs want the whole clubhouse! They're trying to throw us out just because they have money!"

The hooligans remained silent.

Emma smiled, a smile that sent chills down their spines. One muttered, "Bitch, don't smile at me! It's terrifying!"

Emma crossed her arms, gazing casually toward the entrance. "So what if you drive luxury cars? You can't park here. I'll call a tow truck and the police. You're picking a fight, and money doesn't give you special privileges."

The hooligans were speechless. "Please don't! Please, Emma!" "We were just fooling around!" they pleaded.

They'd bought the cars secretly. Towing and police involvement would mean severe parental punishment.

"Are you leaving?" Emma asked.

"Yes! We're leaving!" they stammered, already defeated. Some even fell to the ground in fear, rolling away down the road, terrified of further repercussions.

After they left, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. "Emma, thank you!" "Those Class 2 students are jerks," someone added.

Someone suggested, "Now that they're gone, let's have some fun! Drinks and singing!"

Having Liam's permission (and a 100ml beer limit), Emma joined the celebration. However, a few classmates got carried away, and Emma quickly forgot her self-imposed limit. She drank considerably more than planned. Eventually, her phone died, and even after over an hour, she remained oblivious.

At 11:30 p.m., as some classmates were leaving, a black Maybach pulled up. Before Liam emerged, he overheard some drunk students.

"Another car? Are they here to fight over the venue again?"

"This is ours! Get Emma to kick them out!"

"Emma... Emma..." they chanted.

Liam frowned, hearing Emma's name. He wondered, What's going on? How long has she been here? Why does she have so many followers?

Someone mimicked Emma, shouting at Liam, "Hey! You can't park here! I'll call a tow truck!"

"I'm here to pick someone up," Liam replied, lowering the window. His calm voice sobered the students. Pick someone up? Who? they wondered.

Emma slept soundly in the first-floor studio. Liam exited the car, his wheelchair gliding silently towards her under everyone's astonished gaze. Her long hair cascaded over her shoulders, eyes closed, cheeks flushed from the alcohol. His displeasure was evident.

"Wake up. Time to go home."

"Hmm…" Emma mumbled, waking slowly. "Liam… Liam Hall?"

Liam's handsome face, framed by his stylish hair, was inches from hers. His dark eyes, like the vast night sky, fixed on her.

Emma sat up, wiping her mouth. "Why did I fall asleep?"

"You're drunk. I'm here to pick you up."

Chapter 30

Emma thought, Oh no, my phone's dead! She glanced around; curious students were gathered at the door. Besides the inebriated students sprawled on the floor, everyone was watching, too shy to discuss it openly in front of Liam. They excitedly used the class group chat instead.

Mandy: [Oh my god, Emma's boyfriend is so handsome!] Dina: [Yes! The most handsome person I've ever seen in a wheelchair!] James: [Let me introduce you all. Emma's boyfriend is Liam Hall! The eldest son of one of the country's most influential families! My idol!] James: [No one thought much of Mr. Hall before, but he's back at the helm of Halls Group! Emma has excellent taste!] Mandy: [Holy shit! Will I be Mrs. Hall's classmate?] James: [You guessed it!] Mandy: [I'll be high-status in the future!] James: [Emma, can I get Mr. Hall's autograph?]

The students chatted away. Suddenly, Liam addressed James, who was composing an email.

"You, come here."

James trembled. "Mr. Hall, are you calling me?"

"How much did she drink?"

James, more nervous than in any interview, recounted the evening: "Emma didn't drink much at first, but everyone got enthusiastic. She accepted everyone's toasts… she drank almost all the wine!"

Chapter 8 (excerpt)

Liam was speechless. She drank almost all the wine! Very naughty! he thought.

"Got it. Thank you." He scooped up the still-dazed Emma and left, his expression slightly vexed.

The remaining students watched helplessly, then flooded the group chat with messages.

Jim: [Jack, your idol thanked you!] Jack: [Don't say anything! I won't sleep tonight! I'll replay that thank you all night!] Mandy: [Emma's boyfriend is so suave! I'm crying with envy!] Dina: [So that Maybach is Liam Hall's! Wait… why are we still chatting?]

At Icovine Estate, Liam carried Emma to bed. She was fast asleep. He cleaned her up, changed her clothes, and charged her phone. As it powered on, several messages from the Vark College Class 1 group chat appeared. A quick glance revealed their contents.