Chapter 129

Leroy's words struck a nerve with Bob. Emma instinctively glanced at him; his thin face wore a cold expression. "I only do what I'm supposed to do!" he declared, then turned to Emma and Ida. "Let's go return the Tear of the Moon!" Emma and Ida nodded in agreement.

Suddenly, loud applause erupted. Three people emerged from the wooden hut: two blond, blue-eyed foreigners and Marsh. They regarded Emma, Ida, and Bob with admiration.

"I am the curator of the Zima Museum!" one foreigner announced. "Thank you for protecting the Tear of the Moon! Congratulations on passing the test!"

The truth dawned on everyone. Emma's guess was correct; it had all been a test—a test of integrity, of resisting temptation, and of staying true to one's purpose.

The person who had snatched the diamond from Ida wished he could disappear. His impulsiveness had cost his team. He looked at Bob guiltily. For the first time, the usually impassive Bob frowned impatiently.

Leroy's assistants quickly declared Emma's team the winners. Bob's team immediately voiced their objections. "Why did Emma's team win? Lane tried to steal the diamond!" one protested. Others echoed the sentiment, arguing that if a teammate's mistake resulted in the captain's failure, Emma should have also failed. They pointed out Bob's attempt to help.

Ida, rising onto her tiptoes, countered, "When he snatched the diamond, Lane tried to stop him, just like Emma!"

"So what?" several retorted.

Ida panicked. Then Lane stood, head bowed. "I admit I was selfish. I'm not worthy of this honor; I withdraw." She confessed that without Emma's revelation about the test, she wouldn't have resisted.

With Lane's withdrawal, the objections ceased. Though ashamed and her face flushed, she didn't regret her actions, acknowledging her need for the money. Unbeknownst to Lane, Emma had perceived her internal struggle.

As the excitement subsided, Leroy announced, "The winners are Emma, Ida, and Bob! A three-way tie for first place!"

Ida, overjoyed at her first individual points, nearly jumped for joy, only restrained by the pain in her feet. Lane embraced her. Emma and Bob were soon named the outstanding campers.

Overjoyed, Emma immediately called Liam. "Hubby, I did it! I can graduate early!" The prospect of more time with Liam filled her with exhilaration. It was autumn, a dazzling rain fell, yet Emma, excitedly tiptoeing, barely noticed.

Liam's deep voice responded, "Turn around."

Emma, startled, turned to see a handsome man in black, holding a long black umbrella, standing nearby. Her eyes lit up; she ran to him, throwing herself into his arms. "Honey!"

Liam, rarely one to smile, smiled broadly. He pocketed his phone, took her hand, and lifted her. "Did you miss me?" his voice husky.

"Of course!" she said coquettishly. "It's raining; other students are with their parents, and I thought I'd have to go home alone."

"Impossible," he said, gently stroking her hair, setting her back down. "Silly, I had to come for you."

Emma hugged his hand. "I love you…"

Hand in hand, they walked away. Unseen, Bob's hand holding his umbrella silently drooped.

That night, Liam, unusually free from work, joined Emma for a movie in the Icovine Estate's home theater. Liam, however, had other plans, showering Emma with kisses and embraces throughout the film.

Their intimacy was interrupted by a phone call. Liam answered with annoyance, Emma's first night home disrupted. Levi's anxious voice spoke, "Mr. Hall, bad news! Mr. Quinn is critically ill!"

Emma, with her keen hearing, overheard. "What? He was fine this morning! Why is he suddenly critically ill?" she exclaimed. She recalled his seemingly casual behavior during the competition.

Liam frowned. "We'll know more at the scene." He took Emma's hand. "Leroy collaborates with Halls Corporation. I need to visit him."

Emma nodded gravely. "I'll come with you!"

The wooden hut was surrounded by security. Only after revealing Liam's identity did they gain access. Inside, Leroy's anxious family and Marsh awaited.

"Mr. Hanson? You're here too?" Emma asked.

Marsh shyly replied, "I'm Mr. Quinn's adopted son."

Emma's understanding dawned. She recognized Leroy's adopted daughter, Mona Hanson, an elegantly dressed woman around her age.

"How is Mr. Quinn?" Liam asked.

Marsh frowned. "Not good. Follow me upstairs."

Upstairs, Leroy lay comatose. The attending physician, Dr. Calvin Bates, looked helpless. "Mr. and Miss Hanson, I've done all I can. If he doesn't wake…" he trailed off, "I fear the worst."

Tears welled in Mona's eyes. "How could this happen? He was fine today!"

Marsh comforted her. Mona cried, "What if something happens to Dad?"