Chapter 148

Ida glared at Nigel, her fists clenched. “Scumbag! I gave you all my pocket money. Give it back!”

Emma frowned. This guy even asked Ida for money… she thought.

Nigel knelt, weeping. “I want to pay you back, but I've spent it all! I can't repay you quickly!”

“What!” Ida cried, her voice cracking. She’d lost both love and money. Lane had been right; online guys were only after her money and body.

Emma calmly regarded Nigel. “Where did you spend it?”

“I… I bought games,” he confessed.

What a waste! Emma thought.

“I don’t care how, but you must repay Ida within three days!” Emma declared.

“Three days? That’s impossible…” Nigel protested.

“Then I'll break your legs!” Emma threatened. Remembering how easily she’d broken his finger, Nigel cried out, “Alright! Three days!”

Emma made him sign a contract, releasing him only after confirming his repayment promise. Nigel had learned his lesson, but Ida remained distraught, weeping uncontrollably. Despite their short acquaintance, she had considered Nigel her first love, and this betrayal was devastating.

Emma was supposed to have a celebratory dinner with Liam that evening, but seeing Ida’s heartbroken expression, she couldn’t leave her alone. She called Liam. “Honey… Can you do me a favor?”

Liam’s gentle reply came over the line: “Yes?”

“My friend just broke up. Can I bring her to dinner with us tonight? I’ll pay for her share.”

Liam chuckled at her serious tone. He wasn't thrilled about an extra guest, but he obliged his wife's request. “I’ll call the restaurant and add a seat,” he said.

“Hubby, you’re so nice!” Emma beamed.

They dined at Bouchon Bistro; Emma loved French food. Knowing Ida’s low spirits, Emma ordered generously, including sweets Ida might enjoy. Sweet treats, she’d heard, helped soothe upset feelings.

Ida tasted the steak, tears welling up. “Oh my god, this is the most delicious thing I’ve ever tried! Emma, I’m so envious of you. You’re amazing, and your boyfriend loves you so much.”

Liam sat opposite, but Ida barely dared to look at him; he was too handsome, his presence intimidating.

Emma smiled, offering comfort. “Just focus on improving yourself. You’ll have all this too, someday.”

Ida’s spirits lifted. “Yes! I will! I’ll study hard. Once I’m rich, I’ll bring you to fancy restaurants!”

After dinner, Emma saw Ida off, then joined Liam in his car. As the door closed, Liam kissed her.

Emma gasped, surprised by his forceful kiss. Liam cupped the back of her neck, murmuring charmingly, “Honey, you didn’t even look at me.”

The word “honey,” a first from Liam, made her heart skip a beat. The term felt slightly embarrassing, yet his low, magnetic voice transformed it into something sensual. Her breath quickened as she felt his breath on her face. “What did you call me?”

“Honey,” Liam repeated, still kissing her. “Aren’t you?”

Tilting his head, he gazed at her intently.

“Yes… but I didn’t mean to ignore you. My friend just broke up, you know. She’s sad,” Emma explained.

“You served her a lot of food.” Liam sounded jealous.

Emma pointed out, “I got some for you, too.”

“Yes,” he replied with a knowing smile. “Not enough…”

Before Emma understood his implication, he kissed her again. The car, under the quiet night, felt charged with love.

A few days later, Emma received an acceptance email from Charon Military School, as did Lane. On their first day, Emma encountered Bob, unexpectedly. She remembered his scientific aptitude.

“Hey, Bob, you’re studying here too?”

Bob, in a crisp white uniform, smiled brightly. “Yeah. Mr. Hall always wanted me in the army, but I’m not into fighting. To please him, I enrolled at Charon for some training.”

Emma realized “Mr. Hall” referred to Simon, Liam’s father, making her Simon’s daughter-in-law. Since Bob was six foot six and a year older than Emma, but Simon was his grandfather, Emma was Bob’s aunt-in-law. The thought was slightly awkward. Clearing her throat, she said, “Ahem, me too. Let’s work hard together!”

“Okay,” Bob replied, watching her until she disappeared, captivated by her grace and long hair. He’d silently observed her brilliance.

Previously saving Mr. Quinn and Otis Hart, appearing on a reality show, and becoming a Pharmaceutical Medical Association member – even whispers of her being Grail – had rendered her seemingly unattainable. This thought troubled Bob.

“Wow, that girl’s pretty. Is this first love?” A fashionably dressed boy, Erza, approached from behind.

Following Bob’s gaze to Emma, Bob snapped back to attention and glared. “First love again?”

Erza, sensing the chill, laughed. “Come on, don’t look at me like that, I was joking.”

Bob remained silent, his eyes unusually cold. He and Erza, childhood friends, were a study in contrasts; Erza, handsome and unrestrained, was a known playboy, while Bob was serious and reserved, likely to follow his family’s military tradition. Their contrasting appearances drew attention.

Erza said, “Let’s go! Charon has strict rules. We shouldn’t be late.”

Meanwhile, Emma and Lane learned their class assignments.

“I’m in Class 9, Emma. Which class are you in?” Lane asked.

Emma checked. “I’m in Class One.”

Lane seemed disappointed. “So we’re not in the same class. Well, okay. But let’s eat together after training, okay?”

“Sure,” Emma agreed.