Chapter 166

Simon cleared his throat. "Emma, everyone is here because they've heard you'll represent our country in this year's Youth Boxing Competition. They've come to wish you well."

That day, a subsidiary of the Halls Group's tourism division went public. Liam, single-handedly completing Emma's recommended Holy Mountain project, had generated substantial profits. A celebratory party, attended by business partners, ensued. Simon's attitude toward Emma had drastically changed since the revelation of her previous aliases—a fact Emma well understood. She replied simply, "Thanks, Simon."

A sarcastic voice cut through the air. "Emma, are you really participating? People die in that competition every year—they just don't report it. Did Liam even allow this?"

It was Brad, stripped of power since Liam's return. This was their first encounter in a long time. Simon glared at Brad.

Emma stepped forward. "Your brother supports me. I'm strong, and I fight to win. That's a joy you'll never experience lounging at home, Brad." Her words struck a nerve. Brad's face darkened.

Uninterested in their bickering, Simon departed with a cold expression, leaving only Brad and Emma.

Brad retorted, "Don't be smug, Emma. The National Boxing Association has stringent integrity standards. They won't allow someone who's used performance-enhancing drugs to participate."

Emma frowned. "What do you mean?"

Brad smirked, then called out, "Mr. Harrods, come forward." Emma eyed the approaching man warily, the party's attention fixed on them.

Liam joined Emma, his voice laced with warning. "Brad, what are you doing?"

Brad sneered. "Mr. Pete Harrods, Emma's gym teacher at Vark College, witnessed her using stimulants in a boxing match with Ruby six months ago."

Gasps rippled through the crowd. Accusations flew. The National Boxing Association's regulations against performance-enhancing drugs were cited. Even Simon, his recent opinion of his daughter-in-law shifting, wore a serious expression. "Emma, did you use stimulants?"

Emma's chin lifted. Her expression and tone were glacial. "You claim I used stimulants. Where's the evidence?"

The situation was clearly a conspiracy orchestrated by Brad—a blow to both Emma and Liam, designed to prevent her competition participation.

Brad met her gaze. "This is the evidence." He displayed a photograph on a large screen. It showed "Emma" entering a women's restroom with a box of prohibited performance-enhancing drugs.

An uproar erupted. Brad gloated, stating Mr. Harrods had photographed Emma using the drugs.

Emma remained composed, addressing Harrods elegantly. "Mr. Harrods, is that so? You could be arrested for defamation; it's a serious offense."

Harrods fell silent, unable to meet her gaze. He had lied; the photo depicted a different woman. Brad had orchestrated the scheme, and Emma had seen through it. Her counterattack was swift and decisive.

"Oh, really?" Emma smirked. "Since you're accusing me with a time-stamp-less picture, I can do the same!" She used software to project a synthesized image onto the screen.

If the earlier photo shocked the guests, the new image left them speechless. It was a nude photo of Brad.

Simon flushed. Brad's face contorted. "Emma, what are you doing? You bitch—"

"The Halls' second son, Brad, is not only a playboy but frequents prostitutes," Emma declared, scrolling through further images. "He's also bisexual..."

Brad roared, feeling humiliated. He wondered how she'd obtained such high-resolution photos. The most shocking images depicted Brad and Harrods engaged in sexual activity.

Thunderous laughter filled the room. Liam, initially angry, found himself smiling. Even Levi chuckled.

Simon, aghast, exclaimed, "This is a Halls' family party! What are you doing?"

Liam stepped forward. "Dad, Brad started this. If anyone's embarrassed, it's him." He fiercely defended his wife.

Simon was close to fainting from rage, though he recognized the photos were photoshopped. Their realism, however, was unsettling.

Brad trembled, denying the images.

Emma laughed. "What a coincidence. I was there when you did all this. With witnesses and photographic evidence, what do you say?" She'd countered absurdity with absurdity, exploiting Brad's logical fallacy.

Brad stammered, claiming the photo meant nothing.

Emma countered, "Then why mention my photo? What does yours prove?"

Brad fell silent. Their wealthy backgrounds were steeped in grudges and conflict, but Emma's audacity and swift rebuttal were unprecedented.