Chapter 193
“Mr. Hall, do you think Miss Wilson will be alright?”
Emma was virtually assured of winning. Based on her progress, she'd nearly cleared all obstacles and held a commanding lead. The sheer number of competitors made accurately targeting her difficult, unless she crossed the finish line. At that point, she would be vulnerable. The King's Association could strike then, if they chose. Liam anticipated this. His expression was sharp under his sunglasses, his strategy unfolding silently. He didn't answer directly, only stating, "The King's Association can't touch her."
Emma maintained a slight lead over second place, but even a hundredth of a second could determine victory. Approaching the finish line, she hesitated briefly, then sprinted. Almost simultaneously, she dropped, rolled, and vanished among the timekeepers and crowd, the infrared dot tracking her disappearing. Knowing another attack was likely, she avoided the podium, instead using Liam's undercover operatives to reach a concealed location beneath the stands. A collective sigh of relief followed her safe arrival.
Exhausted, Emma relaxed. Then, a man's lips found hers. She recognized Liam's familiar cool, minty breath; his kiss was forceful, yet the refreshing scent sent a shiver down her spine in the warm weather. "Liam…" she breathed. He held her close. Even with his preparations, seeing her evade the infrared dot had sparked a deep panic—a rare emotion for him. Fortunately, she was safe, nestled in his arms.
After a long embrace, Liam reluctantly released her. Blushing, she chided, "There are so many people watching."
"You said no caramel latte, no latte, no coffee, so here I am."
Her lips curved, the sunlight highlighting her beauty. "Your kiss is still sweeter than a latte," she teased. He smiled, pinching her chin.
Their coach rushed over. "Oh my goodness, Emma! You scared me to death!" Her sudden cartwheel at the finish line, a defensive instinct to avoid the sniper, was inexplicable and potentially detrimental to her results. The coach's heart had pounded; thankfully, Emma's earlier performance ensured her chances of winning remained high.
"I always said Erza would be the troublemaker, now you've got me even more worried!"
Emma laughed, choosing not to reveal the truth which would have terrified everyone.
The first group's results were announced within seconds. The coach exhaled, relieved to see Emma in first place. Her lead seemed insurmountable.
"I'll have someone collect your medal," Liam said. The podium presented a clear shot; he had bodyguards who could easily claim the award on her behalf. Emma agreed. Meanwhile, the King's Association's leader raged, incredulous at his failure. He'd witnessed Emma's deliberate use of anti-tracking technology and the heightened security around the track. In a fit of fury, he smashed equipment in the control room.
"Sir!" a terrified subordinate exclaimed.
"Tell me, why?" the leader demanded.
Emma's maneuver confused the sniper, but the King's Association wasn't incompetent. The mission wouldn't be abandoned so easily.
"It was a local organization…Yenovia Team Thunder…they were bribed…"
The leader's hand froze. Blaze's repeated escapes made sense now. Could Team Thunder be her new affiliation?
The live broadcast concluded, displaying the final rankings. Emma regretted falling short of her personal best by a fraction of a second, yet her victory was undeniable. Charon Military School erupted in celebration; cheers rippled through the nearby buildings.
"Miss Wilson! That's awesome!" a student yelled.
"You can always trust Emma!" another added.
Lane and Rielle embraced. "Emma got first place! She's our school's hero!" Rielle exclaimed, Lane nearly weeping with joy. She almost revealed a secret, but thought better of it amidst the commotion.
"Hey, Lane, Erza's race is this afternoon! Let's watch!" Rielle suggested.
Lane's disdain for Erza was evident. "Erza's race? What's there to see?"
Rielle was puzzled. "Aren't you looking forward to it? He's our male champion!"
Lane dismissed it. "What does it matter to me? As long as Miss Wilson wins, that's all that matters."
Rielle found this strange. "I thought you were close to Erza."
Lane chuckled. "Miss Wilson and I are like best friends who've been through life and death together. As for that scumbag Erza? Hmph." She loathed his womanizing. She admired men like Liam—capable, domineering, and tolerant—a perfect match for Emma, unattainable to most. She also admired Bob's politeness and self-discipline. The thought of Bob brought a blush and a worry; Erza had mentioned Bob being in Yenovia. Would Emma see him? Lane reflected on the cost of plane tickets to Yenovia—a semester's worth of work at the student cafeteria. She anxiously clutched her uniform. Rielle's remark that she and Erza would make a good couple surprised her.