Chapter 200

Emma leaned back in the police station chair, appearing languid. Her voice, delicate yet cool, carried a hint of nonchalance. “Have you ever seen black market software capable of hacking government compound databases?”

Lennon Burnson’s home was unlike others. His family’s courtyard lay within a signal-blocking zone. Hackers with average skills couldn't obtain his phone number or address.

The police officer’s expression faltered. “Are you admitting to intentionally hacking Lennon’s number?” he asked. “Do you know who he is? Ordinary cybercrime carries a three-to-five-month sentence. Stealing his information will at least double that.”

Emma remained surprisingly composed, listening patiently to the officer’s conscientious lecture. Her attitude shifted only after his next statement: “Lennon claims you threatened him over the phone. Tell the truth. How did you threaten him?”

The strikingly beautiful girl placed her phone on the table, pressing the white button. A recording began. “Is this considered a threat?” she asked.

The recording played their phone conversation. Emma’s phone automatically recorded everything, capturing their exchange perfectly.

The officer was stunned. He thought, This doesn't match Lennon's report. He said Emma threatened his safety, but the recording contains no threats. The recording showcased Emma’s rational, objective suggestions; the officer even found her arguments reasonable.

“Wait,” he said, putting down his pen. “Let’s double-check this.”

Emma raised an eyebrow, looking around with bored amusement. Just then, Erza returned to the Burnson courtyard, having just deplaned. He was ready to confront Lennon. Reaching Lennon’s study, he overheard him on the phone with the police station.

“The recording shows no threat. Does that mean she threatened me elsewhere? Mr. Hayden, I am Lennon Burnson. Do I need to fabricate facts? I didn't say it directly, but you understand my implication. I want her jailed! I don’t want her near my grandson again!”

Lennon hung up, a surprising look of relief on his face. Erza burst in, furious, his bandaged finger pointing at Lennon. “What did you say on that phone call?”

Chapter 200

Erza remained unaware of what transpired with Emma. However, Lennon’s phone call suggested another frame-up. Lennon, clearly surprised by Erza's return, remained silent.

Erza pointed. “Who were you talking about? Emma? What did you do to her?”

Lennon, enraged, smashed a cup. “Don’t think winning first place excuses you from army enlistment! You’re going, whether you like it or not!”

Erza was certain his grandfather had drugged and framed him. Anger trembled on his handsome face, though he suppressed his rage.

“From now on, you’re not my grandfather,” he said.

Erza gritted his teeth and left. “You can’t leave!” Lennon shouted, leaning on his cane. “Stop him!”

Soldiers rushed out, but Erza easily subdued them. Years of rigorous training at Charon Military School had made him formidable. The defenseless puppy had become a fierce wolf.

Lennon, clutching his chest, trembled. “If you have the guts, take a step forward!”

Erza glared back, then laughed self-deprecatingly, his eyes bloodshot. Lennon, seemingly unprepared for Erza’s intensity, flinched. He then left without looking back.

At a Holy Mountain junction, Liam’s phone lacked signal, but Josiah tracked his route via roadside surveillance. Liam seemed intent on contacting him as well. The black Maybach stopped at the mountain’s edge, directly facing a camera, remaining motionless. Josiah sensed Liam was waiting.

Chapter 200

Half an hour later, Josiah caught up. They exited their cars, recognizing each other's license plates.

“Mr. Hall,” Josiah said respectfully.

Liam, smoking, extinguished his cigarette with his foot upon seeing Josiah. “Where’s Emma?”

Josiah replied, “Miss Wilson’s encountered trouble.”

Liam’s phone rang. He glanced at Josiah; the signal was unstable. The call wasn’t from Emma, but Erza.

Liam frowned. “What’s up?”

Erza’s voice was nervous. “I suspect my grandfather framed Emma.”

Back at the station, Emma twirled a pen, then replaced it upon the officer’s return. “Finished investigating?”

He hesitated. “We believe your late-night intrusion and call still suggest threats and intimidation.”

Emma was speechless. He’s a powerful, wealthy man; I’m a penniless student. What threat could I possibly pose?

Her expression hardened. They’re acting on Lennon’s orders, retaliating for Erza.

The officer stated, “Miss Wilson, we can’t release you yet. You’ll have to stay overnight.”

Detainment over forty-eight hours would create a criminal record. A holding cell was unpleasant. This, coupled with her recent championship win and the Hall family's press conference, made the situation disastrous. Her expression was stern, yet she maintained her nonchalant demeanor, following the officer inside.

Chapter 200

Lennon’s involved; I need to save myself, she thought, secretly trying to contact Jerome. Footsteps approached—Erza.

Dressed in a half-open black hoodie, a cigarette dangling, he strode in with arrogant confidence. “Release her,” he demanded.

His frequent run-ins with the law made his presence familiar. The officers were stunned. Lennon sent her in, yet his grandson wants her out? What’s going on?

“Mr. Burnson, Emma’s suspected of privacy infringement,” an officer said. “She can’t leave.”

Erza tossed his cigarette. A faint smile played on his lips. “I gave her my grandfather’s number. Any problem with that? Mr. Baxter heard about her championship win and wants to speak with her. He’s outside. You decide.”