Chapter 201
Some of the newer police officers were confused. "Who is Mr. Bixter?" they wondered. Erza's tone was indifferent, even arrogant. However, more experienced officers felt uneasy upon hearing "Mr. Baxter." The station knew only one Mr. Baxter—the chief of police! Erza, a student, naturally wouldn't know him. Emma quickly realized her rescuer was someone else. Under pressure, the officers released Emma.
Stepping outside, she saw a man smoking beneath a sweet acacia, its leaves half-yellowed. Liam, noticing her on the rainy night, extinguished his cigarette. He removed his suit jacket and draped it over Emma, who wore only a thin evening gown. His expression was serious and focused. "Sorry," he said, "I'm late." Emma leaned against him, shaking her head. "It's okay," she murmured. "I know you had things to attend to." Liam had raced after her upon realizing she wasn't in the banquet hall; he hadn't anticipated Simon's persistence in jailing her, so he'd cleverly used an excuse to get Liani to leave.
A grimness flickered in Liam's eyes. His lips were pressed into a thin line, the atmosphere thickening. Erza cleared his throat from behind them. "Emma, this is Evan Baxter," he explained. "Liam called him. Without him, you'd likely have a criminal record." A refined middle-aged man stepped forward, greeting them. Evan knew of Emma's fame and believed in her character; the recording clearly showed she hadn't threatened Lennon. Emma nodded politely at Evan.
"It's my grandfather's fault," Erza said. "You helped me, and yet you were dragged into trouble because of me." He trailed off. Emma offered brief comfort before leaving with Liam for Icovine Estate. Erza and Liam had rescued Emma from the station while Josiah, using Liam's connections, contacted Interpol through Evan.
Interpol had been tracking the King's Association; Josiah had assisted their investigation for days. The process was complex, but they apprehended the Association's leader at an overseas airport. Emma had lain low for nearly half a year for this operation. Without the Krot Competition incident, Dummy's injustice might never have been revealed.
On the day the King's Association fell, Emma brought coffee to Dummy's grave. The sun beat down fiercely. Squatting, she poured coffee instead of wine. "Dummy didn't like alcohol," she said, a melancholy settling on her beautiful face. Dummy, perhaps we'll never meet again. But your image, your support in the darkness, will forever remain etched in my memory. She inwardly finished the thought and took a sip of strong liquor. Liam, steadfast at her side, offered silent comfort and unwavering support. In the future, I will soothe her pain. I will stay by her side for life.
After the King's Association's demise, the remaining factions were dismantled. Emma's past association with the group, though years prior to her departure, came to light. The international attention demanded a thorough investigation. Emma had been taken during her training at Charon Military School.
Seeing Emma in a police car, Rielle panicked. She rushed to Lane's classroom. "Lane, what do we do? Miss Wilson's been taken!" Lane's eyes were lowered in thought. I heard Erza's grandfather targeted Miss Wilson, but Mr. Hall resolved it. Why now? How can we help Emma? Rielle, deeply concerned since Emma had helped her with Celia's bullying, shared Lane's anxiety. Lane resolved, "We must tell Mr. Hall immediately."
During a break when phones were forbidden, Lane quickly whispered to Rielle, "Help me cover. I need to tell Mr. Hall." Rielle nodded, using her jacket as a makeshift sunshade.
Lane had Liam's number but hadn't contacted him before. As she called, several girls in black T-shirts and boots approached. Celia sneered, "Oh, a weakling breaking the rules! Our illustrious second-ranked student! Feeling influential now you're friends with the champion?"
Liam remained silent. Lane, gripping her phone, retorted, "Mind your own business!" Riley, Celia's companion, interjected, "Celia's the discipline officer." "It's my job!" Celia declared, slapping the phone from Lane's hand.
The phone slid into a sewer crack. Celia's action was deliberate; she'd been accurate, exclaiming triumphantly, "Fuck, that's awesome!" Lane, however, saw the screen flash, indicating Liam had answered. She crouched by the drain, shouting, "Mr. Hall, it's Lane! Miss Wilson was taken!"
Liam answered after a meeting; he'd only answer Emma's number immediately. He heard "Lane," then the line went dead. Lane couldn't hear anything, seeing the screen go dark. Her shoulders slumped; the phone was ruined. Anger surged. Celia, intimidated by Lane's gaze, merely stated, "No phones during class."
Before Lane could respond, a voice boomed from behind, "Really? What if I say I need to use it?" Erza, six foot two, his military jacket slung over his shoulders, appeared different. Still arrogant, an unusual calmness had settled over him. He handed Lane his phone, already connected to Liam. Lane gratefully reported Emma's situation.
Erza confronted Celia and Riley. "Well?" he challenged. "You threw my phone. I'm watching." They felt guilty facing him. They recoiled. Erza's status in Troln City, his championship title, and his Krot Competition win intimidated them. They only dared bully the unassuming; they wouldn't challenge someone like Erza or Emma, especially Erza, a popular and physically imposing figure. Celia, once Faith's friend, knew of Erza's romantic exploits. She was speechless with embarrassment.