Chapter 205

Erza left Charon Military School that day without completing the departure procedures. Lennon was furious. He used his connections to try and secure Erza's place, but Jerome explained that a student's decision remained paramount at Charon. Jerome understood the Burnson family's situation. Though he regretted Erza's departure, he conceded they should accept it.

Lane had been caught in the rain with Erza and developed a mild cold. During lunch, Emma noticed Lane sneezing incessantly. Afraid of infecting Emma, Lane said, "Miss Wilson, I think I have a cold. I'll sit at another table." Finding no available seats, Emma insisted, "Sit down and eat. It's fine." Lane, grateful, ate despite her lack of appetite, needing to replenish her energy.

Emma then recalled Lane's broken phone. A new Apple model had just been released, and Emma knew Lane would have to wait until next month for reimbursement from the school. After a few bites, Emma decided to contact Levi later to buy Lane a new phone.

After lunch, Lane, whose class was closer to the corridor, arrived there first. "Miss Wilson," she began, "I have a military theory question I don't understand…" Lane found cultural classes more challenging than physical training; Charon's theoretical coursework was notoriously difficult.

Emma, known for her academic prowess and near-perfect scores in cultural classes, responded, "Which one? Let me see." Lane, delighted, immediately led her to class.

Emma's arrival caused a stir. Her elegant features, visible beneath her cap—sharp chin, glowing skin, naturally red lips—radiated beauty. Whispers filled the room. "Wow, she's pretty. What class is she in?" one student asked. Another replied, "Are you serious? You don't know Emma?"

Lane, seated in the second row, reached for a book, accidentally knocking a box containing a new white mobile phone from her desk drawer. A sharp-eyed classmate exclaimed, "Wow, Lane! It's the latest high-end folding phone!"

Lane, stunned, looked at Emma, who shook her head. "I didn't buy it." The phone's price, easily over two thousand dollars, was far beyond Lane's means; her previous phone was a secondhand model from junior high. "Who bought it for me?" she wondered.

Speculation arose. "Celia?" someone suggested. "She broke your phone, so it's only fair she replaced it." Another countered, "No way. Celia would never truly apologize, and she wouldn't buy something this expensive. Her phone's an old model." The students eyed the phone enviously; it was a highly sought-after model that many couldn't afford or obtain. "Lane, open it!" someone urged.

Lane, confused, opened the box. Inside was a pristine, high-end smartphone, complete with warranty and accessories. It was unlike her previous, repaired secondhand phones. Lane's ears flushed; she had never owned anything so expensive. A sudden thought struck her—Erza.

That night, Emma felt unwell. Before sleep, she sneezed repeatedly; her throat was dry and hot. She awoke with a high fever. Emma rarely fell ill, but when she did, it was severe. Justine, who had cared for her during past illnesses, was the most familiar with her condition. Emma whispered, "Dummy…"

Rielle and her roommates, awakened by Emma's sleep-talking, discovered her illness. "What do we do? She looks really sick," one said. "Should we take her to the infirmary?" Rielle replied, "It doesn't open until nine tomorrow." Another worried, "A high fever can cause… brain damage. It would be terrible if it happened to Miss Wilson."

Growing increasingly worried, Rielle went to find Lane.

09.01 Tue, Jul 25

Lane, also suffering from insomnia, was awake at nearly four in the morning, holding her new phone. She heard a soft call from outside her door. "Lane, come quickly. Miss Wilson is sick."

Immediately, Lane rushed to Emma’s side. Seeing Emma's serious condition, she grabbed her new phone and went to the corridor, dialing Liam's number from memory. "Mr. Hall… Miss Wilson seems very sick." Lane knew Liam would be the first to help; he was the one person who would never abandon Emma.

Twenty minutes later, a black Bentley arrived. Liam, dressed in black, approached the dormitory manager. "Which dorm is freshman Emma Wilson in?" he asked.

The manager, unsure of Liam's relationship to Emma (too old to be a brother, too young to be a father), asked, "Who are you to her?"

Liam's face darkened. "I am her family."

"Identification?" the manager demanded.

Levi, anxious because Liam hadn't informed Jerome, worried about the delay and Emma's condition. He started to call for help, but Liam, uncharacteristically, produced a marriage certificate. "Is this sufficient?"