Chapter 206
The dormitory manager gasped when she saw Liam's marriage certificate. The photo and name confirmed it was him and Emma. "I remember Emma," she exclaimed. "She's very pretty. She just enrolled this year, didn't she? Why is she married so young?"
Liam simply hummed. "What room is she in?"
"321, fifth floor," the manager replied.
Liam immediately headed for the fifth floor.
Returning to her room, the manager muttered, "Look at Emma, married at twenty! My daughter…"
Shortly afterward, she saw Liam descending, carrying a girl wrapped in a thin blanket. Emma's flushed face revealed her illness, instantly replacing the manager's surprise with worry. "Oh dear! Why is she ill? Get her to the hospital!"
Liam wasted no time, rushing Emma to the car and securing a private doctor's appointment on the way back to Icovine Estate.
At the estate, the doctor diagnosed a viral cold. "The temperature's been dropping lately; many people are sick. She likely caught it at school. I'll prescribe medicine; it should bring down her fever tonight."
Liam nodded, his lips pressed into a thin line.
After the doctor left, Liam instructed Levi, "Help her take a few days off school. She doesn't want anyone to know about our marriage. Remind the dormitory manager."
"Okay, Mr. Hall," Levi replied, instantly understanding. He'd been shocked to see the marriage certificate, thankfully in the dead of night. Otherwise, the news would have spread through Charon Military School by morning. He resolved to remind the manager the next day.
Alone with Emma, Liam's heart ached. He hadn't expected her illness despite his care, resolving to be even more attentive. He heard her murmur, "Liam…"—softly, quickly, but clear. His breath hitched; he tightened his embrace.
The next day, Levi visited the dormitory manager to process Emma's sick leave. While Emma's absence required official documentation, Levi’s tactful approach made the manager understand the need for discretion. Emma wasn't inconspicuous, and her husband was clearly influential. The manager readily promised confidentiality.
Levi smiled, remaining noncommittal. After completing the paperwork, he left. Several girls entered, searching for the manager.
"I lost my homework yesterday…" the leader began, then paused, noticing Levi's suit and glasses. "So handsome…" a girl whispered. They watched him leave; he paid them no mind.
The manager emerged. "What homework? When did you lose it? Where?"
"Right here… Around five o'clock," the girl replied.
"Ask your classmates," the manager suggested.
"I did, but no one knows. I need to check the surveillance footage; it's due tonight," the girl explained.
The manager showed them the footage, revealing another girl had taken the homework. The girls left to confront her. Only Riley lingered, preoccupied since seeing Levi. She recalled seeing him interact with Emma several times—his polite, refined demeanor making a strong impression.
"What's he doing here?" she mused. "Is it related to Emma?"
Someone overheard her. Riley feigned indifference, claiming she'd left something behind.
Alone in the surveillance room, Riley stealthily logged in using the manager's password, which she'd memorized. She advanced the footage, seeing Levi arrive ten minutes before the girls. She couldn't hear their conversation, but he clearly had something to discuss. Advancing further, she saw Liam leaving with an unconscious Emma last night. Then, she saw Liam holding a certificate before going upstairs, which she recognized as a marriage certificate. Emma was Liam's wife. Realizing the implications of their secret marriage, she quickly photographed the screen before footsteps approached and escaped.
Meanwhile, at Icovine Estate, Emma awoke, her fever broken. The butler confirmed Liam's all-night vigil and his instructions to ensure she took her medicine. Emma smiled, noticing the marked medicine box. "Did Liam… pick me up last night?" she asked. The butler mentioned Levi’s presence, suggesting she ask him. Emma understood Liam would have found a way, and left it at that.