Chapter 32

It wasn't until Emma fought back with all her might that Liam reluctantly released her. "Liam, I told you not to force a kiss on me! It hurts!"

"Where?" Liam asked.

Emma complained, "Don't you know how to kiss? How could you be so rough?"

Liam, overwhelmed by excitement, had focused solely on the kiss, unaware of the sensitivity of a woman's lips. His rough fingers pinched her chin, his gaze falling on her tender, reddened lips. He examined them seriously, as if assessing an injury. With a frown, he began, "It's a bit swollen. Why didn't you say so earlier?"

"I had to have the chance, didn't I…," Emma retorted. Moments ago, Liam hadn't given her a chance to breathe, let alone speak.

Meanwhile, Aria glared at the screen displaying Liam and Emma in a passionate embrace, her teeth gritting with anger. "Damn it! Why? After I sent Liam Hall those nasty photos of Emma, he didn't divorce her. Instead, their relationship seems even stronger! I refuse to accept it!"

She turned to her computer, intending to send Liam more compromising "dirt" on Emma. However, the images on the screen vanished.

In the bedroom of Covine Estate, Emma, pinned down by Liam, felt an uncomfortable bulge against her back. She reached out and found a plush rabbit toy. "Mr. Hall, I didn't expect such a girly thing in your room." Growing up in the countryside, Emma hadn't had access to fancy toys; she'd received hand-me-downs from older children. Now, grown up, she'd naturally lost interest in such trinkets. But finding one in Liam's room felt quite novel.

"Oh, you mean this little bunny? A little girl gave it to me yesterday. I felt sorry for her, so I bought it," Liam explained.

"Yesterday?" Emma's vigilance was piqued. She remembered Liam leaving yesterday, after a heated argument in the study. "When I came back yesterday, I saw blood on the floor of your study," Emma stated directly. "Did something happen?"

"Nothing," Liam replied curtly. Emma didn't press further; she simply looked at him for a moment before returning her attention to the rabbit.

Covine Estate was a secluded villa. The appearance of a little girl alone, late at night, immediately after Liam's anger subsided, struck Emma as suspicious. She stared into the rabbit's eyes, then picked up a knife. With a swift cut, she gouged out the rabbit's eyes.

Seeing her actions, Liam immediately understood. "Is something wrong with this rabbit?"

"Look," Emma said, expressionless, using the knife's tip to extract a small, black pellet from the toy's transparent eye. "Someone's spying on us." Her tone was chillingly calm.

When Liam saw the miniature camera, his face turned icy. Yesterday, his fury had lowered his guard. Fortunately, Emma's instincts had saved them from prolonged surveillance.

"I'll find this person immediately," Liam snapped. The emails followed by surveillance; the other party clearly targeted him and Emma. He cursed inwardly at their despicable actions.

"No rush," Emma said. "Now that we've found her camera, she'll likely make another move. Let's watch." She suspected who was behind it. Such clumsy tactics weren't the work of a sophisticated organization, nor likely Brad, but rather the Wilson or Taylor families.

Aria was consumed by anxiety after her camera malfunctioned. "Have I been exposed? Or was it a malfunction?" She feared Liam's retaliation and couldn't sleep for days. Liam's inaction after three days eased her fears; she attributed it to a malfunction and resumed her actions. Since the photos hadn't affected Liam, she decided to target Emma directly.

Emma's wounds had mostly healed after three days. Upon returning to school, her classmates expressed concern. "Emma, this is the best wound medicine from my mom's pharmacy. Remember to apply it as per the instructions, and you won't have any scars," one classmate offered. Another volunteered, "Yeah, Emma, let us grab lunch for you at the cafeteria today. You don't have to run around."

The simplicity of the student world was refreshing. Knowing Emma's academic prowess and strength, everyone was eager to befriend her. After a few days of "resting" at school, Emma made several new friends.

One day, her classmates' curiosity overwhelmed them. "Hey, Emma, there's been talk around school that you and the eldest son of the Hall family are… you know… is it true?"

"Are what?" Emma asked, bewildered.

"You know… like, a romantic relationship!"

"Guess," Emma replied, neither confirming nor denying. The assassination attempt had reinforced her decision to keep her relationship with Liam private.

A few girls continued gossiping, "Since you didn't say yes, we'll just assume it's all rumors."

"Exactly! With Queen Emma's bold and straightforward personality, what wouldn't she dare to admit?"

"It's best if it's not true. I heard we're getting a new teacher!"

"Huh? A new teacher? Could this teacher have something to do with Liam?"

Emma, feigning casual interest in a book, listened intently.

The initial source of the rumor chimed in, "You guys don't know this. So, there's this new teacher. Rumor has it she's the fiancée of Brad Hall, who has never gotten along with Liam and has suppressed him for years. If Emma is Liam's girlfriend, the new teacher is bound to target her!"

Emma smirked, thinking, 'Does a nameless woman think she can bully me? How naive!' Her classmates, however, interpreted her smirk as relief.

"Emma, see? I told you it's best not to be Liam's girlfriend. This new teacher is here to teach us art. If she's out to get you, your annual scholarship and art grades are going to suffer!" a girl explained.

Emma's interest piqued. "What's the name of this teacher?"