Chapter 78

Liam and Brad were summoned to headquarters for a meeting. Simon was deeply dissatisfied with Emma and Liam Hall's actions. The Halls Group's stock prices had plummeted overnight, demanding immediate strategic intervention. Liam returned to the Halls Group. Brad's forehead pulsed with anger. After dismissing Emma the previous night, the anonymous attacks had ceased—until another mysterious foreign account appeared later, sabotaging any recovery. Brad suspected Liam's involvement.

Liam's return to headquarters sparked dramatic changes in the board of directors and general administration. Troln City's upper echelon was shocked, particularly those who'd colluded with Brad against Liam. They sensed imminent danger, remembering Liam's ruthlessness and anticipating their downfall.

Meanwhile, Emma returned to school. The police's official statement, exonerating her in Alva's death, gradually quelled the online and school-based discussions. However, some—particularly Alva's classmates from Class 2—remained unconvinced, clinging to rumors and blocking Class 1's entrance.

"Emma, get out here!" "You still have the nerve to come to school! We'll avenge Alva!" "Don't think your background protects you! We have proof you're a murderer!"

The existing animosity between Class 1 and Class 2, stemming from a fencing competition, intensified. Class 2's confrontation enraged Class 1, who defended Emma.

"What are you doing? It's self-study!" "Why should Emma come out? Who do you think you are?"

Class 2's leader retorted, "Don't you feel guilty? Murderer class! Devils only interested in exams!"

Class 1 fired back, "Watch your words! We're not murderers! Neither is Emma! The police cleared her name. Are you just jealous?" Several girls fiercely defended Emma. A boy, humiliated by their rebuttal, pushed them, escalating the conflict. A girl fell, screaming.

Emma stepped forward, calmly helping the fallen girl. She addressed the crowd. "Show everyone your evidence."

Her imposing presence silenced the boy. "What evidence?" he roared.

"The evidence you claim proves I killed Alva," Emma replied, her gaze unwavering.

The boy produced photos of Alva's corpse and Emma seemingly checking for a pulse. "This shows you were at Holy Mountain last night!"

The crowd erupted. Emma's classmates were shocked, struggling to reconcile these photos with their belief in her innocence. Before anyone could fully react, Emma laughed, tossing the photos back.

"A few photos prove murder? If conviction's that easy, why aren't you police officers?"

"The photos are photoshopped," she stated coldly.

The boy stammered, betraying his unease. Emma pressed, "Who gave you these photos?"

The students urged him to confess. He remained silent, his fear evident. Emma realized someone had manipulated the photos, Brad being the prime suspect. The boy wouldn't betray Brad.

Emma mocked them, "Spreading rumors and slandering is also illegal. You threatened to kill me, yet bully my classmates? Come at me!"

Her quiet strength commanded respect. Those who'd challenged her recoiled, recognizing her inherent leadership and the security she offered her classmates. The initial clamor subsided. Many, accustomed to bullying the weak, cowered before her strength.

"We'll tell the teacher you threatened us!" one student cried.

Emma, having recorded the entire incident, countered, "Who threatened who? Who pushed that girl? You accuse me of threatening you?"

The instigators, exposed, could only hang their heads.

"Apologize to my classmates!" Emma demanded.

She helped the fallen girl, whose admiration was evident. The boy, terrified by Emma's authority, quickly apologized. Emma, though possessing no intention of physically harming them, projected an overwhelming presence that instilled immediate obedience.