Chapter 84

The Stox symbol hadn't appeared for a long time. Its sudden reappearance, during a clash with the third-ranked Clown, shocked the world. Even computer enthusiasts scrambled to pinpoint Emma's location. Emma, however, was prepared. Their search would lead them to the Arctic—a virtually impossible location.

Halls Group employees, previously panicked, were stunned. Stox, a world-renowned hacker, a top expert even the country couldn't recruit, had intervened. They wondered, "Is the Boss that powerful? How could he enlist Stox's support?"

Meanwhile, employees emerging from Liam's office stared dazedly at the screen. "Mr. Hall asked Stox for help?" one whispered.

Another chimed in, "No way. Only the boss and his wife were in the office. Could his wife be...?"

Someone scoffed, "What are you talking about? She can't be Stox! You youngsters have no idea what Stox is like."

"What kind of person?" someone asked.

An older employee launched into a technical explanation, concluding, "Therefore, Mrs. Hall can't be Stox. Stox is likely a man, at least 40 years old, who couldn't tolerate Clown's attack and aided us remotely."

"Is he in the company now?" someone inquired.

"Impossible," the man replied. "Someone of Stox's caliber doesn't operate in real-time. Didn't you see their locations were all faked?"

"Oh, yes," the younger employees agreed.

At that moment, the CEO's office door opened. All eyes turned. Upon seeing Emma, they were speechless.

"What's wrong? Why are you staring?" Emma asked.

"N-nothing," the secretaries stammered, recalling their recent discussion about Stox. The senior employee's description—a man over 40—clashed sharply with Emma's appearance. Emma can't be Stox, can she? they thought.

"T-the computer's fixed. We'll get back to work," one secretary said hastily.

"Yes, back to work," the others echoed, scattering back to their desks and burying their heads in their tasks.

Emma and Liam exchanged knowing smiles, choosing not to explain. It was highly improbable anyone would believe she was Stox; they'd assume a remote intervention by Stox against Clown.

In Laoland, Clown, encountering the formidable Stox—his overwhelming victor from a previous encounter—was furious. He angrily hung up on Brad, then refused Brad's subsequent pleas for help.

Brad was devastated. He'd worked tirelessly to secure Clown's services, expecting a swift victory over Liam. Why had the long-vanished Stox interfered? he wondered.

Brad's despair deepened. To teach him a lesson, Emma subtly disabled the system he managed. All computers in the branch office were paralyzed, remaining unusable until nightfall.

This alarmed Simon, who arrived with headquarters personnel to rectify the situation. However, he found a "delivery boy" in a delivery uniform already restoring the system. The boy quickly finished the repair, leaving Simon humiliated before his colleagues and friends. His son's employees were clearly outmatched.

"Useless trash," Simon spat, demoting Brad from general manager to deputy manager.

News of this reached Emma.

Vere, the "delivery boy," reported, "I told them I'm just a part-time student. You should have seen Brad get scolded! Emma, you're amazing."

Emma smiled. Of course, she mused. Who asked Brad to provoke me and hire a villain like Clown? If not for me, Liam would have been fired.

Unbeknownst to Emma, Levi whispered to Liam, "It's all thanks to Mrs. Hall. You didn't even need Team Thunder. She's incredible."

Liam smiled, saying nothing. Their future held many secrets yet to be unveiled.

Back at Icovine Estate, alone in their bedroom, Emma whispered, "While dealing with Brad's company, I saw something suspicious on his computer. I think there's a mole in Icovine Estate."

Suspicious contact details and chat logs pointed to Brad's clandestine plotting against Liam, possibly involving someone within Icovine Estate.

"Also," Emma continued, "when that photo of me kneeling by Alva's corpse was leaked, I suspect Brad was behind it..." She was interrupted by Liam lifting her into his arms. She instinctively wrapped her arms around his waist.

Liam pressed her against the wall, kissing her. "My honey performed brilliantly today. Now it's my turn."

Emma's ears burned. His endearment stole her breath. With Liam now recovered, the moment they'd awaited had arrived.

Their passionate embrace carried them from the wall to the bed, culminating in a night of intimacy.

Autumn approached. Vere, soon to study abroad in Nuverland, felt a pang of reluctance. His recent experiences—from Raphael's family to the confrontation with Clown—were far removed from his previous life.

At the airport, Emma personally escorted Vere through security, acknowledging his exceptional performance.

"I used to look forward to going abroad," Vere said wistfully, "but not now."

Emma understood. "Don't worry. I'll have more work for you when you get there."

"Really?"

"Of course," Emma replied. "Recruiting you just for this would be a waste of talent."

"Great!" Vere exclaimed. "But next semester, I'm interning at Vark College's cooperative hotel. When the time comes..."

Their conversation was interrupted by a suitcase slamming into Emma. She stumbled forward.

"Are you alright?" Vere asked anxiously.

The woman who bumped into Emma, accompanied by two bodyguards, wore a pink beret, black sunglasses, and a small dress. Showing no remorse, she sneered at Emma. "Are you blind? Seriously. The country's full of low-level scum. How dreadful."