Second Chances

“It’s your first time in Troln City. Anything you need, food or clothes, just swipe this card. And if the Wilsons give you any shit, use it.” Liam shot her a serious look. “No cap on spending.” 

Emma’s fingers trembled as she took the card. She wasn’t totally up for this interaction, still reeling from her past life’s memories. She tried to hand the card back. “Nah, I’m good, thanks.” 

Liam’s expression darkened. “Why?” he asked, puzzled, wondering why she was unwilling to let him cover expenses or if she disliked him that much. 

Emma shook her head but flashed him a smile. “Wouldn’t it be better to have you with me when I’m shopping, Mr. Hall?” 

Her invitation surprised Liam, making him wonder if she remembered him. Her long lashes fluttered, and a faint rose scent filled the air. He gulped nervously. 

“Would you like to go shopping with me, Mr. Hall?” she asked. 

“I’d love to. But this card’s all yours, so keep it,” Liam replied. 

Though he sounded gentle, Emma felt his insistence. So she took the black card. “Sure, I’ll call you then, Mr. Hall.” 

“Okay,” he agreed with a smile. 

As Emma turned and walked away with her backpack, her steps became noticeably lighter and more relaxed. 

‘Liam’s really got a soft spot for me. And I’m totally down to marry him,‘ she thought. 

After returning home, Aria told her mom everything that had happened today. 

“What? Emma finished her test in just half an hour? Wow, she’s really proving her worthlessness. Forget the results; I’ll just ask your dad for the money straight away,” said Nora. 

But Aria still had doubts. “Mom, what if she knew all the answers and turned it in early? You know, the news always says rural kids are really good at studying.” 

Nora, ever cautious, decided to play it safe. “Alright,” she said, glancing at Emma lounging on the villa lawn. “Why don’t you go and test her with some questions? See what she really knows.” 

Aria grabbed a workbook and headed out. 

Emma was soaking up the sun on the grass, remembering the endless months she spent underground at Delta–27 Base working on reactors. Now, she savored every moment in the sun. But her peace was shattered by an annoying voice. 

Aria strolled over with a workbook. “Hey, Emma, Mom sent me to help you study!” 

Emma, wearing sunglasses, rolled her eyes. She couldn’t help but find it amusing that Aria thought she could teach her anything. Keeping her cool, she responded, “Oh? How exactly are you going to help me?” 

Aria, already irritated, continued, “The teacher said this trigonometry chapter is crucial. Have you mastered it?” 

Emma glanced at the book, her expression unchanging. “What’s there even to learn?” 

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Aria fumed, interpreting Emma’s attitude as sheer laziness. “Now that you’re part of the Wilson family, you better not embarrass us. This isn’t your village where goofing off is fine. If you can’t handle trigonometry, how are you gonna pass exams?” 

“Why does it matter to you whether I know it or not?” Emma shot back. 

Aria’s face turned bright red with anger. “You handed in your test after just 30 minutes?” She nearly crushed the notebook, shouting, “Don’t think I didn’t notice! You submitted your test in just 30 minutes!” 

With her suspicions “confirmed,” Aria stormed off, fuming. She was convinced Emma was utterly useless and that she and her mom had 

overestimated Emma. 

Meanwhile, Emma continued sipping her coffee, unbothered by the drama. After Aria left, she made a video call. “Did you spread the info like 

I asked?” 

A girl in sunglasses responded coolly on the screen, “Yeah, it’s out. Don’t worry, boss. The bigwigs at Vark College will soon suspect you’re the 

famous Stox.” 

Stox was a globally renowned computer genius, reputed to have the brainpower of a superhero, and coveted by governments everywhere. ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

Emma replied calmly, “Good, but let’s not rush things.” She needed to time everything perfectly while keeping Aria on edge. 

At dinner that night, an eerie tension hung in the air. Nora must have tipped off Mateo, because he began to push Emma to give up the 2 

million dollars. “The teacher called today and said Aria aced her test.” 

Nora chimed in, “Emma, the teacher said Aria did a great job. She only slipped up on a couple of the toughest questions. Barring any surprises, she’ll top the class again. With grades like hers, it’d be a shame not to go study abroad.” 

Emma wiped her mouth expressionlessly. “What about my scores?” 

“The teacher said they’re still grading. Yours probably just hasn’t been looked at yet,” Nora awkwardly replied, forcing a smile. 

That was true, but everyone, including the teacher, assumed Emma was a poor student since she grew up in the countryside and finished the 

test so early. 

Emma stayed cool. “I’ll wait for my scores before we talk about it.” 

But suddenly, Mateo slammed his hand on the table. “That 2 million dollars has to go to Aria for her study abroad,” he declared firmly. 

“Why?” Emma crashed her fork down in response. 

“Because it’s part of my and your mom’s joint marital assets!” growled Mateo. 

Hearing this, Emma suddenly jumped up and flipped the table over. The fancy dishes went flying everywhere, shattering into pieces. 

Everyone screamed and dodged the flying shards. Mateo jabbed a finger at her, yelling, “What the hell are you doing? Trying to start a damn revolution?” 

Emma shot Mateo a cold smirk. “Seriously, Dad? You cheated on Mom and now you wanna talk about joint assets?” 

Mateo was furious at Emma’s mocking, looking like he was about to explode. He pointed at Emma, cursing, while she remained completely unfazed. 

The meal was a disaster. Emma glanced at the mess on the floor. “Liam wants me now, not Aria. I’m the one saving this business, whether 

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you like it or not. So, you better start begging, even if you can’t treat me right. And I’ll say it loud and clear–none of my mom’s money is going to Nora and Aria.” With that, Emma strode upstairs, head held high. 

Meanwhile, word got to Liam about the fight in the Wilson family. In the heart of Troin City, a towering skyscraper housed his office. Inside, Liam, sharply dressed in a wheelchair, thought it over. He never imagined the Wilsons would mess with Emma so soon after they split at Vark College. He couldn’t let his girl get pushed around like that. “Levi,” he called out. 

“Yes, Mr. Hall,” Levi replied. 

“Get ready, I’m proposing to Emma at the Wilson house tomorrow,” Liam said, his words carrying both affection and authority.