Chapter 26 – Emma's Scheme
Emma immediately began tearing at her clothes, tugging open the collar just enough and running her hands through her hair to mess it up.
She didn't use this trick often, but it always worked better than expected.
"Accusing someone of molesting a child? Not a bad excuse."
Gideon Black remarked calmly, utterly unfazed.
"Especially with the identity of a priest — I can't even think of a way to explain myself out of that one."
Emma froze mid-movement, confusion flickering in her eyes.
She couldn't understand why this priest wasn't reacting.
Every adult she'd pulled this stunt on before had panicked — some even dropped to their knees and begged for forgiveness.
And without fail, they were all dragged away by the police.
No one ever believed a word they said.
"When I spoke to your father earlier," Gideon said with a slight smile, "I warned him you might try something like this."
---
A few minutes earlier.
Inside the bedroom.
"Mr. Grossman, I need to prepare you for a few things," Gideon said.
"What kind of things?" David asked, pausing with his hand on the doorknob.
"Children with symptoms like Emma's often become emotionally unstable. They might do certain things to avoid conversation."
David's expression grew serious, listening intently.
"For example… they might dishevel their clothing to make it look like an adult tried to violate them."
"Or injure themselves..."
"Or secretly try to drug you... when you're not paying attention."
As Gideon listed off the possibilities, David gave him a strange look — what exactly had this priest been through?
"Emma wouldn't—"
David stopped mid-sentence. He was about to say his daughter would never do something like that.
But then he remembered why they were here.
His face hardened.
"If anything feels off while you're talking to her," Gideon said, "don't hesitate to come in and interrupt at any time."
David was no fool. He understood what Gideon was implying and nodded firmly.
"I trust you, Father. Do what you must."
---
Back to the present.
Seeing Emma had gone still, Gideon turned his head toward the door and called out:
"Hey, Mr. Grossman — Emma seems to think I might do something inappropriate. Want to come in and check?"
A few seconds later, David's voice came from outside.
"No need. Emma, listen carefully to what the priest has to say."
Gideon shrugged, as if to say: See? I tried.
Emma glared at him, her face cold as she silently fixed her clothes.
"If you're still planning to slip something into my drink…"
Gideon pulled aside his robe, revealing a leather canteen strapped beneath.
"Just letting you know — I brought my own. Wouldn't want you wasting your efforts."
Emma's fists clenched, trembling slightly.
"As for lighters, knives, forks..."
"I already put them away while I was walking around the room earlier. Good luck finding them."
Emma bit down hard, hatred burning in her eyes.
Who was this man? He didn't act like a priest at all.
What kind of priest would guard himself against a child like this?
But as an emotionless killer, Emma knew her greatest weapon — her age.
It always worked.
Adults saw her innocent appearance and followed the path she had carefully laid out for them.
But this one… this priest refused to play her game.
It was like he could read her mind, anticipate her every move.
That powerless frustration gnawed at her — like clawing at cotton with your nails.
No resistance, no grip. Nothing to hold onto.
And yet, that frustration sobered her.
By now, Emma had realized something: because of earlier mistakes, her father had begun to doubt her.
That's what this "visit" was really about.
She was almost certain — this priest, like the doctors before him, was here to "cure" her.
"Hmph."
The thought made her sneer in quiet contempt.
These so-called "adults" were always the same — arrogant, overconfident, and far too easy to fool.
But this priest was different.
He was trouble.
And worst of all—
He knew her secret.
That made one thing very clear:
He had to die.
---
Meanwhile, Gideon had reached his own conclusion.
His ability, [Psychological Counseling], could temporarily "correct" someone like Emma.
But it was just that — temporary.
It worked like planting a subconscious suggestion, subtly nudging her behavior back toward something resembling "normal."
Still, it didn't fix the root of the problem.
Once her buried instincts — that seed of malice — resurfaced, the killing would begin again.
Unless Gideon kept her close, continually reapplying those corrections...
But even that had its risks.
First: it would be like living with a ticking time bomb — one that could go off at any moment.
Second: he suspected that repeated use of his ability, like any drug, might build up a kind of resistance.
"Three grand to babysit this kind of trouble... not sure it's worth it," Gideon muttered, rubbing his chin.
And so, across from each other, the adult and the child sat in silence — both plotting their next moves.
Then, Emma suddenly stood up.
Gideon's body tensed immediately.
But Emma simply turned and gave him a sweet, sugary smile before walking toward the door.
"Daddy... I was wrong."
The moment she opened it, her eyes welled with tears, her voice trembling with guilt and sorrow.
If you hadn't seen her earlier behavior, you might've truly believed her.
David certainly did.
"Emma? What's wrong?"
Even with the priest's warnings in mind, seeing his daughter cry like that still shook him.
"The priest was right. I did do something bad..."
"I left my doll lying at the top of the stairs, and Levia slipped on it... I was so scared afterward..."
"I lied because I didn't want to go to jail..."
In her story, it was an innocent mistake. A careless accident that led to the nanny's fatal fall.
Driven by fear, she had panicked and lied.
She claimed there had been other similar "accidents."
But after talking with the priest, she had finally realized just how wrong she'd been.
So she confessed everything to her father…
And begged him to send her to prison.
The adults outside were stunned.
They were heartbroken by what she had "endured"...
And immediately rushed to comfort her:
"It's not your fault."
"You didn't mean to…"
"You were just a child."
David in particular was overwhelmed.
He had been so busy with the factory that he never imagined his daughter had been carrying such a burden alone.
He was grateful he brought her to the priest.
At least now, the misunderstanding had been cleared up.
Gideon watched the scene unfold and honestly felt like giving her a round of applause.
"Retreat to advance... this kid's ruthless."
Just then, David stepped forward, deeply moved. He grasped Gideon's hands tightly.
"Father, thank you. Thank you for helping Emma."
Tears welled in his eyes.
"She said talking with you really helped. She's on school break now, so I was wondering…"
He hesitated, then continued.
David wanted Emma to stay at Bailey's home for the duration of her break.
It would be good for her — a change of pace, a bit of rest — and it would also give Gideon more opportunities to speak with her.
Besides, the factory was entering a busy period, and David would be traveling often.
No one would be home to care for Emma anyway.
"Of course, I'll cover all her expenses during the stay. And your regular $3,000 fee per session still applies..." David added, clearly hoping for a yes.
"David, don't be so formal," Bailey interjected. "Just pay the priest. Emma's welcome here for as long as she needs."
Gideon had been ready to decline.
But then he reconsidered — this arrangement would provide him with a steady income.
His last job in Ravens Fair only paid $5,000.
Besides, he knew Emma wasn't doing this for reconciliation.
She wanted an opening — a chance to strike.
But since she wouldn't be staying at the church, and her stay was only temporary, this might actually be manageable.
During that time, he could attempt a few more rounds of "correction."
If there was still no progress, he could always have a deeper conversation with David and recommend sending this little demon to a juvenile detention center.
"I'll just have to give Huang Ren a heads-up…"
After a moment's thought, Gideon nodded in agreement.
"Wonderful! I'll go grab her luggage right away," David said excitedly.
And while everyone else was distracted, that little devil quietly slipped up beside Gideon.
"Don't worry," Emma whispered sweetly, smiling like an angel,
"I won't hurt the other two — not until after you're dead."