Nine Hot Therians and Their Only One Queen novel Chapter 303

Chapter 303 The Audit of Love

Lucien dropped to his knees, unease etched across his handsome face. “Emma, I was wrong. Go on, hit me, okay?”

Watching him so flustered, almost on the verge of tears, the mischievous satisfaction in Emma’s chest softened into warmth. Still, a show was a show. She couldn’t break character

now.

She gazed down at the man kneeling before her, this proud, capable, almost untouchable figure, completely undone by a single sentence from her lips. Her heart melted, tender and aching all at once.

“Emma, as long as you’re not angry, I’ll do anything,” Lucien pleaded, his eyes searching hers. desperately when she didn’t reply.

He had to build his own squad and influence.

Emma was human, a secret they had hidden flawlessly so far. But how long could that last?

If her identity were ever exposed, the danger would be unimaginable.

Everything he was doing now–the squards he trained, the alliances he nurtured–was meant to shield her in the days to come.

He wanted to be her sharpest sword, her strongest shield.

He could have explained all that, but what he feared most was Emma losing faith in him because of what he did.

Little did he know, she wasn’t angry at all.

When Silas had told her about Lucien’s plans to build a private squad, she had already guessed the reason behind his hidden stash.

With his pride, there was no way Lucien could bring himself to ask her for money every time.

She had only wanted to scare him a little.

If I let this slide today, who knows what he’ll do tomorrow.

She had to put an end to his hiding something “for her own good” mindset before it took root.

She wanted them to face everything together, not for him to shoulder the storms alone.

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Slowly, Emma bent forward. Her slender finger lifted his chin, forcing him to meet her gaze.

From above, she looked down at him. Her eyes were shimmering from a glint of moisture catching the light.

“Oh? Anything?”

Her voice was soft but edged with teasing authority. “Then be honest. How much did you stash?”

Lucien blinked, stunned by the sudden shift in her tone, but his survival instincts kicked in fast.

Without hesitation, he pulled up his lightcore, opened his personal asset interface, and displayed everything in full transparency.

“It’s all here. Not a single coin is missing!”

Emma leaned in, her brows lifting as she took in the long trail of numbers and the mountain of listed resources. She nodded approvingly.

Before Lucien could react, she grabbed his arm and pulled him to his feet.

He stumbled, barely catching his balance, his tall frame once again looming protectively over her.

Then Emma rose on tiptoe and planted a quick, loud kiss on his cheek.

Smack.

Lucien froze, the warmth of her lips still lingering on his skin, his mind blank.

Has she forgiven me?

Just like that?

Emma’s playful voice brushed against his ear. “I’m not mad. I don’t blame you. I know why you did it.”

She wrapped her arms around his waist, resting her cheek against his chest. Her tone softened. “But Lucien, I’ll only say this once, remember this. From now on, no matter what it is, you don’t hide anything from me again.”

Her words finally steadied his heart, which had been hanging by a thread. So she knew. So she wasn’t truly angry. Relief and affection crashed over him, tangled with lingering fear.

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Emma looked up, eyes earnest. “Whatever happens, you tell me. We face it together.”

After that emotional “trial“, Lucien was completely shaken. The thought of keeping anything from her again was unthinkable.

He tightened his arms around her, pressing her close until she was nearly swallowed in his embrace. His voice trembled with emotion as he buried his face in her neck. “Emma, I swear, no matter how big or small, I’ll tell you everything. I won’t ever hide anything again!”

The look on his face–half terrified, half overjoyed, like a man who’d just survived a disaster and was about to swear an oath to the heavens–made Emma laugh out loud.

She gave him another light kiss on the cheek and gently pushed him back. “I believe you. Now, I should go

find Marcus.”

She turned to leave.

Lucien blinked, still dazed from relief. But at her words, he froze and instinctively grabbed her hand. “Marcus? What for?”

Emma turned, smiling slyly, her tone dripping with mock menace.

“Marcus,” she said, enunciating each word, “also hid money.”

Lucien fell silent.

It hit him instantly. Watching her stride off like a woman on a mission, Lucien couldn’t help but feel genuinely sorry for Marcus.

Emma reached the door and cracked it

open.

A shadow suddenly lurched in with a startled yelp, lost balance, and tumbled straight inside, landing in a spectacular heap at her feet.