chapter718

As soon as Daisy finished speaking, Patricia and her friends burst out laughing, all smug and loud.

Fiona and Monica turned bright red, their anger obvious.

Seriously? How could they be so awful?

Lydia didn't even look at them. She was focused on the marks on the ground, deep

in thought. Jules was quietly studying the ground too, not saying a word.

Fiona frowned, confused. "What are you looking at?"

Jules glanced up and answered, "A ladder."

Fiona stared. "A ladder? I don't see a ladder."

Monica glanced around. Yeah, nothing here even looks like a ladder."

"They used a ladder," Lydia said, matter-of-fact.

Fiona and Monica both froze, realization hitting them.

"They cheated?"

Jules's voice was low. The rules say no cheating. Someone's giving them help.

Fiona looked furious. "That's so unfair. No wonder they're acting like they already won. They've got someone backing them up."

Lydia turned to them, calm as ever. "Let's just get past this barrier. We'll deal with them later."

But..... this wall is so high. How are we supposed to get over?"

Jules crouched down. "Climb on my shoulders."

Lydia looked at Monica and Fiona, who were both hesitating. "Put your bags down and do it. This is all about teamwork."

From across the field, Patricia's voice rang out, full of mockery. "You can't even handle the first challenge! We're moving on. No point waiting for losers."

Fiona and Monica clenched their fists, determination burning in their eyes. They turned to Lydia and Jules. "We won't hold you back. Not ever."

Fiona went first, climbing onto Jules's shoulders. Jules slowly stood up, letting her reach the top of the ironwall. But once she was mo there, it was even harder. Frona tried and tried, but without anything to grab, she just couldn't pull herself over.

Lydia took off her pack and stepped back a few paces. Monica watched, wide-eyed, as Lydia sprinted forward and jumped. She grabbed the top of the wall, pushed off with her feet, and swung herself up to sit on top. It looked effortless, like she'd done thousand times before.

Monica could only stare, thinking, Did I really just see that?

Fiona was still processing what just happened when Lydia reached down and

offered her hand. "Come on. Grab my hand."

Fiona's eyes filled with tears. Lydia, you're amazing. From now on, I'm sticking with you."

Lydia really was next-level!

She helped pull Fiona up, then swung herself down, moving as lightly as if she weighed nothing. She let Fiona use her shoulders to get back down. Then Monica got over the wall the same way.

Jules didn't even need help. He just vaulted over the wall with his own strength, like it was nothing.

Fiona and Monica looked at each other, feeling incredibly lucky to be teamed up with Lydia and Jules.

Meanwhile, in the monitoring room,

section of

a man in camo stood completely still, eyes locked on a tiny section the screen. His face was sharp his presence intimidating. The officer standing next to him was sweating bullets, legs visibly shaking.

Connor watched as Lydia's team cleared the barrier and headed for the next

checkpoint. Only then did he shift his gaze to the officer and speak in a cold voice. "Name?"

The officer stammered, "Milo, sir. I'm Milo."

He was shaking so badly he could barely stand.

Connor had walked in without warning, just as Daisy's team used a collapsible

ladder to get over the barrier. Milo had nearly fainted from shock.

Connor had shown up at the base that morning and taken over the training as chief commander. Everyone was stunned. For a second, Milo wondered if he was dreaming.