THE DIVORCE GAMBIT From Dumped Wife to CEO's Forever novel Chapter 1005

The person didn't speak, simply placing a small box on the table.

Caitlin looked up, slightly surprised. "Mr. Adler?"

Indeed, it was Adler. He stood there in his uniform, his face stern, looking every bit the serious officer. "Burn cream," he said gruffly. "Make sure you use it."

Before Caitlin could say that she already had some, Adler had turned and walked away.

Just then, Gertrude and Elsa arrived with noodles and salads.

"Catie, was that Instructor Adler just now?"

Caitlin nodded slightly. "Yeah."

"What did he want?" Gertrude asked curiously.

Caitlin explained what had happened.

Elsa smiled. "I never would have guessed. Instructor Adler seems so strict and yells so much, but it turns out his bark is worse than his bite."

Gertrude added, "You know, Instructor Adler is actually pretty handsome."

Adler was the classic tough-guy type—powerfully built with a tan, but upon closer inspection, his features were quite sharp.

Elsa nodded. "He is handsome, and he's an officer. I bet a ton of girls at this school have a crush on him."

The three of them chatted as they ate. After lunch, they went back to their dorms to rest.

At two o'clock, the afternoon training session began.

Adler first led them through some marching and stance drills before getting to the main event. "This afternoon, I'll be teaching you self-defense and hand-to-hand combat. Has anyone here had any prior training? If so, you can step up and spar with me."

"Sir, I have!" Sprague was the first to step forward. He had been thoroughly chewed out by Adler that morning, and he was determined to redeem himself. The best way to do that would be to put Adler on the ground, which would definitely impress the girls.

"Alright," Adler said with a smile. "Come on up. I'll even give you a one-hand handicap."

Sprague looked offended. "Instructor, you're underestimating me."

Adler glanced at him. "What's your name?"

There were fifty people in Third Platoon. After just one morning, he couldn't possibly remember everyone's name.

"Reporting, Instructor! My name is Sprague."

Adler nodded. "Alright, Sprague. I like your spirit. If you can beat me, you're excused from the remaining fourteen days of this boot camp."

"For real?" Sprague asked excitedly.

"Of course."

"Alright, Instructor," Sprague said, taking off his cap and getting into a fighting stance. "Let's do this!"

At that moment, everyone's heart was in their throat. The girls chanted, "Go, Sprague, go!" while the boys shouted, "Go, Instructor, go!"

Sprague had trained in combat for eight years and was considered a prodigy; even his own coach was no match for him. He narrowed his eyes and threw a punch.

Charis nearly burst out laughing at Caitlin's response. How dare she just nod along like that? Charis had only said that to build her up and watch her fall. She never thought Caitlin would agree without a hint of hesitation. Did she really think Adler would go easy on her because she was pretty? How ridiculous.

Adler continued, "Alright, come on up. I'll give you a one-hand handicap as well."

"If this is a match, then let's make it a fair one, Instructor. I don't need you to go easy on me," Caitlin said, stepping forward. "If I win against you with only one of your hands, it'll just look like I took advantage of you."

*Took advantage?* This special case seemed to be taking things a little too lightly.

Adler chuckled. "Alright, alright! Come on up. We'll both use our full abilities. If you can beat me, I'll excuse you from the rest of the boot camp as well."

"Instructor, a gentleman's word is his bond."

Adler nodded. "My bond."

The commotion quickly drew the attention of the neighboring platoons. Two other instructors, Seth and Levi, walked over.

Levi asked curiously, "What's going on here? Is this girl going to fight Adler?"

Seth laughed. "You've got to be kidding me. This should be interesting."

The girl certainly had some skills, and Seth respected her for that. But now, he thought she was getting a little arrogant. This was Adler they were talking about. With Caitlin's slender frame, she probably couldn't even beat Sprague, let alone win against the instructor.

Levi looked at Seth. "Who do you think will win?"

Seth rolled his eyes. "Do you even need to ask? Adler, obviously!"