The Scorned Heiress's Hidden Empire (by Jade Quinn) novel Chapter 145

Chapter 145

A shrill whistle exploded from the direction of the training ground.

The hallway instantly erupted into chaos.

Someone shouted, “What’s going on?”

People burst out of their dorm rooms, some still grabbing untied shoelaces.

Another person called out, “Wasn’t training supposed to start tomorrow?”

“Don’t just stand there! It’s the assembly whistle! Move!”

The whole dorm area was like a hornet’s nest that had just been poked.

55 vouars

Some people came hopping out of the bathroom with one foot bare, others realized their clothes were on backwards and quickly fixed them, and a few were running out while trying to jam their hats onto their heads.

The hallway was packed with people, shoulders bumping, heels getting stepped on, everyone cursing and complaining. It was pure chaos.

‘Move! Move aside!”

‘My shoe! Has anyone seen my other shoe?”

‘Stop shoving!”

By the time Kelly burst out of her dorm, the hallway was already packed.

She squeezed through the crowd sideways, her combat boots stepping on a few people’s feet, but she didn’t even bother to apologize.

Training was supposed to start tomorrow. Today was just check–in day, with no drills or activities scheduled.

But a whistle never lies around here.

Here, a whistle meant an order, no matter what time it was.

She pushed her way out of the hallway and started running toward the training ground.

Kelly was the fastest among everyone, but when she reached the training ground, she realized someone had already beater

her there.

It was Natalie, dressed in a dark green training uniform, her hair pulled back in a ponytail. She walked with steady measured steps, not too fast, not too slow, and was almost at the center of the field.

It was Natalie.

When did she get here?‘ Kelly thought.

There was no time to dwell on it. Kelly quickly moved to stand beside her.

The others rushed over, panting as they lined up, still catching their breath.

7:48 am P

Chapter 1-

→ wok all forty–seven top recruits froni differem units over four minutes to finally manage a neat square formation

Some had their shoelaces undone some had their hats askew, and a few had their training uniforms only haifway ripped

But nobody cared about any of that now.

Everyone’s attention was locked onto the two figures standing at the front of the field.

At the very front stood a man in his early fifties, his hair buzzed short and streaked with gray. He was tall and straight. standing there like a post hammered deep into the ground.

He wore a combat jacket, collar buttoned all the way up, and muddy combat boots with toe caps polished to a shine.

He didn’t say a word, just stood there with his hands behind his back, his gaze sweeping over the formation.

His gaze wasn’t harsh, but it was like sandpaper. When it brushed over your face, it carried an undeniable authority.

Next to him stood a man in his early thirties, buzz cut, a scar slashing from his left eyebrow to his temple. His sleeves were rolled up to his forearms, showing arms weathered and peeling from the sun.

No one in the lineup said a word.

Everyone knew who the two men were, General Marsh and Deputy Instructor Murray.

But everyone was thinking, ‘Where’s the infamous Devil Chief Instructor everyone’s been talking about?

Before anyone could get too curious, the man with the salt–and–pepper buzz cut took a step forward.

His combat boots landed on the muddy ground with a heavy, muffled thud.

I’m Liam Marsh,” he said.

His voice wasn’t loud, but every word was firm and clipped, fadiating authority.

I established this training camp. You’re the ninth batch of members here.”

He paused, his eyes scanning from the front row all the way to the back.

The forty–seven of you were picked out from six war zones, eleven unir, and more than 3,700 applicants

Each of you has a notice in your hand that says ‘chosen for excellence.

‘But let me tell you, what counts as ‘excellent‘ was all in your past.

‘From the moment you set foot in this canyon, your old achievements, ranks, and records? They all reset to zero

His voice suddenly grew sharper.

He said, “Here, you’re nothing. You’re zero.

“You’re a blank sheet of paper. Just forty–seven names waiting to be written onto the elimination list”

No one moved, no one blinked, even their breaths were barely audible

He continued, “The rules here are simple: there are no rules.

Chapter

A whole up about training and forget about training starts tomorTON

When the whole bows you get your ass here

If you don’t hear it you wait

No matter what time it is no matter whas you re doing, eating, sleeping, even if you re taking a chimp

His gaze was like a dull knife, raking over every face in the lineup

The whistle is your order

Is that clear” he barked

Yes, sir

The forty–seven voices thundered as one, echoing through the canyon.

Liam Marsh nodded, stepped back half a pace, turned sideways, and fixed his gaze on the man next to him.

Noah Murray nodded and stepped forward.

Name’s Noah Murray. I’m the deputy instructor here. Your first week, the adjustment week before hell week kicks off. I’ll be unning it,” he said.

After he finished, nobody spoke, but everyone had their own doubts swirling in their minds.

Who is the chief instructor, anyway? everyone wondered.

Seriously? We have to go through orientation week with this devil judge before hell week even starts? someone grumbled nwardly.

Noah frowned, swept his gaze over them, and barked, “Is that clear?”

Understood.”

Noah withdrew his gaze, holding a roster in his hand.

He flipped to the first page, cleared his throat, and called out loudly…

Sebastian Blair!”

Present!”

At the far left of the first row, a man stepped forward.

He was tall, with broad shoulders and a wide back. His training uniform was stretched tight hinang at the solid muscle underneath.

Noah looked him over and marked his name off the roster

‘Madison Hale”

‘Present!

The man in the center of the second row stepped forward. He was tall and upright, his votre deep and a bit mumled

7:48 am P

Chapter 14-

Mundie Drake!

“Present!”

Blondie was the most eye–catching guy in the whole lineup, standing at the far left of the third row

He stepped forward, his blonde hair buzzed short but still unmistakably golden.

He looked nothing like his usual laid–back self. His face was all business now.

“Natalie Moore!”

“Present!”

“Kelly Watson!”

“Present!”

After roll call, Noah snapped the roster shut and stuffed it into his pocket.

‘I’ve got all forty–seven of your names down,” he said.

With his hands behind his back, he said, “You were just thinking, where’s the chief instructor?

“Why is the deputy running the show? And who exactly is this so–called devil everyone’s been talking about?”

No one said a word.

Noah continued, “The chief instructor’s got her own stuff to deal with.

‘You guys aren’t qualified to meet her yet. If you can’t even get past me, what right do you have to see her?”

‘Understood!”

Noah nodded, then turned to face the row of gray sheds along the edge of the training ground.

He raised his hand, index and middle fingers pressed together, and pointed at the leftmost warehouse

56 vouchers

“The weighted packs are in the warehouse. One for each of you, 45 pounds. You’ve got three minutes to put it on your back and get back in formation. If you don’t make it in time…”

1

He lowered his hand, turned back to the formation, and said, “Don’t even bother showing your face agam

“Go!”

The forty–seven recruits surged toward the warehouse like a flood breaking through a dam

Three minutes was a piece of cake for these top recruits.

As they grabbed their packs, their eyes lingered on Blondie, Kelly, and Natalie

The only two women here, and that scrawny guy!

Chapter 14–