The Scorned Heiress's Hidden Empire (by Jade Quinn) novel Chapter 176

Chapter 176 You Always Act Deaf

teonardo turned to Natalie. “Natalie, if those two ask you anything again, just ignore them.

“We truly appreciate someone as talented as you in our college.

“If you need any equipment or resources, just tell me. The college’s got your back”

Natalie looked at Leonardo’s serious face and nodded. “Thanks, Leonardo If there’s nothing else, I’ll head out now.”

Leonardo nodded. “Alright, I won’t hold you up.”

Ryan had been waiting at the door for a while. He’d wanted to go in, but by the time he showed up, everything was already

over.

Everyone was heading out, so he couldn’t get inside. He lingered at the doorway, scanning the crowd for Natalie, but she was nowhere to be seen.

“Ryan!”

Rosie spotted Ryan from afar, waved, and pushed her way through the crowd.

“Hey, Rosie, did you see Natalie? Everyone from her department already left, but I didn’t see her.”

“She got stopped by a teacher. She’ll be out in a bit.”

“Hey, there you are, Natalie! Over here!” Rosie called out.

Rosie had just finished speaking when she spotted Natalie coming out with some people. She immediately started waving excitedly at her.

Natalie squinted in the bright sunlight and walked over to them.

Ryan quickly popped open the sun umbrella for Natalie. “Natalie, this is just too much. I’m already digging into it, and once we find out who’s behind this, we definitely won’t let them get away with it!”

Rosie’s cheeks puffed up in anger. “Yeah, seriously! How can they just throw around accusations about cheating on the SAT with zero evidence?”

Natalie smiled at them. “Alright, don’t be upset. Let’s figure out who’s behind this first, then we’ll talk. I’m starving. Let’s go eat.”

“Alright, there’s a spot right outside the school that serves amazing barbecue chicken. Let me take you!”

Ryan glanced at Rosie. “Wanna join us?”

Rosie blinked her big eyes and flashed a mischievous grin. “Nah, I’m gonna skip. I’ve got something to take care of!”

Ryan just nodded and didn’t press further. “Alright, let’s go.”

Military training kicked off in the afternoon.

On Redvale University’s field, groups of freshmen lined up in matching camp uniforms, standing under the scorching sun with sweat streaming down their cheeks.

The instructors hadn’t shown up yet, so the student leaders were watching over the group. Natalie stood in the physics squad, her camo uniform making her look sharp and commanding. She had her hair pulled back into a low ponytail under her cap, showing off a stretch of pale neck.

ľ

The students nearby couldn’t help sneaking glances at her. ‘Damn, how does she manage to look this good even in camo?” they wondered.

The murmurs around her were low, buzzing like summer cicadas, rising and falling in the heat.

“Did you guys hear? The head instructor is supposed to be the eldest Hale, Major Hale!”

“Which Hale family are we talking about?”

“Come on, how many Hale families are there in Harbor City? It’s Evan Hale’s family, the famous one! And it’s Evan’s actual big brother!”

“Oh my god… Evan’s already crazy handsome. How insanely good–looking must his brother be?”

“I can’t say if he’s hot, but I heard he’s super stri Successfully unlocked! litary training a couple years back and got worked so hard he was practically skinned alive.

“For real? We’re doomed…”

Chapter 176 You Always Act Deaf

“And did you know? Major I lale used to be in the special forces, and he even got the highest military honor. He’s the real deal traight uff the battlefield.”

“Special forces? Highest military honor? Oh damn…”

“Cut it out, the instructors are coming!”

At the entrance to the field, two rows of instructors in camouflage uniforms marched in, their steps perfectly in sync, exuding a commanding presence.

All the freshmen’s eyes locked onto them, and the chatter instantly faded away.

At the front of the group was a man with the tallest build and the broadest shoulders, his stride long and steady, exuding authority with every step.

His instructor’s uniform was tightly fitted at the waist, and his cap was pulled low, the brim casting a shadow over his sharply defined, angular face.

His features were cold and hard, high brow bones, a straight nose, and lips pressed into a thin line. The aura around him practically warned strangers to keep their distance.

He led his team up to the podium, stopped, turned, and faced everyone on the field.

In that moment, everyone finally got a good look at his face.

The field fell silent for a heartbeat, then a ripple of excitement swept through the crowd.

“Holy crap… he’s insanely hot…”

“That’s Major Hale? Evan’s big brother? Their genes are just unreal…”

“That look in his eyes, seriously, if he stares at me, I feel like I’d freeze on the spot.”

“So handsome, so handsome, so handsome… I’m exhausted just saying it…”

But no matter how hot he was, nobody dared to make a sound. His whole vibe and those icy eyes were so intimidating, everyone was afraid he’d freeze them solid with just a glance.

“Quiet.”

With a megaphone in hand, Madison Hale’s voice sliced through the noise like an invisible blade, instantly silencing the entire field.

Everyone instinctively shut up and snapped to attention.

“Alright, everyone. I’m Madison Hale, your chief instructor.“,

He paused, his gaze sweeping across the field like a chill cutting through the crowd. Everyone instantly tensed up.

“For the next two weeks, you’ll be answering to me. If you’ve got any problems, bring them to me directly.”

With that, he withdrew his gaze and flipped open the folder in his hand

“Now, instructors, report to your assigned squads. Madison Hale, Sports College.”

“Marcus, Math and Statistics College.”

“Zack, Physics College.”

r

Each instructor took their place in front of their assigned squad. Once Madison finished the roll call, he snapped his folder shut and strode over to the Sports College squad.

“Training for each squad begins now,” Major Hale announced.

First up, we’re doing introductions, so Zack told everyone to take a seat and relax for a bit.

“Hey everyone, I’m Zack. We’ll be together for the next two weeks, so let’s work hard and help each other out!”

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