Unwilling Bride: The 1V5 Love Drama novel Chapter 240

Chapter 240 Light in Her Eyes

Chapter 240 Light in Her Eyes

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That night, the cafeteria food was clearly a few levels better than usual-richer even than what they’d been served on the ver day.

After days of eating rough and sleeping outdoors, the students descended on the real like a storm, clearing entire tables in n

time.

Once dinner was over and they’d rested for a bit, Ivan gathered the girls together. He told them that tomorrow they would giv their final performance in front of both the school leadership and military officials. This was their last chance to rehearse.

After more than half an hour of formation drills, the squads clustered together. Some sang, some danced, and the field filled v aughter and noise, smiles bright on every face.

But the liveliness eventually faded into the quiet of the night.

Ava walked alone along the path back to the dorm. Tonight would be her last night sleeping here.

The air was still. As she walked, she yawned again and again. Sleeping in tents these past few days hadn’t done her any favors.

Covering her mouth after another yawn, she noticed someone standing not far ahead.

va rubbed her eyes. “Were you waiting for me?”

Before she’d even finished speaking, Laurent was already walking toward her.

Under the cold white lights, Laurent studied her face closely. “How have these past few days been? Was it hard?”

Iva reached out and took his arm. “It was fine. Our team got along really well. Mostly because we had a great captain who plann everything perfectly.”

Hearing her praise someone else, Laurent smiled. “You did great too. I didn’t even know you could cook.”

Ava blinked. “How did you know?”

‘We can see everything from the control room,” he said. “Otherwise, how could we feel safe letting you handle things on your

>wn?”

Ava let out a small gasp. “Then you can see people when they go to the bathroom too?”

“The system automatically blocks anything involving privacy.” As he spoke, Laurent gently lifted her hand from his arm and held it in his palm.

“You’re braver than I expected,” he said warmly “You did an excellent job these past few days”

Ava pressed her lips together in a soft smile. “I think I did pretty well too.”

Over the past month, there was more light in her eyes now steady, determined. Her whole presence radiated confidence and

momentum.

What pleased Laurent most was how natural she’d become around him. Accepting the position as chief instructor at Starry Heavens University had been the right decision.

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Chapter 240 Light in Her Eyes

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Even if they would part after training ended, he believed something meaningful had already begun between them.

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They walked back to the dorm together. Laurent reached out and patted her head. “Get some rest tonight. Once tomorrow’s performance is over, your military training will be completely finished. Enjoy college life my Ava.”

He gently tapped her nose, then watched as she stood at the doorway, smiling. “Good night.”

“Good night,” Ava replied, closing the door softly.

Laurent smiled to himself and turned to go inside as well.

Early the next morning, after breakfast, the students followed their instructors to the venue for the performance. Ava, without surprise, was chosen as model cadet for the third time.

Sitting in the vehicle, Ava looked back through the window at the place behind them. She might never return here again. Still, it held a chapter of her life she would never forget.

When they arrived, the instructors led everyone into the venue. Students training at other military bases had also gathered there

All 3,800-plus freshmen from Starry Heavens University were finally reunited.

On the field, the university president was giving a speech. After that came a military officer Ava didn’t recognize. Her gaze drifted, and she spotted Laurent standing not far away, another person beside him speaking quietly.

Once the dull speeches finally ended, two freshman representatives went on stage-a boy no one recognized and a girl everyone

(new.

Tylissa.

At long last, the performances began, one formation after another.

Watching the students below, Matthew leaned toward Laurent and whispered, “Which formation is your wife in? Point her out for

ne.”

Laurent scanned the passing squads and replied coolly, “You talk too much.

Matthew hadn’t expected him to be that guarded. He clicked his tongue and fell silent.

At the final segment, outstanding trainees from each base stepped forward to receive commendations Ava heard Tylissa’s name

announced.

Behind her, Noelle leaned in and whispered, “Ava, if our base doesn’t nominate you as the female rep, then it’s definitely rigged

She stressed the word rigged with unmistakable force.

Chapter 241 Under the Same Spotlight

Chapter 241 Under the Same Spotlight

It was soon their training base’s turn. Ava heard her name called, along with a familiaxone-Linden.

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She hurried out and walked toward the stage. Linden stepped out as well. They exchanged a glarree. He smiled at her and deliberately slowed down, waiting for her so they could go forward together, one after the other.

Down below, Dario watched their figures, his gaze fixed on Ava.

Edwir stood beside him and said quietly, “Linden did that on purpose, didn’t he? That pause.”

On the raised platform stood ten students-five men and five women. Laurent stepped forward, took the rredals from the aid tray, and placed them on each student one by one.

When it was Ava’s turn, her face tightened. She looked solemn as she snapped into a salute, her eyes fixed strictly on his chest never wandering upward.

Laurent picked up the last medal from the tray, bent slightly, and pinned it to her uniform. His eyes never left her face.

Their gazes met for a brief second. Ava quickly looked away.

Laurent straightened and adjusted the cap on her head. Ava met his eyes again, tension flickering across her face.

But he released her just as quickly and returned her salute.

After the commendation ceremony ended, leaders from Starry Heaven’s University came onstage to give speeches.

Matthew watched Laurent walk over and lowered his voice. “That girl you adjusted the cap for-is she your wife?”

Laurent didn’t answer.

Matthew knew him well. Laurent wasn’t a soft-hearted man-far from it. He was cold to the bone.

Even though their eyes had barely met-more accurately, that girl hadn’t really looked at him at all-Matthew was certain Thang named Ava had to be his wife.

Otherwise, given Laurent’s personality, there was no way he would have adjusted her cap. Even if it had been crooked, even if she had put it on backward, he wouldn’t have bothered. And if there was nothing going on, why avoid her sa puberately”

“Stay behind and help me with one more thing,” Matthew said. “I’ll find a way to keep you here for at least five more months. What do you say? Things along the eastern border aren’t exactly stable right now. Those two big shots up top are locked in a full blown power struggle. Going back now isn’t good timing Better to lie low for a while”

Though they were talking, a mental barrier sealed their exchange from prying senses. No one else had any idea what was being

said

“You help me, I buy you time Enough time for you and your wife to get closer A pretty good deal, isn’t it ***

With the farewell approaching, the mood turned heavy. Two girls even worked up the courage to confess to Ivan. They ambushed him with playful kisses, leaving two bright lipstick marks on his face perfectly captured by the cameras.

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Chapter 241 Under the Same Spotlight

Hvan froze, clutching his cheeks in shock. He looked like he’d just been taken advantage of.

Everyone burst out laughing, the scene washing away much of the sadness of parting.

Malory ran over to Ava’s formation and immediately grabbed her hand. “Ava.”

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The moment Zoey saw her, she went on full alert. But before she could react, Malory had already latched onto Ava’s arm, acting familiar it stunned everyone.

“Malory, what are you doing?” Zoey demanded, staring in disbelief.

Malory shot her a look. “I’m here to see Ava. What’s it to you?”

Noelle and Naomi walked over as well. They both sized Malory up before Noelle turned to Ava. “What’s going on with you two?”

Weren’t they enemies? After their argument during training, they hadn’t spoken at all. So why was Malory suddenly glued to Ava

Feeling their judgmental stares, Malory snorted and puffed out her chest. “I am Ava’s friend now! We shared a tent for seven who days. That’s seven days of battle-forged friendship!”

She exaggerated wildly. “We’ve seen each other’s bodies, Ava! You can’t just dump me and pretend nothing happened!”

Dump her? What kind of nonsense is that?

Ava’s head started to pound. “Malory, if you don’t know how to speak properly, don’t speak at all. And stop talking nonsense-l di not see your body.”

“But you hugged me by the river! That part’s true!” Malory protested. “Ava, you can’t deny it! I’ll be heartbroken!”

Ava stared at her, utterly numb. This girl was really committing to the performance.

Zoey scoffed and yanked Malory’s hand away. “Give it a rest! Are you hooked on acting now? I’m not buying this trash plot.”

Naomi stepped in as well, taking Ava’s left side, “Malory, stop fighting me for attention. Ava is mine!”

Noelle stood off to the side, happily enjoying the chaos. Watching this thunderous mess, she laughed nonstop.

Ava rubbed her temples and looked at them all. “Can you all act normal? If you love drama this much, maybe you should consider

careers in entertainment.”

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Chapter 242 Rumors Take Shape

Chapter 242 Rumors Take Shape

Malory snorted and glanced at the way Zoey and Naomi were staring at her like she was a wolf at the door.

“Ava and I made up,” she said. “We fought it out and bonded over it. We’re friends now. If you don’t believe me, ask Ava.”

Zoey still couldn’t wrap her head around it. She turned to Ava with a look of pure betrayal.

“Ava, it’s only been seven days! Seven days, and you’ve already teamed up with your sworn enemy. Then what am I suppos be? New friends, bright smiles-and I’m already yesterday’s news.”

Noelle laughed even harder. She didn’t care how ridiculous she must look to everyone else. Even if people rolled their eyes she kept laughing until she almost lost her breath.

Naomi grabbed Ava’s hand. “Ava, these two are drama queens. Let’s ignore them and let them perform their shows.”

She tugged Ava as if to leave, but Zoey and Malory immediately reached out and pulled Naomi back. They ended up wrestlin aughing in a messy knot.

Voelfe shook her head, still grinning. “This is Ava’s deadly charm at work. She’s got women falling for her left and right.”

They were still joking around when Ivan walked over and called out, “Ava, come with me for a moment.”

Ava quickly waved goodbye to her friends and followed him.

van had no clue how he was supposed to react. His brain was still short-circuiting.

Their commanding officer-Laurent-had told him to fetch Ava.

What kind of connection could those two possibly have? Training was already over. Ivan couldn’t imagine what business they would still share.