Chapter 416


    Chapter 416 The Bombardment


    Paxton knocked on Branden’s study door, bearing thetest message from Alton. After receiving


    Branden’s permission, he gently pushed open the door.


    “Mr. Duncan, on the Alton side, the transaction time for that shipment has been confirmed. With Francis


    and the others away, maybe I should handle this trip.”


    They were the four finest members of the Duncans. Each was highly capable and trained from a young


    age by the family head.


    They had taken on nearly all the projects the head had epted but had yet to excel in them as the


    head did.


    This trade deal in Alton was worth tens of billions of dors and was supposed to be managed by


    Francis in Alton. But the head had surprisingly sent Francis to Scorpion Ind. Not only Francis, but


    the other two were also on Scorpion Ind.


    With such a substantial project, Paxton couldn’t entrust it to others, so he volunteered. Branden


    leisurely finished signing thest document. Then he looked up at Paxton.


    “Arrange a flight to Alton for tomorrow afternoon.”


    Paxton was taken aback. “Mr. Duncan, are you nning to go yourself?”


    Branden rested his elbow on the desk, and his deep eyes glinted with a hint of coldness as he gazed at


    Paxton.


    “Is there a problem?”Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.


    That cold look sent a shiver down Paxton’s spine. He shivered and quickly replied, “No, Mr. Duncan.


    Your presence is naturally the safest option. I’ll arrange it right away.”


    As Paxton exited the study, he couldn’t help but feel a lingering unease. Branden arranged the deal


    personally. It was not because Branden didn’t trust Paxton.


    There were other reasons for his trip to Alton. It might be partly due to manpower issues, but the more


    significant reason was Catherine.


    Catherine was in Alton right then, and Branden had a chance to meet her. Paxton finally understood


    the saying, ” Absence makes the heart grow fonder.”


    Catherine and Branden hadn’t been parted for long, but Branden was deeply bewitched. What would


    be of him in the future?


    Paxton was deeply troubled.


    On Scorpion Ind, the third round of special training had officially begun. To secure their chance of


    staying until the end, these trainees had already started secretly forming groups. More people meant


    more strength and ample resources.


    Carlo had no doubts about partnering with Cory. He didn’t trust the others. The duo quietly infiltrated


    the forest. Carlo’s strategy mirrored many others’ strategies. He chose to stick to the outskirts.


    As per the current rules, surviving until noon the following day would be considered a sessful


    mission. Carlo spread out a map and selected a concealed location.


    “Cory, what do you think of this spot?”


    Cory looked at Carlo’s choice. It had a strategic advantage for both offense and defense.


    But it seemed too safe.


    He had a feeling this training was not as simple as it appeared. Then he pointed to a different spot on


    the map. ” I’d like to go here.”


    Carlo furrowed his brow at Cory’s choice.


    “Cory, aren’t you making it unnecessarily difficult for yourself? This ce is riskier and deeper within


    the jungle. Aren’t you worried about not making it until noon the next day?”


    “The riskier, the safer,” Cory replied. Carlo hesitated, but he ultimately agreed.


    “Alright. I’ll go with your suggestion!”


    Even though Carlo thought he had chosen a good spot, he had more faith in Cory.


    Over the years, Cory’s judgment had seldom faltered. Cory was the most like the head among the four


    of them. He was silent,posed, and decisive.


    Besides unwavering loyalty to Branden, Carlo only had these few close friends. After agreeing, they


    familiarized themselves with the route and set off. Catherine sat in front of the monitoring screen and


    observed every trainee through the cameras.


    When she saw the spot chosen by Cory’s team, a slight smile tugged at her lips. Indeed, they were


    people from Branden’s camp. They disyed a hint of cleverness.


    Seeing that most trainees were well- prepared, Catherine took out her walkie -talkie and informed Jon.


    She said, ” Spice things up for them.”


    Hearing Catherine’s instructions, Jon became excited. He knew there was no way they would let these


    trainees off so easily.


    “I’ll arrange it.”


    Without warning, poisonous smoke ignited around the perimeter of the jungle. It spread rapidly. After


    noticing that, many trainees near the jungle’s edge began to sprint.


    Carlo noticed the scene and quickly informed Cory with excitement on his face.


    “Cory, you’re amazing. We’ve struck gold this time!”


    The two of them were positioned in the jungle’s center, and the poisonous smoke wouldn’t prate as


    quickly. It gave them ample time to prepare.


    Cory nced at Carlo and signaled for him to stay cautious. “Don’t celebrate too soon. The real


    challenge may still be ahead.”


    Catherine, who was watching from the monitor, couldn’t hear their conversation. But she was good at


    lip-reading. It was easy for her to know what they were talking about.


    Back during her training, she had learned lip-reading from a team member from Middle Estria. She was


    highly talented and mastered it in just seven days. She could pick up mostnguages, provided they


    weren’t too obscure.


    Cory indeed showed some intelligence.


    He knew that the real challenge was yet toe.


    The real challenge was just around the corner. She ryed another order into the microphone and said


    to Jon, “No stopping until daybreak!”


    Jon couldn’t help but feel uneasy as he watched bomb after bomb raining down on the jungle.


    His heart ached.


    It wasn’t because he cared for the trainees but rather for the money. Each bomb cost millions. Without


    a second thought, Anon had used them at such a rate. It depleted the ind’s ammunition and wasted


    a significant amount of money.


    However, the higher-ups had instructed him that they must adhere to all of Anon’smands for these


    three weeks, regardless of the cost.


    He had to do it even if he had to part with the money.


    The once silent jungle transformed into a hell on Earth. It was filled with cries of agony.


    Another bomb dropped, which was dangerously close to Carlo.


    Carlo reacted swiftly and dived away just in time.


    Thanks to his quick reflexes and agile movements, he narrowly escaped, bing another victim of


    this human -made disaster.


    With a deafening explosion, the bomb went off not far from him.


    It showered Carlo in sand and debris. When he looked up, his face was covered with dirt. He was


    unable to contain his frustration as heined to Cory.


    “Damn it. This instructor is insane! First, the poison gas, and now this bombardment. He’s giving us no


    chance at all. Are they not nning to let us leave Scorpion Ind alive?”


    While Carlo ranted, Cory remained remarkably calm. “Comining won’t help. Let’s focus on getting


    through until dawn.”


    This was not the most challenging part of the training. It was just getting dark. The most difficult phase


    should be thest two hours before the end of thepetition.


    At that point, everyone’s energy should be nearly depleted. It could be catastrophic if the instructor


    added more challenges at that time.


    To survive until the end, they had to prepare ordingly.


    Catherine watched the group of trainees desperately fleeing on the monitor. They were increasingly


    disheveled, one worse than the other. She sneered and turned to take a break.


    The trainees’ suffering was their problem, and it was better for her to get a good night’s rest. She would


    check the situation when she woke up the next day.