All Her Secrets

Chapter 416

Chapter 416 The Bombardment

Paxton knocked on Branden’s study door, bearing the latest message from Alton. After receivingBranden’s permission, he gently pushed open the door.

“Mr. Duncan, on the Alton side, the transaction time for that shipment has been confirmed. With Francisand 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 youngage by the family head.

They had taken on nearly all the projects the head had accepted but had yet to excel in them as thehead did.

This trade deal in Alton was worth tens of billions of dollars and was supposed to be managed byFrancis in Alton. But the head had surprisingly sent Francis to Scorpion Island. Not only Francis, butthe other two were also on Scorpion Island.

With such a substantial project, Paxton couldn’t entrust it to others, so he volunteered. Brandenleisurely finished signing the last document. Then he looked up at Paxton.

“Arrange a flight to Alton for tomorrow afternoon.”

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

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

“Is there a problem?”

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 dealpersonally. 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 moresignificant reason was Catherine.

Catherine was in Alton right then, and Branden had a chance to meet her. Paxton finally understoodthe saying, ” Absence makes the heart grow fonder.”

Catherine and Branden hadn’t been parted for long, but Branden was deeply bewitched. What wouldbecome of him in the future?

Paxton was deeply troubled.

On Scorpion Island, the third round of special training had officially begun. To secure their chance ofstaying until the end, these trainees had already started secretly forming groups. More people meantmore strength and ample resources.

Carlo had no doubts about partnering with Cory. He didn’t trust the others. The duo quietly infiltratedthe 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 successfulmission. 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 onthe 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 place is riskier and deeper withinthe 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 fourof them. He was silent, composed, and decisive.

Besides unwavering loyalty to Branden, Carlo only had these few close friends. After agreeing, theyfamiliarized themselves with the route and set off. Catherine sat in front of the monitoring screen andobserved every trainee through the cameras.

When she saw the spot chosen by Cory’s team, a slight smile tugged at her lips. Indeed, they werepeople from Branden’s camp. They displayed 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 thesetrainees off so easily.

“I’ll arrange it.”novelbin

Without warning, poisonous smoke ignited around the perimeter of the jungle. It spread rapidly. Afternoticing 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 penetrate asquickly. It gave them ample time to prepare.

Cory glanced at Carlo and signaled for him to stay cautious. “Don’t celebrate too soon. The realchallenge may still be ahead.”

Catherine, who was watching from the monitor, couldn’t hear their conversation. But she was good atlip-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 washighly talented and mastered it in just seven days. She could pick up most languages, provided theyweren’t too obscure.

Cory indeed showed some intelligence.

He knew that the real challenge was yet to come.

The real challenge was just around the corner. She relayed another order into the microphone and saidto 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. Withouta second thought, Anon had used them at such a rate. It depleted the island’s ammunition and wasteda significant amount of money.

However, the higher-ups had instructed him that they must adhere to all of Anon’s commands for thesethree 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, becoming another victim ofthis 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 wasunable to contain his frustration as he complained to Cory.

“Damn it. This instructor is insane! First, the poison gas, and now this bombardment. He’s giving us nochance at all. Are they not planning to let us leave Scorpion Island alive?”

While Carlo ranted, Cory remained remarkably calm. “Complaining won’t help. Let’s focus on gettingthrough until dawn.”

This was not the most challenging part of the training. It was just getting dark. The most difficult phaseshould be the last two hours before the end of the competition.

At that point, everyone’s energy should be nearly depleted. It could be catastrophic if the instructoradded more challenges at that time.

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

Catherine watched the group of trainees desperately fleeing on the monitor. They were increasinglydisheveled, 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 wouldcheck the situation when she woke up the next day.