NovelXXXChapter 291 The sun in Crestwood was far more relentless than back in Havencrest.
On a sweltering hundred-degree day, four girls pushed through a round of push-ups under the blazing sun. Although all four were struggling through the sdrill, only Citrine's form was flawless her movements precise, her breathing steady, as if the exercise cost her nothing at all.
Meanwhile, after barely reaching their fiftieth push-up, Ingrid and the other two girls had collapsed, sprawled on the ground, gasping for air and utterly spent.
"Don't play dead. Up. If you don't finish on time, I'll add another hundred," barked Sergeant Hastings, a flash of scorn in his eyes as he walked over and nudged the twith the toe of his boot.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtThe threat of extra reps was all the motivation they needed. Groaning, the three girls dragged themselves upright and forced themselves to continue.
Soon after, Citrine finished her set. She stood, snapped to attention, and called out, "Sir, I'm done." Hastings blinked, incredulous. He shot a glance at the assistant instructor beside him. "She's finished?" The assistant gave a small nod.
Three hundred push-ups in five minutes-most of the boys wouldn't manage that. Hastings fought to hide his astonishment. "Back in line," he said.
Nearly twenty minutes later, Ingrid and her friends finally finished, staggering back to the group, still gasping for breath.
But before they could even reach for their water bottles, Hastings lifted the whistle dangling from his neck and blew a sharp blast, his voice cutting through the air, "Fall in!" The girls snapped to attention, wiping sweat from their brows.
They thought, surely, that the sergeant would ease up now. But no sooner had they caught their breath than Hastings announced, "Military training means no cosmetics-no exceptions. Each of you, take a pack of makeup wipes and remove everything from your face. Now." Ingrid, Jane, and Lisa all blanched.
But after the push-up ordeal, none of them dared protest. They lined up with the others, collected the wipes, and dutifully scrubbed their faces clean.
"Good. Next-" Hastings was about to continue when his gaze landed on a face in the crowd-Citrine's, impossibly fair and almost glowing. His brows knitted together, his stare sharp and accusing. "You there! Are you deaf or just ignoring me?" Citrine froze, genuinely confused. "Excuse me?" These kids are impossible, Hastings thought, irritation simmering. He barked, "I'll give you one more chance. Otherwise, three hundred more push-ups." Citrine's patience snapped a little. Her voice dropped, calm but firm. "Sir, are you the one not listening? I don't understand what I did wrong." A sudden, awkward silence fell.
No one had expected Citrine to answer back so boldly.
A low buzz of whispers rippled through the ranks.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"Damn, this girl's got guts-going head-to-head with Mr. Cooper? She must have a death wish." "Yeah, you know Mr. Cooper's got connections. She's messing with the wrong guy, that's for sure." Others took the sergeant's side.
"It's not his fault-she's just being difficult. Everyone else wiped their faces; why can't she?"
"Exactly. She's the only one whose face is practically shining. Who's she trying to fool? Does she think we're all blind?"
The murmurs grew louder and louder. Hastings' face darkened, rage barely contained. He leveled Wed leveled another warning, his voice cold and clipped.
"Last chance. Follow orders and wipe your face. Or it's three hundred push-ups."
Citrine's voice was quiet but clear. "I'm not wearing any makeup." She didn't have to raise Kevoice everyone heard her. And for a moment, there was nothing but stunned silence.
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