Chapter 130 On the field, the entire freshman class was gathered, filling the massive field like a sea of students.
Danielle and Juniper quickly joined their team, and it wasnât long before they spotted their drill instructor-someone familiar. It was Maximus.
Maximus, with his towering 6â2" frame, sun-darkened skin, and an aura of authority, stood like a fortress. His hands rested sharply along his sides, exuding an intimidating presence.
Danielle realized Maximus had deliberately chosen this class.
"I canât believe how hot it is. I didnât even put on sunscreen!"
"Iâm really about to pass out! The instructor looks so fierce!"
"My legs are already shaking. I thought weâd dodged military training since the school didnât mention it.
Who knew weâd get thrown into it today?"
The students whispered complaints, their voices a mix of dread and frustration. But Danielle and Juniper-veterans of the Shadows training base-stood unaffected, their postures impeccable and their expressions calm.
"Danielle, arenât you exhausted?" Juniper asked, half out of concern and half in awe.
Danielle chuckled lightly. "This is nothing for me." She stood in a flawless military posture, the very image of discipline.
Maximus approached, his deep voice lowering slightly. "Danielle, I picked this class on purpose. Are you holding up? Need a break?" Danielle smiled.
"Iâm fine. Thanks, Maximus."
Emma, standing nearby, clenched her fists at the sight of Danielle smiling at Maximus. âSo thatâs how she does it-flirting her way out of hard work.
Typical. She resolved to report this to David at the first opportunity.
Before long, one of the girls fainted dramatically.
"Sir, someoneâs collapsed!" a student called out.
Maximus strode over, his face a mask of sternness. He crouched to assess the situation. "Can you keep going?"
"Can I rest for a bit?" the girl asked weakly.
Maximusâs jaw tightened. He could tell she was faking. If they were in the military, he wouldâve kicked her into shape. "If youâre not unconscious, stand up and keep at it," he barked.
The murmurs began immediately.
"Quiet!" Maximusâs voice cut through the chatter like a whip. "Anyone caught talking will run laps. Look at the other classes and then look at yourselves. Embarrassing."
The students straightened up instantly, the fear of punishment silencing their protests.
"From now on, anyone who moves or complains runs laps," Maximus declared. "Youâve barely stood, and your legs are already shaking. If this were a battlefield, youâd be dead weight, shot by the enemy in seconds. Soldiers I train are always victorious-donât make me ashamed to call you mine."
The studentsâ morale plummeted. âIs this guy serious? Itâs just a little military training, not actual war. Chill out!â
"Sir, my headâs spinning, and I feel faint," another girl chimed in coquettishly, hoping for leniency.
Maximus squinted at her. "Are you fainting right now? No? Then stand up and stay put. Stop reporting unless youâre genuinely incapacitated."
The morning dragged on with the students barely holding it together.
When Maximus finally blew his whistle, signaling a break for lunch, the group trudged to the cafeteria like wilted plants.
At lunch, Maximus informed them of the afternoon schedule before dismissing them. Danielle and Juniper quickly ate and returned to their dorm to catch some much-needed sleep.
Just as Danielle climbed into bed, her phone buzzed with a call from David.
"Sweetheart, how was training? Are you exhausted?" Davidâs voice was so gentle it could melt the coldest heart.
Danielle wasnât surprised he knew about the training. "Not at all. It was a breeze for me. What about you? Have you eaten yet?"
"Not yet. Want me to have the nanny prepare soup and bring it to you later?" David was utterly doting, treating her like his entire world.
Juniper emerged from the bathroom just in time to hear Danielle laughing sweetly on the phone. "Danielle, are you talking to your husband again?
Look at that smile-youâre glowing!"
Danielleâs cheeks turned bright red. "Stop it! What husband?"
On the other end, David chuckled deeply. "Am I not your husband? Call me âhusband. Let me hear it, hmm?" His tone was playful yet irresistible.
Flustered, Danielle mumbled, "Stop teasing! Iâm sleepy. Oh, and donât bother with the soup. Bye!" She hung up hastily.
June smirked. "Your boyfriend, huh? You two must be close-you talk every day."
Danielle hummed in acknowledgment, trying to downplay her embarrassment.
"Danielle, what does your boyfriend do? He looks so mature, he must be a lot older than you, right?" Thinking about that man, he was truly the most charming and handsome she had ever seen. He probably came from a good family too.
Danielle frowned slightly. "He works in an office," she said evasively.
"An office worker?" Juniper teased. "With looks like his, what a waste!" "June, are you interested in Danielleâs boyfriend?"
Juniper asked.
June glanced at Danielle, still hoping to become friends with her. After all, she was the daughter of the richest family in town. She hurriedly said, "Of course not! Iâm just concerned about Danielle, wanting to get to know her better."
Juniper sneered, "With the way youâre asking, I thought you had some intentions toward Danielleâs boyfriend. If you really want to get to know someone, you need to do it from the heart, not just with words."
June shot Juniper a look of disdain, thinking, âSheâs just Danielleâs lackey. Sheâs probably worried Iâll get closer to Danielle and mess up her own little plans. So manipulative, and she doesnât even want me to make friends.â
But still, she smiled and said, "Iâm just blunt, sometimes my mouth runs faster than my brain. I really consider you guys my good friends."
"Better take a nap, weâve got military training again this afternoon." Jane, who had been silent all this time, finally spoke up.
Not A Small Town Girl (Danielle and David)
ï¤Chapter 129 At the Dixon family, Ruby sat stiffly in the living room, taking in the familiar yet alien surroundings. She hadnât set foot in this house for three years, and the memories were suffocating. The only reason she was here now was because her mother was in Emilyâs clutches.
"Ruby, youâre back! I had the kitchen prepare all your favorite dishes. Your father has missed you terribly. You should come home more often," Emily gushed, her warmth practically oozing.
Ruby suppressed a bitter laugh. Emily was a master actress. In front of Robert, she was all smiles and maternal affection. But the moment he wasnât around, her true colors shone-cruel and vindictive.
Ruby had tried exposing her before, but her pleas had been dismissed as childish tantrums. To Robert, Emily was the perfect wife, and Ruby was just a rebellious daughter.