Chapter 1260
Jacob and Carly stepped forward, looking a bit lost. What was this sudden call all about?
"When you were standing at attention earlier, why were you fidgeting? Didn't I tell you, if you need to move, you must report it first! Now, you'll be running 3,000 miles with weights, and don't even think about resting until you're done!" Hawthorn's face was all business, his eyebrows drawn tight, making him look especially fierce. Jacob and Carly were flabbergasted. "Sir, we didn't move," they insisted, standing as straight as they could.
"Oh, so now you're questioning me, huh?" Hawthorn sneered. "Don't get smart with me. Don't bring those bad habits from home here. I clearly saw you move! And since you're arguing, make that 6,000 miles!" Jacob's brow furrowed deeply.
"Jacob, if you moved, just admit it," Teddy whistled, trying to lighten the mood. "Can the instructor be wrong? Own up to your mistakes." "Mind your own business!"NôvelDrama.Org: text © owner.
"Oh, talking back, are we!" Hawthorn roared. "After running, add a thousand push-ups. And if you can't finish them, forget about eating!"
"You!" Jacob was seething. Was this just a blatant setup against them?
"Let it go, Jacob," Carly whispered, pulling him back. Their every move here represented the Gilbert family. Hawthorn was their instructor, and arguing wouldn't help their case.
Grinding his teeth, Jacob reluctantly gave in, pulling Carly with him as they started their run.
Hawthorn watched them with a smug grin, even snapping a photo to send to Sydney. "Don't worry, sis-in-law, I'm making sure they get what they deserve."
By the time Jacob and Carly finished the 6,000 miles, forty grueling minutes had passed. Their legs felt like jelly.
They wore special belts that would alert if they used any tricks to ease their run, so they had to do it the hard way, with sheer leg power. Carly was so exhausted she could hardly stand. "Useless! Exhausted from just this? You still owe me a thousand push-ups."
Jacob clenched his jaw so hard he nearly cracked a tooth. Fine! Just a thousand push-ups, right? They knocked them out, but he'd better not push his luck! Even the mildest person has their limits. After the push-ups, they collapsed, utterly spent.
Hawthorn surveyed their worn-out state with satisfaction. "Let this be a warning. Anyone else who talks back will end up like this. Now, dismissed. Go get your dinner."
With that, Hawthorn marched off, leaving everyone to scramble for food.
By the time Jacob and Carly dragged their exhausted selves to the dining area, only scraps were left.
"Damn it!" Jacob let out a curse, feeling utterly defeated.
"Here, take this." Jacob handed Carly a chicken leg and started nibbling on a piece of bread, looking pitiful.
He suddenly longed for home, for Flora... His heart ached.
Before they could catch a break after dinner, the afternoon training kicked off. Their legs still felt like lead from the run, and it seemed Hawthorn deliberately picked the toughest obstacle course.
Unsurprisingly, Jacob and Carly finished last.
"Useless, the both of you!" Hawthorn shouted. "With this kind of performance, you're just
embarrassing your families! Do the obstacle course ten more times, and if you're still at the bottom, skip dinner tonight!"
"You!" Jacob was raging, his calves shaking, arms and legs covered in scrapes from the obstacles.
"What, got a problem?" Hawthorn
taunted, Just because I'm from the Enforcement Division, just because I'm your instructor, I can do whatever I want to you, and you'll have to deal with it!"