chapter727

Dennis's brows pulled together, his voice cold. "I know you finished the challenge, but we've had reports that you cheated, using some special tricks to win. So, I'm making it official. Your results for this round are canceled."

Monica and Fiona froze, totally blindsided. Jules's face turned stone cold.

"That's impossible. We made it through on our own. How could you accuse us of cheating?" Monica shot back, her anger flaring.

Dennis let out a sharp laugh. If it was just one group complaining, maybe I'd let it go. But two groups reported you. After discussing it, we're voiding your results."

Lydia just smiled, lifting her eyebrow. "So if our results don't count, who gets the top spot?"

"That's none of your concern. You broke the rules during training and now you'll be punished." Dennis stared her down, not giving an inch.

Lydia nodded calmly. "Fine, then. Which two groups reported us?"

Dennis narrowed his eyes.

Lydia kept going. "Let me guess. Daisy's group and Rosie's group, right?

Dennis's reply was icy. "Glad you get the picture."

Lydia's smile went cold. "Get the picture? They're the real cheaters and you want us to take the fall? I mean, seriously, who's protecting you from behind the scenes?"

Her words hit hard. The shift in Dennis and his crew was instant.

Lydia, is it? You better have some proof if you're accusing us of corruption. This is serious."

And what proof do you have that we cheated? If you can't produce any, then you're just abusing your authority, covering for the real cheaters."

Lydia's energy was fierce. She didn't back down, not for a second.

Dennis had come prepared. "You're just a girl, yet you breezed through every stage. When you got to the rock climbing, it was obvious you've been trained. That's not normal. That's cheating."

"Having skills now means cheating? That's ridiculous!" Jules's voice was sharp and cold.

Dennis was

done talking. "You acted

suspiciously and got reported by two groups. To keep things fair for everyone else, your results are canceled. If you really think you're innocent, fine. Do it all over again and prove it."

"So, you just want us to hand over first place?" Lydia looked at him, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

Dennis gave a slow, meaningful smile. "I never said that. I'm just responding to what the others reported. I have to give everyone an answer."

This is outrageous! We want to see the general commander. He's the one who can actually give us a fair shot!" Monica was practically shaking with anger.

It was clear these guys were out to get them.

Dennis's eyes went dangerous and narrow. "You think the general commander is just sitting around waiting for you? I'm the one running this field training. Everything here goes through me."

Connor had suddenly shown up as the general commander, surprising everyone. But since he arrived, except for firing a guy named Milo in the control room, he'd mostly stayed there, watching the challenges on the monitors.

Lydia raised an eyebrow again. "So, what, the general commander's just for show? You're the one with all the real power?"

Dennis had figured Lydia would be easy to handle, just another girl he could push around. Turns out, she was more trouble than he expected.

"So what if I am?" Dennis was Jackson's guy, and Jackson and Connor were rivals. Besides, Connor had been retired for three years. He

didn't really have

swer fett He

couldn't compare to Jackson who was about to get promoted.

Lydia let out a slow, thoughtful "Oh."

Then she turned, her voice rising as she spoke to the space behind Dennis

General Commander did

you hear that? He says you're just

for show, that he's got more power than you."

?