Chapter 285

"He became the legend he is today precisely because of the ruthless methods he was willing to employ."

Theodore Goldmann's voice was cold, his gaze sharp. "Adaptability is the key to survival. How can one defeat their opponent without the necessary means?"

He waved a dismissive hand. "Do as you please. All I care about are the results."

Nathan Goldmann strode out of the estate, his expression unreadable. Just as he reached his car, Rosalind Summers called out to him.

She hurried after him, her voice laced with hesitation. "Nathan, my words earlier weren’t meant as an attack. I was only considering the bigger picture—"

"Rosalind," Nathan cut her off without turning around. "Stay in your lane. If I discover you’ve been scheming behind my back, there will be consequences."

The car door slammed shut, leaving Rosalind frozen in place. His warning echoed in her mind, sending a chill down her spine.

‘I haven’t done anything against Evelyn… except for the jade ring. Does he already know?’

The next day…

The physical assessment results were posted on the notice board, drawing a crowd of trainees.

Evelyn and Rachel Dixon made their way over after breakfast. Rachel scanned the list quickly, her eyes widening in disbelief.

"Twenty-nine points? How is that possible?"

Evelyn remained calm. ‘This was expected. They deducted a point because of the ring. But there are other assessments. As long as I secure a total of 120 points, I’ll be fine.’

As she turned, her gaze locked with Lillian Heinrich’s. The hostility in Lillian’s eyes was unmistakable.

Lillian spun on her heel and walked away. Evelyn followed, catching up to her in the corridor.

"Lillian, can we talk?"

Lillian crossed her arms, her posture rigid. "What do you want?"

"I know the assessment wasn’t fair to you," Evelyn said evenly. "I didn’t mean to use the ring against you, but I had no choice. I needed to win."

She took a breath. "I won’t stand in your way. I’m only here for four more days. Once I get my results, I’m leaving. I’m not competing for a top position—I have my own career outside of this."

Lillian studied her for a long moment. "You’re not here for the management spot?"

Evelyn shook her head. "I’m not a fighter like you. I’m just fulfilling an agreement. I can’t afford to be eliminated before then."

Something in Lillian’s expression shifted. The resentment faded slightly, though her tone remained guarded. "You held your own against me. That’s not nothing."

Evelyn smiled faintly. "Luck played a part."

Lillian’s lips thinned. "Winifred was the one who paired us. You’ve clearly made an enemy of her. Watch your back while you’re still here."

With that, she walked away.

Evelyn watched her go, a pang of regret flickering through her.

‘If circumstances were different, we might have been friends.’