<b>Chapter </b><b>126 </b>


    There are thousands of teachers and students at Shoneport University, and all kinds of new things happen on campus every day. The sudden <b>leave </b><b>or </b>absence of one or two boarding students wouldn’t draw much attention. Only their roommates and counselors would care about their disappearance.


    In the sophomore girls‘ dormitory of the history department, a counselor was trying to call Aneesa Ortega and Vivian Koch, but both of their phones were turned off. She also failed to reach their families. So she first reported them for skipping ss and then informed the life teacher in charge of second year history students.


    Meanwhile, the campus king and queen beauty contest was in full swing. Today, a new strong contender had joined the race for campus queen. It was Beatrice, the belle of the dance department. Overnight, her vote count nearly caught up with the reigning campus queen, Le.


    Many thought Le would be furious, but surprisingly, she was seen having lunch at the cafeteria with her new rival, Beatrice.


    Beatrice, looking timid, said, “Le, you’re so kind to me… I feel embarrassed. I really don’t know how that senior managed to get me so many votes overnight.”


    Le smiled warmly and held Beatrice’s hand. “Oh,e on! The campus queenpetition is just a game. If it’s not you, it would be someone else trying topare themselves to me. Your sister, for instance? I’d rather have you beat me and feel at ease than have her constantly making me ufortable.”


    “I feel bad!” Beatrice felt deeply soothed by Le’s words, though she continued to act humble. “I don’t have your appeal, Le. You’re the universally acknowledged campus queen. I’m sure you’ll win again this time.”


    At that moment, Briar happened to walk past with Frank and his group. Hearing the childish conversation between the two girls holding hands, she raised her eyebrows and casually drifted past them.


    Frank sometimes really felt Briar was kind of annoying. She clearly knew they were talking about her, yet she deliberately walked past them. No way that was a coincidence. But he wasn’t worried.


    After all, Ashton wasn’t an ordinary guy. Even if something big happened, Ashton could handle it.


    Faced with Briar’s silent provocation, Le and Beatrice were nearly driven mad.


    Beatrice especially wanted to rush over and teach Briar a lesson. But she didn’t dare.


    She had begged her father for a long time that day, yet he still failed to persuade Briar to withdraw from the campus queen contest. If she got into a conflict with Briar now, it would surely affect her chances.


    Le, on the other hand, saw how close Briar was to Frank and wished she could tear Briar apart.


    “Hey! Did you guys hear? Our school canceled the military drill. It’s being reced with a campus sports event, and all students have to participate,” Mason said cheerfully at the lunch table.


    Tedughed. “Where did you hear that? The military drill is a Shoneport University tradition. It can’t just be canceled.”


    Mason remained mysterious. “That’s what you don’t know! I happened to pass by the principal’s office and overheard Mr. Goodwin saying it himself.”


    Charle got curious, “Then it must be true. Mason, give us the details.”


    “You guys know Mr. Goodwin used to be a special forces soldier, right?” Mason lowered his voice<b>. </b>


    “Who doesn’t know that? In our Shoneport, there are two legendary soldier kings, Reece and Hamish. After retiring, both turned into womanizing yboys.”


    “You also know Hamish is now close to Mr. Wade, so he doesn’t get involved in military stuff anymore. But Reece is different. The Goodwin <b>family </b><b>is </b>involved in military matters, and many of the army’s secrets circte in their social circle.”


    14:15 <b>Sat</b><b>, </b><b>16 </b><b>Aug. </b>


    <b>“</b><b>Okay</b><b>, </b>we know all that. Just get to the point.” Frank pped Mason on the back of the head. “Keep it short.”


    He kept rambling on with all that random nonsense. He was casually bringing up


    military matters over lunch again.


    “Ouch!” Mason realized he got too carried away. “Anyway, what I heard is that this year’s military drill might be held in Shoneport. Many schools <b>training </b>programs were downsized or canceled. For Shoneport University, since training is a tradition, they couldn’t cancel it outright. So they changed the


    format.”


    “Wow! That’s intense. If that’s true, the whole city will probably be under martialw.” Ted’s eyes lit up.


    Frank thought for a moment. “Most likely. If that’s true, we should all behave ourselves for a while. Don’t cause trouble, and definitely don’t go wandering around.”


    As everyone knew, military drills in Dasmieca were never just for show. They were always targeted operations. A sudden shift of drills to Shoreport indicated that something serious was going on.


    Frank believed that Ashton’s unexpected arrival at Shoneport University as a library administrator was more than just a coincidence.


    There had to be something going on. There was no way a cunning man like him would leave hispany behind and waste time at a university library<b>. </b>


    Ashton was a ruthless, ambitious CEO. He had never behaved so unreliably. Even if he were chasing a girl, he wouldn’t abandon such a huge business.


    Throughout the conversation, Briar quietly focused on her meal, not joining in. Her lowered gaze carried a hint of coldness.


    A military drill would be the perfect opportunity. If it turned out to be a realbat exercise, she could use the chaos to probe certain people’s secrets in Shoneport.


    A sinister smile appeared on Briar’s stunning face. Frank caught it from the corner of his eye and shivered. He knew she must have thought <b>of </b>something fun. That smile was terrifying.


    After lunch, Briar and the others were heading to theb building when they ran into Ashton and Hamish.


    The rowdy group suddenly stood up straight and greeted them, “Mr. Wade, Hamish.”


    Hamish waved a hand. “You guys go have fun. We’re here for Little Briar.”


    Briar frowned. ‘What’s with the ‘Little Briar‘?‘


    Ashton beckoned to <i>her</i>. “Briar,e here.”


    Briar slowly walked over, and Ashton led her toward the maple grove on campus. She didn’t expect him to want to talk about the military drill changes


    too.


    He asked, “You heard about the drill being reced by a sports event, right<b>?</b><b>” </b>


    Briar raised an eyebrow. “Wow, you really get the scoop fast.”


    They had just mentioned it at lunch, and the info had already reached Ashton.


    Ashton gave a mocking smile. The situation, in his words, was simply a game some people were ying behind the scenes<b>. </b><b>It </b><b>was </b>mainly r screen certain individuals who had recently returned from abroad with unclear backgrounds. He was worried Briar <b>might </b>get dragged <b>in</b><b>, </b><b>so </b>her in advance to be prepared.


    to


    arned


    Briar pressed her tongue against her pte. That incident at the police stationst time was not baseless after all.