The male celebrities, at least, weren''t causing any trouble. Julian was a seasoned pro, and under his guidance, Jonathan and Lennon were diligent during training.


    As an award-winning actor, Thomas naturally drew the most attention, pulling in a massive number of viewers.


    The reality show, Iron Will, was an instant hit. With its positive message, fresh concept, and a roster of famous celebrities, the premiere episode went viral, dominating the trending topics online.


    During the one-hour and forty-minute broadcast, the livements nearly covered the entire screen.


    "Thomas'' reality show debut! I''m here for it!"


    "Jo''s doing great, props to him.”


    “Doris, my queen! She looks even more stunning in a uniform.”


    "Did Yvonne join the entertainment industry just to enlist? She has such a sweet


    face, but in that uniform, she''s both beautiful and badass."


    "Seeing her in the morning, so full of life, makes you feel like every day is a fresh start."


    "Did that ugly girl Daisy wander onto the wrong set...?"


    Online, a few hashtags stayed locked in the top three trending spots:


    #AwardWinningActorThomas, #Neer YvonneShines, and


    #GetDaisyOutOfHollywood. It seemed Daisy wasmitted to riding her wave of infamy all the way to the bottom.


    After the first taping, the second was scheduled for two weekster.


    The first episode had focused on grueling military training. In contrast, the second theme was military-civilian interaction, making for much lighter content.


    The timing coincided with Armed Forces Day, and the base was holding a variety of performances.


    Doris had studied vocal performance, Lennon was a member of a boy band, and Thomas was proficient with several instruments. They had all the singers and dancers they needed.


    Only Yvonne, whose talentsy more in fighting than performing, could do little but sit in the audience with the veteran actor Julian.


    Marina and Doris performed a lively song and dance number, earning a huge round of apuse. Thomas took the stage with a guitar, performing a soulful rendition of ssic rock anthem.


    The troops had their own performers from the arts division. The female soldiers performed a ssical dance with flowing sleeves, their movements ethereal and captivating.


    The male soldiers followed with a group disy of militarybat exercises, followed by a solo martial arts demonstration.


    A captain with a medium build and a deep tan, Captain Lee, put on a stunning disy with a long staff, his movements swift and powerful, winning thunderous apuse.


    Lennon''s eyes lit up. His parents had sent him to a martial arts school as a child, and he was something of a fanatic: Whenever he saw a skilled. opponent, he felt an itch to spar.


    "I''m pretty good with a staff myself, Captain Lee. How about a few rounds?” Lennon asked politely.


    “Alright,” Captain Lee agreed with a nod, but the look he gave Lennon wasced with arrogance. He clearly looked down on the pretty-boy celebrity.


    Lennon had once won several national martial artspetitions and had genuine skill. But years of auditions, acting, and public appearances had left him a bit rusty.


    Captain Lee, on the other hand, trained year-round. He was naturally the superior fighter.


    He was also hot-tempered and fiercelypetitive-a trait that served him well in the military. He didn''t hold back against Lennon, which in his mind was a sign of respect for his opponent Buthe overlooked one crucial detail. Lennon was an entertainer who made his living with his face.


    So when Captain Lee''s fist shot toward Lennon''s head, Lennon couldn''t dodge in


    time. A cold sweat broke out on his back.