Chapter 318

Evelyn Sinclair's expression flickered with surprise. Sophia Laurent simply looked crestfallen, her disappointment radiating as she silently judged Evelyn's questionable decision-making.

Yet, given Evelyn's status and the audience's admiration for her, Sophia bit back her criticism. Instead, she reluctantly supported Evelyn's choice.

"We should turn back—this is clearly a dead end." Sophia's voice was tight with frustration. Had it not been for Evelyn's stubborn insistence, they wouldn't have ventured this far, and Sophia wouldn't have twisted her ankle.

Evelyn frowned, studying the map with narrowed eyes. Something didn't add up. According to the route, this was the only path leading to the cave.

"How can this be a dead end?" Evelyn murmured, stepping closer to the rocky wall. "If the map is accurate, the exit has to be through here."

She pressed her hands against the boulder, testing its weight. No matter how hard she pushed, it refused to budge.

Her frown deepened as she scanned the surroundings for clues. Then, her gaze lifted—toward the damp, moss-covered ceiling.

Evelyn's flashlight swept over the slick surface, illuminating every inch of the clinging greenery. Suddenly, her breath hitched.

A palm print.

Her pulse quickened. "There!" she exclaimed, pointing. "That's a handprint!"

Even the most professional adventure team couldn't erase every trace of their presence in this untamed wilderness.

Evelyn braced herself against a nearby rock, stretching onto her tiptoes to inspect the ceiling. The surface was slick with moisture, the moss slippery beneath her fingers.

But she didn't care.

Because through a narrow gap between the rocks, a faint sliver of light seeped through.

She reached up, her fingers brushing the opening. A cool breeze whispered through, sending a shiver down her spine. The gap was barely wide enough for one person to crawl through—tight, claustrophobic.

Evelyn exhaled in relief and dropped back down. She turned to Sophia. "The exit's up there. You want to go first, or should I?"

Sophia hesitated, eyeing the cramped passage with visible reluctance. "Maybe... it's not the right way."

Evelyn arched a brow. "How would you know without trying? Or do you have a better route in mind?"

Sophia pressed her lips together. She hadn't voiced her doubts earlier, and now she was paying for it—with a throbbing ankle.

"I twisted my ankle," she muttered. "You go first."

Evelyn nodded, expecting that answer. She pulled gloves from her backpack and stepped onto the rock again.

Still too short.

She glanced at the cameraman, who immediately averted his gaze.

Evelyn smirked. "If you don't help me now, I'm leaving without you. And trust me, I won't wait."

The cameraman hesitated before sighing. "We're not supposed to interfere..."

Evelyn rolled her eyes and jumped again—only for strong hands to grip her legs and boost her up.

The sudden lift made all the difference.

She shot the cameraman a dry look as he handed over his equipment and reached up. "My turn?"

Evelyn scoffed. "Weren't you just lecturing me about rules?"

The live stream audience erupted in laughter.

[No one says no to CEO Sinclair!]

[Cameraman: gulps Okay, fine, I'll help!]

[This crew is shameless—relying on contestants to survive!]

The climb was grueling. The gap was barely wide enough, their bodies scraping against jagged edges. Evelyn moved carefully, inching forward until—

Fresh air.

She emerged into an open space, blinking against the sudden brightness.

And froze.

No equipment. No safety measures. Just a sheer drop into nothingness.

This wasn't an adventure.

This was a death trap.