Chapter 319

Evelyn's sharp gaze landed on the two parachutes neatly folded beside her.

Her jaw tightened. Fine, this was the final step anyway. She reached over, methodically strapped on the safety harness, then assisted the cameraman with his gear.

The sunlight wasn't harsh. The biting winds at this altitude actually worked in their favor.

Evelyn inhaled deeply, clenched her teeth, and leaped. The icy air whipped against her face like razor blades, but she refused to scream.

No way would she let her features contort into some monstrous expression on camera. Damn it! Why did I agree to this? The roaring wind in her ears sounded ten times louder than normal.

The pressure made her eardrums throb. Fighting against the elements, Evelyn maneuvered her parachute toward the landing zone.

Ten agonizing minutes later, she felt gravity's relentless pull. A crowd swarmed below as her feet finally touched solid ground.

"Evie, you okay?" Adrian's annoyingly handsome face appeared inches from hers, his hands waving frantically. Evelyn's pale lips parted as she struggled to regulate her breathing and heartbeat before shooting him a withering glare.

"I'd rather die than film another episode!" Adrian's smirk faltered. He scrambled after her, voice dripping with false cheer.

"Next challenge is all brainpower, zero physical strain!"

"Except there's still another game..." His eyes sparkled. "Since you arrived first, you get to pick your teammate!" Seeing Evelyn alone confirmed his suspicion - Sophia had been the weak link. Just as he'd predicted - Evelyn always came through.

Evelyn squeezed her eyes shut. "Please tell me this is real." Adrian nodded smugly.

He'd ditched Julian and Ethan's team specifically for this moment. "So who's your pick?" Without hesitation, Evelyn answered, "Ethan Caldwell."

Adrian froze mid-step as if struck by lightning.

"Him? Why?" Evelyn rolled her eyes. "Julian's inexperienced, and you're completely unreliable." Adrian's mouth fell open in theatrical shock.

Me? Unreliable? The realization that Evelyn actually doubted him hit like a sledgehammer. Viewers watching Adrian's devastated expression erupted in laughter.

[Adrian got dumped! Weren't they besties?]

[Look at his puppy-dog eyes!]

[Pretty sure Evelyn only competed to swap teammates]

[Poor Sophia, doesn't even know she's been replaced]

Evelyn used the waiting time to recover while keeping an eye out for Ethan.

As the first challenge concluded, staff escorted a shaken Sophia from the caves. Her face fell upon learning Evelyn had replaced her.

Humiliation burned through her. "Evelyn, I..." Evelyn cut her off smoothly. "Adrian specifically requested you. Can you continue?"

Sophia's eyes lit up at Adrian, who shot Evelyn a confused look. Evelyn simply smiled at the cloudless sky.

[Wait, did we miss something?]

[This actually makes sense - Sophia and Julian would've lost]

[Now Adrian balances their team perfectly]

Ethan and Julian arrived together, laughing like old friends. Staff announced the new teams: Evelyn with Ethan, while Adrian, Julian and Sophia formed the second group.

Ethan arched an eyebrow but accepted the arrangement without comment.

Evelyn followed Ethan toward the water route. Without camera crews, they'd rely on drone footage and mounted cameras.

Ethan Caldwell stood a full head taller, his muscular frame accentuated by the expedition gear. His striking mixed features held an untamed quality Adrian's polished looks lacked.

Those mesmerizing eyes and devil-may-care grin could make saints falter. Where Adrian exuded aristocratic refinement, Ethan radiated raw, earthy magnetism.

Evelyn watched as Ethan boarded the speedboat effortlessly. He extended a calloused hand toward her.

"Take my hand..."