Chapter 323

In a flash, Evelyn suddenly felt her body being yanked backward. All control slipped from her grasp as her face drained of color.

Before she could process what was happening, she found herself suspended sixty meters above the churning ocean.

A scream tore from her throat, instantly swallowed by the salty sea winds.

Her heart hammered against her ribs like a caged bird desperate for escape.

The speed was dizzying. The parasail ropes strained under the combined weight of Evelyn and Ethan as they soared higher.

They sliced through the crisp sea air, tethered to the speeding boat below.

The wind lashed at their faces - sharp, stinging, yet utterly exhilarating. Evelyn had never experienced anything like it.

In that suspended moment between sky and sea, life felt simultaneously fragile and invincible.

Pushing limits was proving dangerously addictive. Ethan adjusted his position and reached over to steady Evelyn's shoulders.

Evelyn gasped for breath, her eyes wide with wonder. "This is incredible!"

Ethan chuckled but kept focus on their mission. He pointed toward a cluster of sailboats in the distance.

Squinting downward, Evelyn deciphered the letters painted on the hulls: VOX. She cursed under her breath.

"What the hell? What does VOX have to do with this? Did they buy the rights to our show?" Even Ethan looked surprised, though at least they'd uncovered a clue.

Returning to the speedboat, Evelyn's pulse still raced from the adrenaline. With their discovery made, they turned back toward shore.

Online comments exploded in real-time: [Oh no, Evelyn looks devastated!] [Her anxiety is breaking my heart!] [If only Ethan knew what's happening... He needs to watch the replay!]

After an eternity of waiting at the rendezvous point, Adrian and Julian finally arrived with Sophia.

Julian supported Sophia as she limped dramatically. Adrian's stormy expression spoke volumes as he strode ahead, making no effort to hide his irritation.

The crew maintained a careful silence. Evelyn arched an eyebrow at the unusual sight - Adrian rarely lost his temper.

The director, who'd been waiting impatiently, raised his megaphone to deliver closing remarks. Evelyn and the others stood at attention, wisely avoiding questions about Adrian's mood.

They dispersed to separate vehicles for the final interview at VOX headquarters.

Finally free from live cameras, tension eased in the car. Gabrielle had prepared coffee and pastries for Evelyn.

Before Evelyn could take a sip, the door flew open. Adrian climbed in, snatched the coffee from Gabrielle's hands, and downed it in one gulp.

Evelyn pressed her lips together. "I'm surprised you beat us back."

Adrian's face flushed crimson with anger. "Why did I ever agree to bring Sophia on this show? She's got zero common sense and nearly got us killed! Do you know Julian and I had to carry her up and down that damned mountain?" His voice rose. "And get this - she kept switching which leg was 'injured' the whole time! Total act!"

Evelyn burst into laughter, completely caught off guard. Adrian angrily devoured all the snacks meant for Evelyn, who merely smirked at his frustration.

"Thank God I had the sense to swap Sophia for Ethan in the second half," she remarked, shaking her head.