Clifford immediately turned to Gerald and said, “Gerald, Mike called me an idiot.”

    Gerald didn’t even bother to look up and said, “Is he wrong?”

    “Damn it. I’m not ying with you guys anymore,” said Clifford, outraged.

    Clifford marched forward in a huff, but a sharp click was heard from his foot.

    Everyone instantly froze.

    “This trap came out of nowhere,” said Clifford, too scared to move.

    Jason quickly crouched down to check. “Sorry, that’s on me. I was drawn to their conversation and didn’t notice it.”

    “Is it andmine?’ Clifford asked tentatively, his heart pounding.

    Clifford thought, ‘It is unprecedented in Skills Evaluation. Is it a realndmine or just some bullshit prop?’

    In the surveince room, Fillip suddenly sprang to his feet and said, “Andmine? Is it part of thepetition? Who put it up?

    “I have to figure it out.”

    Another guy immediately called the one who was supposed to be in charge. He hung up and said, “They swore nondmines were nted.”

    And the State Security Bureau had already swept the restricted zone, but it had happened.

    Fillip immediately ordered, “Get word to them. Nobody moves. That’s a realndmine.”

    Then the announcer said, “Emergency notice. Thendmine is real. If it goes off, you might get hurt. If you’re not sure you can handle it, ask an instructor for help right away. And you will have to withdraw from thepetition.”

    Hearing this, Clifford was livid with rage. “I won’t withdraw from thepetition. Jason, can you handle it?”

    Sweat broke out on Jason’s forehead. He said in a shaking voice, “I-I’ve only learned about mine disposal in ss.”

    The State Security Bureau had mine disposal experts, but they never taught them how to handle it.

    I’ve never actually done it,” Jason admitted.

    “I haven’t either. What should we do now?” said another guy.

    Zoey said, “I’ve learned a bit. I can give it a shot, but I don’t have any tools.”

    Hearing the news, Sean rushed over with some tools. “Don’t do anything rash. I’m here to drop off the tools, not to mess with any of you,” said Sean.

    As Sean got closer, he saw Asia. “I’m not your teacher, but you’re supposed to show me some respect.”

    Aria replied, “Mr. Lewis, you were the one who picked on me first.”

    Sean snorted, crouched down to inspect thendmine, and said, “It’s activated by pressure. The st radius is 150 feet.

    Everyone falls back.”

    Sean looked at Clifford and said, “You have to withdraw. If it goes off, you’re dead.”

    Clifford turned to Zoey and said sadly, “You said you’ve learnt a bit? Then do something.”

    Zoey hesitated. “Only a bit.”

    Clifford’s eyes turned red. “Could this day get any worse?”

    Sean took this moment to say, “See? Aria’s like a walking jinx. Disaster follows wherever she goes.”

    Mike said with some annoyance, “Mr. Lewis, we would’ve taken this path even if we hadn’t run into her. Why do you always single her out?”

    “Yeah, Mr. Lewis, you’re just picking a fight for no reason,” another added.

    guy

    Sean didn’t know what to say.

    “So, does that mean Clifford has to be eliminated?” Mike asked quietly.

    No one spoke for a moment..

    Aria suddenly said, “I can give it a shot, on one condition.”

    Everyone stared at Aria. “What’s your condition?”

    “You share your intel with us,” said Aria.

    Gerald said in agreement, “Fine, as long as you can save him.”

    Zoey protested, “Gerald-”

    Gerald shot her a nce and said coldly, “If Clifford gets eliminated, do you think we can stay in the team round?”

    Zoey just got the hint and lowered her head. “Sorry.”

    Sean warned, “You’re really making her handle thendmine? It’s a realndmine. If anything goes wrong, both of them are

    dead.”

    Clifford’s expression was so determined. “If she’s got the guts, so do I,” he said firmly.

    He looked at Aria and said, “Aria, I’m putting my life in your hands.”