Henry, who had been worried about Eve, shouted, "Everyone, stop!"


    His usualposure was thrown to the wind, reced by a father''s desperate cry.


    The trainees, who had been relentlessly frog-jumping across the field, crumpled to the ground. Exhaustion clung to them like a second skin. "Let''s see how you''re going to make me lose money," Edgar said.


    Debra smiled enigmatically, her eyes giving nothing away.


    Edgar walked away, and Henry scurried after him.


    By nightfall, the intense training had taken its toll. Everyone was too worn out to even lift their forks.


    "My legs feel like they''re made of lead."


    "It''s all Debra''s fault. If she had just danced earlier, we wouldn''t be in this mess."


    Theints echoed through the dining hall, but Debra was nowhere to be found.


    Tomas, puzzled, voiced his thoughts. "What''s Edgar ying at? Is he just messing with us, or does he have a screw loose?"


    Oscar put down his fork and knife and cleared his te. Tomas shouted after him, "Hey! Is that all you''re eating?"


    Oscar checked the time and headed to the practice field. He was fifteen minutes early.


    A sudden tap on his shoulder made him turn. Expecting to see Debra, he was met with Freya''s awkward gaze. "Are you waiting for someone?" "It''s none of your business," Oscar replied, trying to leave.


    Freya grabbed his arm and persisted, "Are you waiting for Debra?"


    Oscar frowned, shaking off her hand. "We''re not close. Stay out of my affairs."


    Freya''s eyes shed with concern. "We''re neighbors, Oscar. I don''t want you to be deceived. Debra is married and still fooling around. How can you be interested in her?"


    "Shut up!" Oscar growled, his patience wearing thin.


    Just then, Debra strolled over with a scoff. "I thought Miss George was the most high-minded and prideful among the trainees and wouldn''t gossip. It seems I was mistaken."


    Freya frowned, her voiceced with usation. "Oscar, you were waiting for her."


    "Are you two a couple?" Debra asked.


    "No," Oscar stated firmly.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    Freya turned to Debra, her voice a low hiss. "I told you. Edgar can''t have a girlfriend. Stay away from him."


    Debra retorted, "Don''t limit yourself so rigidly. Does it concern you what he chooses to do?"


    "You..." Freya, usually soposed, found herself lost for words.


    Oscar, his patience exhausted, grabbed Debra''s arm and pulled her away. "There''s no need to reason with irrelevant people."


    Freya called after them, "Oscar, if you keep this up, your mother will be upset."


    Oscar paused, his frown deepening. "Why should that concern you?"


    He led Debra to the other side of the practice field.


    Trying to calm him down, Debra said, "You don''t need to be so harsh with her. I can tell she likes you."


    Oscar''s expression remained


    inrent. "If you''re here just to talk about such trivial matters, then we have nothing to discuss."