Apocalypse Queen: My Space, My Rules Chapter 62: Strength and Standing

Number Ten stared wide-eyed, then, after a long pause, muttered, "If I said I couldn't hold it... wouldn't that... wouldn't that be taking advantage of them?"

"So, letting them fall is somehow not taking advantage?" Chandler shot back.

Number Ten swallowed hard, finally admitting fault. "I'm sorry. My mistake put my teammates at risk."

Chandler didn't let it go. He turned her failure into a live example for everyone.

"Take this as a lesson! If you're not capable, don't pretend you are. Acting tough when you're not will only hurt others and yourself!

"If you know you can't handle it, speak up. Don't dig a hole for your teammates to fall into! In real combat, a mistake like that could get someone killed!

"There's only one goal in teamwork, win together! Don't argue about who benefits or who loses! If you can do it, step up. If you can't, step aside and don't get in the way!"

After finishing, Chandler didn't care how Number Ten looked. His sharp gaze shifted to the other female bodyguard, Number Five.

"Number Five, can you handle it? If not, say so."

Number Five quickly responded, "I can support two teammates. If I feel like I can't, I'll speak up right away."

Chandler nodded, swept his gaze across the group, and gave the order. "Continue training!"

Everyone returned to their position as the team climbing drill resumed.

Mariella couldn't help but comment, "You're really professional. With that kind of presence, you must've been an instructor back in the military, right?"

Chandler went silent, something complicated flickered in his dark eyes.

Mariella sensed the topic wasn't one he enjoyed, so she changed it. "How about we make dumplings for lunch?"

Chandler froze.

He stayed quiet for a moment before finally replying, "Okay."

Mariella fell silent.

It felt like they were forcing small talk when there wasn't much to say.

She had only meant to show appreciation.

Chandler's ability had genuinely surprised her. It was like stumbling across a national treasure at a street stall. Of course, she'd handle it with care.

But he stayed polite while keeping his distance, clearly unwilling to get too close.

Maybe he'd seen through some of her secrets and was wary she might silence him. Or maybe her earlier comment praising Number One's chest had made him think she was thirsty, so he kept his distance out of caution.

Mariella rubbed her nose awkwardly. "I'll go thaw some pork. That way, it'll be easier to make dumplings at noon."

...

Mariella walked into the large kitchen and pulled out a dough mixer from her storage space.

Matthew came in right behind her.

"Huh? When did we get a dough mixer? I haven't logged it yet," Matthew said, clearly treating it as his oversight.

Mariella reassured him, "We've got so many supplies. Missing one or two is normal."

Matthew pulled out his phone, opened the synced digital ledger, and immediately added the mixer.

Mariella took out a slab of frozen pork, over 40 pounds, and placed it in the large sink to thaw in water.

Matthew immediately made a stock withdrawal record.

Mariella was speechless.

This guy really takes his job seriously.

"Dr. Lester, could you use the mixer to prepare the dough? We're making dumplings for lunch."

She handed him the instruction manual.

Matthew waved it off. "No need. I know how to use all kitchen equipment."

After his wife passed, he'd raised his daughter alone. Over the years, he'd developed solid cooking skills and was familiar with all kinds of kitchen tools.

Mariella's eyes lit up. "Then you can be everyone's cooking instructor from now on."

Matthew, now with yet another role, wished he had kept quiet.

...

Mariella teamed up with Chandler and Number One to form a group for the climbing drill, while Serena cheered from the side.

Seeing the boss, the captain, and the deputy captain form a team, the other bodyguards grew curious.

They paused their training and gathered around to watch.

At the command, the biggest of them, Number One, braced himself against the wall, arms extended. Chandler leapt up in one smooth motion, stepping onto his shoulders and pressing himself against the wall the same way.

Mariella followed right after.

Her slender body moved like a flash, stepping off Number One and Chandler's shoulders in quick succession, climbing to over 13 feet before launching herself upward.

Her pale, slender hand hooked firmly onto the steel frame above, reaching nearly 20 feet.

The team stared in shock, never expecting their boss to be this capable.

She looked like a delicate, pampered rich girl, yet her agility and explosive strength were unbelievable.

She had already set the best record among all the climbing teams.

Serena waved her colorful balloon, cheering loudly, "Yeah! Mariella, you're amazing!"

Only then did the others snap out of it, erupting into cheers and applause.

According to the drill sequence, it was now the captain and deputy captain's turn to perform.

Because this was a team-based climbing drill, the final score was based on the average of all three members, not just one person's result.