Chereads / Global Frozen: I Built the Safe House / Chapter 52 - Chapter 52: Exposure

Chapter 52 - Chapter 52: Exposure

The atmosphere in the building, already tense from the hardships of the snowstorm, grew increasingly volatile as the residents absorbed the stark contrast between their desperate circumstances and Phoenix's seemingly lavish lifestyle. Annie's revelation ignited a firestorm of discussion among the beleaguered inhabitants. They had been enduring freezing temperatures, dwindling food supplies, and the ever-present threat of Alexander's brutal regime, only to find out that someone in their midst was living in relative luxury.

Sun, nursing his injuries and fueled by a mix of pain, anger, and desperation, saw the spreading of this information as a last-ditch effort to survive. He, along with Annie and others, believed that by turning the entire building against Phoenix, they could coerce him into sharing his supplies. The idea was simple yet ruthless: use the collective anger and desperation of the building's residents to overwhelm Phoenix's defenses and take what they needed to survive.

In the group chat, the reactions varied from shock and disbelief to outright anger. Some questioned the authenticity of the videos, unable to fathom how such comfort could exist amidst their shared misery. Others, recognizing the truth in the images, felt a deep sense of injustice. How could one of their own hoard resources while the rest suffered? The sentiment quickly turned from incredulity to a unified call for action. People who had been passive, focusing only on their own survival, were now galvanized by a common enemy.

Alexander, already a feared and loathed figure in the building, saw an opportunity in this unrest. Known for his ruthlessness and his grip on the building through fear and violence, he was quick to capitalize on the situation. The prospect of raiding Phoenix's well-stocked apartment was too tempting to ignore. His involvement raised the stakes significantly, adding a dangerous and unpredictable element to the already volatile situation.

Back in Annie's apartment, the tension was palpable. Peng, injured and betrayed, was a mix of pain, confusion, and loyalty. His devotion to Mira, despite her obvious manipulation, was a tragic testament to his naivety and misplaced affection. Mira's self-centeredness was on full display as she callously disregarded the group's plight, focusing solely on securing her own comfort with Phoenix.

The heated exchange between Mira and Annie highlighted the desperation and moral ambiguity of their situation. Mira's eagerness to abandon the group for a chance at a better life was met with scorn and anger, particularly from Annie, who saw it as the ultimate betrayal. The slap that followed was more than physical—it was a manifestation of the collective frustration and helplessness felt by the group.

In the face of Mira's betrayal and the group's increasing desperation, Sun's plan to rally the building against Phoenix gained traction. The notion of using Phoenix as a scapegoat to unite the building and secure much-needed supplies was a desperate strategy born out of their dire situation. The group, once fractured and focused on individual survival, was now united in a common, albeit dangerous, purpose.

As the plot to turn the building against Phoenix took shape, the lines between survival and morality grew increasingly blurred. The residents, pushed to their limits by the relentless snowstorm and the scarcity of resources, were now on the brink of turning on one of their own. In this harsh, post-apocalyptic landscape, the struggle for survival was about to escalate into a full-blown conflict, testing the limits of their humanity and their willingness to do whatever it took to stay alive.