"He told me to get lost?"
Zeki could hardly believe her ears. She'd assumed that Miles's recent indifference was due to his confidence, knowing the apocalypse was coming and feeling untouchable. She'd resolved to use her charms, maybe even let him have his way if necessary—after all, men only wanted one thing, didn't they?
But never did she imagine Miles would turn into a modern-day ascetic.
Well, if he didn't appreciate her efforts, she certainly wasn't about to show him any kindness in return.
Her voice turned icy as she sneered, "Miles, don't think I don't know that you stocked up two million dollars' worth of supplies at your place weeks ago."
"Oh…"
Zeki had expected a flicker of worry from him. Surely, in times like these, the smallest slip could make him a target. She could only imagine how those starving residents would react if they knew there was a wealthy hoarder right in their midst.
Zeki didn't believe for a second that Miles was unaware of this simple logic.
With a smug grin, she pressed on, "Right now, I'm the only one who knows your secret. Give me half your supplies, and I'll keep this between us. I'll even move in with you."
Though her current rental was decent, it paled next to the sanctuary Miles had created.
After all, if he shared his supplies, they'd still be safe enough under his roof. She was a single woman, after all—how could she defend it alone in times like these?
All in all, she had to secure a place at Miles's side.
But before her thoughts could fully take shape, Miles's reply came cold and cutting: "I don't care. Get lost. And if you keep this up, I'll make you wish you had."
"Ugh!"
Zeki's long-hidden fury erupted as she spat into the phone, "Miles, so that's how it is, huh?"
"Oh, so you're dropping the act now?" Miles's cold laughter echoed down the line. "For a supposed pure-hearted beauty, you really lack finesse. Go home and practice."
"You… you bastard!"
She seethed, "Fine, let's see how you handle it when I tell everyone what you've been hiding."
"Go ahead," Miles sneered before hanging up, snuffing out any final hope she had.
Zeki immediately set to work. In the residents' group chat, she typed, "Are you all talking about Miles?"
The men in the chat perked up at the sight of a beautiful woman's profile picture.
"Yes!"
"Do you know this guy, Miles?"
"So, he actually lives in our complex?"
No one knew exactly why they were so excited. After all, at minus thirty degrees, no amount of enthusiasm could thaw that icy wind outside.
Zeki smirked and sent another message, "Yes, I know him. He lives in Villa 104 in Section D, but…"
"But what?"
"Tell us, don't leave us hanging!"
"Looks like we're not doomed after all—this guy's right here in Cloud Heights!"
The group chat buzzed with activity.
When Zeki saw that tensions were high enough, she finally added, "I already reached out to Miles and begged him to share some supplies with everyone. We'd even pay him, but he flat-out refused. He said our lives were none of his concern."
"What?!"
Hearing Zeki's soft, hurt voice, several of the men went berserk.
"Who does this punk think he is? Just a guy in a Section D villa! I'm heading over right now to teach him a lesson!"
The one speaking owned a villa in Section A, one of the priciest areas.
Most of Cloud Heights' residents were wealthy and influential, some even CEOs of public companies.
Where there's one supporter, there are bound to be others.
"Let's go. I'd like to see the guy with the guts to talk like that."
"Yeah, we'll see how tough he is!"
Zeki sighed dramatically, typing, "He was a friend… I'd never have exposed him if I weren't desperate. But I just couldn't sit by and let him hoard supplies while we suffer."
The greatest hunters often use the most subtle tricks.
A few residents had initially been skeptical of Zeki's actions, thinking her too self-serving for outing a friend.
But her words silenced them.
In a disaster, who could uphold their moral standards?
Anyone would betray Miles in these conditions.
One person even tried to comfort her: "It's not your fault, Zeki. It's that Miles who's to blame. We're all neighbors, and he has so much. What's wrong with sharing?"
"Yes, this isn't on you. Without your help, we wouldn't even know that we had a stockpile right next door."
"You're a good person, Zeki. It's Miles who's selfish."
"Exactly. When we get those supplies, you'll be the first to share in them."
At least some humanity still lingered in these people.
It wasn't long before a group of men, armed with makeshift weapons, gathered outside Villa 104 in Section D.
Bundled up in layers, they cursed the cold as they made their way to Miles's door.
It was only a few minutes' walk, but the brutal weather stretched it to nearly half an hour.
It was freezing.
Not only that, but the wind was so fierce it forced them to hunch against it.
The leader of the group banged his stick against the front door.
"Miles! Get out here; we need to talk."
"Come on out, Miles!"
But there was no reply.
Either the wind drowned out their shouts, or Miles was asleep in his warm bed.
Inside the storage room, Ryan was awakened by the noise and immediately sensed trouble.
He quickly dialed Miles's number.
"Mmm… Ryan, what's wrong?"
Miles was, in fact, sleeping, and he was not fond of being woken up.
Ryan spoke urgently, "Miles, there are a bunch of strangers banging on the door."
That caught Miles's attention. He laughed, "Don't worry about them. Let them knock."
"They're about to jump the fence!"
Miles got up, took a sip of water, and headed to the bathroom to splash his face.
"It's fine. Let them try."
"They've gotten inside," Ryan said, worry clear in his voice. "They're demanding you come out!"
One of the intruders had already spotted Ryan.
"Are you Miles?"
"Who I am doesn't matter. This is private property; get out!"
Ryan yelled, reaching for the door to confront them.
From a second-floor window, Miles's voice rang out, "Ryan, don't bother. Let them break things. If they manage to get in, I'll eat my words."
Ryan recalled what Miles had told him earlier.
This house, built at the cost of over ten million, was a fortress.