Sarah remained indifferent to Lisa's curses, convinced that she simply hadn't come to terms with reality. Give it a few days, he thought, and once hunger took hold, she would come to him willingly. By then, she wouldn't care if he was her grandfather or her master.
Under Sarah's threats, Lisa had no choice but to feign compliance. She eyed him warily. "Just remember your promise. Once you're healed, I'm leaving. And if you try anything, I won't hesitate to fight back."
"Relax. I don't force myself on women." Although he had long coveted Lisa, Sarah knew well enough that threatening a doctor who held his life in her hands would be foolish.
Time was on his side, he mused with a sly smile. Hunger would soon enough make her come crawling to him.
Just then, one of his lackeys returned in a hurry. "Bad news, Sarah. The men in our team turned on each other over food—several are dead, and Sini has taken control of the rest."
"Ha, as if she's doing them a favor?" Sarah sneered. He had long since given up his role in the corpse-hunting brigade. His feud with Miles was beyond mending; even if he groveled, Miles would never forgive him.
"But what do we do now, boss?" his lackey continued anxiously. "There are only three of us left. Everyone else has banded together with Sini's crew. It'll be hard to get food going forward."
Sarah's gaze darkened. "Then we need to get rid of Miles. As long as he holds all the supplies, we'll never truly be safe."
"But his place is built like a fortress. There's no way in," the lackey replied.
"We don't need to go in," Sarah said coldly, "we just need to get him out."
Moments later, Lisa returned to change his bandages.
"Doctor, you must be starving," Sarah said, feigning concern. He offered her a half-empty carton of milk. Lisa eyed it, repulsed.
"It's simple," Sarah began, unfazed by her suspicion. "I have a plan, and if it succeeds, you'll never want for anything again."
"What plan?" Lisa's expression was as icy as her voice.
"I need you to go to Miles. Sweet-talk him, lure him out—however you like—and when he's off guard, we'll strike. Everything he has, including that impenetrable fortress of his, will be ours."
Lisa stared at him, half-amused, half-disgusted. "Miles isn't stupid enough to fall for that."
"Oh, he'll fall for it." Sarah's gaze lingered on her appraisingly. "If he's given you all these medical supplies, he clearly sees your value. Besides," he added with a crude grin, "you have quite the… assets. A man like him will be easy prey."
Lisa knew her looks could be persuasive, but the thought of betraying Miles turned her stomach. Sarah's hunger was plain in his gaze; she had no illusions about what her fate would be if she sided with him. In her heart, she trusted Miles far more than the man before her.
"Lisa," Sarah continued in a dangerously soft voice, "your grandfather is waiting at home for you, isn't he?"
It was an unmistakable threat. She knew her refusal would mean her grandfather's life. Just as she hesitated, her gaze fell on Sarah's returning lackey. His jacket bore faint smears of blood, and his pockets bulged with the crinkling sound of a bread wrapper.
No…
A shudder ran through her. She held back the tears, her voice strained as she replied, "Then make sure this plan of yours is flawless. After all, my future is in your hands now."
Sarah, feeling triumphant, relaxed. He believed he'd broken her will, that her quiet resolve was a sign of submission. "Of course, Doctor," he said smoothly. "With me, you'll always have food, and I'll even take care of your grandfather."
The word "care" held a chilling emphasis. He had no idea that his small victory was built on deceit—that his careless henchman had betrayed him.
When Lisa reached the bathroom, she immediately dialed her grandfather's number, but there was only silence on the other end. A tear slipped down her cheek as she bit her lip, refusing to make a sound. Then, she texted Miles.
Miles read her message without surprise. In fact, he'd expected it. A woman like Lisa, sent to "treat" a man like Sarah in a world as brutal as this—what else could have happened?
"Miles, if you help me kill Sarah, I'll be yours… completely." Lisa's text was tinged with desperation. "I'll be your servant."
Miles chuckled at her words, replying, "Don't get all tragic on me. You're not the only one willing to be my servant right now. And remember—this isn't me forcing you."
His words, cold and devoid of sympathy, brought her back to the grim reality. He wanted her to understand that it was her pleading with him, that she had no leverage in this negotiation.
The truth stung, but it was undeniable. Her beauty was an advantage, yes, but in this world, a beautiful woman on the verge of starvation was hardly a rarity. If he wanted, Miles could have an army of willing followers.
Lisa stared at his message, feeling the last of her illusions fall away. What he'd said was true—she had no leverage. And for now, she had no choice but to accept it.