The zombie incident quickly spread like wildfire among the residents.
Those who had witnessed the zombie firsthand rushed back to fortify their doors and windows, terrified at the thought of being attacked in their sleep.
Even those who hadn't seen the zombie were buzzing with excitement after hearing from others that Miles had actually rewarded them with a roasted chicken.
A single chicken divided among a hundred people was meager, pitiful even. But in times like these?
Forget about eating meat—just finding a bone to boil into soup was a blessing.
The news led to a flood of friend requests sent to Ryan.
But this time, Ryan didn't accept any of them.
Miles had made his stance clear:
In this world, for someone to eat, someone else must be eaten. That was an eternal truth.
If everyone were allowed to feast, they would grow complacent, lulled into a false sense of security, and lose sight of the harsh reality of survival.
To foster endurance and resilience, it was better to let only a few eat their fill.
Lisa also learned about the zombie incident.
But she had no time to dwell on it. Her mind was preoccupied with planning her escape from Sarah's villa.
She had to act quickly. Once Sarah recovered from his injuries, her fate would be sealed—whether it was death or something worse.
Dangerous as it was, she had no choice. This wasn't just about survival; it was a test from Miles. If she failed, he would undoubtedly lose faith in her.
That night, while Sarah was groggy from changing his bandages, Lisa tiptoed into the kitchen and poured an entire bottle of sleeping pills into their last bucket of clean drinking water.
It was their only source of potable water, ensuring they would fall into her trap.
With her task complete, she stuffed the empty bottle back into her pocket and quietly returned to her room.
The short journey of a few meters felt endless. Her heart pounded so violently it threatened to burst from her chest, her trembling legs barely carrying her forward.
She gritted her teeth, keeping her eyes fixed on the two sleeping henchmen in the living room. Only after safely closing the door behind her did she let out a breath of relief.
She immediately pulled out her phone and messaged Miles:
"It's done."
Miles, who had just drifted off to sleep, was startled awake by the notification.
"You killed them?"
"No, I spiked their water with sleeping pills. Once they drink it, I can escape..."
Still too soft-hearted.
Miles was unaware that Lisa's hesitation wasn't due to mercy but a deep-seated grudge. Sarah's henchmen had killed her grandfather.
She had emptied a dose meant for a hundred people into that bucket. When they drank it, not even a bear could survive.
With her plan in motion, Lisa drifted into a restless sleep, awaiting the morning's results.
The next day, after tending to Sarah's bandages, Lisa didn't immediately retreat to her room. Instead, she approached him with a calculated move.
"Brother Sarah, is there anything to eat? I'm starving…"
"Hah! I thought you were some virtuous maiden."
Sarah let out a disdainful laugh, pulling two rock-hard steamed buns from a cabinet and tossing them at her.
"Boil them with water in the kitchen. Make sure to cook them long enough so they're filling."
Lisa's mind raced—how to ensure they drank the water? But luck seemed to be on her side.
Without hesitation, she headed to the kitchen, setting the spiked water over the fire. Before long, a pot of steaming bun soup was ready.
It wasn't much—just a mouthful of warmth. But in these desperate times, even that was a luxury most couldn't afford.
Sure enough, after consuming the soup, Sarah and his men fell into a deep slumber.
Lisa cautiously approached Sarah, testing his reaction. When she confirmed he wouldn't wake, she retrieved the keys, opened the door, and bolted into the cold night.
She ran non-stop until she reached Miles's door, pounding on it with all her strength.
The noise startled the zombie, Ella, tied in the courtyard. She stirred, releasing a guttural growl that sent shivers down Lisa's spine.
Lisa froze momentarily, staring at the undead woman.
So, this is a zombie.
She noticed Ella's lack of body heat, her vacant, lifeless gaze. Yet, as a top-tier medical scholar, Lisa couldn't shake the feeling that there was something strange about her.
But now wasn't the time to ponder such mysteries.
Lisa glanced around nervously, then redoubled her pounding on the door.
Miles's villa was a beacon in this chaotic world. If the commotion attracted attention, she would lose her chance to seek refuge.
She had already observed enough to know that Miles was pragmatic, calculating to a fault. If sheltering her posed even the slightest risk, he wouldn't hesitate to turn her away.
Luckily, Miles was an early riser. Hearing the racket, he activated the villa's security camera to investigate.
Seeing Lisa, he smirked and spoke through the intercom:
"Take off your clothes before coming in."
"What?"
Lisa stared at the camera, stunned.
"You heard me. I don't repeat myself."
His voice was calm, yet it carried an undeniable weight. He turned as if to leave.
"Fine! I'll strip!"
Without hesitation, Lisa began removing her coat.
The biting cold stung her exposed skin, and she shivered violently.
"If you don't want to freeze to death, I suggest you hurry," Miles said coolly. "They'll be back soon. If you'd prefer an audience, by all means, take your time."
Panic set in. Lisa shed her layers quickly until she was down to her undergarments.
"Good. Come in."
The secure door clicked open, leaving just a crack.
Lisa pushed it open with trembling hands, darting inside. The moment she crossed the threshold, a wave of warmth enveloped her, so intense it nearly brought tears to her eyes.
She collapsed onto the soft, plush carpet, her frostbitten body basking in the luxurious heat.
For a fleeting moment, it felt like she had entered heaven itself.
In the subzero wasteland outside, Miles's villa was a haven of comfort and warmth, a stark contrast to the harsh, unforgiving world.
As the warmth seeped into her, Lisa's limbs began to loosen, and the chill receded from her face, replaced by a flush of color.
She hadn't fully recovered when a shadow fell over her.
Looking up, she saw Miles's face—handsome, calm, and adorned with a smile that was both welcoming and unnerving.