The audacious theft of a logistics hub worth billions left the world astounded.
Then the apocalypse struck. Humanity's numbers dwindled, and resources—food, energy—were consumed at an alarming rate.
And now, everything was clear.
It had to be Miles. He must have foreseen the end of the world and meticulously prepared for it.
How he managed to empty the South Logistics Depot without anyone noticing was still a mystery. But if it could be proven that the supplies were in his possession, chaos would engulf all of America.
Ryan, shaken by the implications, found a quiet spot and reported the matter to Miles.
"Hand her the radio," Miles instructed calmly, his tone devoid of any hint of panic.
Sini, emboldened by her leverage, took the radio with a confident smirk.
"To empty out the entire South Logistics Depot—Miles, you really do have an unparalleled flair for extravagance."
"State your terms," Miles said, his voice cold and measured.
"In business, there's always a share for the discoverer," Sini purred. "I'll take 30% of your supplies. Surely that's not too much to ask?"
A soft chuckle escaped Miles.
"Thirty percent? Aren't you afraid of choking on your greed?"
"Come now, Miles," she retorted sweetly. "In times like these, who would ever think they had too many resources?"
Sini leaned closer to the radio, her voice dripping with faux sincerity.
"Agree to my terms, and I'll keep this little secret to myself. From now on, we'll be in the same boat."
To Miles, 30% wasn't much. With enough supplies to last lifetimes, surrendering a portion wouldn't disrupt his comfort in the slightest.
But he despised being coerced.
His tone turned icy.
"Let's assume I do have what you claim. If I give it to you, what stops you from holding this over me forever?"
"Miles, please—"
"Enough." Miles cut her off. "Get lost, you fool."
Sini's confidence wavered, and she quickly resorted to threats.
"Aren't you afraid I'll expose this to the government? They'll reduce your precious fortress to ashes with a single missile!"
Miles's villa was impenetrable to civilians, but against military might, it was vulnerable.
"Do as you like."
With that, Miles disconnected.
The smug smile froze on Sini's face.
Ryan, who had been standing by, took the radio from her hand, sneering.
"I told you Miles wouldn't bargain with you."
Sini's gaze turned venomous as she watched Ryan walk away.
If you won't let me live, then no one will.
She turned to leave, but Ryan's commanding voice rang out.
"Everyone, listen up! Whoever catches that woman gets a whole roast lamb as a reward!"
What?! Roast lamb?
The promise of lamb, far more luxurious than chicken, sent a ripple of excitement through the crowd.
Before Sini could react, the gathered homeowners surged toward her like a tidal wave.
With a startled cry, Sini turned and ran.
But she didn't get far before she was caught, her resistance futile against the horde.
Ryan approached her, gripping her jaw with a cruel smile.
"You should've known better than to cross Miles. Now look at you—pathetic."
Sini's eyes widened in fear as Ryan's words plunged her into despair.
But she refused to give up. Summoning her remaining strength, she shouted to the crowd:
"Friends! Miles has stockpiles of supplies—enough to last lifetimes! Don't you want a share?"
Even at the brink of death, Sini's cunning mind sought to sow discord.
Ryan, prepared for this, sneered.
"You think your little ploys will fool anyone?"
He turned to the homeowners.
"Do you all know why zombies suddenly became more frequent in the neighborhood these past days? It's because of her! She's been deliberately infecting people!"
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
Suddenly, the suspicions they had harbored made sense. Zombies, once rare, had started appearing in waves. Now they knew why.
The crowd's gaze turned murderous.
Sini, realizing the gravity of her actions, thrashed against her captors.
"You can't kill me! If you do, Miles's secret—"
Her sentence was cut short as Ryan delivered a swift, brutal kick to her face, silencing her for good.
"Well, what are you waiting for?" he said to the crowd, his voice laced with disdain.
"Kill her, and the lamb is yours."
A frenzy erupted as the homeowners descended upon Sini.
Within minutes, she was reduced to an unrecognizable heap of flesh and blood.
Ryan, pale and nauseous, turned away, gagging.
But as he looked at the crowd, their faces cold and unmoved, he realized that humanity had been stripped down to its rawest, ugliest instinct: survival.
Back in the villa, Miles leaned against the wall, his face dark with anger.
"Threaten me? You got off easy."
Lisa emerged from the kitchen, wiping her hands on an apron.
"I've heard of Sini. She used to run that big beauty company. I was even a member once."
"Well," Miles quipped, "you can kiss your membership goodbye."
Lisa chuckled softly, but her smile faded.
"She had powerful connections with government officials. If she leaked anything before—"
"Let her try," Miles interrupted, his tone indifferent.
"Even if she did, who would believe her?"
Miles wandered back into the kitchen, tasting a spoonful of beef stew.
"This beef's tougher than a boot sole," he remarked casually.
Lisa pouted playfully.
"I never claimed to be a chef."
"Guess I'll have to find you a cookbook. At this rate, my retirement's doomed."
Did he just say "retirement"?
Lisa's mind raced, conjuring fantasies of a future with him.
Before her thoughts could spiral, Miles continued.
"The logistics raid isn't common knowledge. And even if the rumor spreads, I doubt it'll gain traction."
Lisa nodded.
"After all, no one would believe you could clear out an entire depot overnight—unless there's another like you out there."
"And if there were, do you think they'd reveal themselves so easily?"
"But this remains a risk," she insisted. "Too many people know. Eventually, the truth might slip out, especially if more gifted individuals emerge."