It wasn't until the apocalypse arrived that Miles truly grasped a fundamental truth:
Human beings are the most insatiable creatures on this planet.
Thus, if Alexande wanted the resources in his possession, he would have to offer something of equal value. Even if the trade wasn't perfectly balanced, Miles was willing to make concessions—within reason.
This was his bottom line.
After all, Alexande was a powerful figure.
But Miles had clearly overestimated himself.
Alexande's voice was cold and detached, carrying a weight of authority:
"No one has ever dared demand compensation from me. If you willingly hand over those supplies, I can ensure that the authorities won't discover your involvement."
In his mind, granting Miles such protection was already an extraordinary act of grace.
A bitter laugh escaped Miles's lips as his expression darkened.
"So, you're trying to get something for nothing, huh?"
The promise of avoiding official detection was nothing more than a thinly veiled excuse. If Miles acquiesced now, he would be inviting endless extortion in the future.
"Do you understand the power of the authorities?" Alexande sneered. "I've heard you fortified your villa with the help of Huihuang Jianye. But no matter how strong your fortress is, can it withstand a missile strike?"
The answer was obvious—no.
This was Alexande's trump card, the reason for his brazen confidence. Miles couldn't afford to openly oppose the authorities. Not yet.
But Miles despised threats even more than he feared danger.
He scoffed. "Leaving aside what you mean by 'the authorities,' even if they have missiles, they can't just launch one on a whim."
The world was in chaos. Energy resources were frozen and inaccessible, leaving even the so-called authorities fractured and weakened.
With centralized control shattered, power was divided among local factions, each operating independently.
"And another thing," Miles continued, his tone icy. "Even if they do have missiles, do they have the fuel to launch them?"
Missiles were devastating weapons, but their deployment demanded immense energy.
Without definitive proof that Miles had those trillion-dollar supplies, no official leader would dare invest such massive resources into an attack.
"So, you're refusing me?" Alexande's tone grew colder.
"As I said, you want resources, you pay the price. But if you think you can get them for free, dream on."
Without waiting for a response, Miles hung up.
Lisa, who had overheard parts of the conversation, looked at him with concern.
"Who was that?"
"Alexande."
"The Alexande from Rocket Corporation?" Lisa's eyes widened in shock. "Did negotiations break down? In times like these, we shouldn't be making enemies, especially not ones like him."
"You think I wanted this?" Miles snapped. "That bastard wants to treat me like livestock—feed me scraps while he bleeds me dry. Should I just hand him my neck on a silver platter?"
Lisa sighed, knowing it was futile to argue. "If only my younger sister were here. At least she could help ensure we weren't being watched."
A wave of shame washed over her as she thought about everything she had done in the villa—intimate moments she now feared might have been witnessed.
Meanwhile, in a skyscraper in downtown Chicago, Alexande sat on a leather sofa.
Despite the large heating unit above him, the vast office remained bone-chillingly cold.
Before him was a massive server and a state-of-the-art computer, its faint glow illuminating the room.
One month earlier, Alexande had come to Chicago for an internet summit organized by the government. He had hoped to use the trip as a chance to unwind and enjoy the city's charm.
But the apocalypse had struck the very next day, leaving him stranded in the company's local branch.
Thankfully, as a tech giant, Rocket Corporation had robust backup energy reserves. For one man, these supplies could last two months.
But what then?
While the government had assured him that rescue was forthcoming, the frozen wasteland outside suggested otherwise. With leaders struggling to protect themselves, he doubted they would waste precious resources on his rescue.
It was during his desperate attempts to contact the outside world that he stumbled upon Miles.
By continuously broadcasting signals and scouring for any remaining network activity within Chicago, Alexande had discovered faint traces of connectivity near Miles's villa.
The presence of such a signal hinted at a well-equipped, resourceful faction. Alexande had been quick to dig deeper, uncovering Miles's name and background.
The findings were astonishing.
Miles's recent activities, combined with records of the Southern Logistics District heist, led Alexande to a startling conclusion: Miles was an extraordinary individual—possibly even an enhanced one.
Alexande had expected his sudden appearance to throw Miles off balance.
Instead, Miles had been infuriatingly unyielding.
"Let's see how long your arrogance lasts," Alexande muttered, his lips curling into a menacing smile. "You haven't yet experienced the power of the digital realm."
His fingers danced across the keyboard, inputting a series of commands.
Moments later, a crystal-clear surveillance feed appeared on his monitor.
The camera displayed Miles's villa in perfect detail. Every movement, every shadow was visible—including a particular scene on the screen that caused Alexande's eyes to narrow.
There, in vivid clarity, was a passionate moment between Miles and Lisa, their bare bodies entwined.
Alexande's breath hitched as he stared at Lisa's flawless form, her figure captivating.
It had been so long since he had been in the company of a woman. The isolation of the apocalypse had eroded his restraint, leaving him vulnerable to temptation.
His gaze darkened, greed and lust flickering in his eyes.