A frantic wave of deductions ensued.
The lackey, suddenly inspired, shivered as a realization struck him like lightning. "I've got it! It must be Miles! This is definitely his doing!"
"What did you say?" Anthony froze, his face paling.
The lackey trembled, his voice a mixture of fear and certainty. "Boss, think about it—who else in Cloud Heights has the means or the guts for this? Anyone capable of something like this would've been dealt with by him long ago!"
If there was anyone Anthony feared in this frozen, apocalyptic world, it was undoubtedly Miles.
In these end times, wealth and status were worthless—power was the ultimate currency. And within Cloud Heights, Miles reigned supreme, holding everyone's survival in the palm of his hand.
Many regarded him as a deity.
True, Miles rarely acted aggressively. Yet those who crossed him had all met their demise.
Anthony's mind raced as he connected the dots: Andrew, Tyler, Sini, Sarah… all were either directly or indirectly eliminated by Miles.
A cold sweat trickled down Anthony's back as the full scope of Miles' authority dawned on him.
If Miles had truly taken an interest in Nicole, Anthony had unwittingly walked straight into the lion's den.
Regret consumed him. Had he known Nicole had ties to Miles, he wouldn't have dared touch her—not even in his wildest dreams.
But Miles had given no warning!
"This is entrapment!" Anthony muttered bitterly, pacing in frustration. His situation felt akin to a cat toying with a doomed mouse.
Finally, he resolved to act. With gritted teeth, Anthony approached Nicole's bed.
"Don't come any closer!"
Nicole recoiled, clutching the blanket tightly, her body trembling.
Anthony surprised her by bowing deeply, his tone uncharacteristically contrite.
"Ms. Nicole, I owe you a profound apology. I've gravely wronged you today. Please, punish me however you see fit—I won't resist."
Nicole blinked, her expression one of bewilderment.
Anthony straightened slightly, continuing, "I beg you to intercede with Miles on my behalf. I swear, I didn't know you were his… person. This was all a misunderstanding."
His person?
The implication dawned on Nicole, her confusion giving way to clarity.
Miles' name was not unfamiliar to her. In Cloud Heights, he was a name every survivor knew—feared by the living, remembered by the dead.
Miles had orchestrated the survival of countless residents, first subjugating the community and now reigning as its undisputed ruler.
Was it truly Miles who had saved her?
Nicole whispered his name in her mind, her heart stirring.
Every woman dreams of being saved by a hero. Celebrities, for all their glamour, are no exception.
Though heroes often lived only in stories—or rested in graves—Miles had shattered her preconceived notions.
The sniper's precise shot had demolished not only Anthony's confidence but also Nicole's prejudice against Miles.
Where she once viewed him as a manipulative opportunist, she now saw a protector.
"Ms. Nicole?"
Anthony's voice pulled her back to reality.
He remained bowed, awaiting her verdict.
"You're not afraid of me," Nicole finally spoke, her tone icy. "You're afraid of my boyfriend, aren't you?"
Her boyfriend?
Anthony's heart sank further. So they really are together!
He bent even lower, his voice dripping with regret.
"If I'd known you were Mr. Miles' girlfriend, I wouldn't have dared—please believe me."
Nicole's eyes narrowed, her tone mocking. "What, do you need a formal notice when we're together?"
"No, no!" Anthony shook his head vehemently, his voice tinged with panic. "It's just… you didn't say…"
Before he could finish, Nicole cut him off. "I didn't say anything because I feared you'd use me to threaten Miles!"
Anthony froze, the implication dawning on him.
For a fleeting moment, the idea of leveraging Nicole crossed his mind. But her sharp glare dispelled any such notions.
"You wouldn't dare try, would you?" Nicole's voice was a challenge, daring him to act.
"I wouldn't—I swear I wouldn't!" Anthony stammered, his voice barely audible.
He knew better than to push his luck. The sniper's crosshairs could still be locked onto his head.
Nicole's cold demeanor didn't waver. "This time, I'll let it go. But you'll keep today's events to yourself, and you'll never mention my connection to Miles. Understand?"
Anthony nodded profusely. "Yes, yes. Of course. From now on, you're like a mother to me. I wouldn't dare step out of line again!"
Nicole dismissed him with a wave. "Good. Clean up this mess and get out. If I hear anything more about this…"
Anthony didn't wait for her to finish. He quickly tidied the room, gathered his lackeys, and retreated as swiftly as possible.
As the door locked behind them, Nicole exhaled deeply, finally allowing herself to relax.
That was close.
Her mind lingered on the man who had saved her. Why had Miles intervened?
Nicole touched her flawless face, a faint smile gracing her lips.
Perhaps… heroes weren't just in stories after all.