Chapter 113
Hearing this, Chloe couldn’t help but look at Steven with a newfund respect.
25%
55 vouchers
With that kind of poise and presence, it was obvious Steven was omeone who’d been carefully groomed for greatness.
It wasn’t that Chloe was being stingy or anything. After what happened with the refugees, Peyton clearly disapproved of her actions, especially the killing.
The way he looked at them had grown much colder and more distant, making Chloe uncomfortable.
Suddenly, Liana blurted out, “Steven? Is that you?”
Steven turned, and his eyes lit up with excitement.
He said, “Liana, it’s so good to see you’re still alive. Where’s your husband?” He glanced around but didn’t see the person he was hoping for.
Liana lowered her head, sadness written all over her face.
She said, “When we were escaping, my husband… he stayed behind so I could run. The zombies…”
Her voice caught, thick with emotion.
Steven was also at a loss for words, feeling the weight of grief himself. At that moment, he really didn’t know how to comfort Liana.
Honestly, he was even worse off than she was.
Liana glanced at Chloe a bit awkwardly and introduced, “This is Steven, the head of the Institute. He’s basically the pillar of the whole place.”
Just hearing that, Chloe’s eyes lit up as she’d just spotted a treasure. She swallowed hard, barely able to contain her excitement.
She had to fight the urge to rush over and drag Steven to her side right then and there.
Steven was a big deal in her previous life.
As the head of the Institute, he led a team of researchers who developed all sorts of new tech for the apocalypse, including the human–evolution serum.
Steven also developed those air cannons and all the cutting–edge weapons powered by zombie cores instead of oil.
His presence alone made sure humanity could survive the apocalypse, keeping hope alive when things were at their bleakest,
Chloe couldn’t help but feel a surge of respect for Steven.
She said, “Oh, it’s you, Mr. Johnson. Please, sit down. Don’t wear ourself out. I just made some meat, have some!”
She shot up from her seat and rushed over, reaching out to help Steven over to her table.
She was practically fawning over him.
She gave Frank, who was standing there clueless, a swift kick to the side, then wiped down the table with exaggerated care.
“Come on, come on, this spot’s empty. Have a seat here,” Chloeid, her voice full of enthusiasm.
1/4
17:11 Wed, Dec 31 G DD
Chapter 113
The group was stunned.
The soldiers just stared, completely at a loss for words.
Chloe’s sudden change in attitude really caught everyone off guard.
3.25%
65 vouchers
Even the mutant cheetah, who was busy chowing down, paused and looked up at Chloe, its eyes full of confusion, as if thinking, “What’s her deal now?”
Steven was totally confused, almost being forced into a seat at the table. Before he could even blink, his empty plate was filled to the brim.
Steven swallowed hard. His manners kept him from losing his cool, but he still couldn’t help licking his lips.
Mr. Johnson, don’t be shy. Our crew’s super chill. You’ll see for yourself once you hang out with us,” Chloe said, grinning from ear to ear.
The dozen or so soldiers were left speechless, jaws practically on the floor. They thought, ‘Is she seriously trying to poach Steven right in front of us?‘
They were about to say they could take care of Steven themselves, but when they saw Chloe handing Steven a chicken leg, they just swallowed their words.
Honestly, it was like Steven hadn’t had a decent meal the whole time he’d been with their group.
Liana, sitting nearby, kept loading up Steven’s plate with food. She said, “Steven, relax and enjoy your meal. These kids are super easygoing and always ready to lend a hand.”
When she brought up how helpful they were, Steven couldn’t help but twitch at that.
He grumbled inwardly, ‘Just like they weren’t the ones who did the killing earlier.‘
Steven really appreciated Liana’s kindness, but when he glanced back at the group of soldiers behind him, he hesitated, not sure how to even start the conversation.
Finally, Steven said, “Liana, these soldiers behind me are all good kids. They’ve been through a lot just to keep an old man like me safe, and we lost a lot of good people along the way.”
Just as Steven was struggling for words, Chloe waved her hand with a big, casual flourish.
She called out to the soldiers, “Hey, you guys, come grab some food with us! No seats left though, so you’ll have to eat standing up.”
The dozen or so soldiers shot each other with a confused look.
They stared at Peyton, silently asking for guidance.
The looks on their faces seemed to say, “Can we go eat? Is it really okay?
“Wait a second, this feels weird. Are they trying to snatch our professor right under our noses?”
Guess their brains finally started working for once.
Chloe really wanted to steal Steven for her own crew.
But the guy was patriotic to the core, so convincing him to leave wasn’t going to be easy.
At the very least, Chloe had to get on his good side. Who knows, maybe it’d help her hook herself up with some high–tech gear after the apocalypse.
2/4
Chapter 13
Dec
4.25%A
65 vouchers
In the end, the soldiers just couldn’t take the hunger anymore at ended up sharing in Steven’s good fortune, finally getting to eat their fill for once.
By the afternoon, everyone was rubbing their round bellies with atisfied grins plastered across their faces.
“Alright, now that we’re all stuffed, it’s time to get moving!” Chlo said with a grin.
Everyone gave Chloe a confused look.
Chloe glanced at Peyton, a sly smile playing on her lips. She said “Let’s make a deal.
Peyton’s instincts screamed danger. Chloe looked innocent enough, like she wouldn’t hurt a fly, and she was drop–dead gorgeous to boot. One smile from her and one’d forget all about keeping one’s guard up.
Peyton couldn’t help but clutch his gun tighter and take a step back, stammering, “W–What are you trying to do?”
“What’s with the running?” Chloe said, rolling her eyes.
She thought, ‘It’s not like I’m some kind of beast or anything!
“W–What are you trying to do? Mr. Johnson is under top–priorit protection from the military. There’s no way we’re letting you take him,” Peyton blurted out, clutching his gun nervously.
Chloe couldn’t help but roll her eyes.
“Don’t worry, I’m not here to steal your professor,” she said, waving him off.
She paused, then flashed a sly grin as she added, “Since we’re all headed to Bluchaven Base anyway, why not join forces and travel together?”
“I’ll take care of all your food and supplies on the road, and I’ll personally make sure Steven stays safe. But here’s the catch: I’m the boss from now on, and every zombie core you get, you hand it over to me.”
Peyton blinked, still trying to process what Chloe said, when one of the younger soldiers suddenly jumped up, unable to
contain his excitement.
“Peyton, what are you waiting for? Just say yes already!” the soldier blurted out, practically urging Peyton on.
Peyton pondered, “There are plenty of powered humans in her crew. Take that one guy who hasn’t said a word the whole time; just his calm, cold stare is enough to send shivers down on’s spine.
“With a team like this, Steven’s safety would be on a whole other level.’
After thinking it over, Peyton finally agreed.
Steven’s safety came first, above everything else. The soldiers wen’t powered humans, and their guns and bullets were running low. Honestly, this was the only way out.
Chloe pulled out several crates of guns and ammo from the base vehicle. Though in reality, she was grabbing them straight from her spiritual space.
She even tossed out a dozen sniper rifles.
“Brace yourselves, a big fight’s about to go down,” Chloe warned her voice turning serious
Then Chloe turned to Phantom Zombie, who was just standing ere like a statue, and said. “Tone down your aura, okay? Don’t freak out my favorite zombie”
Peyton paused, finally noticing the quiet girl who’d been standing off to the side this whole time.
3/4
17:11 Wed, Dec 31
Chapter 113
Looks like she hadn’t eaten anything either.
“Hey, you, I’ve still got two muffins left. You hungry?” Peyton asked, trying to be nice.
Phantom Zombie turned to look at him, expressionless.
ས ཏྲཱི 25%2
55 vouchers
Peyton tried to sound friendly as he said, “Hey, don’t get me wrong. Who knows when the next fight will break out? Better fill up while you can.”
He waved the muffins he’d just hidden right under Phantom Zombie’s nose.
But Phantom Zombie just kept her head down, totally ignoring Him, standing there like she was carved from stone.
Emily snickered. She said, “You might as well keep them for yourself. Trust me, she’s not hungry.”
Mindy dropped a bombshell that nearly made Peyton lose his balance.
“She’s a zombie. She likes eating people and drinking blood. Muffin’s not really her thing,” Mindy said, her tone completely deadpan.
4/4
