Love in the Lines

After I caught my husband Clark having an affair with his secretary in the office, I filed for divorce. Unexpectedly, the only condition he proposed was to sleep with him... ** "Nyla, are you sure you want me to draft a divorce agreement?" Valarie's voice crackled through the phone, hesitant and worried. "Think about it. Once you sign this, you and Clark will have nothing to do with each other anymore." Nyla stared at the amber liquid in her glass. The whiskey burned her throat, but nothing could burn away the images from last night. Her fingers tightened around the phone. "Yes," she said finally. "I'm leaving him." "Why?" Valarie's confusion bled through the speaker. "Clark's been so good to you. He loves you so much..." Nyla almost laughed. Love. What a joke. She pressed her lips together, fighting back the bitter taste rising in her throat. After hanging up, Nyla looked out the window. The massive LED screen on the skyscraper across the street was still playing that press conference. Clark stood there in his perfect suit, holding up that ridiculous jewelry piece. Using the world's finest diamonds and gemstones, he had created a one-of-a-kind piece for his wife. It was named "Love Nyla." He named it after Nyla, declaring to the world his eternal love for her. Upon its release, "Love Nyla" instantly ignited social media discussion, remaining a hot topic. The world was buzzing about their enviable love. Outside, the LED screens continued to replay the video, but Nyla chuckled self-deprecatingly. "Love me?" she muttered to herself. "Love me enough to sleep with another woman on our anniversary night?" Last night was their third wedding anniversary. Clark had said he wanted to surprise her and asked her to wait for him at home. Nyla wore Clark's favorite white dress, lit candles, and prepared his favorite dinner, waiting eagerly until late at night. She had waited. And waited. Midnight came and went. At one in the morning, her phone suddenly buzzed with a Facebook friend request. A strange profile picture with the note "A surprise for you." Nyla was about to reject the message outright, but then the person sent another message: [Are you still awake? Is it because your husband isn't with you?] Nyla's alarm bells went off. How did this person know Clark wasn't home? She didn't accept the friend request, but the messages kept coming: [Stop pretending, I know you're reading this.] [Your husband is with me now.] [I was scared of thunder, so he worried about me and came to keep me company.] [What a good man, but it's a shame he's not good for you alone.] Each message stabbed Nyla like a knife in the heart. Her hands trembled. Her mind told her it might be a prank, but deep down, a voice frantically questioned it. The last message completely broke her defenses: [If you don't believe me, I'll send you the address. The door lock code is your wedding anniversary.] Nyla couldn't sit still any longer. With trembling fingers, she accepted the friend request. The other party immediately sent an address and a password: 0823. It was indeed their anniversary. Nyla rushed out of the house like a madman and drove to the address. It was an upscale apartment. She stood in front of the door, her finger hovering over the combination lock, her heart pounding. She entered 0823, and the lock clicked and the door opened. A men's suit jacket lay scattered in the hallway. She recognized it as the three-year anniversary gift she had given Clark, which Clark had worn when he left that morning. A pair of black lace paanties lay on the sofa in the living room, and a wine glass with a woman's lipstick stain on it lay on the coffee table. From the hallway to the bedroom, men's and women's clothing was scattered everywhere. The most striking thing was a red lace nightgown, torn to shreds, lying by the bedroom door. Nyla's legs were so weak she could barely stand, but she still trembled as she pushed open the half-open bedroom door. On the bed, Clark, na-ked, embraced another woman. The woman knelt on the bed, her head buried between Clark's legs, licking Clark's pen.is. Clark's eyes were closed, his face a look of enjoyment, m0-aning, "Yes, that's it, great..." The woman asked proudly, "Am I better, or is Nyla better?" Clark replied, "You think you can compare with Nyla?" Then he spun the woman around, grabbed her h1ps from behind, and thrust wildly. The woman's m0-ans mingled with Clark's heavy gasps. The scene completely devastated Nyla. Eight years had passed, from their innocent college romance to their current marriage. Everyone had envied their love, saying they were a match made in hea-ven. But now, it all seemed so absurd. She covered her mouth, resisting the urge to vomit, and fled the nauseating place. She drove to a bar downtown and sat alone in a corner, drinking furiously. The sharp taste of the whiskey stung her throat, but it couldn't numb the pain in her heart. When Valarie received her call and rushed to the bar, Nyla was already completely drunk. "Nyla!" Valarie's voice cut through her memories as she slid into the booth across from her, face etched with worry. "Why are you so drunk? What happened? Did Clark make you mad?" Drunk Nyla looked at her with red eyes. "Val, I don't want to hear that name right now." Nyla took another swig of the whiskey in front of her, leaving a bitter taste in her mouth. "Val, I saw him hooking up with that woman right in front of me. It's definitely not a misunderstanding." Valarie saw her friend's pained expression and held her hand with a heartache. "Nyla, maybe you two can talk it out..." "There's nothing to talk about," Nyla interrupted decisively. "Divorce. Every time I think about him hooking up with that woman, I feel sick." Chapter 2 Nyla returned home and sat on the living room sofa, staring at her phone. The number she had just dialed glowed on the screen. After calming down from her anger and pain, she had to face reality. A divorce required financial independence. Clark was covering all of her father's monthly medical expenses. The bills reached a staggering $100,000 each month. She simply couldn't afford it. Her fingers trembled as she scrolled through her contacts. She stopped at a familiar name. Professor Anderson. Her former research supervisor from graduate school. "Professor Anderson? This is Nyla. Nyla Jayston." She tried to sound calm, but her voice cracked slightly. A surprised voice came from the other end. "Nyla! Oh my god, are you okay? I haven't been in touch since you got married three years ago." Nyla bit her lip hard. The metallic taste of blood filled her mouth. "Professor, I want to return to research. I know this sounds sudden, but I need a job." "Of course!" Professor Anderson agreed without hesitation. "You're one of the best students I've ever taught. Your thesis on molecular biology was groundbreaking. I can contact you right now with a company that's looking for a senior researcher position. The salary is excellent." "Thank you," Nyla whispered. Relief flooded through her chest. "I really appreciate this." "Don't mention it. You have incredible talent. It's a shame you left research when you got married. When can you start?" "As soon as possible." After hanging up, Nyla felt a small spark of hope. She could do this. She could leave Clark and rebuild her life. She walked into their bedroom and began packing. Her hands moved mechanically, folding clothes and placing them in a suitcase. Hanging in the closet were the matching pajamas they'd bought on their honeymoon in Paris. On the dresser sat a small angel figurine they'd brought back from Italy. On the wall were photos of them at the beach, laughing and kissing under the sunset. Each item silently spoke of past sweetness. Yet now they stabbed her heart like knives. How had she been so blind? How had she missed the signs? She opened the dresser drawer to retrieve some personal belongings. Her wedding ring caught the light, mocking her. Then she saw it. The marriage certificate. With trembling hands, Nyla picked it up. She flipped to the first page, revealing two young, radiant faces. Her own smile was so bright it hurt to look at. Clark's eyes shone with pure joy. It was August 23rd, three years ago. To become the first couple to receive their marriage certificate that day, they had woken up at four in the morning to queue at the registry office. Clark had been as excited as a child. He spoke nervously throughout the entire ride. "Nyla, we're really getting married," he had said, bouncing in the passenger seat. "I feel like I'm eighteen again. Like the first time I saw you in Professor Wilson's chemistry class." When the staff handed them the marriage certificate, Clark's hands had trembled violently. He took it carefully, as if it were made of glass. Tears welled in his eyes. "Nyla, we're finally husband and wife," he had whispered, his voice breaking with emotion. "I swear I'll love and protect you for the rest of my life. You're everything to me." Nyla had believed every word. She had thought they were soulmates. Forever. But now... She stared at her beaming smile in the photo. Before she could shed a tear, she heard the familiar sound of a car engine downstairs. Her heart stopped. The garage door rumbled open. Footsteps on the stairs. "Honey, I'm back!" Clark's voice echoed from downstairs, cheerful and casual. Panic seized Nyla's chest. She hurriedly shoved the marriage certificate back into the drawer. She wiped her eyes frantically and tried to appear normal. The bedroom door was still open. She couldn't let him see the suitcase. Footsteps approached down the hallway. Clark pushed the door open, his face lighting up when he saw her. Without warning, he wrapped his arms around her from behind. His embrace had once been her safest haven. Now Nyla felt only nausea rising in her throat. She could smell an unfamiliar scent on his skin. Sweet vanilla shower gel. He had obviously showered somewhere else before coming home. "Did you miss me?" Clark whispered softly in her ear. His voice carried a lazy satisfaction, like a cat who'd just finished a meal. Nyla's muscles tensed. She resisted the urge to shove him away. Her body felt rigid as stone. "Where have you been?" "I'm sorry, babe." Clark's lie rolled off his tongue effortlessly. "I was so busy at work yesterday that I fell asleep at the office. I completely missed our anniversary." He pulled an exquisite jewelry box from his jacket pocket. "But look what I got you to make up for it." He opened the box with a flourish. Inside lay an exquisite diamond necklace. The stones caught the bedroom light, throwing rainbow patterns on the walls. "It's beautiful, isn't it?" Clark's eyes sparkled with pride. "Turn around so I can put it on you." Nyla mechanically turned around. She felt like a puppet with cut strings. Clark's fingers traced her neck as he fastened the clasp. The cold metal pressed against her skin. The diamonds felt heavy. Suffocating. "Perfect," Clark stepped back to admire his handiwork. His satisfaction was obvious. "Tomorrow night is Grandpa's birthday party. The entire Summer family will be there. With this necklace, you'll definitely be the most beautiful woman in the room." "Do I need to go?" Nyla asked. Her voice sounded hollow even to her own ears. She just wanted to escape. To get away from everything connected to the Summer family. "Of course you need to go. You're my wife." Clark looked at her with what seemed like genuine affection. He leaned in to kiss her, but Nyla quickly pushed him away. "You should shower first," she said, turning her face away. Clark nodded, seemingly unbothered. "Good idea. I've been working all day." He grabbed some clothes and headed to the bathroom. The shower turned on. Steam began seeping under the door. Nyla's phone suddenly buzzed with a notification. She glanced at the screen. A Facebook message. Her blood turned to ice. On the screen was a photo. A woman wearing a necklace identical to the one around Nyla's neck. Hickeys and scratches covered the woman's pale skin. The photo was cropped to show only her slender neck and the curve of her breasts. Below the image was a message that made Nyla's world crumble: [Does the necklace look good? I picked it out especially for you. I wore it when we faking last night. Clark said it looked beautiful on me.] Chapter 3 Nyla felt a surge of nausea wash over her. She quickly removed the necklace from her neck. Without hesitation, she tossed it into the bedroom trash can. The diamonds clinked against the metal bin. She rushed into the guest bathroom and turned on the shower. The scalding water burned her skin, but she didn't care. She grabbed the shower gel and frantically scrubbed her neck and body. She needed to remove every trace of Clark. Every memory of his touch. Her skin turned red from the harsh scrubbing, but she still felt dirty. The thought of that necklace clinging to another woman's neck made her sick. She imagined it swaying as that woman moved beneath Clark. The mental image made her stomach lurch. The bathroom door suddenly opened. Clark stood in the doorway, his eyes fixed on Nyla through the glass shower door. His gaze traveled over her wet hair, down her shoulders, following the water droplets that traced her curves. Clark's breathing became heavy. His eyes burned with lust. "Nyla, you're so beautiful," he said, his voice thick with desire. Nyla heard his voice and immediately wrapped herself in a towel. She stepped out of the shower, but the thought that he might have looked at that other woman the same way made her nauseous. "Don't come near me." Nyla took several steps back, but Clark was already approaching. "Baby, what's wrong?" Clark reached out to touch her cheek, but Nyla quickly dodged his hand. Clark didn't give up. Instead, he pulled her into his arms. His hands began wandering over her body, caressing her back through the towel. Then they moved lower. "Nyla, I want you," he whispered in her ear. His breath was hot against her skin. Nyla's body went rigid. She tried to pull away, but Clark was much stronger. His hand moved to her breast, his thumb brushing over the sensitive skin. His other hand slid down toward her inner th1gh. "Let's have a baby, okay?" Clark's voice was filled with longing. "We could have a beautiful child. A little girl with your eyes." Nyla felt ice water flood her veins. She thought of the photo that woman had sent. The same hands that were touching her now had been all over another woman's body just hours ago. Anger and disgust exploded inside her chest. "Get away from me!" Nyla pushed Clark with all her strength. "Clark, I'm tired! I don't want to do this right now!" Clark stumbled backward, startled by her sudden fury. He stared at Nyla's face, confusion clouding his features. "Honey, I'm sorry." His voice immediately filled with guilt. "I shouldn't have pushed you. I just want you so badly. I love you so much." He paused, searching her face. "If you don't want a child right now, we can wait." Watching Clark's apologetic expression, Nyla felt a mixture of emotions churning in her stomach. This man had been gentle and caring toward her for three years. She couldn't reconcile this version of him with the man who had been with another woman last night. But the facts were undeniable. Those photos. Those messages. The necklace in the trash can. That night, Nyla lay awake staring at the ceiling. Clark's breathing was even beside her. The painful images replayed in her mind over and over. She didn't sleep until dawn. The next morning, Nyla woke with dark circles under her eyes. Her reflection in the mirror looked hollow and tired. "Honey, are you feeling okay?" Clark asked with concern. "You look exhausted. Maybe you should rest today." Nyla shook her head. "I'm fine. We need to get ready for your grandfather's birthday party." As they drove through the gates of the Summer family estate, a black car suddenly roared past them. It stopped directly in front of the main entrance. The license plate read "DAMON-1." Clark's hands tightened on the steering wheel. His face darkened instantly. "Uncle Damon," he muttered under his breath. Damon Summer was Clark's uncle, Richard's youngest son. Despite being only six years older than Clark, Damon had always intimidated his nephew. He had refused to join the family business, starting his own company instead. That company was now worth five times more than Summer Group. Damon was known for being brilliant, ruthless, and vindictive. Last year, he had overheard Clark making disparaging comments about him at a business dinner. As punishment, Damon had refused a potential partnership that would have brought Summer Group hundreds of millions in revenue. Clark parked behind the car. As Nyla stepped out of the car, her high heel caught in the gravel driveway. She wobbled, about to fall backward. Suddenly, a pair of strong hands caught her waist, steadying her against a solid chest. Nyla looked up into a pair of deep, dark eyes. The man was tall and imposing, probably around twenty-nine. His features were sharp and perfectly sculpted. High cheekbones, a straight nose, a strong jawline. He wore a tailored dark gray suit that emphasized his broad shoulders and lean build. This was Damon Summer. "Careful," Damon said. His voice was deep and magnetic, with a hint of genuine concern. For a moment, Nyla found herself caught in his gaze. Clark appeared beside them, his face flushed with jealousy. He roughly grabbed Nyla's hand and pulled her away from Damon. "Thank you, Uncle," Clark said tersely. His voice was tight with barely controlled anger. He dragged Nyla toward the manor entrance. After they'd walked a few steps, he leaned close to her ear. "Nyla, you know I don't like you getting too close to other men," he whispered harshly. "Not even my uncle." Nyla almost laughed at the irony. Here was Clark, who had been with another woman just last night, acting possessive about her talking to his uncle. "So you'd rather have your wife fall flat on her face in front of the Summer family estate?" she replied coldly. Clark immediately backed down. "Honey, that's not what I meant. I just don't want people to get the wrong idea." Nyla ignored him and continued walking toward the entrance. The Summer family manor was impressive, with its grand foyer and crystal chandeliers. But Nyla felt no joy at being here. In the living room, Clark's grandmother Marie immediately called out with a beaming smile. "Nyla, Clark, you're here! Come sit down!" Nyla took a deep breath and forced a polite smile. Whatever her feelings about Clark, she still respected his grandparents. Richard had always treated her kindly. "Hello, Grandpa. Hello, Grandma," she greeted them warmly. Marie's eyes lit up as she watched Clark and Nyla approach. She had been trying to convince Damon to settle down for years. "Come, sit here next to me," Marie patted the sofa beside her. As they settled in, Damon entered the living room. Marie's expression immediately shifted to disapproval. "Look at Clark," she said pointedly to Damon. "He's got his company running smoothly, and his wife is absolutely beautiful. They might be giving us a great-grandchild soon." Her voice grew stern. "And you? You're almost thirty and still single. If you don't bring a girlfriend to the next family gathering, don't bother coming at all!" Damon's gaze flicked to Clark, then settled on Nyla. His lips curved into a half-smile. "Yes," he said quietly. "Really beautiful." Chapter 4 Marie's headache intensified at Damon's nonchalant attitude. She shook her head and turned her attention to Clark and Nyla. "You've been married for three years now. When are you planning on having kids? I'm looking forward to having great-grandchildren." The moment this topic came up, the atmosphere in the living room suddenly became tense. Nyla's fingers gripped her teacup so tightly her knuckles turned white. This was her most sensitive topic, the one that pierced her heart every time it was mentioned. Clark's aunt Anne immediately seized the opportunity. She leaned forward with a sneer. "Nyla, you and Clark have been married for three years. What will it look like if you don't have a child? What will others think of our Summer family?" She paused, malice glinting in her eyes. "And if Clark hadn't insisted on marrying you, do you think you could have married into our Summer family with your background? Don't be so ungrateful. You don't want to have children for Clark, but there are plenty of women out there who would." Anne spoke with mock concern, but her gaze was filled with contempt. She had always looked down on this niece-in-law. Talking about children made Nyla's chest tighten with pain. Of course she wanted a child. She had given up her promising career in scientific research to be a good wife. But she couldn't conceive. She had secretly visited doctors who said nothing was wrong with her body. Perhaps it was stress. But the Summer family often mocked her, calling her barren and useless. Just as Nyla was drowning in humiliation, Clark suddenly took her hand. He smiled at his grandmother. "Grandma, we're trying! There's no rushing these things. We have to let nature take its course." Then he turned to Anne, his voice stern. "Anne, watch your words. Nyla is my wife, and I won't tolerate anyone speaking to her like that." Anne's face flushed red at being publicly rebuked. "I'm doing this for your own good. You've been married for so long without any progress..." "That's enough," Clark interrupted sharply. "You don't need to worry about Nyla and me. And I want to make it clear that I'm honored to have Nyla as my wife. She didn't marry up." Nyla felt a confusing mix of emotions as she listened to Clark's defense. The love they had shared over the years was genuine. Clark's protection of her had always felt real. He consistently stood between her and his family's criticism. But at the same time, his betrayal was also real. Those photos, that necklace in the trash can, the woman's taunting messages. All of it reminded her that this man had deceived her completely. Anne was clearly unwilling to let this go. She continued with false sweetness. "I'm just telling the truth. No pre-gnancy in three years? Maybe there's something wrong with her body. With all the medical advances these days, she should get checked out. There are treatments for these things." "Anne!" Clark's voice turned dangerously cold. "I'm warning you for the last time. Whether or when we have children is between Nyla and me. It's not your business to interfere." In the past, Nyla would have been grateful for Clark's protection. She would have seen it as proof of his love. But today, hearing these words felt hollow. She knew that the moment Clark cheated, everything changed. No amount of public defense could erase what he had done in private. Midway through the banquet, Clark's phone suddenly rang. "Sorry, everyone," Clark said with an apologetic smile. "There's an emergency at work. I need to handle this right away." He turned to Nyla, his expression softening. "Honey, can you have Grandma's driver take you home? I'll be back as soon as I can." Marie waved dismissively. "Clark, go ahead. Don't worry about Nyla." Clark kissed Nyla's forehead quickly. "I'll make this up to you, I promise." As soon as Clark's car disappeared down the driveway, Marie's polite mask slipped completely. She looked at Nyla with open displeasure. "Well, now that Clark's gone," Marie said coolly, "I suppose you'll be wanting to leave too." The temperature in the room seemed to drop. "Nyla's not some delicate flower," Anne chimed in with renewed confidence. "She can find her own way home, can't she?" Nyla felt her cheeks burn with embarrassment. She had been dismissed like a servant. Without Clark's protection, she meant nothing to these people. "I think that's my cue to leave," Nyla said. She stood up. "Thank you for your hospitality." The butler, following Marie's subtle nod, escorted Nyla only to the manor gate. He immediately turned back toward the house, leaving her standing alone on the roadside. That's when the rain started. Fat droplets fell from the dark sky, quickly soaking through Nyla's silk dress. She pulled out her phone to call a taxi, but the app showed no available drivers in this remote area. The Summer estate was far from the city center. The rain intensified rapidly. Within minutes, Nyla was completely drenched. Her carefully styled hair hung in wet strands around her face. Her dress clung uncomfortably to her skin. Just when she thought things couldn't get worse, headlights cut through the darkness. A black car slowed to a stop beside her. The window rolled down, revealing Damon's sharp features. Chapter 5 As Damon prepared to leave the manor, he glanced out the car window. Through the rain, he could see Nyla huddled against the stone wall near the gate. Her dress was completely soaked, clinging to her body and outlining her curves. Her long hair hung in wet strands around her face, making her look fragile and abandoned. Damon understood immediately what had happened. He knew Marie and Anne's personalities well. They would never be kind enough to arrange transportation for the niece-in-law they had always disliked. He turned to his assistant Spencer, who was sitting in the passenger seat. "Get out and hold an umbrella for her." Spencer immediately grabbed the black umbrella from the floor and stepped out into the rain. He walked quickly toward Nyla while Damon rolled down his window. "Get in," Damon said to Nyla. His voice was characteristically cold and commanding. "I'll take you home." Nyla looked up, startled to see it was Damon. She instinctively took a step back, shaking her head. "Uncle Damon, it's okay. The rain will stop soon. I can wait." She remembered Clark's warnings about how dangerous Damon could be. Clark had specifically told her to keep her distance from his uncle. She didn't want to cause herself any more trouble, especially not tonight. Damon's brow furrowed when he saw Nyla clearly trying to avoid him. His tone grew deeper and more commanding. "Get in the car. Don't make me repeat myself." His natural dominance was overwhelming. The way he spoke made it nearly impossible to refuse. Nyla felt her resolve weakening under his intense gaze. Before she could refuse again, Spencer appeared beside her with the umbrella. He gently took her damp clutch from her trembling hands. "Ms. Nyla, please get in the car," Spencer said kindly. "This rain will continue for at least another hour. It's very windy out here, and you're not dressed warmly enough. You'll catch pneumonia." Spencer's tone was gentle and concerned. Nyla glanced up at the dark storm clouds, then down at her completely soaked dress. Water was still dripping from her hair. She was starting to shiver uncontrollably. Finally, biting her lip, she opened the car door and slid inside. The interior of the car was warm and luxurious. Soft leather seats and the faint scent of expensive cologne filled the space. Nyla immediately felt the temperature difference. Damon glanced at her wet dress, which was now clinging even more tightly to her body. The fabric had become almost transparent. He could see the outline of her undergarments. His throat tightened involuntarily. Without a word, he took off his dark gray suit jacket and tossed it to her. "Thank you," Nyla murmured, quickly pulling the jacket around her shoulders. It was still warm from his body heat and smelled like his cologne. The scent was surprisingly comforting. "I'll have it cleaned and return it to you." "Just throw it away," Damon replied coldly. His tone carried casual arrogance, as if the expensive jacket meant nothing to him. The car pulled away from the manor and drove smoothly through the rainy night. Silence settled between them. Nyla huddled in the corner of the backseat, not daring to look at the powerful man beside her. She could feel an oppressive aura radiating from him. It made her unconsciously nervous. She stole a glance at his profile. His jaw was sharp and perfectly defined. His dark hair was styled impeccably despite the rain. Everything about him screamed wealth and power. He was nothing like Clark, who was gentle and approachable. Damon seemed dangerous. Twenty minutes later, the car stopped in front of Nyla's house. She quickly gathered herself and reached for the door handle. "Thank you so much for the ride," she said hurriedly, leaving his jacket on the seat. "I really appreciate it." Damon watched her disappear inside the house. The faint scent of jasmine perfume still lingered in the car where she had been sitting. He found himself breathing it in deeply. His body reacted involuntarily to her proximity. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "She's your nephew's wife," he warned himself silently. "Control yourself." As soon as Nyla entered her house, she felt a wave of dizziness wash over her. Her body began to feel hot despite her wet clothes. Her head felt heavy and confused. Before she could even change out of her soaked dress, everything went black. She collapsed in the living room. When Nyla woke up, she found herself lying in a hospital bed. The room smelled strongly of disinfectant, but the bedside table was covered with familiar treats. Strawberry shortcake, colorful macarons, handmade chocolates, and a large bouquet of pink roses. "Ma'am, you're finally awake!" A nurse appeared beside her bed, looking relieved. "You've had a high fever for over twenty-four hours. Mr. Summer was so worried. He stayed by your bedside the entire time. He only left an hour ago because of an emergency call." The nurse checked Nyla's temperature with a digital thermometer. "Do you want me to call him? He'll be so happy to know you're conscious." Looking at the familiar arrangement of gifts, Nyla felt her heart soften despite everything. She had always been prone to illness and had a terrible fear of injections and medication. Whenever she was sick, Clark would do exactly this. He would buy all her favorite treats and flowers, hoping to cheer her up and speed her recovery. It had become their tradition over the years. These sweet memories made her chest ache with confusion. How could the man who cheated on her be the same person who spent the night worried beside her hospital bed? "Where is he now?" Nyla asked, pushing herself up in bed. "I want to find him myself." The nurse smiled. "He's somewhere in the hospital taking care of business." She left her room and walked down the sterile hospital corridor. As she rounded the corner, she stopped dead in her tracks. There was Clark, coming out of the obstetrics and gynecology department. But he wasn't alone. A woman walked beside him, her hand resting protectively on her belly. Chapter 6 Clark gently helped the young woman out of the obstetrics clinic. Both of them were smiling, their faces glowing with happiness. Nyla immediately recognized her. This was the woman from the photos in those anonymous messages. Just then, the woman spotted Nyla standing frozen in the hallway. Her eyes lit up with surprise and something that looked like malicious delight. "Oh wow, isn't that Mrs. Summer?" she exclaimed loudly. "What a coincidence running into you at the hospital!" At the sound of her voice, Clark looked up. His eyes met Nyla's across the corridor. His entire body went rigid. He quickly dropped his hand from the woman's arm, panic flooding his features. "Nyla!" Clark hurried toward her, his voice high with nervousness. "Why are you here? You should be resting in your room!" He reached her side, speaking rapidly. "I was just downstairs getting your medicine when I accidentally bumped into Jordyn here. She's my new secretary, and she's pre-gnant. I was worried she might fall, so I helped steady her." His explanation tumbled out in a rush. Sweat beaded on his forehead despite the air conditioning. Nyla's gaze moved to the woman's slightly swollen belly. She felt her breathing become shallow and labored. But she forced herself to remain outwardly calm. "Miss Jordyn," Nyla said slowly, "when did you get pre-gnant? Where's the father? Shouldn't he be here with you for such an important appointment?" Jordyn caressed her belly with obvious pride. A sweet, satisfied smile spread across her face. "I just found out I'm two months along. The father couldn't be here because he's so busy with work, but he was absolutely thrilled when I told him." She practically glowed as she spoke. "He said he wants to give me and the baby the best life possible. He's already bought me a beautiful apartment downtown and promised to make everything official after the baby arrives." Every word felt like a knife twisting in Nyla's chest. Jordyn continued, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "Mrs. Summer, you're so lucky to have such a wonderful husband. But I think my boyfriend is just as amazing. He tells me I've become even more beautiful since getting pre-gnant. He can barely stand to leave my side." She paused, tilting her head with feigned innocence. "Mrs. Summer, do you have time? I'm free today. Would you like to have dinner together? I could invite the baby's father to join us." The challenge in her eyes was unmistakable. Clark's expression darkened. He shot Jordyn a warning look. "My wife doesn't have time. Miss Jordyn, I'm sure your boyfriend is waiting for you. Don't keep him worried." His voice carried clear dismissal and irritation. Then he wrapped his arm around Nyla's shoulders, his touch gentle and concerned. "Honey, you're still recovering. You shouldn't be walking around the hospital. Let me take you back to your room." He spoke in the same caring tone. "She's just a secretary. Don't worry about her." Jordyn's face crumpled at the cold dismissal in Clark's voice. Her eyes filled with tears, making her look young and vulnerable. "You're right. I got too excited. I'm not worthy of having dinner with Mrs. Summer." She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, looking genuinely hurt. "I should go. My boyfriend will be wondering where I am." With that, she turned and walked away, her shoulders shaking slightly. Clark's expression flickered. For a moment, he looked like he wanted to follow her. But when he noticed Nyla watching him carefully, he stayed put. He turned back to Nyla and patted her head affectionately. "Be good, okay? I have some urgent things to handle at the company. I'll have James drive you home. Get some rest, and I'll be back tonight to check on you." His voice was warm and loving, the same tone he had used for three years of marriage. As soon as Nyla returned to her hospital room, her phone buzzed with a new message. It was from Jordyn. The first image was a pre-gnancy test showing two clear pink lines. Then came a series of messages that made Nyla's hands shake: [Nyla, I know you figured it out today. The baby is Clark's. Don't think he loves you as much as you believe. If he truly loves you, then what am I doing in his life?] [Do you know how obsessed he is with me? Every year on your birthday and your anniversary, after he puts you to sleep, he comes to spend the night with me. He's so passionate with me, so wild. We go through boxes of c0n-doms, and I can barely walk the next day.] [We've faking in his car, his office, even in your bedroom when you were away. He's done things with me that I bet he's never done with you. Has he ever been truly passionate with you, Nyla? Or does he save all his fire for me?] Reading these brutal messages, Nyla felt something break inside her chest. Her hands trembled as she set down the phone. She took deep, measured breaths, trying to suppress the storm of emotions threatening to overwhelm her. That evening, Clark returned with an elegant white box. Inside was a strawberry mousse cake from the city's most expensive French pastry shop. It had once been Nyla's absolute favorite dessert. "Baby, I brought your favorite cake," Clark said carefully, watching her face for a reaction. "The doctor said you're still weak and need to eat more sweets to build up your energy." He opened the box with a flourish, revealing the delicate pink confection. In the past, Nyla would have clapped her hands with delight at seeing this cake. She used to say it was almost too beautiful to eat. But now, looking at it made her stomach turn. She picked up the small silver fork and took a mechanical bite. The overly sweet flavor sat in her mouth like paste. She couldn't swallow it. Without a word, Nyla stood up and threw the entire cake box into the trash can. The beautiful dessert landed with a dull thud. Clark stared at her in shock. "Nyla, what's wrong with you? " Chapter 7 Nyla turned to face Clark, her eyes completely devoid of their usual warmth. "It doesn't taste the same anymore." Her voice was eerily calm, but it sent a chill through Clark's entire body. He rushed to her side and pulled her into his arms. "Baby, maybe this bakery changed their recipe," he said. "I'll call them tomorrow and find out. No matter how much it costs, I'll make sure they get the taste exactly right again." Nyla's body remained rigid in his embrace. "Things change, Clark. Once they change, you can't go back." Her voice was still calm, but each word felt like an icicle piercing Clark's heart. He sensed she wasn't just talking about the cake anymore. She was talking about them. Clark felt panic rising in his chest. That was when his phone rang. The ringtone cut through the tension. Clark glanced at the caller ID and his face went pale. Nyla caught the shift in his expression, and her disappointment deepened. "I... I need to take this call," Clark stammered. "There's an emergency at work." Nyla turned away from him completely. "Go ahead. Work is important." Clark stood frozen for several seconds, torn between answering the phone and staying with his wife. Finally, he made his choice and headed for the door. As he stepped into the hallway, Nyla could hear his voice through the thin walls: "Jordyn, what's wrong? Are you feeling sick? I'll be right there..." His voice faded as he moved further away, leaving Nyla alone in their living room. The silence felt suffocating. Nyla stared at the white walls, feeling like they were closing in on her. Twenty minutes after Clark left, Nyla's phone buzzed with an incoming call. She didn't recognize the number, but she answered anyway. "Mrs. Summer, I hope I'm not interrupting," came Jordyn's sweet voice. "I'm not feeling well, so I borrowed Clark from you tonight. He came without hesitation when I called. He said nothing was more important than making sure I was okay." Nyla's grip tightened on the phone, but she said nothing. Jordyn continued with obvious satisfaction. "You know what Clark told me today? He said I'm younger and prettier than you. He said I can give him something you never could - a child. He mentioned that you haven't been able to conceive in three years. He's worried there might be something wrong with your body." "Oh, and that strawberry mousse cake you threw away today?" Jordyn's voice turned mocking. "Clark buys me that same cake all the time. He says sweet treats are perfect for sweet girls. Don't you think it tastes sweet, Mrs. Summer?" The call ended with Jordyn's cruel laughter. Nyla sat in the darkness, feeling something fundamental shift inside her. The pain was so intense it took her breath away. Then slowly, mercifully, numbness began to set in. From that day forward, Nyla began quietly packing her belongings. She folded her clothes carefully and placed them in suitcases. She packed her books, her makeup, her jewelry. Each item felt heavy with memories she no longer wanted to keep. Clark became even busier during this time. He came home later and later, sometimes not at all. When he did return, he was distant and distracted. Meanwhile, Jordyn's messages never stopped. Photos of her growing belly, pictures of expensive gifts, taunting words designed to twist the knife deeper. Nyla's best friend Valarie came over to help with the divorce paperwork. "Given that Clark committed adultery and got another woman pre-gnant, you could definitely ask for substantial compensation," Valarie said seriously. "Plus, you gave up your career for this marriage. That's worth a lot in court." Valarie spread the legal documents across the coffee table. "You sacrificed your research position at the university. You could have been earning six figures by now." But before proceeding with anything official, Nyla felt she should tell her father. She drove to the hospital where he was still recovering from his recent surgery. Her father looked better than he had in weeks. His color was returning, and he was sitting up reading the newspaper. "Dad," Nyla began carefully, "if... hypothetically... if I wanted to get divorced, what would you think?" Her father set down his newspaper and studied his daughter's face intently. "Nyla, is something wrong between you and Clark?" Nyla forced herself to maintain eye contact. "I'm just curious. If that day ever came..." "Absolutely not!" Her father's voice rose sharply. "Nyla, do you understand what the Summer family has done for us? When my factory had that terrible accident, they provided the money that saved us from bankruptcy. They've been paying my medical bills for three years. Without them, we would have lost everything." Her father's face was flushed with emotion. "Clark has been nothing but good to you. How could you even think such thoughts? Has someone been filling your head with ideas?" Nyla realized she couldn't continue this conversation. Her father had no idea about Clark's betrayal. She couldn't bear to put her sick father through that kind of shock and disappointment. She was about to change the subject when her father's phone chimed with a text message. He glanced at the screen and his face went completely white. The message was from Jordyn. It contained a photo of her and Clark kissing passionately in what looked like a hotel room. Below the image was a message that read: "Thought you should know - I'm pre-gnant with your son-in-law Clark's baby." Chapter 8 Harrison suddenly developed a violent coughing fit. His body convulsed as he struggled to breathe. His face turned an alarming shade of blue, and his hands clawed at his chest. The phone slipped from his trembling fingers and clattered to the floor. Nyla saw the message on the fallen phone and immediately understood what had triggered his condition. Rage flooded through her veins, but her father's health took priority over confronting Jordyn. She frantically pressed the call button for the nurses. "Help! I need a doctor now!" she shouted into the hallway. A team of medical staff rushed into the room. They immediately began checking her father's vital signs while Nyla stood helplessly in the corner, watching his condition deteriorate before her eyes. The lead doctor emerged from the examination looking grave. He pulled off his mask and shook his head slowly. "Mr. Jayston's condition has suddenly worsened," he said wearily. "His kid ney failure has progressed rapidly. We need to transfer him to the ICU immediately for intensive monitoring and treatment." Nyla felt her legs go weak. "How serious is this?" "It's critical," the doctor replied bluntly. "But I'm afraid we have a problem. Our ICU is completely full. Every bed is occupied, and there's a waiting list. All the hospitals in the city are experiencing the same shortage of resources." "Wait?" Nyla could barely comprehend what she was hearing. "Doctor, my father can't wait. Look at him!" Her father was still struggling to breathe normally. His skin had a grayish pallor that terrified her. "I understand your concern, Mrs. Summer, but we're doing everything we can," the doctor said helplessly. "All we can do right now is stabilize his condition with medication and hope a bed opens up soon." Desperation clawed at Nyla's chest. She thought immediately of Clark. As the heir to Summer Group, he had connections throughout the medical community. He could pull strings and get her father the care he needed. With shaking hands, she dialed Clark's number. After several rings, someone picked up. But it wasn't Clark's voice that greeted her. "Hello, who's calling?" came Jordyn's sickeningly sweet voice. Nyla's blood turned to ice. "This is Nyla. I need to speak to Clark immediately. It's an emergency." "Oh, Mrs. Summer!" Jordyn's voice was dripping with false concern. "Clark is in the shower right now. He's been taking such good care of me all day that he's completely exhausted. Poor thing needs to rest." Nyla bit back her fury and forced herself to stay focused. "This is about my father. He's dying and needs an ICU bed. Please put Clark on the phone right now." "Oh my, what terrible timing," Jordyn said with obvious fake sympathy. "I wasn't feeling well this afternoon either. Just some pre-gnancy nausea and dizziness, you know how it is. But Clark was so worried about me and the baby that he immediately called in the best medical team in the city. They're all on standby right now, just in case something happens to us." Nyla's hands were shaking so violently she could barely hold the phone. Her father was dying, and her husband was playing house with his pre-gnant mistress. "Can you please just-" Nyla began, but Jordyn cut her off. "Oh, I hear the shower turning off. Clark will be so tired after everything we've been through today. I should probably let him rest. You understand, don't you?" The line went dead. Nyla stood in the hospital hallway, feeling like the world was collapsing around her. She closed her eyes and tried to think of alternatives. Then suddenly, an image flashed through her mind - a figure handing her a coat in the rain. Damon's cold but decisive voice echoing in the car. Without allowing herself to second-guess the decision, she dialed his number. "Mr. Damon, this is Nyla," she said when he answered. "I'm sorry to bother you, but my father is critically ill. He needs an ICU bed urgently, but the hospital says they don't have any available. I know this is a lot to ask..." "Send me the hospital address," Damon's voice cut through her rambling. It was sharp and authoritative. "I'll handle it. Ten minutes." The line went dead, but his words carried more reassurance than Clark's empty promises ever had. Exactly ten minutes later, the hospital director personally arrived at her father's ward. Behind him came a full medical team, including specialists Nyla recognized from medical journals. They moved with efficient precision. "Mr. Jayston will be transferred to our premium ICU immediately," the director told Nyla respectfully. "We're bringing in the city's leading kid-ney specialists for consultation. He'll receive the absolute best care available." Within an hour, her father was settled in a private ICU room with round-the-clock monitoring. That evening, after her father's condition had finally stabilized, Nyla returned to the house she had shared with Clark. She sat in their living room, surrounded by three years of memories that now felt like lies. She opened her phone and began forwarding every single message and photo Jordyn had sent her to Clark's email address. The videos of Jordyn showing off expensive jewelry. Photos of their intimate moments in the apartment Clark had bought her. Recordings of Jordyn rubbing her belly and cooing, "Daddy loves us so much. He's going to give us everything." After sending all these, Nyla typed a final message: "Clark, these are from your girlfriend Jordyn. Since you two love each other so much, I'll step aside and let you be together." Then she photographed the divorce papers Valarie had prepared and attached them to another email: "The divorce agreement is ready. Have your lawyer contact Valarie tomorrow to finalize everything." After hitting send, Nyla stood up and began dismantling their life together. She pulled their wedding photos off the walls and threw them directly into the trash. The jewelry Clark had given her, the clothes he had bought, the makeup he had surprised her with - everything went into garbage bags. She called a moving company and worked through the night to clear out her belongings. By dawn, the house looked exactly as it had before she had moved in - empty and cold. Nyla took one final look around the space that had once felt like home. She dragged her suitcase to the door and walked out without looking back.

After I caught my husband Clark having an affair with his secretary in the office, I filed for divorce. Unexpectedly, the only condition he proposed was to sleep with him... ** "Nyla, are you sure you want me to draft a divorce agreement?" Valarie's voice crackled through the phone, hesitant and worried. "Think about it. Once you sign this, you and Clark will have nothing to do with each other anymore." Nyla stared at the amber liquid in her glass. The whiskey burned her throat, but nothing could burn away the images from last night. Her fingers tightened around the phone. "Yes," she said finally. "I'm leaving him." "Why?" Valarie's confusion bled through the speaker. "Clark's been so good to you. He loves you so much..." Nyla almost laughed. Love. What a joke. She pressed her lips together, fighting back the bitter taste rising in her throat. After hanging up, Nyla looked out the window. The massive LED screen on the skyscraper across the street was still playing that press conference. Clark stood there in his perfect suit, holding up that ridiculous jewelry piece. Using the world's finest diamonds and gemstones, he had created a one-of-a-kind piece for his wife. It was named "Love Nyla." He named it after Nyla, declaring to the world his eternal love for her. Upon its release, "Love Nyla" instantly ignited social media discussion, remaining a hot topic. The world was buzzing about their enviable love. Outside, the LED screens continued to replay the video, but Nyla chuckled self-deprecatingly. "Love me?" she muttered to herself. "Love me enough to sleep with another woman on our anniversary night?" Last night was their third wedding anniversary. Clark had said he wanted to surprise her and asked her to wait for him at home. Nyla wore Clark's favorite white dress, lit candles, and prepared his favorite dinner, waiting eagerly until late at night. She had waited. And waited. Midnight came and went. At one in the morning, her phone suddenly buzzed with a Facebook friend request. A strange profile picture with the note "A surprise for you." Nyla was about to reject the message outright, but then the person sent another message: [Are you still awake? Is it because your husband isn't with you?] Nyla's alarm bells went off. How did this person know Clark wasn't home? She didn't accept the friend request, but the messages kept coming: [Stop pretending, I know you're reading this.] [Your husband is with me now.] [I was scared of thunder, so he worried about me and came to keep me company.] [What a good man, but it's a shame he's not good for you alone.] Each message stabbed Nyla like a knife in the heart. Her hands trembled. Her mind told her it might be a prank, but deep down, a voice frantically questioned it. The last message completely broke her defenses: [If you don't believe me, I'll send you the address. The door lock code is your wedding anniversary.] Nyla couldn't sit still any longer. With trembling fingers, she accepted the friend request. The other party immediately sent an address and a password: 0823. It was indeed their anniversary. Nyla rushed out of the house like a madman and drove to the address. It was an upscale apartment. She stood in front of the door, her finger hovering over the combination lock, her heart pounding. She entered 0823, and the lock clicked and the door opened. A men's suit jacket lay scattered in the hallway. She recognized it as the three-year anniversary gift she had given Clark, which Clark had worn when he left that morning. A pair of black lace paanties lay on the sofa in the living room, and a wine glass with a woman's lipstick stain on it lay on the coffee table. From the hallway to the bedroom, men's and women's clothing was scattered everywhere. The most striking thing was a red lace nightgown, torn to shreds, lying by the bedroom door. Nyla's legs were so weak she could barely stand, but she still trembled as she pushed open the half-open bedroom door. On the bed, Clark, na-ked, embraced another woman. The woman knelt on the bed, her head buried between Clark's legs, licking Clark's pen.is. Clark's eyes were closed, his face a look of enjoyment, m0-aning, "Yes, that's it, great..." The woman asked proudly, "Am I better, or is Nyla better?" Clark replied, "You think you can compare with Nyla?" Then he spun the woman around, grabbed her h1ps from behind, and thrust wildly. The woman's m0-ans mingled with Clark's heavy gasps. The scene completely devastated Nyla. Eight years had passed, from their innocent college romance to their current marriage. Everyone had envied their love, saying they were a match made in hea-ven. But now, it all seemed so absurd. She covered her mouth, resisting the urge to vomit, and fled the nauseating place. She drove to a bar downtown and sat alone in a corner, drinking furiously. The sharp taste of the whiskey stung her throat, but it couldn't numb the pain in her heart. When Valarie received her call and rushed to the bar, Nyla was already completely drunk. "Nyla!" Valarie's voice cut through her memories as she slid into the booth across from her, face etched with worry. "Why are you so drunk? What happened? Did Clark make you mad?" Drunk Nyla looked at her with red eyes. "Val, I don't want to hear that name right now." Nyla took another swig of the whiskey in front of her, leaving a bitter taste in her mouth. "Val, I saw him hooking up with that woman right in front of me. It's definitely not a misunderstanding." Valarie saw her friend's pained expression and held her hand with a heartache. "Nyla, maybe you two can talk it out..." "There's nothing to talk about," Nyla interrupted decisively. "Divorce. Every time I think about him hooking up with that woman, I feel sick." Chapter 2 Nyla returned home and sat on the living room sofa, staring at her phone. The number she had just dialed glowed on the screen. After calming down from her anger and pain, she had to face reality. A divorce required financial independence. Clark was covering all of her father's monthly medical expenses. The bills reached a staggering $100,000 each month. She simply couldn't afford it. Her fingers trembled as she scrolled through her contacts. She stopped at a familiar name. Professor Anderson. Her former research supervisor from graduate school. "Professor Anderson? This is Nyla. Nyla Jayston." She tried to sound calm, but her voice cracked slightly. A surprised voice came from the other end. "Nyla! Oh my god, are you okay? I haven't been in touch since you got married three years ago." Nyla bit her lip hard. The metallic taste of blood filled her mouth. "Professor, I want to return to research. I know this sounds sudden, but I need a job." "Of course!" Professor Anderson agreed without hesitation. "You're one of the best students I've ever taught. Your thesis on molecular biology was groundbreaking. I can contact you right now with a company that's looking for a senior researcher position. The salary is excellent." "Thank you," Nyla whispered. Relief flooded through her chest. "I really appreciate this." "Don't mention it. You have incredible talent. It's a shame you left research when you got married. When can you start?" "As soon as possible." After hanging up, Nyla felt a small spark of hope. She could do this. She could leave Clark and rebuild her life. She walked into their bedroom and began packing. Her hands moved mechanically, folding clothes and placing them in a suitcase. Hanging in the closet were the matching pajamas they'd bought on their honeymoon in Paris. On the dresser sat a small angel figurine they'd brought back from Italy. On the wall were photos of them at the beach, laughing and kissing under the sunset. Each item silently spoke of past sweetness. Yet now they stabbed her heart like knives. How had she been so blind? How had she missed the signs? She opened the dresser drawer to retrieve some personal belongings. Her wedding ring caught the light, mocking her. Then she saw it. The marriage certificate. With trembling hands, Nyla picked it up. She flipped to the first page, revealing two young, radiant faces. Her own smile was so bright it hurt to look at. Clark's eyes shone with pure joy. It was August 23rd, three years ago. To become the first couple to receive their marriage certificate that day, they had woken up at four in the morning to queue at the registry office. Clark had been as excited as a child. He spoke nervously throughout the entire ride. "Nyla, we're really getting married," he had said, bouncing in the passenger seat. "I feel like I'm eighteen again. Like the first time I saw you in Professor Wilson's chemistry class." When the staff handed them the marriage certificate, Clark's hands had trembled violently. He took it carefully, as if it were made of glass. Tears welled in his eyes. "Nyla, we're finally husband and wife," he had whispered, his voice breaking with emotion. "I swear I'll love and protect you for the rest of my life. You're everything to me." Nyla had believed every word. She had thought they were soulmates. Forever. But now... She stared at her beaming smile in the photo. Before she could shed a tear, she heard the familiar sound of a car engine downstairs. Her heart stopped. The garage door rumbled open. Footsteps on the stairs. "Honey, I'm back!" Clark's voice echoed from downstairs, cheerful and casual. Panic seized Nyla's chest. She hurriedly shoved the marriage certificate back into the drawer. She wiped her eyes frantically and tried to appear normal. The bedroom door was still open. She couldn't let him see the suitcase. Footsteps approached down the hallway. Clark pushed the door open, his face lighting up when he saw her. Without warning, he wrapped his arms around her from behind. His embrace had once been her safest haven. Now Nyla felt only nausea rising in her throat. She could smell an unfamiliar scent on his skin. Sweet vanilla shower gel. He had obviously showered somewhere else before coming home. "Did you miss me?" Clark whispered softly in her ear. His voice carried a lazy satisfaction, like a cat who'd just finished a meal. Nyla's muscles tensed. She resisted the urge to shove him away. Her body felt rigid as stone. "Where have you been?" "I'm sorry, babe." Clark's lie rolled off his tongue effortlessly. "I was so busy at work yesterday that I fell asleep at the office. I completely missed our anniversary." He pulled an exquisite jewelry box from his jacket pocket. "But look what I got you to make up for it." He opened the box with a flourish. Inside lay an exquisite diamond necklace. The stones caught the bedroom light, throwing rainbow patterns on the walls. "It's beautiful, isn't it?" Clark's eyes sparkled with pride. "Turn around so I can put it on you." Nyla mechanically turned around. She felt like a puppet with cut strings. Clark's fingers traced her neck as he fastened the clasp. The cold metal pressed against her skin. The diamonds felt heavy. Suffocating. "Perfect," Clark stepped back to admire his handiwork. His satisfaction was obvious. "Tomorrow night is Grandpa's birthday party. The entire Summer family will be there. With this necklace, you'll definitely be the most beautiful woman in the room." "Do I need to go?" Nyla asked. Her voice sounded hollow even to her own ears. She just wanted to escape. To get away from everything connected to the Summer family. "Of course you need to go. You're my wife." Clark looked at her with what seemed like genuine affection. He leaned in to kiss her, but Nyla quickly pushed him away. "You should shower first," she said, turning her face away. Clark nodded, seemingly unbothered. "Good idea. I've been working all day." He grabbed some clothes and headed to the bathroom. The shower turned on. Steam began seeping under the door. Nyla's phone suddenly buzzed with a notification. She glanced at the screen. A Facebook message. Her blood turned to ice. On the screen was a photo. A woman wearing a necklace identical to the one around Nyla's neck. Hickeys and scratches covered the woman's pale skin. The photo was cropped to show only her slender neck and the curve of her breasts. Below the image was a message that made Nyla's world crumble: [Does the necklace look good? I picked it out especially for you. I wore it when we faking last night. Clark said it looked beautiful on me.] Chapter 3 Nyla felt a surge of nausea wash over her. She quickly removed the necklace from her neck. Without hesitation, she tossed it into the bedroom trash can. The diamonds clinked against the metal bin. She rushed into the guest bathroom and turned on the shower. The scalding water burned her skin, but she didn't care. She grabbed the shower gel and frantically scrubbed her neck and body. She needed to remove every trace of Clark. Every memory of his touch. Her skin turned red from the harsh scrubbing, but she still felt dirty. The thought of that necklace clinging to another woman's neck made her sick. She imagined it swaying as that woman moved beneath Clark. The mental image made her stomach lurch. The bathroom door suddenly opened. Clark stood in the doorway, his eyes fixed on Nyla through the glass shower door. His gaze traveled over her wet hair, down her shoulders, following the water droplets that traced her curves. Clark's breathing became heavy. His eyes burned with lust. "Nyla, you're so beautiful," he said, his voice thick with desire. Nyla heard his voice and immediately wrapped herself in a towel. She stepped out of the shower, but the thought that he might have looked at that other woman the same way made her nauseous. "Don't come near me." Nyla took several steps back, but Clark was already approaching. "Baby, what's wrong?" Clark reached out to touch her cheek, but Nyla quickly dodged his hand. Clark didn't give up. Instead, he pulled her into his arms. His hands began wandering over her body, caressing her back through the towel. Then they moved lower. "Nyla, I want you," he whispered in her ear. His breath was hot against her skin. Nyla's body went rigid. She tried to pull away, but Clark was much stronger. His hand moved to her breast, his thumb brushing over the sensitive skin. His other hand slid down toward her inner th1gh. "Let's have a baby, okay?" Clark's voice was filled with longing. "We could have a beautiful child. A little girl with your eyes." Nyla felt ice water flood her veins. She thought of the photo that woman had sent. The same hands that were touching her now had been all over another woman's body just hours ago. Anger and disgust exploded inside her chest. "Get away from me!" Nyla pushed Clark with all her strength. "Clark, I'm tired! I don't want to do this right now!" Clark stumbled backward, startled by her sudden fury. He stared at Nyla's face, confusion clouding his features. "Honey, I'm sorry." His voice immediately filled with guilt. "I shouldn't have pushed you. I just want you so badly. I love you so much." He paused, searching her face. "If you don't want a child right now, we can wait." Watching Clark's apologetic expression, Nyla felt a mixture of emotions churning in her stomach. This man had been gentle and caring toward her for three years. She couldn't reconcile this version of him with the man who had been with another woman last night. But the facts were undeniable. Those photos. Those messages. The necklace in the trash can. That night, Nyla lay awake staring at the ceiling. Clark's breathing was even beside her. The painful images replayed in her mind over and over. She didn't sleep until dawn. The next morning, Nyla woke with dark circles under her eyes. Her reflection in the mirror looked hollow and tired. "Honey, are you feeling okay?" Clark asked with concern. "You look exhausted. Maybe you should rest today." Nyla shook her head. "I'm fine. We need to get ready for your grandfather's birthday party." As they drove through the gates of the Summer family estate, a black car suddenly roared past them. It stopped directly in front of the main entrance. The license plate read "DAMON-1." Clark's hands tightened on the steering wheel. His face darkened instantly. "Uncle Damon," he muttered under his breath. Damon Summer was Clark's uncle, Richard's youngest son. Despite being only six years older than Clark, Damon had always intimidated his nephew. He had refused to join the family business, starting his own company instead. That company was now worth five times more than Summer Group. Damon was known for being brilliant, ruthless, and vindictive. Last year, he had overheard Clark making disparaging comments about him at a business dinner. As punishment, Damon had refused a potential partnership that would have brought Summer Group hundreds of millions in revenue. Clark parked behind the car. As Nyla stepped out of the car, her high heel caught in the gravel driveway. She wobbled, about to fall backward. Suddenly, a pair of strong hands caught her waist, steadying her against a solid chest. Nyla looked up into a pair of deep, dark eyes. The man was tall and imposing, probably around twenty-nine. His features were sharp and perfectly sculpted. High cheekbones, a straight nose, a strong jawline. He wore a tailored dark gray suit that emphasized his broad shoulders and lean build. This was Damon Summer. "Careful," Damon said. His voice was deep and magnetic, with a hint of genuine concern. For a moment, Nyla found herself caught in his gaze. Clark appeared beside them, his face flushed with jealousy. He roughly grabbed Nyla's hand and pulled her away from Damon. "Thank you, Uncle," Clark said tersely. His voice was tight with barely controlled anger. He dragged Nyla toward the manor entrance. After they'd walked a few steps, he leaned close to her ear. "Nyla, you know I don't like you getting too close to other men," he whispered harshly. "Not even my uncle." Nyla almost laughed at the irony. Here was Clark, who had been with another woman just last night, acting possessive about her talking to his uncle. "So you'd rather have your wife fall flat on her face in front of the Summer family estate?" she replied coldly. Clark immediately backed down. "Honey, that's not what I meant. I just don't want people to get the wrong idea." Nyla ignored him and continued walking toward the entrance. The Summer family manor was impressive, with its grand foyer and crystal chandeliers. But Nyla felt no joy at being here. In the living room, Clark's grandmother Marie immediately called out with a beaming smile. "Nyla, Clark, you're here! Come sit down!" Nyla took a deep breath and forced a polite smile. Whatever her feelings about Clark, she still respected his grandparents. Richard had always treated her kindly. "Hello, Grandpa. Hello, Grandma," she greeted them warmly. Marie's eyes lit up as she watched Clark and Nyla approach. She had been trying to convince Damon to settle down for years. "Come, sit here next to me," Marie patted the sofa beside her. As they settled in, Damon entered the living room. Marie's expression immediately shifted to disapproval. "Look at Clark," she said pointedly to Damon. "He's got his company running smoothly, and his wife is absolutely beautiful. They might be giving us a great-grandchild soon." Her voice grew stern. "And you? You're almost thirty and still single. If you don't bring a girlfriend to the next family gathering, don't bother coming at all!" Damon's gaze flicked to Clark, then settled on Nyla. His lips curved into a half-smile. "Yes," he said quietly. "Really beautiful." Chapter 4 Marie's headache intensified at Damon's nonchalant attitude. She shook her head and turned her attention to Clark and Nyla. "You've been married for three years now. When are you planning on having kids? I'm looking forward to having great-grandchildren." The moment this topic came up, the atmosphere in the living room suddenly became tense. Nyla's fingers gripped her teacup so tightly her knuckles turned white. This was her most sensitive topic, the one that pierced her heart every time it was mentioned. Clark's aunt Anne immediately seized the opportunity. She leaned forward with a sneer. "Nyla, you and Clark have been married for three years. What will it look like if you don't have a child? What will others think of our Summer family?" She paused, malice glinting in her eyes. "And if Clark hadn't insisted on marrying you, do you think you could have married into our Summer family with your background? Don't be so ungrateful. You don't want to have children for Clark, but there are plenty of women out there who would." Anne spoke with mock concern, but her gaze was filled with contempt. She had always looked down on this niece-in-law. Talking about children made Nyla's chest tighten with pain. Of course she wanted a child. She had given up her promising career in scientific research to be a good wife. But she couldn't conceive. She had secretly visited doctors who said nothing was wrong with her body. Perhaps it was stress. But the Summer family often mocked her, calling her barren and useless. Just as Nyla was drowning in humiliation, Clark suddenly took her hand. He smiled at his grandmother. "Grandma, we're trying! There's no rushing these things. We have to let nature take its course." Then he turned to Anne, his voice stern. "Anne, watch your words. Nyla is my wife, and I won't tolerate anyone speaking to her like that." Anne's face flushed red at being publicly rebuked. "I'm doing this for your own good. You've been married for so long without any progress..." "That's enough," Clark interrupted sharply. "You don't need to worry about Nyla and me. And I want to make it clear that I'm honored to have Nyla as my wife. She didn't marry up." Nyla felt a confusing mix of emotions as she listened to Clark's defense. The love they had shared over the years was genuine. Clark's protection of her had always felt real. He consistently stood between her and his family's criticism. But at the same time, his betrayal was also real. Those photos, that necklace in the trash can, the woman's taunting messages. All of it reminded her that this man had deceived her completely. Anne was clearly unwilling to let this go. She continued with false sweetness. "I'm just telling the truth. No pre-gnancy in three years? Maybe there's something wrong with her body. With all the medical advances these days, she should get checked out. There are treatments for these things." "Anne!" Clark's voice turned dangerously cold. "I'm warning you for the last time. Whether or when we have children is between Nyla and me. It's not your business to interfere." In the past, Nyla would have been grateful for Clark's protection. She would have seen it as proof of his love. But today, hearing these words felt hollow. She knew that the moment Clark cheated, everything changed. No amount of public defense could erase what he had done in private. Midway through the banquet, Clark's phone suddenly rang. "Sorry, everyone," Clark said with an apologetic smile. "There's an emergency at work. I need to handle this right away." He turned to Nyla, his expression softening. "Honey, can you have Grandma's driver take you home? I'll be back as soon as I can." Marie waved dismissively. "Clark, go ahead. Don't worry about Nyla." Clark kissed Nyla's forehead quickly. "I'll make this up to you, I promise." As soon as Clark's car disappeared down the driveway, Marie's polite mask slipped completely. She looked at Nyla with open displeasure. "Well, now that Clark's gone," Marie said coolly, "I suppose you'll be wanting to leave too." The temperature in the room seemed to drop. "Nyla's not some delicate flower," Anne chimed in with renewed confidence. "She can find her own way home, can't she?" Nyla felt her cheeks burn with embarrassment. She had been dismissed like a servant. Without Clark's protection, she meant nothing to these people. "I think that's my cue to leave," Nyla said. She stood up. "Thank you for your hospitality." The butler, following Marie's subtle nod, escorted Nyla only to the manor gate. He immediately turned back toward the house, leaving her standing alone on the roadside. That's when the rain started. Fat droplets fell from the dark sky, quickly soaking through Nyla's silk dress. She pulled out her phone to call a taxi, but the app showed no available drivers in this remote area. The Summer estate was far from the city center. The rain intensified rapidly. Within minutes, Nyla was completely drenched. Her carefully styled hair hung in wet strands around her face. Her dress clung uncomfortably to her skin. Just when she thought things couldn't get worse, headlights cut through the darkness. A black car slowed to a stop beside her. The window rolled down, revealing Damon's sharp features. Chapter 5 As Damon prepared to leave the manor, he glanced out the car window. Through the rain, he could see Nyla huddled against the stone wall near the gate. Her dress was completely soaked, clinging to her body and outlining her curves. Her long hair hung in wet strands around her face, making her look fragile and abandoned. Damon understood immediately what had happened. He knew Marie and Anne's personalities well. They would never be kind enough to arrange transportation for the niece-in-law they had always disliked. He turned to his assistant Spencer, who was sitting in the passenger seat. "Get out and hold an umbrella for her." Spencer immediately grabbed the black umbrella from the floor and stepped out into the rain. He walked quickly toward Nyla while Damon rolled down his window. "Get in," Damon said to Nyla. His voice was characteristically cold and commanding. "I'll take you home." Nyla looked up, startled to see it was Damon. She instinctively took a step back, shaking her head. "Uncle Damon, it's okay. The rain will stop soon. I can wait." She remembered Clark's warnings about how dangerous Damon could be. Clark had specifically told her to keep her distance from his uncle. She didn't want to cause herself any more trouble, especially not tonight. Damon's brow furrowed when he saw Nyla clearly trying to avoid him. His tone grew deeper and more commanding. "Get in the car. Don't make me repeat myself." His natural dominance was overwhelming. The way he spoke made it nearly impossible to refuse. Nyla felt her resolve weakening under his intense gaze. Before she could refuse again, Spencer appeared beside her with the umbrella. He gently took her damp clutch from her trembling hands. "Ms. Nyla, please get in the car," Spencer said kindly. "This rain will continue for at least another hour. It's very windy out here, and you're not dressed warmly enough. You'll catch pneumonia." Spencer's tone was gentle and concerned. Nyla glanced up at the dark storm clouds, then down at her completely soaked dress. Water was still dripping from her hair. She was starting to shiver uncontrollably. Finally, biting her lip, she opened the car door and slid inside. The interior of the car was warm and luxurious. Soft leather seats and the faint scent of expensive cologne filled the space. Nyla immediately felt the temperature difference. Damon glanced at her wet dress, which was now clinging even more tightly to her body. The fabric had become almost transparent. He could see the outline of her undergarments. His throat tightened involuntarily. Without a word, he took off his dark gray suit jacket and tossed it to her. "Thank you," Nyla murmured, quickly pulling the jacket around her shoulders. It was still warm from his body heat and smelled like his cologne. The scent was surprisingly comforting. "I'll have it cleaned and return it to you." "Just throw it away," Damon replied coldly. His tone carried casual arrogance, as if the expensive jacket meant nothing to him. The car pulled away from the manor and drove smoothly through the rainy night. Silence settled between them. Nyla huddled in the corner of the backseat, not daring to look at the powerful man beside her. She could feel an oppressive aura radiating from him. It made her unconsciously nervous. She stole a glance at his profile. His jaw was sharp and perfectly defined. His dark hair was styled impeccably despite the rain. Everything about him screamed wealth and power. He was nothing like Clark, who was gentle and approachable. Damon seemed dangerous. Twenty minutes later, the car stopped in front of Nyla's house. She quickly gathered herself and reached for the door handle. "Thank you so much for the ride," she said hurriedly, leaving his jacket on the seat. "I really appreciate it." Damon watched her disappear inside the house. The faint scent of jasmine perfume still lingered in the car where she had been sitting. He found himself breathing it in deeply. His body reacted involuntarily to her proximity. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "She's your nephew's wife," he warned himself silently. "Control yourself." As soon as Nyla entered her house, she felt a wave of dizziness wash over her. Her body began to feel hot despite her wet clothes. Her head felt heavy and confused. Before she could even change out of her soaked dress, everything went black. She collapsed in the living room. When Nyla woke up, she found herself lying in a hospital bed. The room smelled strongly of disinfectant, but the bedside table was covered with familiar treats. Strawberry shortcake, colorful macarons, handmade chocolates, and a large bouquet of pink roses. "Ma'am, you're finally awake!" A nurse appeared beside her bed, looking relieved. "You've had a high fever for over twenty-four hours. Mr. Summer was so worried. He stayed by your bedside the entire time. He only left an hour ago because of an emergency call." The nurse checked Nyla's temperature with a digital thermometer. "Do you want me to call him? He'll be so happy to know you're conscious." Looking at the familiar arrangement of gifts, Nyla felt her heart soften despite everything. She had always been prone to illness and had a terrible fear of injections and medication. Whenever she was sick, Clark would do exactly this. He would buy all her favorite treats and flowers, hoping to cheer her up and speed her recovery. It had become their tradition over the years. These sweet memories made her chest ache with confusion. How could the man who cheated on her be the same person who spent the night worried beside her hospital bed? "Where is he now?" Nyla asked, pushing herself up in bed. "I want to find him myself." The nurse smiled. "He's somewhere in the hospital taking care of business." She left her room and walked down the sterile hospital corridor. As she rounded the corner, she stopped dead in her tracks. There was Clark, coming out of the obstetrics and gynecology department. But he wasn't alone. A woman walked beside him, her hand resting protectively on her belly. Chapter 6 Clark gently helped the young woman out of the obstetrics clinic. Both of them were smiling, their faces glowing with happiness. Nyla immediately recognized her. This was the woman from the photos in those anonymous messages. Just then, the woman spotted Nyla standing frozen in the hallway. Her eyes lit up with surprise and something that looked like malicious delight. "Oh wow, isn't that Mrs. Summer?" she exclaimed loudly. "What a coincidence running into you at the hospital!" At the sound of her voice, Clark looked up. His eyes met Nyla's across the corridor. His entire body went rigid. He quickly dropped his hand from the woman's arm, panic flooding his features. "Nyla!" Clark hurried toward her, his voice high with nervousness. "Why are you here? You should be resting in your room!" He reached her side, speaking rapidly. "I was just downstairs getting your medicine when I accidentally bumped into Jordyn here. She's my new secretary, and she's pre-gnant. I was worried she might fall, so I helped steady her." His explanation tumbled out in a rush. Sweat beaded on his forehead despite the air conditioning. Nyla's gaze moved to the woman's slightly swollen belly. She felt her breathing become shallow and labored. But she forced herself to remain outwardly calm. "Miss Jordyn," Nyla said slowly, "when did you get pre-gnant? Where's the father? Shouldn't he be here with you for such an important appointment?" Jordyn caressed her belly with obvious pride. A sweet, satisfied smile spread across her face. "I just found out I'm two months along. The father couldn't be here because he's so busy with work, but he was absolutely thrilled when I told him." She practically glowed as she spoke. "He said he wants to give me and the baby the best life possible. He's already bought me a beautiful apartment downtown and promised to make everything official after the baby arrives." Every word felt like a knife twisting in Nyla's chest. Jordyn continued, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "Mrs. Summer, you're so lucky to have such a wonderful husband. But I think my boyfriend is just as amazing. He tells me I've become even more beautiful since getting pre-gnant. He can barely stand to leave my side." She paused, tilting her head with feigned innocence. "Mrs. Summer, do you have time? I'm free today. Would you like to have dinner together? I could invite the baby's father to join us." The challenge in her eyes was unmistakable. Clark's expression darkened. He shot Jordyn a warning look. "My wife doesn't have time. Miss Jordyn, I'm sure your boyfriend is waiting for you. Don't keep him worried." His voice carried clear dismissal and irritation. Then he wrapped his arm around Nyla's shoulders, his touch gentle and concerned. "Honey, you're still recovering. You shouldn't be walking around the hospital. Let me take you back to your room." He spoke in the same caring tone. "She's just a secretary. Don't worry about her." Jordyn's face crumpled at the cold dismissal in Clark's voice. Her eyes filled with tears, making her look young and vulnerable. "You're right. I got too excited. I'm not worthy of having dinner with Mrs. Summer." She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, looking genuinely hurt. "I should go. My boyfriend will be wondering where I am." With that, she turned and walked away, her shoulders shaking slightly. Clark's expression flickered. For a moment, he looked like he wanted to follow her. But when he noticed Nyla watching him carefully, he stayed put. He turned back to Nyla and patted her head affectionately. "Be good, okay? I have some urgent things to handle at the company. I'll have James drive you home. Get some rest, and I'll be back tonight to check on you." His voice was warm and loving, the same tone he had used for three years of marriage. As soon as Nyla returned to her hospital room, her phone buzzed with a new message. It was from Jordyn. The first image was a pre-gnancy test showing two clear pink lines. Then came a series of messages that made Nyla's hands shake: [Nyla, I know you figured it out today. The baby is Clark's. Don't think he loves you as much as you believe. If he truly loves you, then what am I doing in his life?] [Do you know how obsessed he is with me? Every year on your birthday and your anniversary, after he puts you to sleep, he comes to spend the night with me. He's so passionate with me, so wild. We go through boxes of c0n-doms, and I can barely walk the next day.] [We've faking in his car, his office, even in your bedroom when you were away. He's done things with me that I bet he's never done with you. Has he ever been truly passionate with you, Nyla? Or does he save all his fire for me?] Reading these brutal messages, Nyla felt something break inside her chest. Her hands trembled as she set down the phone. She took deep, measured breaths, trying to suppress the storm of emotions threatening to overwhelm her. That evening, Clark returned with an elegant white box. Inside was a strawberry mousse cake from the city's most expensive French pastry shop. It had once been Nyla's absolute favorite dessert. "Baby, I brought your favorite cake," Clark said carefully, watching her face for a reaction. "The doctor said you're still weak and need to eat more sweets to build up your energy." He opened the box with a flourish, revealing the delicate pink confection. In the past, Nyla would have clapped her hands with delight at seeing this cake. She used to say it was almost too beautiful to eat. But now, looking at it made her stomach turn. She picked up the small silver fork and took a mechanical bite. The overly sweet flavor sat in her mouth like paste. She couldn't swallow it. Without a word, Nyla stood up and threw the entire cake box into the trash can. The beautiful dessert landed with a dull thud. Clark stared at her in shock. "Nyla, what's wrong with you? " Chapter 7 Nyla turned to face Clark, her eyes completely devoid of their usual warmth. "It doesn't taste the same anymore." Her voice was eerily calm, but it sent a chill through Clark's entire body. He rushed to her side and pulled her into his arms. "Baby, maybe this bakery changed their recipe," he said. "I'll call them tomorrow and find out. No matter how much it costs, I'll make sure they get the taste exactly right again." Nyla's body remained rigid in his embrace. "Things change, Clark. Once they change, you can't go back." Her voice was still calm, but each word felt like an icicle piercing Clark's heart. He sensed she wasn't just talking about the cake anymore. She was talking about them. Clark felt panic rising in his chest. That was when his phone rang. The ringtone cut through the tension. Clark glanced at the caller ID and his face went pale. Nyla caught the shift in his expression, and her disappointment deepened. "I... I need to take this call," Clark stammered. "There's an emergency at work." Nyla turned away from him completely. "Go ahead. Work is important." Clark stood frozen for several seconds, torn between answering the phone and staying with his wife. Finally, he made his choice and headed for the door. As he stepped into the hallway, Nyla could hear his voice through the thin walls: "Jordyn, what's wrong? Are you feeling sick? I'll be right there..." His voice faded as he moved further away, leaving Nyla alone in their living room. The silence felt suffocating. Nyla stared at the white walls, feeling like they were closing in on her. Twenty minutes after Clark left, Nyla's phone buzzed with an incoming call. She didn't recognize the number, but she answered anyway. "Mrs. Summer, I hope I'm not interrupting," came Jordyn's sweet voice. "I'm not feeling well, so I borrowed Clark from you tonight. He came without hesitation when I called. He said nothing was more important than making sure I was okay." Nyla's grip tightened on the phone, but she said nothing. Jordyn continued with obvious satisfaction. "You know what Clark told me today? He said I'm younger and prettier than you. He said I can give him something you never could - a child. He mentioned that you haven't been able to conceive in three years. He's worried there might be something wrong with your body." "Oh, and that strawberry mousse cake you threw away today?" Jordyn's voice turned mocking. "Clark buys me that same cake all the time. He says sweet treats are perfect for sweet girls. Don't you think it tastes sweet, Mrs. Summer?" The call ended with Jordyn's cruel laughter. Nyla sat in the darkness, feeling something fundamental shift inside her. The pain was so intense it took her breath away. Then slowly, mercifully, numbness began to set in. From that day forward, Nyla began quietly packing her belongings. She folded her clothes carefully and placed them in suitcases. She packed her books, her makeup, her jewelry. Each item felt heavy with memories she no longer wanted to keep. Clark became even busier during this time. He came home later and later, sometimes not at all. When he did return, he was distant and distracted. Meanwhile, Jordyn's messages never stopped. Photos of her growing belly, pictures of expensive gifts, taunting words designed to twist the knife deeper. Nyla's best friend Valarie came over to help with the divorce paperwork. "Given that Clark committed adultery and got another woman pre-gnant, you could definitely ask for substantial compensation," Valarie said seriously. "Plus, you gave up your career for this marriage. That's worth a lot in court." Valarie spread the legal documents across the coffee table. "You sacrificed your research position at the university. You could have been earning six figures by now." But before proceeding with anything official, Nyla felt she should tell her father. She drove to the hospital where he was still recovering from his recent surgery. Her father looked better than he had in weeks. His color was returning, and he was sitting up reading the newspaper. "Dad," Nyla began carefully, "if... hypothetically... if I wanted to get divorced, what would you think?" Her father set down his newspaper and studied his daughter's face intently. "Nyla, is something wrong between you and Clark?" Nyla forced herself to maintain eye contact. "I'm just curious. If that day ever came..." "Absolutely not!" Her father's voice rose sharply. "Nyla, do you understand what the Summer family has done for us? When my factory had that terrible accident, they provided the money that saved us from bankruptcy. They've been paying my medical bills for three years. Without them, we would have lost everything." Her father's face was flushed with emotion. "Clark has been nothing but good to you. How could you even think such thoughts? Has someone been filling your head with ideas?" Nyla realized she couldn't continue this conversation. Her father had no idea about Clark's betrayal. She couldn't bear to put her sick father through that kind of shock and disappointment. She was about to change the subject when her father's phone chimed with a text message. He glanced at the screen and his face went completely white. The message was from Jordyn. It contained a photo of her and Clark kissing passionately in what looked like a hotel room. Below the image was a message that read: "Thought you should know - I'm pre-gnant with your son-in-law Clark's baby." Chapter 8 Harrison suddenly developed a violent coughing fit. His body convulsed as he struggled to breathe. His face turned an alarming shade of blue, and his hands clawed at his chest. The phone slipped from his trembling fingers and clattered to the floor. Nyla saw the message on the fallen phone and immediately understood what had triggered his condition. Rage flooded through her veins, but her father's health took priority over confronting Jordyn. She frantically pressed the call button for the nurses. "Help! I need a doctor now!" she shouted into the hallway. A team of medical staff rushed into the room. They immediately began checking her father's vital signs while Nyla stood helplessly in the corner, watching his condition deteriorate before her eyes. The lead doctor emerged from the examination looking grave. He pulled off his mask and shook his head slowly. "Mr. Jayston's condition has suddenly worsened," he said wearily. "His kid ney failure has progressed rapidly. We need to transfer him to the ICU immediately for intensive monitoring and treatment." Nyla felt her legs go weak. "How serious is this?" "It's critical," the doctor replied bluntly. "But I'm afraid we have a problem. Our ICU is completely full. Every bed is occupied, and there's a waiting list. All the hospitals in the city are experiencing the same shortage of resources." "Wait?" Nyla could barely comprehend what she was hearing. "Doctor, my father can't wait. Look at him!" Her father was still struggling to breathe normally. His skin had a grayish pallor that terrified her. "I understand your concern, Mrs. Summer, but we're doing everything we can," the doctor said helplessly. "All we can do right now is stabilize his condition with medication and hope a bed opens up soon." Desperation clawed at Nyla's chest. She thought immediately of Clark. As the heir to Summer Group, he had connections throughout the medical community. He could pull strings and get her father the care he needed. With shaking hands, she dialed Clark's number. After several rings, someone picked up. But it wasn't Clark's voice that greeted her. "Hello, who's calling?" came Jordyn's sickeningly sweet voice. Nyla's blood turned to ice. "This is Nyla. I need to speak to Clark immediately. It's an emergency." "Oh, Mrs. Summer!" Jordyn's voice was dripping with false concern. "Clark is in the shower right now. He's been taking such good care of me all day that he's completely exhausted. Poor thing needs to rest." Nyla bit back her fury and forced herself to stay focused. "This is about my father. He's dying and needs an ICU bed. Please put Clark on the phone right now." "Oh my, what terrible timing," Jordyn said with obvious fake sympathy. "I wasn't feeling well this afternoon either. Just some pre-gnancy nausea and dizziness, you know how it is. But Clark was so worried about me and the baby that he immediately called in the best medical team in the city. They're all on standby right now, just in case something happens to us." Nyla's hands were shaking so violently she could barely hold the phone. Her father was dying, and her husband was playing house with his pre-gnant mistress. "Can you please just-" Nyla began, but Jordyn cut her off. "Oh, I hear the shower turning off. Clark will be so tired after everything we've been through today. I should probably let him rest. You understand, don't you?" The line went dead. Nyla stood in the hospital hallway, feeling like the world was collapsing around her. She closed her eyes and tried to think of alternatives. Then suddenly, an image flashed through her mind - a figure handing her a coat in the rain. Damon's cold but decisive voice echoing in the car. Without allowing herself to second-guess the decision, she dialed his number. ...

Hayley Reid was reborn two weeks before the apocalypse began. In her last life, she survived ten years of hell—only to die at the hands of the people she trusted most. But this time, she returned with every memory intact… and awakened the Super Base System. While the world fell into chaos, Hayley sipped wine and held her beloved puppy inside the world’s strongest steel fortress. - Chapter 1 "Flu cases are on the rise. Please take precautions, avoid crowded areas, don't gather unnecessarily, and keep warm…" "Hayley, are you even listening to me?!" Hayley Reid jolted, staring at everything in front of her in disbelief. In the middle of the old, 300-square-foot living room with worn-out renovations was a couch, packed with middle-aged men and women. In the center was a plump, 70-ish woman with graying hair. She was Eleanor Reid, Hayley's grandmother. Eleanor glared at Hayley, her jowls bouncing with every movement. Hayley froze. This was the exact scene from two weeks before the apocalypse, when her "beloved" grandmother, father, and stepmother forced her to give up her house for her brother and his soon-to-be wife. The last thing she remembered was being stuck in a zombie siege at the eastern base a moment ago. "Ever since your mom passed, Lucy treated you like her own. Everyone says she's wonderful! Now, Philip is getting married and wants to borrow your house. Why won't you let him? You're so ungrateful!" Eleanor hissed. "Mom, Hayley's not ungrateful. I'm sure she'll come to her senses," said a plump woman next to Eleanor, pretending to mediate. This was Lucy Reid, Hayley's stepmother. "Hmph!" Eleanor snorted. "Clear out the house immediately. Philip said the place has been rented for too long, and the furniture is too worn. He needs new furniture before he gets married. You'll pay for it. After all, he's your brother. You should help out a little!" Hayley, standing in the middle, suddenly laughed out loud. They wanted her house and expected her to buy new furniture on top of that? Ridiculous. Even more ridiculous was the fact that she actually went along with it last time! Hayley's mother, Cynthia, died in a car accident when she was 14. Soon after, Lucy moved in with her son, Philip. On the surface, Lucy seemed perfect—she was attentive and caring. Hayley, going through her rebellious phase, was prickly with everyone but secretly craved warmth and family. Lucy's gentle, understanding ways fooled her. She supported Hayley in everything, no matter what, and Hayley almost genuinely saw her as a mother. She gave them everything, even the only house Cynthia had left her. She hesitated for only a moment before agreeing. The apocalypse soon hit, and Hayley was abandoned repeatedly. When it came time to escape on a rescue vehicle, they shoved her aside to save their skins. That was when Hayley truly understood how fake their love was. True family didn't exist for her. She had been nothing but a tool in their eyes, and they had squeezed her dry. Once she was useless, they kicked her aside. Not a single person there had ever seen her as family. She wanted to slap her past, foolish self so hard. Bang! Hayley tossed a few bags of cheap fruit from the old coffee table straight into the trash, then plopped herself down in front of them. A young man, who had been glued to his phone on the armchair, immediately dropped it and yelled righteously, "Hayley, what the hell are you doing? These are imported apples Mom got especially for you! She said they're your favorite. How could you just throw them away?" Hayley sneered. Her favorite? Since when? She gave Philip a cold glance. "You think you have the right to talk to me about my house?" Facing her icy gaze, Philip felt a shiver run through him and didn't dare to look at her. Hayley's eyes carried a murderous energy—the kind she had honed over ten years of surviving the apocalypse alone after they abandoned her. Philip instantly backed down. Lucy quickly tried to smooth things over. "What's wrong, Hayley? Are you not feeling well? If that's the case, we can come back another day. I know you're not happy with this request, but Philip is your brother. Sue's family wants a house in the city center, and you know how impossible that is now. Even with money, you might not get one. They're even doing lotteries for them. So, I'm begging you… Help your brother out. Later, when you get married, we'll try to make it up to you—" "Why should we make it up to her?" Bernard Reid, who had been quiet, finally spoke. He glared at Hayley. "You really think this house is yours? You should step aside and let Philip have it! When you get married, your husband can buy you one. Stop fighting Philip for it!" Hayley didn't even bother getting angry this time. In her past life, she had wondered why Bernard treated her, his biological daughter, so badly, while spoiling his stepson. As it turned out, Philip was his real son—his own flesh and blood! Before he married Cynthia, he had already married Lucy in his hometown and had a son. To him, Hayley was nothing. And after the apocalypse, he treated her even worse. Hayley held up four fingers. "Four hundred thousand." Everyone froze. "What are you talking about?" "This house was Mom's premarital property. She legally gave it to me later, so I own this house. You want it? Pay up. Four hundred thousand is already a bargain." "You're selling the house to us? You must be joking! We don't have that kind of money!" Hayley lifted her smartwatch. "I'm giving you five seconds to decide. If you don't agree, I'll sell it to someone else. Five…" "We're your elders! How could you talk money with us?!" Eleanor snapped. "Four." "You ungrateful little…! I'm gonna teach you a lesson!" Hayley ignored Eleanor, speeding up. "Three…two…" "Don't you dare!" Bernard jumped to hit her. Hayley kicked his chair out from under him. He landed hard, looking like an idiot. She looked down coldly at him and went on, "One." "You've lost it! How dare you hit your father!" Hayley didn't care about their rage. She grabbed her phone and dialed a number. "Mr. Cruz, I'm selling the house. Put it up for 400 thousand…" The house had been rented out through an agent until Hayley turned 18, which was why it hadn't been sold earlier. "You want it, huh?" Hayley smiled, glancing their way. "Sure. I'll—" "Don't say another word! We agree!" Lucy jumped in, panic in her voice. "Sell it to us!" Lucy knew that the house was actually worth 600 thousand, so getting it for 400 grand was already a steal. Plus, city-center houses were limited now, with all the residency and lottery rules. Hayley's house was hot property. Even if things didn't go exactly as they expected, the most important thing was getting it for themselves instead of letting an outsider have it. Even if they had to pay 400 thousand to get it, they would make a quick 200 grand reselling it. Hayley watched Lucy's reaction and smirked before hanging up. She had decided to sell the house to them. She was losing a bit, but that was the quickest option. Time was money, and she needed both. Most importantly, once the house was sold, they wouldn't have extra cash. She knew they only had 400 grand on hand. In her past life, the government had warned them to stockpile supplies three days before the apocalypse. Hayley was curious to see what they would be able to afford by then. - Ding! [You have received 400 thousand in your account.] Half an hour later at the bank, Hayley saw the money hit her account. Lucy and the others weren't thrilled but paid up. The real estate agent kept calling Hayley's phone; afraid she'd sell the house to him, the family didn't dare complain. "The property office is closed for a few days. I'll handle the transfer when they open," Hayley told them. "No worries. We trust you!" Lucy said, squinting and smiling sweetly. "The transfer can wait. We'll arrange a time later." Lucy acted generous, but Hayley knew better. The woman was just guarding against her future daughter-in-law, scared that her name would be on the house's deed. Right now, the deed still carried Hayley's name, which gave her room to stall. Hayley grinned. This was great! Philip suddenly said to her, "Since we've bought the house, pack your stuff and get out! And toss out all of your junk. I'll get new furniture with Sue." Right after paying, their attitude changed. "Give Hayley a few more days. She's a responsible girl; she'll probably pay you a bit for storage and even replace some furniture. You should be more understanding of your sister," Lucy said. "Mom, why do you still care about her? This little money-grubber doesn't deserve your kindness! I want her out! And Hayley, get your stupid dog out of the house! If I see it again, I'll chop it to pieces!" Hayley froze when she heard Philip mention the "stupid dog". Summer was still alive! She didn't waste another second with them and ran home. As soon as she opened her bedroom door, the quiet German Shepherd that was pacing nervously jumped into her arms. "Woof, woof!" "Summer!" Hayley almost cried, hugging it. Summer was a retired military dog, a gift from Hayley's mother on Hayley's tenth birthday. After Cynthia died, Summer had been her comfort through the hardest times. Lucy's family hated the intuitive dog and had tried several times to get rid of it, but Summer always came back. They wanted to give Summer away, but Hayley had insisted on keeping it, even getting into fights with them over it. To stay the "kind stepmother", Lucy let Hayley keep Summer but insisted that it be kept locked up in Hayley's room. After Hayley moved into Cynthia's old house, Summer finally had room to roam, though Lucy's family still locked it up when they came over. During the apocalypse in Hayley's past life, Lucy's family ate the old dog while Hayley was out scavenging. She had blamed herself for not protecting it. "Summer," Hayley whispered. "Woof, woof!" Summer licked her hand. "This time, I swear, I'll never let you get hurt again!" "Woof, woof!" Summer barked happily. Once Summer was settled, Hayley began packing. The house, rented out for years, had become old and worn. However, the furniture Cynthia had bought back then was expensive. Hayley had been living with her when she was still alive. The furniture was practically useless now, but it still carried a lot of memories. Being back, Hayley felt a little nostalgic. Then, a voice rang in her head. Ding! [Super Lord System activated! Within one hour, for every 200-dollars' worth of item you carry, gain 35 cubic feet of inventory!] Hayley froze. Here came the perks! [Countdown: 59 minutes and 59 seconds!] Skeptical, Hayley picked up her phone from the table to test it. Ding! [Phone detected, worth 1,000 dollars. Reward: 175 cubic feet!] With that, a 175-cubic-feet space appeared in her mind. Her phone vanished from her hand and reappeared there. She now had an inventory! Chapter 2 She had read plenty of novels before—this was a so-called system. Hayley quickly accepted the perk and started sucking in everything she could. She soon figured out the pricing rules. The system valued items at their original purchase price, even if they were used or disassembled. She jumped straight into moving, dismantling, and collecting everything. Ding! [Gold jewelry detected, worth 11,600 dollars. Reward: 2,030 cubic feet!] Ding! [Cup detected, worth 7.80 dollars.] Ding! [Calendar detected, worth 2 dollars.] The notifications kept coming. Ding! [Small desk detected, worth 73.80 dollars. Reward: 35 cubic feet!] Ding! [Rosewood table and chair set detected, worth 5,000 dollars. Reward: 875 cubic feet!] Ding! [Trash can detected, worth 3 dollars.] In about ten minutes, Hayley grabbed everything from shoes, hats, and clothes to pots, pans, pens, cups, trash bins, storage boxes, photo albums, nail clippers, and even larger stuff like tables, chairs, beds, and cabinets. Even the rotten apples Lucy had brought today got tossed into the pile. Ding! [Five pounds of rotten apples detected, worth 0.50 dollars.] Hayley spat. What disgusting liars! They wanted her to give them a 600-thousand-dollar house while offering her cheap, rotten apples they claimed to be imported. What a family! But she didn't mind. Every little bit counted, so she collected them all. Soon, the house was emptied of everything movable. Her sights turned to the big stuff she couldn't normally carry. Ding! [Toilet detected, worth 400 dollars.] Hayley yanked the toilet down with force. She had always been strong, but compared to her old self, who had survived ten years of the apocalypse, this body still felt a little weaker. She would need to train soon. After she stored the toilet, more notifications came in. Ding! [Sink detected, worth 139 dollars.] Ding! [Range hood detected, worth 519.80 dollars.] Ding! [Stove detected, worth 97.80 dollars.] Ding! [Security door detected, worth 317.80 dollars.] She was taking everything she could, not leaving even a single screw for them. Ding! [Windows detected, worth 80 dollars.] Ding! [Flooring detected, worth 30 dollars.] Within an hour, Hayley had stripped the house clean. Anything movable was gone. The floors were lifted, the windows and doors removed, and even unmovable tiles were smashed and taken. Ding! [Three seconds remaining!] Hayley thought fast—she dashed to the front door, stepped on the railing, and snagged a tiny hallway bulb. Ding! [Ten-watt bulb detected, worth 1 dollar. [Time's up! Total space gained: 3,110 cubic feet.] Hayley finally relaxed and said to Summer, "Summer! Let's go!" Not long after, Philip's family brought the pregnant Sue Norman to the new house. "Babe, here's our new place! It's in the city center and a school district, with over 1,000 square feet. It has two units per floor. We don't have a neighbor yet, so the hallway is all ours. The lighting's great, and it has the best layout in the complex. Plus, it's just 100 yards from your work. If you want, you can move in now. Furniture and appliances are ready!" The group marched up to the east-side unit—and froze. The house wasn't just empty; it didn't even have doors or windows. Even a hallway light bulb was gone. Sue turned on her heel. "Hmph! You expect me to renovate this dump? Well, I'm not getting married until you fix this house. And my name has to go on the deed!" Eleanor was fuming. She wanted to call Hayley to demand what that girl had done. But the bad news was, they couldn't reach Hayley. Meanwhile, Hayley was at a tunnel-style fallout shelter on the outskirts of Andersville. It was originally meant for a mountain road, but construction stopped due to insufficient funding and government rerouting. It had been abandoned and repurposed as a fallout shelter. "What are you renting a fallout shelter for?" the agent asked routinely. "Starting a business. I'm gonna grow mushrooms," Hayley said casually. From her previous life, she knew there were three types of shelters. The first were city-center shelters, built under malls, residential buildings, or hospitals. They were convenient, well-equipped, and fast to evacuate—but useless in a zombie apocalypse. Holding a high population meant it was the fastest to fall. The other two types were tunnel-style shelters and professional defense installations. Professional ones were critical in the late apocalypse and formed the backbone of stable bases, but Hayley couldn't rent one. So, tunnel shelters like these were perfect for her: they were secluded, far from people, and big, with a solid ventilation system and a heavy iron gate—exactly what she needed. Plus, they were cheap. Hayley's new shelter cost 400 a year to rent, for a minimum of 20 years. She paid three years upfront—1,200 dollars for a space the size of five basketball courts. The agent grinned, thinking she was an easy mark. Sure, the rent was cheap, but the location was extremely inconvenient and transportation was a headache. He figured that nine and a half out of ten entrepreneurs were idiots, but he wouldn't warn her. After collecting the money, signing the contract, and taking the 100-dollar service fee, he left. Hayley watched him leave without a word. She wouldn't reveal her true purpose. After ten years surviving the apocalypse, she learned one thing: never explain disaster plans to fools, because idiots like them were disasters themselves. After sending the agent off, Hayley entered the shelter with Summer. She checked everything. The ventilation system was intact, and she found a well left by a previous tenant, plus an electrical wire. The well's water tasted like mountain spring—totally separate from city water. Later, when treatment plants were contaminated, tap water would be useless. With this well, Hayley now had a safe water source. The wire wasn't connected, but that meant power could be set up. If she got a generator, the shelter could have electricity. Chapter 3 If she repaired the fence and added electricity, her fallout shelter's defenses would get a huge boost. She decided to get started. Just then, the voice from the system popped into her head. Ding! [Super Lord System activated! Please reinforce the original base. Rewards will be given based on the level of reinforcement. Countdown: 15 days!] Hayley's eyes lit up. She was just starting to process the new mission when another notification came. Ding! [Base war dog detected. Reward: War dog's combat power increased 100x! Physical stats increased 100x!] Hayley watched in amazement as Summer's body started to change. Its muscles doubled in size, its claws grew longer and sharper, and all signs of aging disappeared. In its place was the fierce, commanding presence of a powerful beast. "Woof, woof!" Hayley was amazed. "Wow!" - Hayley had Cynthia's old car, so she could get around easily. It was now time to start reinforcing her base. Not long after, she returned to her base. She placed the generator in the innermost storage room of the fallout shelter. Ding! [One thousand-kW generator detected. Reward: Indestructible, lowest-energy-consumption generator!] Hayley's jaw dropped. She stared at the generator, now looking like it was coated in silver. Its strength and durability were immediately way beyond what they had been. And the best part? It was indestructible! Normally, generators needed maintenance to last long, and Hayley had only been hoping to make it last. However, the system had upgraded it automatically. Amazing! She moved on and installed the surveillance cameras on the wire fences she had set up yesterday. Her tunnel hideout was in a perfect spot. Trees circled it, the main road was about a mile away, and a side road wound into the forest after about 500 yards. No one would ever notice a tunnel covered in wire here. It wasn't noticeable at all. The cameras covered every corner inside. Once she connected them to the generator, she could monitor any intruder—human or otherwise. Immediately, the cameras and electrified fences powered up. Her computer screen filled with tiny surveillance feeds, one for every angle. Then, the system chimed. Ding! [Monitoring and electrical grid system detected. Reward: Monitoring system upgraded! Coverage of the surveillance cameras increased 10x and can automatically detect all living and non-living entities! Electrical grid system upgraded. Maximum shock output: 10 thousand volts!] Hayley stared at her screen, astonished. She zoomed in on one camera. The pixel clarity was ten times better than before. Her 300-foot range camera now stretched a full mile, letting her see the road through gaps in the trees. A bird tried to land on the fence. It hovered and chose a spot—and with a loud zap, dropped straight down. Hayley's eyes glinted. Perfect! This defense was lethal. Anyone trying to break in? Instant death. "Summer, stay away from the fences, okay?" she warned. "Woof!" Upgraded Summer had grown bigger and smarter, more intuitive than before. Hayley ruffled its head, then pulled out the stuff from her old fridge from her inventory. They ate together. After the meal, she got back to organizing her base. Even cleaning the fallout shelter earned rewards. She cleared the water well and trimmed overgrown weeds. Ding! [Water well upgraded. Reward: Independent mountain-range clean water source!] Ding! [Weed coverage reduced. Reward: High-quality soil! Crop yield increased 100x! Growth speed increased 10x!] Hayley grinned. She now had clean water and rich soil. Her base was getting stronger and better every day. Soon, she could grow her own fresh fruits and vegetables and be self-sufficient. She made a mental note to buy seeds next. Ten days passed. The apocalypse was less than three days away. Every inch she cleaned and every fence she reinforced improved the defenses of her base, making it stronger and stronger. Meanwhile, her deliveries kept coming. During the day, she worked in the shelter. At night, she went to the warehouse to pick up packages. She had installed massive cameras at the warehouse entrance, and Summer helped guard the place. It was peaceful now, so people wouldn't dare steal with a huge dog watching. The delivery guys always unloaded truck after truck, then left as soon as they were done. At night, Hayley would go over everything and pull them into her inventory, then carry them back to her base. Ding! [Warehouse full.] All 100 tons of pasta, 1,000 boxes of instant noodles, 200 boxes of sausage, 100 boxes of pickled vegetables, and over 20 thousand meal packs were neatly stored in the innermost warehouse. Ding! [Reward: Super warehouse! Food remains permanently fresh!] The massive metal doors now looked like something from a bank vault. Not even professional explosives could open them—only Hayley's iris could. Inside, all items were sorted and stored. And the best part? Permanent freshness and no spoilage! Chapter 4 In just ten days, Hayley's fallout shelter looked completely transformed, inside and out. Now, it was only three days before the apocalypse. After planting the last tree, Hayley thought about what else she needed. For a self-sufficient, hidden life, she needed some chickens, ducks, and fish. Even with all the meal packs she had, nothing beat fresh food. Hayley kept walking through the market, but many stalls were closing. In a corner, she spotted someone selling live baby goats. She bought the last two for 300 bucks. The seller told her that these goats had been specifically bred for producing goat's milk, but business had been so bad that he started selling them off. The big ones were already gone, and only a few kids were left. By chance, Hayley managed to snag the last two today. "You should go home after buying these! With the flu outbreak, don't stay out too long," the vendor warned. Hayley nodded. She always wore a professional medical-grade mask, anyway. The truth was, the flu had never been the source of the zombie virus. It simply spread so widely and so quickly, lowering people's immunity. When the real virus hit, those with the lowest resistance turned into zombies right away. That was why everyone blamed the flu, thinking it was the true cause. It took Hayley ten years of surviving in the apocalypse to figure that much out. Yet, she still had no idea regarding the real origin of the zombie virus. Some people used to say it was nothing more than a game for the gods, like the Hunger Games. After all, the virus didn't just create zombies. It also changed people in other, stranger ways. Once Hayley had the vendor deliver her goods to the warehouse, she left the farmer's market without hanging around. Finding a hidden spot with no cameras, she placed the two goats into her inventory and drove off with Summer. On the way, she stopped at a farm supply store and bought a full set of tools, plus 20 shovels. Most people didn't realize shovels were serious weapons in survival situations. During conflicts, farmers used them as deadly tools. Even modern military spades evolved from shovels. In an apocalypse, a melee weapon like this could be more reliable than firearms. After stocking up on enough shovels, Hayley realized she needed to get baseball bats—another surprisingly effective weapon. Chapter 5 With that in mind, Hayley walked into a sports equipment store. After picking up a few of the best, sturdiest baseball bats, she grabbed a bunch of adventure gear—flashlights, helmets, armor, pads, tents, protective suits, tactical jackets…all of it. Everything she needed for the outdoors. This alone cost her over 4,000. The store also carried emergency kit accessories—tweezers, pliers, bandages, thermometers, and stuff like that. It reminded Hayley that she still needed to stop by the pharmacy. She left the outdoor store and went to stock up on common medicines—cold medicine, bandages, fever reducers, vitamins, alcohol, iodine, and other essentials. By the time she left the pharmacy, it was almost evening. The city lights sparkled, neon glowing all around. Hayley had pretty much gathered everything she could—food, drink, shelter, tools—all the basics covered. Now, she could focus on upgrading daily necessities and a few extra comforts. She figured it was time to go on a shopping spree. Before the apocalypse hit, she was going to enjoy the world one last time. First stop: a Michelin-star hotel she had never treated herself to before. She ordered a full-on feast—mushroom soup, barbecued ribs, pan-seared cod, roasted chicken, and garlic butter prawns—everything she had never been able to afford before. She even had the kitchen prepare ten extra orders of her favorite garlic butter prawns and filet mignon to take home for Summer. After that, she booked a suite and headed down to the mall. The mall was packed with goods, from general stores to tempting food stands. Hayley, used to hard times, hit the food section first—sausages, mini corn dogs, sponge cakes, meat pies, fried skewers, fried chicken, pork cutlets, stew, ice cream, milkshakes, assorted pastries…everything. She wanted it all, but there wasn't enough time or money to buy everything. Most of it was just luxury for a peaceful world—things that wouldn't matter after the apocalypse. But right now, she could buy and eat without worry. Hayley went store by store, quietly and extravagantly telling each clerk, "I want all your snacks." She paid and had everything delivered to her hotel room upstairs. At the first bakery, everything went into bags—fresh bread, cheesecake, cream puffs, petit fours, marshmallows, Swiss rolls, custard slices, custard tarts, waffles, palmiers—all packed and sent up. At a fried chicken shop, she bought every flavor—sweet chili, barbecue, garlic, honey mustard—and every type of chicken: boneless, drumsticks, wings, whole chickens. She then hit up the smoothie bars and ordered every flavor she could—berry blends, tropical fruit mixes, creamy yogurt smoothies, protein shakes, even frozen slushies—everything on the list! She basically just paid and gave them a delivery address before leaving, not wanting to attract too much attention. Just buying these snacks cost over 40 thousand. Each shop's stock usually totaled about 3,000 dollars. Hayley only spent around a few hundred dollars on smaller stalls, like the sausage stall and corn dog stand, ordering one of each flavor. Still, she basically cleared the snack stores in one sweep. Next, she went to the basement supermarket. Now, supermarkets were essential. She pushed two huge carts through the warehouse-style store. At checkout, her carts were filled with single units of all kinds—one bag of each flavored chips, one pack of every cookie or candy, one bottle of each drink, and every cooked food item she could get—roast turkey slices, rotisserie chicken, baked salmon, deli wraps, stuffed pita pockets, and microwavable pasta meals. Even partially prepared foods—marinated chicken, pork chops, fish fillets, and steak—were included. Household necessities like toiletries, face cream, sanitary pads, disposable towels, wipes—everything she could need. And now that she had money, she even bought appliances—a washing machine, a robot vacuum, and a fridge. She wouldn't have considered this before, but now she could. After checking out her two carts, she spoke to the store manager. She wanted the store's entire stock of everything in her carts, except for appliances. However, she had underestimated the cost and inventory. By the time she had selected just a third of what she wanted, her account was empty—220 thousand, gone in a flash! She found herself in an awkward position. Basic staples had been cheap, but processed goods were several times more expensive. Looking at her account balance hitting zero, Hayley decided this was enough. Chapter 6 As Hayley kept walking through the mall, she suddenly caught sight of two familiar figures. A young man was walking with a heavily pregnant woman just ahead of her. Philip and his wife—the same couple Hayley had just "pranked" a little while back. "Babe, calm down. Whatever you want today, just buy it. Forgive me, okay? Don't get mad… You don't want to stress the baby!" "No! You've been lying to me this whole time, haven't you? Your family doesn't even own that apartment! You tricked me on purpose!" "It's really ours." "Then what was all that earlier? Debt collectors at your door claiming the apartment was theirs, sending your grandma to the hospital!" "I don't know what happened. I swear, my mom paid 400 thousand to buy it from Hayley. We just have to find her and transfer the deed!" "Wait, didn't your mom say the apartment was a gift from Hayley, so I couldn't be on the deed? How is it suddenly bought by your family and transferable?" "Uh… A-Anyway! Just know that the apartment's ours now. I'm my family's only son, so I'm bound to get everything. And whatever's mine is yours! Just trust me!" Sue wouldn't buy it. "How am I supposed to trust you? First, you said it was move-in ready with renovations done, now it's a shell. You said it was your property, and now debt collectors show up. I've finally seen the truth—you guys are messing with me! I won't keep this baby! I'm gonna get rid of it now!" "Babe! Babe!" Hayley leaned against a corner, listening to their argument, a small smirk tugging at her lips. Wow. Just ten days, and things were already a mess at the Reids'. Eleanor even ended up in the hospital. Still, it could get even more entertaining. Hayley watched Philip, hands on the escalator railing, chasing after Sue. Mischievously, she whistled at him. Philip, already flustered, turned and spotted her leaning on the glass railing, casually watching them. "Hayley?" He froze, wanting to chase her, but Sue had already gotten to the floor below. "Babe! Babe!" One was his wife, about to get an abortion, and the other was Hayley. He wished he could split himself in two. After weighing his options, he decided to chase Hayley. He figured he would just grab her and make her explain everything to Sue—simple. He ran up the escalator that was heading down, trying to reach her. Meanwhile, Hayley walked at a calm, steady pace. By the time Philip caught up, she had already circled to the opposite escalator, making him chase her through the entire mall. They ended up in the underground parking lot. "Damn it! You little wench! Where do you think you're going?" Philip, panting, cornered Hayley. "How dare you mess with me behind my back! I swear I'll—" "Perfect," Hayley said cheerfully, shutting the car trunk with a click. "I was thinking the same thing." She swung a baseball bat in her hands. Philip's eyes went wide, alarm bells ringing. "What the… You're gonna hit me?" Before he could react, Hayley swung. She immediately overpowered him, dislocating his jaw so he couldn't talk, and dragged him to the corner of the parking lot, beating him mercilessly. Ten years surviving the apocalypse meant she had learned every kind of fighting technique. She could take down a grown man in seconds. But she was merciful with Philip. For half an hour, she smashed him in the arms and legs, striking only the most painful spots that wouldn't kill him. After 30 minutes, Philip lay on the ground, barely conscious. Hayley leaned against the car and kicked him lightly before bending down to grab his phone. She dialed 911 while pressing his head against the floor with her foot. "See? I'm nice. I even called 911 for you. You're welcome." Philip nearly passed out from anger. If her foot weren't on his face, he would've admitted she was "nice". "Damn you…" She took care of the scene and wiped his ID from the phone, not wanting the hospital to identify him that quickly. Then she transferred all the money in his digital bank to hers, using his fingerprint to authorize the payments. Afterward, she moved him to a bar street outside the parking lot, the same place she had called 911 from. Soon, EMTs arrived. Hayley watched them take Philip away, blending in like any bystander. Calmly, she sent messages to Bernard and Lucy with his phone, telling them he had been hurt and to check the hospital. After all that, she sold his phone to a small roadside store. Even if Lucy reported it, they wouldn't trace it back to Hayley in three days. By then, any investigation into Philip would be useless because it would be the apocalypse. Knocking Philip out added 6,000 dollars to her account. She used the money to stock up again, emptying several convenience store shelves into her car. As she prepared to leave, her car door slammed—someone had collapsed on it. Hayley's eyes darkened. Several stylishly dressed men and women helped lift the man. One tattooed guy waved. "Sorry, miss. My friend's drunk!" They laughed and carried him away. "Damn, he went down after two drinks! I remember him saying he could drink anyone under the table." "Yeah, he used to hold his liquor a lot better." "Maybe getting married weakened him!" "Hahaha!" Hayley leaned on her car, watching them leave. Her gaze fell on the young man in the middle—head down, stiff, pale hands hanging awkwardly. Soon, he came to. "What happened to me?" "You drank too much, that's what!" "You're useless! You didn't even drink that much!" "Work stress, I guess. I'm heading back." "Heading back? No way! Keep drinking! Let's get wasted tonight!" The group laughed as they walked off. Hayley's eyes darkened as she watched the scene. She checked her phone and noted that today was the 9th. In her last life, the zombie outbreak started on the 11th. The apocalypse…might have started early. As Hayley grabbed her car keys, a piercing scream cut through the air. "Ahhh!" That familiar sound. The zombie virus had broken out early!

After I caught my husband Clark having an affair with his secretary in the office, I filed for divorce. Unexpectedly, the only condition he proposed was to sleep with him... ** "Nyla, are you sure you want me to draft a divorce agreement?" Valarie's voice crackled through the phone, hesitant and worried. "Think about it. Once you sign this, you and Clark will have nothing to do with each other anymore." Nyla stared at the amber liquid in her glass. The whiskey burned her throat, but nothing could burn away the images from last night. Her fingers tightened around the phone. "Yes," she said finally. "I'm leaving him." "Why?" Valarie's confusion bled through the speaker. "Clark's been so good to you. He loves you so much..." Nyla almost laughed. Love. What a joke. She pressed her lips together, fighting back the bitter taste rising in her throat. After hanging up, Nyla looked out the window. The massive LED screen on the skyscraper across the street was still playing that press conference. Clark stood there in his perfect suit, holding up that ridiculous jewelry piece. Using the world's finest diamonds and gemstones, he had created a one-of-a-kind piece for his wife. It was named "Love Nyla." He named it after Nyla, declaring to the world his eternal love for her. Upon its release, "Love Nyla" instantly ignited social media discussion, remaining a hot topic. The world was buzzing about their enviable love. Outside, the LED screens continued to replay the video, but Nyla chuckled self-deprecatingly. "Love me?" she muttered to herself. "Love me enough to sleep with another woman on our anniversary night?" Last night was their third wedding anniversary. Clark had said he wanted to surprise her and asked her to wait for him at home. Nyla wore Clark's favorite white dress, lit candles, and prepared his favorite dinner, waiting eagerly until late at night. She had waited. And waited. Midnight came and went. At one in the morning, her phone suddenly buzzed with a Facebook friend request. A strange profile picture with the note "A surprise for you." Nyla was about to reject the message outright, but then the person sent another message: [Are you still awake? Is it because your husband isn't with you?] Nyla's alarm bells went off. How did this person know Clark wasn't home? She didn't accept the friend request, but the messages kept coming: [Stop pretending, I know you're reading this.] [Your husband is with me now.] [I was scared of thunder, so he worried about me and came to keep me company.] [What a good man, but it's a shame he's not good for you alone.] Each message stabbed Nyla like a knife in the heart. Her hands trembled. Her mind told her it might be a prank, but deep down, a voice frantically questioned it. The last message completely broke her defenses: [If you don't believe me, I'll send you the address. The door lock code is your wedding anniversary.] Nyla couldn't sit still any longer. With trembling fingers, she accepted the friend request. The other party immediately sent an address and a password: 0823. It was indeed their anniversary. Nyla rushed out of the house like a madman and drove to the address. It was an upscale apartment. She stood in front of the door, her finger hovering over the combination lock, her heart pounding. She entered 0823, and the lock clicked and the door opened. A men's suit jacket lay scattered in the hallway. She recognized it as the three-year anniversary gift she had given Clark, which Clark had worn when he left that morning. A pair of black lace paanties lay on the sofa in the living room, and a wine glass with a woman's lipstick stain on it lay on the coffee table. From the hallway to the bedroom, men's and women's clothing was scattered everywhere. The most striking thing was a red lace nightgown, torn to shreds, lying by the bedroom door. Nyla's legs were so weak she could barely stand, but she still trembled as she pushed open the half-open bedroom door. On the bed, Clark, na-ked, embraced another woman. The woman knelt on the bed, her head buried between Clark's legs, licking Clark's pen.is. Clark's eyes were closed, his face a look of enjoyment, m0-aning, "Yes, that's it, great..." The woman asked proudly, "Am I better, or is Nyla better?" Clark replied, "You think you can compare with Nyla?" Then he spun the woman around, grabbed her h1ps from behind, and thrust wildly. The woman's m0-ans mingled with Clark's heavy gasps. The scene completely devastated Nyla. Eight years had passed, from their innocent college romance to their current marriage. Everyone had envied their love, saying they were a match made in hea-ven. But now, it all seemed so absurd. She covered her mouth, resisting the urge to vomit, and fled the nauseating place. She drove to a bar downtown and sat alone in a corner, drinking furiously. The sharp taste of the whiskey stung her throat, but it couldn't numb the pain in her heart. When Valarie received her call and rushed to the bar, Nyla was already completely drunk. "Nyla!" Valarie's voice cut through her memories as she slid into the booth across from her, face etched with worry. "Why are you so drunk? What happened? Did Clark make you mad?" Drunk Nyla looked at her with red eyes. "Val, I don't want to hear that name right now." Nyla took another swig of the whiskey in front of her, leaving a bitter taste in her mouth. "Val, I saw him hooking up with that woman right in front of me. It's definitely not a misunderstanding." Valarie saw her friend's pained expression and held her hand with a heartache. "Nyla, maybe you two can talk it out..." "There's nothing to talk about," Nyla interrupted decisively. "Divorce. Every time I think about him hooking up with that woman, I feel sick." Chapter 2 Nyla returned home and sat on the living room sofa, staring at her phone. The number she had just dialed glowed on the screen. After calming down from her anger and pain, she had to face reality. A divorce required financial independence. Clark was covering all of her father's monthly medical expenses. The bills reached a staggering $100,000 each month. She simply couldn't afford it. Her fingers trembled as she scrolled through her contacts. She stopped at a familiar name. Professor Anderson. Her former research supervisor from graduate school. "Professor Anderson? This is Nyla. Nyla Jayston." She tried to sound calm, but her voice cracked slightly. A surprised voice came from the other end. "Nyla! Oh my god, are you okay? I haven't been in touch since you got married three years ago." Nyla bit her lip hard. The metallic taste of blood filled her mouth. "Professor, I want to return to research. I know this sounds sudden, but I need a job." "Of course!" Professor Anderson agreed without hesitation. "You're one of the best students I've ever taught. Your thesis on molecular biology was groundbreaking. I can contact you right now with a company that's looking for a senior researcher position. The salary is excellent." "Thank you," Nyla whispered. Relief flooded through her chest. "I really appreciate this." "Don't mention it. You have incredible talent. It's a shame you left research when you got married. When can you start?" "As soon as possible." After hanging up, Nyla felt a small spark of hope. She could do this. She could leave Clark and rebuild her life. She walked into their bedroom and began packing. Her hands moved mechanically, folding clothes and placing them in a suitcase. Hanging in the closet were the matching pajamas they'd bought on their honeymoon in Paris. On the dresser sat a small angel figurine they'd brought back from Italy. On the wall were photos of them at the beach, laughing and kissing under the sunset. Each item silently spoke of past sweetness. Yet now they stabbed her heart like knives. How had she been so blind? How had she missed the signs? She opened the dresser drawer to retrieve some personal belongings. Her wedding ring caught the light, mocking her. Then she saw it. The marriage certificate. With trembling hands, Nyla picked it up. She flipped to the first page, revealing two young, radiant faces. Her own smile was so bright it hurt to look at. Clark's eyes shone with pure joy. It was August 23rd, three years ago. To become the first couple to receive their marriage certificate that day, they had woken up at four in the morning to queue at the registry office. Clark had been as excited as a child. He spoke nervously throughout the entire ride. "Nyla, we're really getting married," he had said, bouncing in the passenger seat. "I feel like I'm eighteen again. Like the first time I saw you in Professor Wilson's chemistry class." When the staff handed them the marriage certificate, Clark's hands had trembled violently. He took it carefully, as if it were made of glass. Tears welled in his eyes. "Nyla, we're finally husband and wife," he had whispered, his voice breaking with emotion. "I swear I'll love and protect you for the rest of my life. You're everything to me." Nyla had believed every word. She had thought they were soulmates. Forever. But now... She stared at her beaming smile in the photo. Before she could shed a tear, she heard the familiar sound of a car engine downstairs. Her heart stopped. The garage door rumbled open. Footsteps on the stairs. "Honey, I'm back!" Clark's voice echoed from downstairs, cheerful and casual. Panic seized Nyla's chest. She hurriedly shoved the marriage certificate back into the drawer. She wiped her eyes frantically and tried to appear normal. The bedroom door was still open. She couldn't let him see the suitcase. Footsteps approached down the hallway. Clark pushed the door open, his face lighting up when he saw her. Without warning, he wrapped his arms around her from behind. His embrace had once been her safest haven. Now Nyla felt only nausea rising in her throat. She could smell an unfamiliar scent on his skin. Sweet vanilla shower gel. He had obviously showered somewhere else before coming home. "Did you miss me?" Clark whispered softly in her ear. His voice carried a lazy satisfaction, like a cat who'd just finished a meal. Nyla's muscles tensed. She resisted the urge to shove him away. Her body felt rigid as stone. "Where have you been?" "I'm sorry, babe." Clark's lie rolled off his tongue effortlessly. "I was so busy at work yesterday that I fell asleep at the office. I completely missed our anniversary." He pulled an exquisite jewelry box from his jacket pocket. "But look what I got you to make up for it." He opened the box with a flourish. Inside lay an exquisite diamond necklace. The stones caught the bedroom light, throwing rainbow patterns on the walls. "It's beautiful, isn't it?" Clark's eyes sparkled with pride. "Turn around so I can put it on you." Nyla mechanically turned around. She felt like a puppet with cut strings. Clark's fingers traced her neck as he fastened the clasp. The cold metal pressed against her skin. The diamonds felt heavy. Suffocating. "Perfect," Clark stepped back to admire his handiwork. His satisfaction was obvious. "Tomorrow night is Grandpa's birthday party. The entire Summer family will be there. With this necklace, you'll definitely be the most beautiful woman in the room." "Do I need to go?" Nyla asked. Her voice sounded hollow even to her own ears. She just wanted to escape. To get away from everything connected to the Summer family. "Of course you need to go. You're my wife." Clark looked at her with what seemed like genuine affection. He leaned in to kiss her, but Nyla quickly pushed him away. "You should shower first," she said, turning her face away. Clark nodded, seemingly unbothered. "Good idea. I've been working all day." He grabbed some clothes and headed to the bathroom. The shower turned on. Steam began seeping under the door. Nyla's phone suddenly buzzed with a notification. She glanced at the screen. A Facebook message. Her blood turned to ice. On the screen was a photo. A woman wearing a necklace identical to the one around Nyla's neck. Hickeys and scratches covered the woman's pale skin. The photo was cropped to show only her slender neck and the curve of her breasts. Below the image was a message that made Nyla's world crumble: [Does the necklace look good? I picked it out especially for you. I wore it when we faking last night. Clark said it looked beautiful on me.] Chapter 3 Nyla felt a surge of nausea wash over her. She quickly removed the necklace from her neck. Without hesitation, she tossed it into the bedroom trash can. The diamonds clinked against the metal bin. She rushed into the guest bathroom and turned on the shower. The scalding water burned her skin, but she didn't care. She grabbed the shower gel and frantically scrubbed her neck and body. She needed to remove every trace of Clark. Every memory of his touch. Her skin turned red from the harsh scrubbing, but she still felt dirty. The thought of that necklace clinging to another woman's neck made her sick. She imagined it swaying as that woman moved beneath Clark. The mental image made her stomach lurch. The bathroom door suddenly opened. Clark stood in the doorway, his eyes fixed on Nyla through the glass shower door. His gaze traveled over her wet hair, down her shoulders, following the water droplets that traced her curves. Clark's breathing became heavy. His eyes burned with lust. "Nyla, you're so beautiful," he said, his voice thick with desire. Nyla heard his voice and immediately wrapped herself in a towel. She stepped out of the shower, but the thought that he might have looked at that other woman the same way made her nauseous. "Don't come near me." Nyla took several steps back, but Clark was already approaching. "Baby, what's wrong?" Clark reached out to touch her cheek, but Nyla quickly dodged his hand. Clark didn't give up. Instead, he pulled her into his arms. His hands began wandering over her body, caressing her back through the towel. Then they moved lower. "Nyla, I want you," he whispered in her ear. His breath was hot against her skin. Nyla's body went rigid. She tried to pull away, but Clark was much stronger. His hand moved to her breast, his thumb brushing over the sensitive skin. His other hand slid down toward her inner th1gh. "Let's have a baby, okay?" Clark's voice was filled with longing. "We could have a beautiful child. A little girl with your eyes." Nyla felt ice water flood her veins. She thought of the photo that woman had sent. The same hands that were touching her now had been all over another woman's body just hours ago. Anger and disgust exploded inside her chest. "Get away from me!" Nyla pushed Clark with all her strength. "Clark, I'm tired! I don't want to do this right now!" Clark stumbled backward, startled by her sudden fury. He stared at Nyla's face, confusion clouding his features. "Honey, I'm sorry." His voice immediately filled with guilt. "I shouldn't have pushed you. I just want you so badly. I love you so much." He paused, searching her face. "If you don't want a child right now, we can wait." Watching Clark's apologetic expression, Nyla felt a mixture of emotions churning in her stomach. This man had been gentle and caring toward her for three years. She couldn't reconcile this version of him with the man who had been with another woman last night. But the facts were undeniable. Those photos. Those messages. The necklace in the trash can. That night, Nyla lay awake staring at the ceiling. Clark's breathing was even beside her. The painful images replayed in her mind over and over. She didn't sleep until dawn. The next morning, Nyla woke with dark circles under her eyes. Her reflection in the mirror looked hollow and tired. "Honey, are you feeling okay?" Clark asked with concern. "You look exhausted. Maybe you should rest today." Nyla shook her head. "I'm fine. We need to get ready for your grandfather's birthday party." As they drove through the gates of the Summer family estate, a black car suddenly roared past them. It stopped directly in front of the main entrance. The license plate read "DAMON-1." Clark's hands tightened on the steering wheel. His face darkened instantly. "Uncle Damon," he muttered under his breath. Damon Summer was Clark's uncle, Richard's youngest son. Despite being only six years older than Clark, Damon had always intimidated his nephew. He had refused to join the family business, starting his own company instead. That company was now worth five times more than Summer Group. Damon was known for being brilliant, ruthless, and vindictive. Last year, he had overheard Clark making disparaging comments about him at a business dinner. As punishment, Damon had refused a potential partnership that would have brought Summer Group hundreds of millions in revenue. Clark parked behind the car. As Nyla stepped out of the car, her high heel caught in the gravel driveway. She wobbled, about to fall backward. Suddenly, a pair of strong hands caught her waist, steadying her against a solid chest. Nyla looked up into a pair of deep, dark eyes. The man was tall and imposing, probably around twenty-nine. His features were sharp and perfectly sculpted. High cheekbones, a straight nose, a strong jawline. He wore a tailored dark gray suit that emphasized his broad shoulders and lean build. This was Damon Summer. "Careful," Damon said. His voice was deep and magnetic, with a hint of genuine concern. For a moment, Nyla found herself caught in his gaze. Clark appeared beside them, his face flushed with jealousy. He roughly grabbed Nyla's hand and pulled her away from Damon. "Thank you, Uncle," Clark said tersely. His voice was tight with barely controlled anger. He dragged Nyla toward the manor entrance. After they'd walked a few steps, he leaned close to her ear. "Nyla, you know I don't like you getting too close to other men," he whispered harshly. "Not even my uncle." Nyla almost laughed at the irony. Here was Clark, who had been with another woman just last night, acting possessive about her talking to his uncle. "So you'd rather have your wife fall flat on her face in front of the Summer family estate?" she replied coldly. Clark immediately backed down. "Honey, that's not what I meant. I just don't want people to get the wrong idea." Nyla ignored him and continued walking toward the entrance. The Summer family manor was impressive, with its grand foyer and crystal chandeliers. But Nyla felt no joy at being here. In the living room, Clark's grandmother Marie immediately called out with a beaming smile. "Nyla, Clark, you're here! Come sit down!" Nyla took a deep breath and forced a polite smile. Whatever her feelings about Clark, she still respected his grandparents. Richard had always treated her kindly. "Hello, Grandpa. Hello, Grandma," she greeted them warmly. Marie's eyes lit up as she watched Clark and Nyla approach. She had been trying to convince Damon to settle down for years. "Come, sit here next to me," Marie patted the sofa beside her. As they settled in, Damon entered the living room. Marie's expression immediately shifted to disapproval. "Look at Clark," she said pointedly to Damon. "He's got his company running smoothly, and his wife is absolutely beautiful. They might be giving us a great-grandchild soon." Her voice grew stern. "And you? You're almost thirty and still single. If you don't bring a girlfriend to the next family gathering, don't bother coming at all!" Damon's gaze flicked to Clark, then settled on Nyla. His lips curved into a half-smile. "Yes," he said quietly. "Really beautiful." Chapter 4 Marie's headache intensified at Damon's nonchalant attitude. She shook her head and turned her attention to Clark and Nyla. "You've been married for three years now. When are you planning on having kids? I'm looking forward to having great-grandchildren." The moment this topic came up, the atmosphere in the living room suddenly became tense. Nyla's fingers gripped her teacup so tightly her knuckles turned white. This was her most sensitive topic, the one that pierced her heart every time it was mentioned. Clark's aunt Anne immediately seized the opportunity. She leaned forward with a sneer. "Nyla, you and Clark have been married for three years. What will it look like if you don't have a child? What will others think of our Summer family?" She paused, malice glinting in her eyes. "And if Clark hadn't insisted on marrying you, do you think you could have married into our Summer family with your background? Don't be so ungrateful. You don't want to have children for Clark, but there are plenty of women out there who would." Anne spoke with mock concern, but her gaze was filled with contempt. She had always looked down on this niece-in-law. Talking about children made Nyla's chest tighten with pain. Of course she wanted a child. She had given up her promising career in scientific research to be a good wife. But she couldn't conceive. She had secretly visited doctors who said nothing was wrong with her body. Perhaps it was stress. But the Summer family often mocked her, calling her barren and useless. Just as Nyla was drowning in humiliation, Clark suddenly took her hand. He smiled at his grandmother. "Grandma, we're trying! There's no rushing these things. We have to let nature take its course." Then he turned to Anne, his voice stern. "Anne, watch your words. Nyla is my wife, and I won't tolerate anyone speaking to her like that." Anne's face flushed red at being publicly rebuked. "I'm doing this for your own good. You've been married for so long without any progress..." "That's enough," Clark interrupted sharply. "You don't need to worry about Nyla and me. And I want to make it clear that I'm honored to have Nyla as my wife. She didn't marry up." Nyla felt a confusing mix of emotions as she listened to Clark's defense. The love they had shared over the years was genuine. Clark's protection of her had always felt real. He consistently stood between her and his family's criticism. But at the same time, his betrayal was also real. Those photos, that necklace in the trash can, the woman's taunting messages. All of it reminded her that this man had deceived her completely. Anne was clearly unwilling to let this go. She continued with false sweetness. "I'm just telling the truth. No pre-gnancy in three years? Maybe there's something wrong with her body. With all the medical advances these days, she should get checked out. There are treatments for these things." "Anne!" Clark's voice turned dangerously cold. "I'm warning you for the last time. Whether or when we have children is between Nyla and me. It's not your business to interfere." In the past, Nyla would have been grateful for Clark's protection. She would have seen it as proof of his love. But today, hearing these words felt hollow. She knew that the moment Clark cheated, everything changed. No amount of public defense could erase what he had done in private. Midway through the banquet, Clark's phone suddenly rang. "Sorry, everyone," Clark said with an apologetic smile. "There's an emergency at work. I need to handle this right away." He turned to Nyla, his expression softening. "Honey, can you have Grandma's driver take you home? I'll be back as soon as I can." Marie waved dismissively. "Clark, go ahead. Don't worry about Nyla." Clark kissed Nyla's forehead quickly. "I'll make this up to you, I promise." As soon as Clark's car disappeared down the driveway, Marie's polite mask slipped completely. She looked at Nyla with open displeasure. "Well, now that Clark's gone," Marie said coolly, "I suppose you'll be wanting to leave too." The temperature in the room seemed to drop. "Nyla's not some delicate flower," Anne chimed in with renewed confidence. "She can find her own way home, can't she?" Nyla felt her cheeks burn with embarrassment. She had been dismissed like a servant. Without Clark's protection, she meant nothing to these people. "I think that's my cue to leave," Nyla said. She stood up. "Thank you for your hospitality." The butler, following Marie's subtle nod, escorted Nyla only to the manor gate. He immediately turned back toward the house, leaving her standing alone on the roadside. That's when the rain started. Fat droplets fell from the dark sky, quickly soaking through Nyla's silk dress. She pulled out her phone to call a taxi, but the app showed no available drivers in this remote area. The Summer estate was far from the city center. The rain intensified rapidly. Within minutes, Nyla was completely drenched. Her carefully styled hair hung in wet strands around her face. Her dress clung uncomfortably to her skin. Just when she thought things couldn't get worse, headlights cut through the darkness. A black car slowed to a stop beside her. The window rolled down, revealing Damon's sharp features. Chapter 5 As Damon prepared to leave the manor, he glanced out the car window. Through the rain, he could see Nyla huddled against the stone wall near the gate. Her dress was completely soaked, clinging to her body and outlining her curves. Her long hair hung in wet strands around her face, making her look fragile and abandoned. Damon understood immediately what had happened. He knew Marie and Anne's personalities well. They would never be kind enough to arrange transportation for the niece-in-law they had always disliked. He turned to his assistant Spencer, who was sitting in the passenger seat. "Get out and hold an umbrella for her." Spencer immediately grabbed the black umbrella from the floor and stepped out into the rain. He walked quickly toward Nyla while Damon rolled down his window. "Get in," Damon said to Nyla. His voice was characteristically cold and commanding. "I'll take you home." Nyla looked up, startled to see it was Damon. She instinctively took a step back, shaking her head. "Uncle Damon, it's okay. The rain will stop soon. I can wait." She remembered Clark's warnings about how dangerous Damon could be. Clark had specifically told her to keep her distance from his uncle. She didn't want to cause herself any more trouble, especially not tonight. Damon's brow furrowed when he saw Nyla clearly trying to avoid him. His tone grew deeper and more commanding. "Get in the car. Don't make me repeat myself." His natural dominance was overwhelming. The way he spoke made it nearly impossible to refuse. Nyla felt her resolve weakening under his intense gaze. Before she could refuse again, Spencer appeared beside her with the umbrella. He gently took her damp clutch from her trembling hands. "Ms. Nyla, please get in the car," Spencer said kindly. "This rain will continue for at least another hour. It's very windy out here, and you're not dressed warmly enough. You'll catch pneumonia." Spencer's tone was gentle and concerned. Nyla glanced up at the dark storm clouds, then down at her completely soaked dress. Water was still dripping from her hair. She was starting to shiver uncontrollably. Finally, biting her lip, she opened the car door and slid inside. The interior of the car was warm and luxurious. Soft leather seats and the faint scent of expensive cologne filled the space. Nyla immediately felt the temperature difference. Damon glanced at her wet dress, which was now clinging even more tightly to her body. The fabric had become almost transparent. He could see the outline of her undergarments. His throat tightened involuntarily. Without a word, he took off his dark gray suit jacket and tossed it to her. "Thank you," Nyla murmured, quickly pulling the jacket around her shoulders. It was still warm from his body heat and smelled like his cologne. The scent was surprisingly comforting. "I'll have it cleaned and return it to you." "Just throw it away," Damon replied coldly. His tone carried casual arrogance, as if the expensive jacket meant nothing to him. The car pulled away from the manor and drove smoothly through the rainy night. Silence settled between them. Nyla huddled in the corner of the backseat, not daring to look at the powerful man beside her. She could feel an oppressive aura radiating from him. It made her unconsciously nervous. She stole a glance at his profile. His jaw was sharp and perfectly defined. His dark hair was styled impeccably despite the rain. Everything about him screamed wealth and power. He was nothing like Clark, who was gentle and approachable. Damon seemed dangerous. Twenty minutes later, the car stopped in front of Nyla's house. She quickly gathered herself and reached for the door handle. "Thank you so much for the ride," she said hurriedly, leaving his jacket on the seat. "I really appreciate it." Damon watched her disappear inside the house. The faint scent of jasmine perfume still lingered in the car where she had been sitting. He found himself breathing it in deeply. His body reacted involuntarily to her proximity. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "She's your nephew's wife," he warned himself silently. "Control yourself." As soon as Nyla entered her house, she felt a wave of dizziness wash over her. Her body began to feel hot despite her wet clothes. Her head felt heavy and confused. Before she could even change out of her soaked dress, everything went black. She collapsed in the living room. When Nyla woke up, she found herself lying in a hospital bed. The room smelled strongly of disinfectant, but the bedside table was covered with familiar treats. Strawberry shortcake, colorful macarons, handmade chocolates, and a large bouquet of pink roses. "Ma'am, you're finally awake!" A nurse appeared beside her bed, looking relieved. "You've had a high fever for over twenty-four hours. Mr. Summer was so worried. He stayed by your bedside the entire time. He only left an hour ago because of an emergency call." The nurse checked Nyla's temperature with a digital thermometer. "Do you want me to call him? He'll be so happy to know you're conscious." Looking at the familiar arrangement of gifts, Nyla felt her heart soften despite everything. She had always been prone to illness and had a terrible fear of injections and medication. Whenever she was sick, Clark would do exactly this. He would buy all her favorite treats and flowers, hoping to cheer her up and speed her recovery. It had become their tradition over the years. These sweet memories made her chest ache with confusion. How could the man who cheated on her be the same person who spent the night worried beside her hospital bed? "Where is he now?" Nyla asked, pushing herself up in bed. "I want to find him myself." The nurse smiled. "He's somewhere in the hospital taking care of business." She left her room and walked down the sterile hospital corridor. As she rounded the corner, she stopped dead in her tracks. There was Clark, coming out of the obstetrics and gynecology department. But he wasn't alone. A woman walked beside him, her hand resting protectively on her belly. Chapter 6 Clark gently helped the young woman out of the obstetrics clinic. Both of them were smiling, their faces glowing with happiness. Nyla immediately recognized her. This was the woman from the photos in those anonymous messages. Just then, the woman spotted Nyla standing frozen in the hallway. Her eyes lit up with surprise and something that looked like malicious delight. "Oh wow, isn't that Mrs. Summer?" she exclaimed loudly. "What a coincidence running into you at the hospital!" At the sound of her voice, Clark looked up. His eyes met Nyla's across the corridor. His entire body went rigid. He quickly dropped his hand from the woman's arm, panic flooding his features. "Nyla!" Clark hurried toward her, his voice high with nervousness. "Why are you here? You should be resting in your room!" He reached her side, speaking rapidly. "I was just downstairs getting your medicine when I accidentally bumped into Jordyn here. She's my new secretary, and she's pre-gnant. I was worried she might fall, so I helped steady her." His explanation tumbled out in a rush. Sweat beaded on his forehead despite the air conditioning. Nyla's gaze moved to the woman's slightly swollen belly. She felt her breathing become shallow and labored. But she forced herself to remain outwardly calm. "Miss Jordyn," Nyla said slowly, "when did you get pre-gnant? Where's the father? Shouldn't he be here with you for such an important appointment?" Jordyn caressed her belly with obvious pride. A sweet, satisfied smile spread across her face. "I just found out I'm two months along. The father couldn't be here because he's so busy with work, but he was absolutely thrilled when I told him." She practically glowed as she spoke. "He said he wants to give me and the baby the best life possible. He's already bought me a beautiful apartment downtown and promised to make everything official after the baby arrives." Every word felt like a knife twisting in Nyla's chest. Jordyn continued, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "Mrs. Summer, you're so lucky to have such a wonderful husband. But I think my boyfriend is just as amazing. He tells me I've become even more beautiful since getting pre-gnant. He can barely stand to leave my side." She paused, tilting her head with feigned innocence. "Mrs. Summer, do you have time? I'm free today. Would you like to have dinner together? I could invite the baby's father to join us." The challenge in her eyes was unmistakable. Clark's expression darkened. He shot Jordyn a warning look. "My wife doesn't have time. Miss Jordyn, I'm sure your boyfriend is waiting for you. Don't keep him worried." His voice carried clear dismissal and irritation. Then he wrapped his arm around Nyla's shoulders, his touch gentle and concerned. "Honey, you're still recovering. You shouldn't be walking around the hospital. Let me take you back to your room." He spoke in the same caring tone. "She's just a secretary. Don't worry about her." Jordyn's face crumpled at the cold dismissal in Clark's voice. Her eyes filled with tears, making her look young and vulnerable. "You're right. I got too excited. I'm not worthy of having dinner with Mrs. Summer." She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, looking genuinely hurt. "I should go. My boyfriend will be wondering where I am." With that, she turned and walked away, her shoulders shaking slightly. Clark's expression flickered. For a moment, he looked like he wanted to follow her. But when he noticed Nyla watching him carefully, he stayed put. He turned back to Nyla and patted her head affectionately. "Be good, okay? I have some urgent things to handle at the company. I'll have James drive you home. Get some rest, and I'll be back tonight to check on you." His voice was warm and loving, the same tone he had used for three years of marriage. As soon as Nyla returned to her hospital room, her phone buzzed with a new message. It was from Jordyn. The first image was a pre-gnancy test showing two clear pink lines. Then came a series of messages that made Nyla's hands shake: [Nyla, I know you figured it out today. The baby is Clark's. Don't think he loves you as much as you believe. If he truly loves you, then what am I doing in his life?] [Do you know how obsessed he is with me? Every year on your birthday and your anniversary, after he puts you to sleep, he comes to spend the night with me. He's so passionate with me, so wild. We go through boxes of c0n-doms, and I can barely walk the next day.] [We've faking in his car, his office, even in your bedroom when you were away. He's done things with me that I bet he's never done with you. Has he ever been truly passionate with you, Nyla? Or does he save all his fire for me?] Reading these brutal messages, Nyla felt something break inside her chest. Her hands trembled as she set down the phone. She took deep, measured breaths, trying to suppress the storm of emotions threatening to overwhelm her. That evening, Clark returned with an elegant white box. Inside was a strawberry mousse cake from the city's most expensive French pastry shop. It had once been Nyla's absolute favorite dessert. "Baby, I brought your favorite cake," Clark said carefully, watching her face for a reaction. "The doctor said you're still weak and need to eat more sweets to build up your energy." He opened the box with a flourish, revealing the delicate pink confection. In the past, Nyla would have clapped her hands with delight at seeing this cake. She used to say it was almost too beautiful to eat. But now, looking at it made her stomach turn. She picked up the small silver fork and took a mechanical bite. The overly sweet flavor sat in her mouth like paste. She couldn't swallow it. Without a word, Nyla stood up and threw the entire cake box into the trash can. The beautiful dessert landed with a dull thud. Clark stared at her in shock. "Nyla, what's wrong with you? " Chapter 7 Nyla turned to face Clark, her eyes completely devoid of their usual warmth. "It doesn't taste the same anymore." Her voice was eerily calm, but it sent a chill through Clark's entire body. He rushed to her side and pulled her into his arms. "Baby, maybe this bakery changed their recipe," he said. "I'll call them tomorrow and find out. No matter how much it costs, I'll make sure they get the taste exactly right again." Nyla's body remained rigid in his embrace. "Things change, Clark. Once they change, you can't go back." Her voice was still calm, but each word felt like an icicle piercing Clark's heart. He sensed she wasn't just talking about the cake anymore. She was talking about them. Clark felt panic rising in his chest. That was when his phone rang. The ringtone cut through the tension. Clark glanced at the caller ID and his face went pale. Nyla caught the shift in his expression, and her disappointment deepened. "I... I need to take this call," Clark stammered. "There's an emergency at work." Nyla turned away from him completely. "Go ahead. Work is important." Clark stood frozen for several seconds, torn between answering the phone and staying with his wife. Finally, he made his choice and headed for the door. As he stepped into the hallway, Nyla could hear his voice through the thin walls: "Jordyn, what's wrong? Are you feeling sick? I'll be right there..." His voice faded as he moved further away, leaving Nyla alone in their living room. The silence felt suffocating. Nyla stared at the white walls, feeling like they were closing in on her. Twenty minutes after Clark left, Nyla's phone buzzed with an incoming call. She didn't recognize the number, but she answered anyway. "Mrs. Summer, I hope I'm not interrupting," came Jordyn's sweet voice. "I'm not feeling well, so I borrowed Clark from you tonight. He came without hesitation when I called. He said nothing was more important than making sure I was okay." Nyla's grip tightened on the phone, but she said nothing. Jordyn continued with obvious satisfaction. "You know what Clark told me today? He said I'm younger and prettier than you. He said I can give him something you never could - a child. He mentioned that you haven't been able to conceive in three years. He's worried there might be something wrong with your body." "Oh, and that strawberry mousse cake you threw away today?" Jordyn's voice turned mocking. "Clark buys me that same cake all the time. He says sweet treats are perfect for sweet girls. Don't you think it tastes sweet, Mrs. Summer?" The call ended with Jordyn's cruel laughter. Nyla sat in the darkness, feeling something fundamental shift inside her. The pain was so intense it took her breath away. Then slowly, mercifully, numbness began to set in. From that day forward, Nyla began quietly packing her belongings. She folded her clothes carefully and placed them in suitcases. She packed her books, her makeup, her jewelry. Each item felt heavy with memories she no longer wanted to keep. Clark became even busier during this time. He came home later and later, sometimes not at all. When he did return, he was distant and distracted. Meanwhile, Jordyn's messages never stopped. Photos of her growing belly, pictures of expensive gifts, taunting words designed to twist the knife deeper. Nyla's best friend Valarie came over to help with the divorce paperwork. "Given that Clark committed adultery and got another woman pre-gnant, you could definitely ask for substantial compensation," Valarie said seriously. "Plus, you gave up your career for this marriage. That's worth a lot in court." Valarie spread the legal documents across the coffee table. "You sacrificed your research position at the university. You could have been earning six figures by now." But before proceeding with anything official, Nyla felt she should tell her father. She drove to the hospital where he was still recovering from his recent surgery. Her father looked better than he had in weeks. His color was returning, and he was sitting up reading the newspaper. "Dad," Nyla began carefully, "if... hypothetically... if I wanted to get divorced, what would you think?" Her father set down his newspaper and studied his daughter's face intently. "Nyla, is something wrong between you and Clark?" Nyla forced herself to maintain eye contact. "I'm just curious. If that day ever came..." "Absolutely not!" Her father's voice rose sharply. "Nyla, do you understand what the Summer family has done for us? When my factory had that terrible accident, they provided the money that saved us from bankruptcy. They've been paying my medical bills for three years. Without them, we would have lost everything." Her father's face was flushed with emotion. "Clark has been nothing but good to you. How could you even think such thoughts? Has someone been filling your head with ideas?" Nyla realized she couldn't continue this conversation. Her father had no idea about Clark's betrayal. She couldn't bear to put her sick father through that kind of shock and disappointment. She was about to change the subject when her father's phone chimed with a text message. He glanced at the screen and his face went completely white. The message was from Jordyn. It contained a photo of her and Clark kissing passionately in what looked like a hotel room. Below the image was a message that read: "Thought you should know - I'm pre-gnant with your son-in-law Clark's baby." Chapter 8 Harrison suddenly developed a violent coughing fit. His body convulsed as he struggled to breathe. His face turned an alarming shade of blue, and his hands clawed at his chest. The phone slipped from his trembling fingers and clattered to the floor. Nyla saw the message on the fallen phone and immediately understood what had triggered his condition. Rage flooded through her veins, but her father's health took priority over confronting Jordyn. She frantically pressed the call button for the nurses. "Help! I need a doctor now!" she shouted into the hallway. A team of medical staff rushed into the room. They immediately began checking her father's vital signs while Nyla stood helplessly in the corner, watching his condition deteriorate before her eyes. The lead doctor emerged from the examination looking grave. He pulled off his mask and shook his head slowly. "Mr. Jayston's condition has suddenly worsened," he said wearily. "His kid ney failure has progressed rapidly. We need to transfer him to the ICU immediately for intensive monitoring and treatment." Nyla felt her legs go weak. "How serious is this?" "It's critical," the doctor replied bluntly. "But I'm afraid we have a problem. Our ICU is completely full. Every bed is occupied, and there's a waiting list. All the hospitals in the city are experiencing the same shortage of resources." "Wait?" Nyla could barely comprehend what she was hearing. "Doctor, my father can't wait. Look at him!" Her father was still struggling to breathe normally. His skin had a grayish pallor that terrified her. "I understand your concern, Mrs. Summer, but we're doing everything we can," the doctor said helplessly. "All we can do right now is stabilize his condition with medication and hope a bed opens up soon." Desperation clawed at Nyla's chest. She thought immediately of Clark. As the heir to Summer Group, he had connections throughout the medical community. He could pull strings and get her father the care he needed. With shaking hands, she dialed Clark's number. After several rings, someone picked up. But it wasn't Clark's voice that greeted her. "Hello, who's calling?" came Jordyn's sickeningly sweet voice. Nyla's blood turned to ice. "This is Nyla. I need to speak to Clark immediately. It's an emergency." "Oh, Mrs. Summer!" Jordyn's voice was dripping with false concern. "Clark is in the shower right now. He's been taking such good care of me all day that he's completely exhausted. Poor thing needs to rest." Nyla bit back her fury and forced herself to stay focused. "This is about my father. He's dying and needs an ICU bed. Please put Clark on the phone right now." "Oh my, what terrible timing," Jordyn said with obvious fake sympathy. "I wasn't feeling well this afternoon either. Just some pre-gnancy nausea and dizziness, you know how it is. But Clark was so worried about me and the baby that he immediately called in the best medical team in the city. They're all on standby right now, just in case something happens to us." Nyla's hands were shaking so violently she could barely hold the phone. Her father was dying, and her husband was playing house with his pre-gnant mistress. "Can you please just-" Nyla began, but Jordyn cut her off. "Oh, I hear the shower turning off. Clark will be so tired after everything we've been through today. I should probably let him rest. You understand, don't you?" The line went dead. Nyla stood in the hospital hallway, feeling like the world was collapsing around her. She closed her eyes and tried to think of alternatives. Then suddenly, an image flashed through her mind - a figure handing her a coat in the rain. Damon's cold but decisive voice echoing in the car. Without allowing herself to second-guess the decision, she dialed his number. ...

After I caught my husband Clark having an affair with his secretary in the office, I filed for divorce. Unexpectedly, the only condition he proposed was to sleep with him... ** "Nyla, are you sure you want me to draft a divorce agreement?" Valarie's voice crackled through the phone, hesitant and worried. "Think about it. Once you sign this, you and Clark will have nothing to do with each other anymore." Nyla stared at the amber liquid in her glass. The whiskey burned her throat, but nothing could burn away the images from last night. Her fingers tightened around the phone. "Yes," she said finally. "I'm leaving him." "Why?" Valarie's confusion bled through the speaker. "Clark's been so good to you. He loves you so much..." Nyla almost laughed. Love. What a joke. She pressed her lips together, fighting back the bitter taste rising in her throat. After hanging up, Nyla looked out the window. The massive LED screen on the skyscraper across the street was still playing that press conference. Clark stood there in his perfect suit, holding up that ridiculous jewelry piece. Using the world's finest diamonds and gemstones, he had created a one-of-a-kind piece for his wife. It was named "Love Nyla." He named it after Nyla, declaring to the world his eternal love for her. Upon its release, "Love Nyla" instantly ignited social media discussion, remaining a hot topic. The world was buzzing about their enviable love. Outside, the LED screens continued to replay the video, but Nyla chuckled self-deprecatingly. "Love me?" she muttered to herself. "Love me enough to sleep with another woman on our anniversary night?" Last night was their third wedding anniversary. Clark had said he wanted to surprise her and asked her to wait for him at home. Nyla wore Clark's favorite white dress, lit candles, and prepared his favorite dinner, waiting eagerly until late at night. She had waited. And waited. Midnight came and went. At one in the morning, her phone suddenly buzzed with a Facebook friend request. A strange profile picture with the note "A surprise for you." Nyla was about to reject the message outright, but then the person sent another message: [Are you still awake? Is it because your husband isn't with you?] Nyla's alarm bells went off. How did this person know Clark wasn't home? She didn't accept the friend request, but the messages kept coming: [Stop pretending, I know you're reading this.] [Your husband is with me now.] [I was scared of thunder, so he worried about me and came to keep me company.] [What a good man, but it's a shame he's not good for you alone.] Each message stabbed Nyla like a knife in the heart. Her hands trembled. Her mind told her it might be a prank, but deep down, a voice frantically questioned it. The last message completely broke her defenses: [If you don't believe me, I'll send you the address. The door lock code is your wedding anniversary.] Nyla couldn't sit still any longer. With trembling fingers, she accepted the friend request. The other party immediately sent an address and a password: 0823. It was indeed their anniversary. Nyla rushed out of the house like a madman and drove to the address. It was an upscale apartment. She stood in front of the door, her finger hovering over the combination lock, her heart pounding. She entered 0823, and the lock clicked and the door opened. A men's suit jacket lay scattered in the hallway. She recognized it as the three-year anniversary gift she had given Clark, which Clark had worn when he left that morning. A pair of black lace paanties lay on the sofa in the living room, and a wine glass with a woman's lipstick stain on it lay on the coffee table. From the hallway to the bedroom, men's and women's clothing was scattered everywhere. The most striking thing was a red lace nightgown, torn to shreds, lying by the bedroom door. Nyla's legs were so weak she could barely stand, but she still trembled as she pushed open the half-open bedroom door. On the bed, Clark, na-ked, embraced another woman. The woman knelt on the bed, her head buried between Clark's legs, licking Clark's pen.is. Clark's eyes were closed, his face a look of enjoyment, m0-aning, "Yes, that's it, great..." The woman asked proudly, "Am I better, or is Nyla better?" Clark replied, "You think you can compare with Nyla?" Then he spun the woman around, grabbed her h1ps from behind, and thrust wildly. The woman's m0-ans mingled with Clark's heavy gasps. The scene completely devastated Nyla. Eight years had passed, from their innocent college romance to their current marriage. Everyone had envied their love, saying they were a match made in hea-ven. But now, it all seemed so absurd. She covered her mouth, resisting the urge to vomit, and fled the nauseating place. She drove to a bar downtown and sat alone in a corner, drinking furiously. The sharp taste of the whiskey stung her throat, but it couldn't numb the pain in her heart. When Valarie received her call and rushed to the bar, Nyla was already completely drunk. "Nyla!" Valarie's voice cut through her memories as she slid into the booth across from her, face etched with worry. "Why are you so drunk? What happened? Did Clark make you mad?" Drunk Nyla looked at her with red eyes. "Val, I don't want to hear that name right now." Nyla took another swig of the whiskey in front of her, leaving a bitter taste in her mouth. "Val, I saw him hooking up with that woman right in front of me. It's definitely not a misunderstanding." Valarie saw her friend's pained expression and held her hand with a heartache. "Nyla, maybe you two can talk it out..." "There's nothing to talk about," Nyla interrupted decisively. "Divorce. Every time I think about him hooking up with that woman, I feel sick." Chapter 2 Nyla returned home and sat on the living room sofa, staring at her phone. The number she had just dialed glowed on the screen. After calming down from her anger and pain, she had to face reality. A divorce required financial independence. Clark was covering all of her father's monthly medical expenses. The bills reached a staggering $100,000 each month. She simply couldn't afford it. Her fingers trembled as she scrolled through her contacts. She stopped at a familiar name. Professor Anderson. Her former research supervisor from graduate school. "Professor Anderson? This is Nyla. Nyla Jayston." She tried to sound calm, but her voice cracked slightly. A surprised voice came from the other end. "Nyla! Oh my god, are you okay? I haven't been in touch since you got married three years ago." Nyla bit her lip hard. The metallic taste of blood filled her mouth. "Professor, I want to return to research. I know this sounds sudden, but I need a job." "Of course!" Professor Anderson agreed without hesitation. "You're one of the best students I've ever taught. Your thesis on molecular biology was groundbreaking. I can contact you right now with a company that's looking for a senior researcher position. The salary is excellent." "Thank you," Nyla whispered. Relief flooded through her chest. "I really appreciate this." "Don't mention it. You have incredible talent. It's a shame you left research when you got married. When can you start?" "As soon as possible." After hanging up, Nyla felt a small spark of hope. She could do this. She could leave Clark and rebuild her life. She walked into their bedroom and began packing. Her hands moved mechanically, folding clothes and placing them in a suitcase. Hanging in the closet were the matching pajamas they'd bought on their honeymoon in Paris. On the dresser sat a small angel figurine they'd brought back from Italy. On the wall were photos of them at the beach, laughing and kissing under the sunset. Each item silently spoke of past sweetness. Yet now they stabbed her heart like knives. How had she been so blind? How had she missed the signs? She opened the dresser drawer to retrieve some personal belongings. Her wedding ring caught the light, mocking her. Then she saw it. The marriage certificate. With trembling hands, Nyla picked it up. She flipped to the first page, revealing two young, radiant faces. Her own smile was so bright it hurt to look at. Clark's eyes shone with pure joy. It was August 23rd, three years ago. To become the first couple to receive their marriage certificate that day, they had woken up at four in the morning to queue at the registry office. Clark had been as excited as a child. He spoke nervously throughout the entire ride. "Nyla, we're really getting married," he had said, bouncing in the passenger seat. "I feel like I'm eighteen again. Like the first time I saw you in Professor Wilson's chemistry class." When the staff handed them the marriage certificate, Clark's hands had trembled violently. He took it carefully, as if it were made of glass. Tears welled in his eyes. "Nyla, we're finally husband and wife," he had whispered, his voice breaking with emotion. "I swear I'll love and protect you for the rest of my life. You're everything to me." Nyla had believed every word. She had thought they were soulmates. Forever. But now... She stared at her beaming smile in the photo. Before she could shed a tear, she heard the familiar sound of a car engine downstairs. Her heart stopped. The garage door rumbled open. Footsteps on the stairs. "Honey, I'm back!" Clark's voice echoed from downstairs, cheerful and casual. Panic seized Nyla's chest. She hurriedly shoved the marriage certificate back into the drawer. She wiped her eyes frantically and tried to appear normal. The bedroom door was still open. She couldn't let him see the suitcase. Footsteps approached down the hallway. Clark pushed the door open, his face lighting up when he saw her. Without warning, he wrapped his arms around her from behind. His embrace had once been her safest haven. Now Nyla felt only nausea rising in her throat. She could smell an unfamiliar scent on his skin. Sweet vanilla shower gel. He had obviously showered somewhere else before coming home. "Did you miss me?" Clark whispered softly in her ear. His voice carried a lazy satisfaction, like a cat who'd just finished a meal. Nyla's muscles tensed. She resisted the urge to shove him away. Her body felt rigid as stone. "Where have you been?" "I'm sorry, babe." Clark's lie rolled off his tongue effortlessly. "I was so busy at work yesterday that I fell asleep at the office. I completely missed our anniversary." He pulled an exquisite jewelry box from his jacket pocket. "But look what I got you to make up for it." He opened the box with a flourish. Inside lay an exquisite diamond necklace. The stones caught the bedroom light, throwing rainbow patterns on the walls. "It's beautiful, isn't it?" Clark's eyes sparkled with pride. "Turn around so I can put it on you." Nyla mechanically turned around. She felt like a puppet with cut strings. Clark's fingers traced her neck as he fastened the clasp. The cold metal pressed against her skin. The diamonds felt heavy. Suffocating. "Perfect," Clark stepped back to admire his handiwork. His satisfaction was obvious. "Tomorrow night is Grandpa's birthday party. The entire Summer family will be there. With this necklace, you'll definitely be the most beautiful woman in the room." "Do I need to go?" Nyla asked. Her voice sounded hollow even to her own ears. She just wanted to escape. To get away from everything connected to the Summer family. "Of course you need to go. You're my wife." Clark looked at her with what seemed like genuine affection. He leaned in to kiss her, but Nyla quickly pushed him away. "You should shower first," she said, turning her face away. Clark nodded, seemingly unbothered. "Good idea. I've been working all day." He grabbed some clothes and headed to the bathroom. The shower turned on. Steam began seeping under the door. Nyla's phone suddenly buzzed with a notification. She glanced at the screen. A Facebook message. Her blood turned to ice. On the screen was a photo. A woman wearing a necklace identical to the one around Nyla's neck. Hickeys and scratches covered the woman's pale skin. The photo was cropped to show only her slender neck and the curve of her breasts. Below the image was a message that made Nyla's world crumble: [Does the necklace look good? I picked it out especially for you. I wore it when we faking last night. Clark said it looked beautiful on me.] Chapter 3 Nyla felt a surge of nausea wash over her. She quickly removed the necklace from her neck. Without hesitation, she tossed it into the bedroom trash can. The diamonds clinked against the metal bin. She rushed into the guest bathroom and turned on the shower. The scalding water burned her skin, but she didn't care. She grabbed the shower gel and frantically scrubbed her neck and body. She needed to remove every trace of Clark. Every memory of his touch. Her skin turned red from the harsh scrubbing, but she still felt dirty. The thought of that necklace clinging to another woman's neck made her sick. She imagined it swaying as that woman moved beneath Clark. The mental image made her stomach lurch. The bathroom door suddenly opened. Clark stood in the doorway, his eyes fixed on Nyla through the glass shower door. His gaze traveled over her wet hair, down her shoulders, following the water droplets that traced her curves. Clark's breathing became heavy. His eyes burned with lust. "Nyla, you're so beautiful," he said, his voice thick with desire. Nyla heard his voice and immediately wrapped herself in a towel. She stepped out of the shower, but the thought that he might have looked at that other woman the same way made her nauseous. "Don't come near me." Nyla took several steps back, but Clark was already approaching. "Baby, what's wrong?" Clark reached out to touch her cheek, but Nyla quickly dodged his hand. Clark didn't give up. Instead, he pulled her into his arms. His hands began wandering over her body, caressing her back through the towel. Then they moved lower. "Nyla, I want you," he whispered in her ear. His breath was hot against her skin. Nyla's body went rigid. She tried to pull away, but Clark was much stronger. His hand moved to her breast, his thumb brushing over the sensitive skin. His other hand slid down toward her inner th1gh. "Let's have a baby, okay?" Clark's voice was filled with longing. "We could have a beautiful child. A little girl with your eyes." Nyla felt ice water flood her veins. She thought of the photo that woman had sent. The same hands that were touching her now had been all over another woman's body just hours ago. Anger and disgust exploded inside her chest. "Get away from me!" Nyla pushed Clark with all her strength. "Clark, I'm tired! I don't want to do this right now!" Clark stumbled backward, startled by her sudden fury. He stared at Nyla's face, confusion clouding his features. "Honey, I'm sorry." His voice immediately filled with guilt. "I shouldn't have pushed you. I just want you so badly. I love you so much." He paused, searching her face. "If you don't want a child right now, we can wait." Watching Clark's apologetic expression, Nyla felt a mixture of emotions churning in her stomach. This man had been gentle and caring toward her for three years. She couldn't reconcile this version of him with the man who had been with another woman last night. But the facts were undeniable. Those photos. Those messages. The necklace in the trash can. That night, Nyla lay awake staring at the ceiling. Clark's breathing was even beside her. The painful images replayed in her mind over and over. She didn't sleep until dawn. The next morning, Nyla woke with dark circles under her eyes. Her reflection in the mirror looked hollow and tired. "Honey, are you feeling okay?" Clark asked with concern. "You look exhausted. Maybe you should rest today." Nyla shook her head. "I'm fine. We need to get ready for your grandfather's birthday party." As they drove through the gates of the Summer family estate, a black car suddenly roared past them. It stopped directly in front of the main entrance. The license plate read "DAMON-1." Clark's hands tightened on the steering wheel. His face darkened instantly. "Uncle Damon," he muttered under his breath. Damon Summer was Clark's uncle, Richard's youngest son. Despite being only six years older than Clark, Damon had always intimidated his nephew. He had refused to join the family business, starting his own company instead. That company was now worth five times more than Summer Group. Damon was known for being brilliant, ruthless, and vindictive. Last year, he had overheard Clark making disparaging comments about him at a business dinner. As punishment, Damon had refused a potential partnership that would have brought Summer Group hundreds of millions in revenue. Clark parked behind the car. As Nyla stepped out of the car, her high heel caught in the gravel driveway. She wobbled, about to fall backward. Suddenly, a pair of strong hands caught her waist, steadying her against a solid chest. Nyla looked up into a pair of deep, dark eyes. The man was tall and imposing, probably around twenty-nine. His features were sharp and perfectly sculpted. High cheekbones, a straight nose, a strong jawline. He wore a tailored dark gray suit that emphasized his broad shoulders and lean build. This was Damon Summer. "Careful," Damon said. His voice was deep and magnetic, with a hint of genuine concern. For a moment, Nyla found herself caught in his gaze. Clark appeared beside them, his face flushed with jealousy. He roughly grabbed Nyla's hand and pulled her away from Damon. "Thank you, Uncle," Clark said tersely. His voice was tight with barely controlled anger. He dragged Nyla toward the manor entrance. After they'd walked a few steps, he leaned close to her ear. "Nyla, you know I don't like you getting too close to other men," he whispered harshly. "Not even my uncle." Nyla almost laughed at the irony. Here was Clark, who had been with another woman just last night, acting possessive about her talking to his uncle. "So you'd rather have your wife fall flat on her face in front of the Summer family estate?" she replied coldly. Clark immediately backed down. "Honey, that's not what I meant. I just don't want people to get the wrong idea." Nyla ignored him and continued walking toward the entrance. The Summer family manor was impressive, with its grand foyer and crystal chandeliers. But Nyla felt no joy at being here. In the living room, Clark's grandmother Marie immediately called out with a beaming smile. "Nyla, Clark, you're here! Come sit down!" Nyla took a deep breath and forced a polite smile. Whatever her feelings about Clark, she still respected his grandparents. Richard had always treated her kindly. "Hello, Grandpa. Hello, Grandma," she greeted them warmly. Marie's eyes lit up as she watched Clark and Nyla approach. She had been trying to convince Damon to settle down for years. "Come, sit here next to me," Marie patted the sofa beside her. As they settled in, Damon entered the living room. Marie's expression immediately shifted to disapproval. "Look at Clark," she said pointedly to Damon. "He's got his company running smoothly, and his wife is absolutely beautiful. They might be giving us a great-grandchild soon." Her voice grew stern. "And you? You're almost thirty and still single. If you don't bring a girlfriend to the next family gathering, don't bother coming at all!" Damon's gaze flicked to Clark, then settled on Nyla. His lips curved into a half-smile. "Yes," he said quietly. "Really beautiful." Chapter 4 Marie's headache intensified at Damon's nonchalant attitude. She shook her head and turned her attention to Clark and Nyla. "You've been married for three years now. When are you planning on having kids? I'm looking forward to having great-grandchildren." The moment this topic came up, the atmosphere in the living room suddenly became tense. Nyla's fingers gripped her teacup so tightly her knuckles turned white. This was her most sensitive topic, the one that pierced her heart every time it was mentioned. Clark's aunt Anne immediately seized the opportunity. She leaned forward with a sneer. "Nyla, you and Clark have been married for three years. What will it look like if you don't have a child? What will others think of our Summer family?" She paused, malice glinting in her eyes. "And if Clark hadn't insisted on marrying you, do you think you could have married into our Summer family with your background? Don't be so ungrateful. You don't want to have children for Clark, but there are plenty of women out there who would." Anne spoke with mock concern, but her gaze was filled with contempt. She had always looked down on this niece-in-law. Talking about children made Nyla's chest tighten with pain. Of course she wanted a child. She had given up her promising career in scientific research to be a good wife. But she couldn't conceive. She had secretly visited doctors who said nothing was wrong with her body. Perhaps it was stress. But the Summer family often mocked her, calling her barren and useless. Just as Nyla was drowning in humiliation, Clark suddenly took her hand. He smiled at his grandmother. "Grandma, we're trying! There's no rushing these things. We have to let nature take its course." Then he turned to Anne, his voice stern. "Anne, watch your words. Nyla is my wife, and I won't tolerate anyone speaking to her like that." Anne's face flushed red at being publicly rebuked. "I'm doing this for your own good. You've been married for so long without any progress..." "That's enough," Clark interrupted sharply. "You don't need to worry about Nyla and me. And I want to make it clear that I'm honored to have Nyla as my wife. She didn't marry up." Nyla felt a confusing mix of emotions as she listened to Clark's defense. The love they had shared over the years was genuine. Clark's protection of her had always felt real. He consistently stood between her and his family's criticism. But at the same time, his betrayal was also real. Those photos, that necklace in the trash can, the woman's taunting messages. All of it reminded her that this man had deceived her completely. Anne was clearly unwilling to let this go. She continued with false sweetness. "I'm just telling the truth. No pre-gnancy in three years? Maybe there's something wrong with her body. With all the medical advances these days, she should get checked out. There are treatments for these things." "Anne!" Clark's voice turned dangerously cold. "I'm warning you for the last time. Whether or when we have children is between Nyla and me. It's not your business to interfere." In the past, Nyla would have been grateful for Clark's protection. She would have seen it as proof of his love. But today, hearing these words felt hollow. She knew that the moment Clark cheated, everything changed. No amount of public defense could erase what he had done in private. Midway through the banquet, Clark's phone suddenly rang. "Sorry, everyone," Clark said with an apologetic smile. "There's an emergency at work. I need to handle this right away." He turned to Nyla, his expression softening. "Honey, can you have Grandma's driver take you home? I'll be back as soon as I can." Marie waved dismissively. "Clark, go ahead. Don't worry about Nyla." Clark kissed Nyla's forehead quickly. "I'll make this up to you, I promise." As soon as Clark's car disappeared down the driveway, Marie's polite mask slipped completely. She looked at Nyla with open displeasure. "Well, now that Clark's gone," Marie said coolly, "I suppose you'll be wanting to leave too." The temperature in the room seemed to drop. "Nyla's not some delicate flower," Anne chimed in with renewed confidence. "She can find her own way home, can't she?" Nyla felt her cheeks burn with embarrassment. She had been dismissed like a servant. Without Clark's protection, she meant nothing to these people. "I think that's my cue to leave," Nyla said. She stood up. "Thank you for your hospitality." The butler, following Marie's subtle nod, escorted Nyla only to the manor gate. He immediately turned back toward the house, leaving her standing alone on the roadside. That's when the rain started. Fat droplets fell from the dark sky, quickly soaking through Nyla's silk dress. She pulled out her phone to call a taxi, but the app showed no available drivers in this remote area. The Summer estate was far from the city center. The rain intensified rapidly. Within minutes, Nyla was completely drenched. Her carefully styled hair hung in wet strands around her face. Her dress clung uncomfortably to her skin. Just when she thought things couldn't get worse, headlights cut through the darkness. A black car slowed to a stop beside her. The window rolled down, revealing Damon's sharp features. Chapter 5 As Damon prepared to leave the manor, he glanced out the car window. Through the rain, he could see Nyla huddled against the stone wall near the gate. Her dress was completely soaked, clinging to her body and outlining her curves. Her long hair hung in wet strands around her face, making her look fragile and abandoned. Damon understood immediately what had happened. He knew Marie and Anne's personalities well. They would never be kind enough to arrange transportation for the niece-in-law they had always disliked. He turned to his assistant Spencer, who was sitting in the passenger seat. "Get out and hold an umbrella for her." Spencer immediately grabbed the black umbrella from the floor and stepped out into the rain. He walked quickly toward Nyla while Damon rolled down his window. "Get in," Damon said to Nyla. His voice was characteristically cold and commanding. "I'll take you home." Nyla looked up, startled to see it was Damon. She instinctively took a step back, shaking her head. "Uncle Damon, it's okay. The rain will stop soon. I can wait." She remembered Clark's warnings about how dangerous Damon could be. Clark had specifically told her to keep her distance from his uncle. She didn't want to cause herself any more trouble, especially not tonight. Damon's brow furrowed when he saw Nyla clearly trying to avoid him. His tone grew deeper and more commanding. "Get in the car. Don't make me repeat myself." His natural dominance was overwhelming. The way he spoke made it nearly impossible to refuse. Nyla felt her resolve weakening under his intense gaze. Before she could refuse again, Spencer appeared beside her with the umbrella. He gently took her damp clutch from her trembling hands. "Ms. Nyla, please get in the car," Spencer said kindly. "This rain will continue for at least another hour. It's very windy out here, and you're not dressed warmly enough. You'll catch pneumonia." Spencer's tone was gentle and concerned. Nyla glanced up at the dark storm clouds, then down at her completely soaked dress. Water was still dripping from her hair. She was starting to shiver uncontrollably. Finally, biting her lip, she opened the car door and slid inside. The interior of the car was warm and luxurious. Soft leather seats and the faint scent of expensive cologne filled the space. Nyla immediately felt the temperature difference. Damon glanced at her wet dress, which was now clinging even more tightly to her body. The fabric had become almost transparent. He could see the outline of her undergarments. His throat tightened involuntarily. Without a word, he took off his dark gray suit jacket and tossed it to her. "Thank you," Nyla murmured, quickly pulling the jacket around her shoulders. It was still warm from his body heat and smelled like his cologne. The scent was surprisingly comforting. "I'll have it cleaned and return it to you." "Just throw it away," Damon replied coldly. His tone carried casual arrogance, as if the expensive jacket meant nothing to him. The car pulled away from the manor and drove smoothly through the rainy night. Silence settled between them. Nyla huddled in the corner of the backseat, not daring to look at the powerful man beside her. She could feel an oppressive aura radiating from him. It made her unconsciously nervous. She stole a glance at his profile. His jaw was sharp and perfectly defined. His dark hair was styled impeccably despite the rain. Everything about him screamed wealth and power. He was nothing like Clark, who was gentle and approachable. Damon seemed dangerous. Twenty minutes later, the car stopped in front of Nyla's house. She quickly gathered herself and reached for the door handle. "Thank you so much for the ride," she said hurriedly, leaving his jacket on the seat. "I really appreciate it." Damon watched her disappear inside the house. The faint scent of jasmine perfume still lingered in the car where she had been sitting. He found himself breathing it in deeply. His body reacted involuntarily to her proximity. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "She's your nephew's wife," he warned himself silently. "Control yourself." As soon as Nyla entered her house, she felt a wave of dizziness wash over her. Her body began to feel hot despite her wet clothes. Her head felt heavy and confused. Before she could even change out of her soaked dress, everything went black. She collapsed in the living room. When Nyla woke up, she found herself lying in a hospital bed. The room smelled strongly of disinfectant, but the bedside table was covered with familiar treats. Strawberry shortcake, colorful macarons, handmade chocolates, and a large bouquet of pink roses. "Ma'am, you're finally awake!" A nurse appeared beside her bed, looking relieved. "You've had a high fever for over twenty-four hours. Mr. Summer was so worried. He stayed by your bedside the entire time. He only left an hour ago because of an emergency call." The nurse checked Nyla's temperature with a digital thermometer. "Do you want me to call him? He'll be so happy to know you're conscious." Looking at the familiar arrangement of gifts, Nyla felt her heart soften despite everything. She had always been prone to illness and had a terrible fear of injections and medication. Whenever she was sick, Clark would do exactly this. He would buy all her favorite treats and flowers, hoping to cheer her up and speed her recovery. It had become their tradition over the years. These sweet memories made her chest ache with confusion. How could the man who cheated on her be the same person who spent the night worried beside her hospital bed? "Where is he now?" Nyla asked, pushing herself up in bed. "I want to find him myself." The nurse smiled. "He's somewhere in the hospital taking care of business." She left her room and walked down the sterile hospital corridor. As she rounded the corner, she stopped dead in her tracks. There was Clark, coming out of the obstetrics and gynecology department. But he wasn't alone. A woman walked beside him, her hand resting protectively on her belly. Chapter 6 Clark gently helped the young woman out of the obstetrics clinic. Both of them were smiling, their faces glowing with happiness. Nyla immediately recognized her. This was the woman from the photos in those anonymous messages. Just then, the woman spotted Nyla standing frozen in the hallway. Her eyes lit up with surprise and something that looked like malicious delight. "Oh wow, isn't that Mrs. Summer?" she exclaimed loudly. "What a coincidence running into you at the hospital!" At the sound of her voice, Clark looked up. His eyes met Nyla's across the corridor. His entire body went rigid. He quickly dropped his hand from the woman's arm, panic flooding his features. "Nyla!" Clark hurried toward her, his voice high with nervousness. "Why are you here? You should be resting in your room!" He reached her side, speaking rapidly. "I was just downstairs getting your medicine when I accidentally bumped into Jordyn here. She's my new secretary, and she's pre-gnant. I was worried she might fall, so I helped steady her." His explanation tumbled out in a rush. Sweat beaded on his forehead despite the air conditioning. Nyla's gaze moved to the woman's slightly swollen belly. She felt her breathing become shallow and labored. But she forced herself to remain outwardly calm. "Miss Jordyn," Nyla said slowly, "when did you get pre-gnant? Where's the father? Shouldn't he be here with you for such an important appointment?" Jordyn caressed her belly with obvious pride. A sweet, satisfied smile spread across her face. "I just found out I'm two months along. The father couldn't be here because he's so busy with work, but he was absolutely thrilled when I told him." She practically glowed as she spoke. "He said he wants to give me and the baby the best life possible. He's already bought me a beautiful apartment downtown and promised to make everything official after the baby arrives." Every word felt like a knife twisting in Nyla's chest. Jordyn continued, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "Mrs. Summer, you're so lucky to have such a wonderful husband. But I think my boyfriend is just as amazing. He tells me I've become even more beautiful since getting pre-gnant. He can barely stand to leave my side." She paused, tilting her head with feigned innocence. "Mrs. Summer, do you have time? I'm free today. Would you like to have dinner together? I could invite the baby's father to join us." The challenge in her eyes was unmistakable. Clark's expression darkened. He shot Jordyn a warning look. "My wife doesn't have time. Miss Jordyn, I'm sure your boyfriend is waiting for you. Don't keep him worried." His voice carried clear dismissal and irritation. Then he wrapped his arm around Nyla's shoulders, his touch gentle and concerned. "Honey, you're still recovering. You shouldn't be walking around the hospital. Let me take you back to your room." He spoke in the same caring tone. "She's just a secretary. Don't worry about her." Jordyn's face crumpled at the cold dismissal in Clark's voice. Her eyes filled with tears, making her look young and vulnerable. "You're right. I got too excited. I'm not worthy of having dinner with Mrs. Summer." She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, looking genuinely hurt. "I should go. My boyfriend will be wondering where I am." With that, she turned and walked away, her shoulders shaking slightly. Clark's expression flickered. For a moment, he looked like he wanted to follow her. But when he noticed Nyla watching him carefully, he stayed put. He turned back to Nyla and patted her head affectionately. "Be good, okay? I have some urgent things to handle at the company. I'll have James drive you home. Get some rest, and I'll be back tonight to check on you." His voice was warm and loving, the same tone he had used for three years of marriage. As soon as Nyla returned to her hospital room, her phone buzzed with a new message. It was from Jordyn. The first image was a pre-gnancy test showing two clear pink lines. Then came a series of messages that made Nyla's hands shake: [Nyla, I know you figured it out today. The baby is Clark's. Don't think he loves you as much as you believe. If he truly loves you, then what am I doing in his life?] [Do you know how obsessed he is with me? Every year on your birthday and your anniversary, after he puts you to sleep, he comes to spend the night with me. He's so passionate with me, so wild. We go through boxes of c0n-doms, and I can barely walk the next day.] [We've faking in his car, his office, even in your bedroom when you were away. He's done things with me that I bet he's never done with you. Has he ever been truly passionate with you, Nyla? Or does he save all his fire for me?] Reading these brutal messages, Nyla felt something break inside her chest. Her hands trembled as she set down the phone. She took deep, measured breaths, trying to suppress the storm of emotions threatening to overwhelm her. That evening, Clark returned with an elegant white box. Inside was a strawberry mousse cake from the city's most expensive French pastry shop. It had once been Nyla's absolute favorite dessert. "Baby, I brought your favorite cake," Clark said carefully, watching her face for a reaction. "The doctor said you're still weak and need to eat more sweets to build up your energy." He opened the box with a flourish, revealing the delicate pink confection. In the past, Nyla would have clapped her hands with delight at seeing this cake. She used to say it was almost too beautiful to eat. But now, looking at it made her stomach turn. She picked up the small silver fork and took a mechanical bite. The overly sweet flavor sat in her mouth like paste. She couldn't swallow it. Without a word, Nyla stood up and threw the entire cake box into the trash can. The beautiful dessert landed with a dull thud. Clark stared at her in shock. "Nyla, what's wrong with you? " Chapter 7 Nyla turned to face Clark, her eyes completely devoid of their usual warmth. "It doesn't taste the same anymore." Her voice was eerily calm, but it sent a chill through Clark's entire body. He rushed to her side and pulled her into his arms. "Baby, maybe this bakery changed their recipe," he said. "I'll call them tomorrow and find out. No matter how much it costs, I'll make sure they get the taste exactly right again." Nyla's body remained rigid in his embrace. "Things change, Clark. Once they change, you can't go back." Her voice was still calm, but each word felt like an icicle piercing Clark's heart. He sensed she wasn't just talking about the cake anymore. She was talking about them. Clark felt panic rising in his chest. That was when his phone rang. The ringtone cut through the tension. Clark glanced at the caller ID and his face went pale. Nyla caught the shift in his expression, and her disappointment deepened. "I... I need to take this call," Clark stammered. "There's an emergency at work." Nyla turned away from him completely. "Go ahead. Work is important." Clark stood frozen for several seconds, torn between answering the phone and staying with his wife. Finally, he made his choice and headed for the door. As he stepped into the hallway, Nyla could hear his voice through the thin walls: "Jordyn, what's wrong? Are you feeling sick? I'll be right there..." His voice faded as he moved further away, leaving Nyla alone in their living room. The silence felt suffocating. Nyla stared at the white walls, feeling like they were closing in on her. Twenty minutes after Clark left, Nyla's phone buzzed with an incoming call. She didn't recognize the number, but she answered anyway. "Mrs. Summer, I hope I'm not interrupting," came Jordyn's sweet voice. "I'm not feeling well, so I borrowed Clark from you tonight. He came without hesitation when I called. He said nothing was more important than making sure I was okay." Nyla's grip tightened on the phone, but she said nothing. Jordyn continued with obvious satisfaction. "You know what Clark told me today? He said I'm younger and prettier than you. He said I can give him something you never could - a child. He mentioned that you haven't been able to conceive in three years. He's worried there might be something wrong with your body." "Oh, and that strawberry mousse cake you threw away today?" Jordyn's voice turned mocking. "Clark buys me that same cake all the time. He says sweet treats are perfect for sweet girls. Don't you think it tastes sweet, Mrs. Summer?" The call ended with Jordyn's cruel laughter. Nyla sat in the darkness, feeling something fundamental shift inside her. The pain was so intense it took her breath away. Then slowly, mercifully, numbness began to set in. From that day forward, Nyla began quietly packing her belongings. She folded her clothes carefully and placed them in suitcases. She packed her books, her makeup, her jewelry. Each item felt heavy with memories she no longer wanted to keep. Clark became even busier during this time. He came home later and later, sometimes not at all. When he did return, he was distant and distracted. Meanwhile, Jordyn's messages never stopped. Photos of her growing belly, pictures of expensive gifts, taunting words designed to twist the knife deeper. Nyla's best friend Valarie came over to help with the divorce paperwork. "Given that Clark committed adultery and got another woman pre-gnant, you could definitely ask for substantial compensation," Valarie said seriously. "Plus, you gave up your career for this marriage. That's worth a lot in court." Valarie spread the legal documents across the coffee table. "You sacrificed your research position at the university. You could have been earning six figures by now." But before proceeding with anything official, Nyla felt she should tell her father. She drove to the hospital where he was still recovering from his recent surgery. Her father looked better than he had in weeks. His color was returning, and he was sitting up reading the newspaper. "Dad," Nyla began carefully, "if... hypothetically... if I wanted to get divorced, what would you think?" Her father set down his newspaper and studied his daughter's face intently. "Nyla, is something wrong between you and Clark?" Nyla forced herself to maintain eye contact. "I'm just curious. If that day ever came..." "Absolutely not!" Her father's voice rose sharply. "Nyla, do you understand what the Summer family has done for us? When my factory had that terrible accident, they provided the money that saved us from bankruptcy. They've been paying my medical bills for three years. Without them, we would have lost everything." Her father's face was flushed with emotion. "Clark has been nothing but good to you. How could you even think such thoughts? Has someone been filling your head with ideas?" Nyla realized she couldn't continue this conversation. Her father had no idea about Clark's betrayal. She couldn't bear to put her sick father through that kind of shock and disappointment. She was about to change the subject when her father's phone chimed with a text message. He glanced at the screen and his face went completely white. The message was from Jordyn. It contained a photo of her and Clark kissing passionately in what looked like a hotel room. Below the image was a message that read: "Thought you should know - I'm pre-gnant with your son-in-law Clark's baby." Chapter 8 Harrison suddenly developed a violent coughing fit. His body convulsed as he struggled to breathe. His face turned an alarming shade of blue, and his hands clawed at his chest. The phone slipped from his trembling fingers and clattered to the floor. Nyla saw the message on the fallen phone and immediately understood what had triggered his condition. Rage flooded through her veins, but her father's health took priority over confronting Jordyn. She frantically pressed the call button for the nurses. "Help! I need a doctor now!" she shouted into the hallway. A team of medical staff rushed into the room. They immediately began checking her father's vital signs while Nyla stood helplessly in the corner, watching his condition deteriorate before her eyes. The lead doctor emerged from the examination looking grave. He pulled off his mask and shook his head slowly. "Mr. Jayston's condition has suddenly worsened," he said wearily. "His kid ney failure has progressed rapidly. We need to transfer him to the ICU immediately for intensive monitoring and treatment." Nyla felt her legs go weak. "How serious is this?" "It's critical," the doctor replied bluntly. "But I'm afraid we have a problem. Our ICU is completely full. Every bed is occupied, and there's a waiting list. All the hospitals in the city are experiencing the same shortage of resources." "Wait?" Nyla could barely comprehend what she was hearing. "Doctor, my father can't wait. Look at him!" Her father was still struggling to breathe normally. His skin had a grayish pallor that terrified her. "I understand your concern, Mrs. Summer, but we're doing everything we can," the doctor said helplessly. "All we can do right now is stabilize his condition with medication and hope a bed opens up soon." Desperation clawed at Nyla's chest. She thought immediately of Clark. As the heir to Summer Group, he had connections throughout the medical community. He could pull strings and get her father the care he needed. With shaking hands, she dialed Clark's number. After several rings, someone picked up. But it wasn't Clark's voice that greeted her. "Hello, who's calling?" came Jordyn's sickeningly sweet voice. Nyla's blood turned to ice. "This is Nyla. I need to speak to Clark immediately. It's an emergency." "Oh, Mrs. Summer!" Jordyn's voice was dripping with false concern. "Clark is in the shower right now. He's been taking such good care of me all day that he's completely exhausted. Poor thing needs to rest." Nyla bit back her fury and forced herself to stay focused. "This is about my father. He's dying and needs an ICU bed. Please put Clark on the phone right now." "Oh my, what terrible timing," Jordyn said with obvious fake sympathy. "I wasn't feeling well this afternoon either. Just some pre-gnancy nausea and dizziness, you know how it is. But Clark was so worried about me and the baby that he immediately called in the best medical team in the city. They're all on standby right now, just in case something happens to us." Nyla's hands were shaking so violently she could barely hold the phone. Her father was dying, and her husband was playing house with his pre-gnant mistress. "Can you please just-" Nyla began, but Jordyn cut her off. "Oh, I hear the shower turning off. Clark will be so tired after everything we've been through today. I should probably let him rest. You understand, don't you?" The line went dead. Nyla stood in the hospital hallway, feeling like the world was collapsing around her. She closed her eyes and tried to think of alternatives. Then suddenly, an image flashed through her mind - a figure handing her a coat in the rain. Damon's cold but decisive voice echoing in the car. Without allowing herself to second-guess the decision, she dialed his number. ...

Hayley Reid was reborn two weeks before the apocalypse began. In her last life, she survived ten years of hell—only to die at the hands of the people she trusted most. But this time, she returned with every memory intact… and awakened the Super Base System. While the world fell into chaos, Hayley sipped wine and held her beloved puppy inside the world’s strongest steel fortress. - Chapter 1 "Flu cases are on the rise. Please take precautions, avoid crowded areas, don't gather unnecessarily, and keep warm…" "Hayley, are you even listening to me?!" Hayley Reid jolted, staring at everything in front of her in disbelief. In the middle of the old, 300-square-foot living room with worn-out renovations was a couch, packed with middle-aged men and women. In the center was a plump, 70-ish woman with graying hair. She was Eleanor Reid, Hayley's grandmother. Eleanor glared at Hayley, her jowls bouncing with every movement. Hayley froze. This was the exact scene from two weeks before the apocalypse, when her "beloved" grandmother, father, and stepmother forced her to give up her house for her brother and his soon-to-be wife. The last thing she remembered was being stuck in a zombie siege at the eastern base a moment ago. "Ever since your mom passed, Lucy treated you like her own. Everyone says she's wonderful! Now, Philip is getting married and wants to borrow your house. Why won't you let him? You're so ungrateful!" Eleanor hissed. "Mom, Hayley's not ungrateful. I'm sure she'll come to her senses," said a plump woman next to Eleanor, pretending to mediate. This was Lucy Reid, Hayley's stepmother. "Hmph!" Eleanor snorted. "Clear out the house immediately. Philip said the place has been rented for too long, and the furniture is too worn. He needs new furniture before he gets married. You'll pay for it. After all, he's your brother. You should help out a little!" Hayley, standing in the middle, suddenly laughed out loud. They wanted her house and expected her to buy new furniture on top of that? Ridiculous. Even more ridiculous was the fact that she actually went along with it last time! Hayley's mother, Cynthia, died in a car accident when she was 14. Soon after, Lucy moved in with her son, Philip. On the surface, Lucy seemed perfect—she was attentive and caring. Hayley, going through her rebellious phase, was prickly with everyone but secretly craved warmth and family. Lucy's gentle, understanding ways fooled her. She supported Hayley in everything, no matter what, and Hayley almost genuinely saw her as a mother. She gave them everything, even the only house Cynthia had left her. She hesitated for only a moment before agreeing. The apocalypse soon hit, and Hayley was abandoned repeatedly. When it came time to escape on a rescue vehicle, they shoved her aside to save their skins. That was when Hayley truly understood how fake their love was. True family didn't exist for her. She had been nothing but a tool in their eyes, and they had squeezed her dry. Once she was useless, they kicked her aside. Not a single person there had ever seen her as family. She wanted to slap her past, foolish self so hard. Bang! Hayley tossed a few bags of cheap fruit from the old coffee table straight into the trash, then plopped herself down in front of them. A young man, who had been glued to his phone on the armchair, immediately dropped it and yelled righteously, "Hayley, what the hell are you doing? These are imported apples Mom got especially for you! She said they're your favorite. How could you just throw them away?" Hayley sneered. Her favorite? Since when? She gave Philip a cold glance. "You think you have the right to talk to me about my house?" Facing her icy gaze, Philip felt a shiver run through him and didn't dare to look at her. Hayley's eyes carried a murderous energy—the kind she had honed over ten years of surviving the apocalypse alone after they abandoned her. Philip instantly backed down. Lucy quickly tried to smooth things over. "What's wrong, Hayley? Are you not feeling well? If that's the case, we can come back another day. I know you're not happy with this request, but Philip is your brother. Sue's family wants a house in the city center, and you know how impossible that is now. Even with money, you might not get one. They're even doing lotteries for them. So, I'm begging you… Help your brother out. Later, when you get married, we'll try to make it up to you—" "Why should we make it up to her?" Bernard Reid, who had been quiet, finally spoke. He glared at Hayley. "You really think this house is yours? You should step aside and let Philip have it! When you get married, your husband can buy you one. Stop fighting Philip for it!" Hayley didn't even bother getting angry this time. In her past life, she had wondered why Bernard treated her, his biological daughter, so badly, while spoiling his stepson. As it turned out, Philip was his real son—his own flesh and blood! Before he married Cynthia, he had already married Lucy in his hometown and had a son. To him, Hayley was nothing. And after the apocalypse, he treated her even worse. Hayley held up four fingers. "Four hundred thousand." Everyone froze. "What are you talking about?" "This house was Mom's premarital property. She legally gave it to me later, so I own this house. You want it? Pay up. Four hundred thousand is already a bargain." "You're selling the house to us? You must be joking! We don't have that kind of money!" Hayley lifted her smartwatch. "I'm giving you five seconds to decide. If you don't agree, I'll sell it to someone else. Five…" "We're your elders! How could you talk money with us?!" Eleanor snapped. "Four." "You ungrateful little…! I'm gonna teach you a lesson!" Hayley ignored Eleanor, speeding up. "Three…two…" "Don't you dare!" Bernard jumped to hit her. Hayley kicked his chair out from under him. He landed hard, looking like an idiot. She looked down coldly at him and went on, "One." "You've lost it! How dare you hit your father!" Hayley didn't care about their rage. She grabbed her phone and dialed a number. "Mr. Cruz, I'm selling the house. Put it up for 400 thousand…" The house had been rented out through an agent until Hayley turned 18, which was why it hadn't been sold earlier. "You want it, huh?" Hayley smiled, glancing their way. "Sure. I'll—" "Don't say another word! We agree!" Lucy jumped in, panic in her voice. "Sell it to us!" Lucy knew that the house was actually worth 600 thousand, so getting it for 400 grand was already a steal. Plus, city-center houses were limited now, with all the residency and lottery rules. Hayley's house was hot property. Even if things didn't go exactly as they expected, the most important thing was getting it for themselves instead of letting an outsider have it. Even if they had to pay 400 thousand to get it, they would make a quick 200 grand reselling it. Hayley watched Lucy's reaction and smirked before hanging up. She had decided to sell the house to them. She was losing a bit, but that was the quickest option. Time was money, and she needed both. Most importantly, once the house was sold, they wouldn't have extra cash. She knew they only had 400 grand on hand. In her past life, the government had warned them to stockpile supplies three days before the apocalypse. Hayley was curious to see what they would be able to afford by then. - Ding! [You have received 400 thousand in your account.] Half an hour later at the bank, Hayley saw the money hit her account. Lucy and the others weren't thrilled but paid up. The real estate agent kept calling Hayley's phone; afraid she'd sell the house to him, the family didn't dare complain. "The property office is closed for a few days. I'll handle the transfer when they open," Hayley told them. "No worries. We trust you!" Lucy said, squinting and smiling sweetly. "The transfer can wait. We'll arrange a time later." Lucy acted generous, but Hayley knew better. The woman was just guarding against her future daughter-in-law, scared that her name would be on the house's deed. Right now, the deed still carried Hayley's name, which gave her room to stall. Hayley grinned. This was great! Philip suddenly said to her, "Since we've bought the house, pack your stuff and get out! And toss out all of your junk. I'll get new furniture with Sue." Right after paying, their attitude changed. "Give Hayley a few more days. She's a responsible girl; she'll probably pay you a bit for storage and even replace some furniture. You should be more understanding of your sister," Lucy said. "Mom, why do you still care about her? This little money-grubber doesn't deserve your kindness! I want her out! And Hayley, get your stupid dog out of the house! If I see it again, I'll chop it to pieces!" Hayley froze when she heard Philip mention the "stupid dog". Summer was still alive! She didn't waste another second with them and ran home. As soon as she opened her bedroom door, the quiet German Shepherd that was pacing nervously jumped into her arms. "Woof, woof!" "Summer!" Hayley almost cried, hugging it. Summer was a retired military dog, a gift from Hayley's mother on Hayley's tenth birthday. After Cynthia died, Summer had been her comfort through the hardest times. Lucy's family hated the intuitive dog and had tried several times to get rid of it, but Summer always came back. They wanted to give Summer away, but Hayley had insisted on keeping it, even getting into fights with them over it. To stay the "kind stepmother", Lucy let Hayley keep Summer but insisted that it be kept locked up in Hayley's room. After Hayley moved into Cynthia's old house, Summer finally had room to roam, though Lucy's family still locked it up when they came over. During the apocalypse in Hayley's past life, Lucy's family ate the old dog while Hayley was out scavenging. She had blamed herself for not protecting it. "Summer," Hayley whispered. "Woof, woof!" Summer licked her hand. "This time, I swear, I'll never let you get hurt again!" "Woof, woof!" Summer barked happily. Once Summer was settled, Hayley began packing. The house, rented out for years, had become old and worn. However, the furniture Cynthia had bought back then was expensive. Hayley had been living with her when she was still alive. The furniture was practically useless now, but it still carried a lot of memories. Being back, Hayley felt a little nostalgic. Then, a voice rang in her head. Ding! [Super Lord System activated! Within one hour, for every 200-dollars' worth of item you carry, gain 35 cubic feet of inventory!] Hayley froze. Here came the perks! [Countdown: 59 minutes and 59 seconds!] Skeptical, Hayley picked up her phone from the table to test it. Ding! [Phone detected, worth 1,000 dollars. Reward: 175 cubic feet!] With that, a 175-cubic-feet space appeared in her mind. Her phone vanished from her hand and reappeared there. She now had an inventory! Chapter 2 She had read plenty of novels before—this was a so-called system. Hayley quickly accepted the perk and started sucking in everything she could. She soon figured out the pricing rules. The system valued items at their original purchase price, even if they were used or disassembled. She jumped straight into moving, dismantling, and collecting everything. Ding! [Gold jewelry detected, worth 11,600 dollars. Reward: 2,030 cubic feet!] Ding! [Cup detected, worth 7.80 dollars.] Ding! [Calendar detected, worth 2 dollars.] The notifications kept coming. Ding! [Small desk detected, worth 73.80 dollars. Reward: 35 cubic feet!] Ding! [Rosewood table and chair set detected, worth 5,000 dollars. Reward: 875 cubic feet!] Ding! [Trash can detected, worth 3 dollars.] In about ten minutes, Hayley grabbed everything from shoes, hats, and clothes to pots, pans, pens, cups, trash bins, storage boxes, photo albums, nail clippers, and even larger stuff like tables, chairs, beds, and cabinets. Even the rotten apples Lucy had brought today got tossed into the pile. Ding! [Five pounds of rotten apples detected, worth 0.50 dollars.] Hayley spat. What disgusting liars! They wanted her to give them a 600-thousand-dollar house while offering her cheap, rotten apples they claimed to be imported. What a family! But she didn't mind. Every little bit counted, so she collected them all. Soon, the house was emptied of everything movable. Her sights turned to the big stuff she couldn't normally carry. Ding! [Toilet detected, worth 400 dollars.] Hayley yanked the toilet down with force. She had always been strong, but compared to her old self, who had survived ten years of the apocalypse, this body still felt a little weaker. She would need to train soon. After she stored the toilet, more notifications came in. Ding! [Sink detected, worth 139 dollars.] Ding! [Range hood detected, worth 519.80 dollars.] Ding! [Stove detected, worth 97.80 dollars.] Ding! [Security door detected, worth 317.80 dollars.] She was taking everything she could, not leaving even a single screw for them. Ding! [Windows detected, worth 80 dollars.] Ding! [Flooring detected, worth 30 dollars.] Within an hour, Hayley had stripped the house clean. Anything movable was gone. The floors were lifted, the windows and doors removed, and even unmovable tiles were smashed and taken. Ding! [Three seconds remaining!] Hayley thought fast—she dashed to the front door, stepped on the railing, and snagged a tiny hallway bulb. Ding! [Ten-watt bulb detected, worth 1 dollar. [Time's up! Total space gained: 3,110 cubic feet.] Hayley finally relaxed and said to Summer, "Summer! Let's go!" Not long after, Philip's family brought the pregnant Sue Norman to the new house. "Babe, here's our new place! It's in the city center and a school district, with over 1,000 square feet. It has two units per floor. We don't have a neighbor yet, so the hallway is all ours. The lighting's great, and it has the best layout in the complex. Plus, it's just 100 yards from your work. If you want, you can move in now. Furniture and appliances are ready!" The group marched up to the east-side unit—and froze. The house wasn't just empty; it didn't even have doors or windows. Even a hallway light bulb was gone. Sue turned on her heel. "Hmph! You expect me to renovate this dump? Well, I'm not getting married until you fix this house. And my name has to go on the deed!" Eleanor was fuming. She wanted to call Hayley to demand what that girl had done. But the bad news was, they couldn't reach Hayley. Meanwhile, Hayley was at a tunnel-style fallout shelter on the outskirts of Andersville. It was originally meant for a mountain road, but construction stopped due to insufficient funding and government rerouting. It had been abandoned and repurposed as a fallout shelter. "What are you renting a fallout shelter for?" the agent asked routinely. "Starting a business. I'm gonna grow mushrooms," Hayley said casually. From her previous life, she knew there were three types of shelters. The first were city-center shelters, built under malls, residential buildings, or hospitals. They were convenient, well-equipped, and fast to evacuate—but useless in a zombie apocalypse. Holding a high population meant it was the fastest to fall. The other two types were tunnel-style shelters and professional defense installations. Professional ones were critical in the late apocalypse and formed the backbone of stable bases, but Hayley couldn't rent one. So, tunnel shelters like these were perfect for her: they were secluded, far from people, and big, with a solid ventilation system and a heavy iron gate—exactly what she needed. Plus, they were cheap. Hayley's new shelter cost 400 a year to rent, for a minimum of 20 years. She paid three years upfront—1,200 dollars for a space the size of five basketball courts. The agent grinned, thinking she was an easy mark. Sure, the rent was cheap, but the location was extremely inconvenient and transportation was a headache. He figured that nine and a half out of ten entrepreneurs were idiots, but he wouldn't warn her. After collecting the money, signing the contract, and taking the 100-dollar service fee, he left. Hayley watched him leave without a word. She wouldn't reveal her true purpose. After ten years surviving the apocalypse, she learned one thing: never explain disaster plans to fools, because idiots like them were disasters themselves. After sending the agent off, Hayley entered the shelter with Summer. She checked everything. The ventilation system was intact, and she found a well left by a previous tenant, plus an electrical wire. The well's water tasted like mountain spring—totally separate from city water. Later, when treatment plants were contaminated, tap water would be useless. With this well, Hayley now had a safe water source. The wire wasn't connected, but that meant power could be set up. If she got a generator, the shelter could have electricity. Chapter 3 If she repaired the fence and added electricity, her fallout shelter's defenses would get a huge boost. She decided to get started. Just then, the voice from the system popped into her head. Ding! [Super Lord System activated! Please reinforce the original base. Rewards will be given based on the level of reinforcement. Countdown: 15 days!] Hayley's eyes lit up. She was just starting to process the new mission when another notification came. Ding! [Base war dog detected. Reward: War dog's combat power increased 100x! Physical stats increased 100x!] Hayley watched in amazement as Summer's body started to change. Its muscles doubled in size, its claws grew longer and sharper, and all signs of aging disappeared. In its place was the fierce, commanding presence of a powerful beast. "Woof, woof!" Hayley was amazed. "Wow!" - Hayley had Cynthia's old car, so she could get around easily. It was now time to start reinforcing her base. Not long after, she returned to her base. She placed the generator in the innermost storage room of the fallout shelter. Ding! [One thousand-kW generator detected. Reward: Indestructible, lowest-energy-consumption generator!] Hayley's jaw dropped. She stared at the generator, now looking like it was coated in silver. Its strength and durability were immediately way beyond what they had been. And the best part? It was indestructible! Normally, generators needed maintenance to last long, and Hayley had only been hoping to make it last. However, the system had upgraded it automatically. Amazing! She moved on and installed the surveillance cameras on the wire fences she had set up yesterday. Her tunnel hideout was in a perfect spot. Trees circled it, the main road was about a mile away, and a side road wound into the forest after about 500 yards. No one would ever notice a tunnel covered in wire here. It wasn't noticeable at all. The cameras covered every corner inside. Once she connected them to the generator, she could monitor any intruder—human or otherwise. Immediately, the cameras and electrified fences powered up. Her computer screen filled with tiny surveillance feeds, one for every angle. Then, the system chimed. Ding! [Monitoring and electrical grid system detected. Reward: Monitoring system upgraded! Coverage of the surveillance cameras increased 10x and can automatically detect all living and non-living entities! Electrical grid system upgraded. Maximum shock output: 10 thousand volts!] Hayley stared at her screen, astonished. She zoomed in on one camera. The pixel clarity was ten times better than before. Her 300-foot range camera now stretched a full mile, letting her see the road through gaps in the trees. A bird tried to land on the fence. It hovered and chose a spot—and with a loud zap, dropped straight down. Hayley's eyes glinted. Perfect! This defense was lethal. Anyone trying to break in? Instant death. "Summer, stay away from the fences, okay?" she warned. "Woof!" Upgraded Summer had grown bigger and smarter, more intuitive than before. Hayley ruffled its head, then pulled out the stuff from her old fridge from her inventory. They ate together. After the meal, she got back to organizing her base. Even cleaning the fallout shelter earned rewards. She cleared the water well and trimmed overgrown weeds. Ding! [Water well upgraded. Reward: Independent mountain-range clean water source!] Ding! [Weed coverage reduced. Reward: High-quality soil! Crop yield increased 100x! Growth speed increased 10x!] Hayley grinned. She now had clean water and rich soil. Her base was getting stronger and better every day. Soon, she could grow her own fresh fruits and vegetables and be self-sufficient. She made a mental note to buy seeds next. Ten days passed. The apocalypse was less than three days away. Every inch she cleaned and every fence she reinforced improved the defenses of her base, making it stronger and stronger. Meanwhile, her deliveries kept coming. During the day, she worked in the shelter. At night, she went to the warehouse to pick up packages. She had installed massive cameras at the warehouse entrance, and Summer helped guard the place. It was peaceful now, so people wouldn't dare steal with a huge dog watching. The delivery guys always unloaded truck after truck, then left as soon as they were done. At night, Hayley would go over everything and pull them into her inventory, then carry them back to her base. Ding! [Warehouse full.] All 100 tons of pasta, 1,000 boxes of instant noodles, 200 boxes of sausage, 100 boxes of pickled vegetables, and over 20 thousand meal packs were neatly stored in the innermost warehouse. Ding! [Reward: Super warehouse! Food remains permanently fresh!] The massive metal doors now looked like something from a bank vault. Not even professional explosives could open them—only Hayley's iris could. Inside, all items were sorted and stored. And the best part? Permanent freshness and no spoilage! Chapter 4 In just ten days, Hayley's fallout shelter looked completely transformed, inside and out. Now, it was only three days before the apocalypse. After planting the last tree, Hayley thought about what else she needed. For a self-sufficient, hidden life, she needed some chickens, ducks, and fish. Even with all the meal packs she had, nothing beat fresh food. Hayley kept walking through the market, but many stalls were closing. In a corner, she spotted someone selling live baby goats. She bought the last two for 300 bucks. The seller told her that these goats had been specifically bred for producing goat's milk, but business had been so bad that he started selling them off. The big ones were already gone, and only a few kids were left. By chance, Hayley managed to snag the last two today. "You should go home after buying these! With the flu outbreak, don't stay out too long," the vendor warned. Hayley nodded. She always wore a professional medical-grade mask, anyway. The truth was, the flu had never been the source of the zombie virus. It simply spread so widely and so quickly, lowering people's immunity. When the real virus hit, those with the lowest resistance turned into zombies right away. That was why everyone blamed the flu, thinking it was the true cause. It took Hayley ten years of surviving in the apocalypse to figure that much out. Yet, she still had no idea regarding the real origin of the zombie virus. Some people used to say it was nothing more than a game for the gods, like the Hunger Games. After all, the virus didn't just create zombies. It also changed people in other, stranger ways. Once Hayley had the vendor deliver her goods to the warehouse, she left the farmer's market without hanging around. Finding a hidden spot with no cameras, she placed the two goats into her inventory and drove off with Summer. On the way, she stopped at a farm supply store and bought a full set of tools, plus 20 shovels. Most people didn't realize shovels were serious weapons in survival situations. During conflicts, farmers used them as deadly tools. Even modern military spades evolved from shovels. In an apocalypse, a melee weapon like this could be more reliable than firearms. After stocking up on enough shovels, Hayley realized she needed to get baseball bats—another surprisingly effective weapon. Chapter 5 With that in mind, Hayley walked into a sports equipment store. After picking up a few of the best, sturdiest baseball bats, she grabbed a bunch of adventure gear—flashlights, helmets, armor, pads, tents, protective suits, tactical jackets…all of it. Everything she needed for the outdoors. This alone cost her over 4,000. The store also carried emergency kit accessories—tweezers, pliers, bandages, thermometers, and stuff like that. It reminded Hayley that she still needed to stop by the pharmacy. She left the outdoor store and went to stock up on common medicines—cold medicine, bandages, fever reducers, vitamins, alcohol, iodine, and other essentials. By the time she left the pharmacy, it was almost evening. The city lights sparkled, neon glowing all around. Hayley had pretty much gathered everything she could—food, drink, shelter, tools—all the basics covered. Now, she could focus on upgrading daily necessities and a few extra comforts. She figured it was time to go on a shopping spree. Before the apocalypse hit, she was going to enjoy the world one last time. First stop: a Michelin-star hotel she had never treated herself to before. She ordered a full-on feast—mushroom soup, barbecued ribs, pan-seared cod, roasted chicken, and garlic butter prawns—everything she had never been able to afford before. She even had the kitchen prepare ten extra orders of her favorite garlic butter prawns and filet mignon to take home for Summer. After that, she booked a suite and headed down to the mall. The mall was packed with goods, from general stores to tempting food stands. Hayley, used to hard times, hit the food section first—sausages, mini corn dogs, sponge cakes, meat pies, fried skewers, fried chicken, pork cutlets, stew, ice cream, milkshakes, assorted pastries…everything. She wanted it all, but there wasn't enough time or money to buy everything. Most of it was just luxury for a peaceful world—things that wouldn't matter after the apocalypse. But right now, she could buy and eat without worry. Hayley went store by store, quietly and extravagantly telling each clerk, "I want all your snacks." She paid and had everything delivered to her hotel room upstairs. At the first bakery, everything went into bags—fresh bread, cheesecake, cream puffs, petit fours, marshmallows, Swiss rolls, custard slices, custard tarts, waffles, palmiers—all packed and sent up. At a fried chicken shop, she bought every flavor—sweet chili, barbecue, garlic, honey mustard—and every type of chicken: boneless, drumsticks, wings, whole chickens. She then hit up the smoothie bars and ordered every flavor she could—berry blends, tropical fruit mixes, creamy yogurt smoothies, protein shakes, even frozen slushies—everything on the list! She basically just paid and gave them a delivery address before leaving, not wanting to attract too much attention. Just buying these snacks cost over 40 thousand. Each shop's stock usually totaled about 3,000 dollars. Hayley only spent around a few hundred dollars on smaller stalls, like the sausage stall and corn dog stand, ordering one of each flavor. Still, she basically cleared the snack stores in one sweep. Next, she went to the basement supermarket. Now, supermarkets were essential. She pushed two huge carts through the warehouse-style store. At checkout, her carts were filled with single units of all kinds—one bag of each flavored chips, one pack of every cookie or candy, one bottle of each drink, and every cooked food item she could get—roast turkey slices, rotisserie chicken, baked salmon, deli wraps, stuffed pita pockets, and microwavable pasta meals. Even partially prepared foods—marinated chicken, pork chops, fish fillets, and steak—were included. Household necessities like toiletries, face cream, sanitary pads, disposable towels, wipes—everything she could need. And now that she had money, she even bought appliances—a washing machine, a robot vacuum, and a fridge. She wouldn't have considered this before, but now she could. After checking out her two carts, she spoke to the store manager. She wanted the store's entire stock of everything in her carts, except for appliances. However, she had underestimated the cost and inventory. By the time she had selected just a third of what she wanted, her account was empty—220 thousand, gone in a flash! She found herself in an awkward position. Basic staples had been cheap, but processed goods were several times more expensive. Looking at her account balance hitting zero, Hayley decided this was enough. Chapter 6 As Hayley kept walking through the mall, she suddenly caught sight of two familiar figures. A young man was walking with a heavily pregnant woman just ahead of her. Philip and his wife—the same couple Hayley had just "pranked" a little while back. "Babe, calm down. Whatever you want today, just buy it. Forgive me, okay? Don't get mad… You don't want to stress the baby!" "No! You've been lying to me this whole time, haven't you? Your family doesn't even own that apartment! You tricked me on purpose!" "It's really ours." "Then what was all that earlier? Debt collectors at your door claiming the apartment was theirs, sending your grandma to the hospital!" "I don't know what happened. I swear, my mom paid 400 thousand to buy it from Hayley. We just have to find her and transfer the deed!" "Wait, didn't your mom say the apartment was a gift from Hayley, so I couldn't be on the deed? How is it suddenly bought by your family and transferable?" "Uh… A-Anyway! Just know that the apartment's ours now. I'm my family's only son, so I'm bound to get everything. And whatever's mine is yours! Just trust me!" Sue wouldn't buy it. "How am I supposed to trust you? First, you said it was move-in ready with renovations done, now it's a shell. You said it was your property, and now debt collectors show up. I've finally seen the truth—you guys are messing with me! I won't keep this baby! I'm gonna get rid of it now!" "Babe! Babe!" Hayley leaned against a corner, listening to their argument, a small smirk tugging at her lips. Wow. Just ten days, and things were already a mess at the Reids'. Eleanor even ended up in the hospital. Still, it could get even more entertaining. Hayley watched Philip, hands on the escalator railing, chasing after Sue. Mischievously, she whistled at him. Philip, already flustered, turned and spotted her leaning on the glass railing, casually watching them. "Hayley?" He froze, wanting to chase her, but Sue had already gotten to the floor below. "Babe! Babe!" One was his wife, about to get an abortion, and the other was Hayley. He wished he could split himself in two. After weighing his options, he decided to chase Hayley. He figured he would just grab her and make her explain everything to Sue—simple. He ran up the escalator that was heading down, trying to reach her. Meanwhile, Hayley walked at a calm, steady pace. By the time Philip caught up, she had already circled to the opposite escalator, making him chase her through the entire mall. They ended up in the underground parking lot. "Damn it! You little wench! Where do you think you're going?" Philip, panting, cornered Hayley. "How dare you mess with me behind my back! I swear I'll—" "Perfect," Hayley said cheerfully, shutting the car trunk with a click. "I was thinking the same thing." She swung a baseball bat in her hands. Philip's eyes went wide, alarm bells ringing. "What the… You're gonna hit me?" Before he could react, Hayley swung. She immediately overpowered him, dislocating his jaw so he couldn't talk, and dragged him to the corner of the parking lot, beating him mercilessly. Ten years surviving the apocalypse meant she had learned every kind of fighting technique. She could take down a grown man in seconds. But she was merciful with Philip. For half an hour, she smashed him in the arms and legs, striking only the most painful spots that wouldn't kill him. After 30 minutes, Philip lay on the ground, barely conscious. Hayley leaned against the car and kicked him lightly before bending down to grab his phone. She dialed 911 while pressing his head against the floor with her foot. "See? I'm nice. I even called 911 for you. You're welcome." Philip nearly passed out from anger. If her foot weren't on his face, he would've admitted she was "nice". "Damn you…" She took care of the scene and wiped his ID from the phone, not wanting the hospital to identify him that quickly. Then she transferred all the money in his digital bank to hers, using his fingerprint to authorize the payments. Afterward, she moved him to a bar street outside the parking lot, the same place she had called 911 from. Soon, EMTs arrived. Hayley watched them take Philip away, blending in like any bystander. Calmly, she sent messages to Bernard and Lucy with his phone, telling them he had been hurt and to check the hospital. After all that, she sold his phone to a small roadside store. Even if Lucy reported it, they wouldn't trace it back to Hayley in three days. By then, any investigation into Philip would be useless because it would be the apocalypse. Knocking Philip out added 6,000 dollars to her account. She used the money to stock up again, emptying several convenience store shelves into her car. As she prepared to leave, her car door slammed—someone had collapsed on it. Hayley's eyes darkened. Several stylishly dressed men and women helped lift the man. One tattooed guy waved. "Sorry, miss. My friend's drunk!" They laughed and carried him away. "Damn, he went down after two drinks! I remember him saying he could drink anyone under the table." "Yeah, he used to hold his liquor a lot better." "Maybe getting married weakened him!" "Hahaha!" Hayley leaned on her car, watching them leave. Her gaze fell on the young man in the middle—head down, stiff, pale hands hanging awkwardly. Soon, he came to. "What happened to me?" "You drank too much, that's what!" "You're useless! You didn't even drink that much!" "Work stress, I guess. I'm heading back." "Heading back? No way! Keep drinking! Let's get wasted tonight!" The group laughed as they walked off. Hayley's eyes darkened as she watched the scene. She checked her phone and noted that today was the 9th. In her last life, the zombie outbreak started on the 11th. The apocalypse…might have started early. As Hayley grabbed her car keys, a piercing scream cut through the air. "Ahhh!" That familiar sound. The zombie virus had broken out early!

Hayley Reid was reborn two weeks before the apocalypse began. In her last life, she survived ten years of hell—only to die at the hands of the people she trusted most. But this time, she returned with every memory intact… and awakened the Super Base System. While the world fell into chaos, Hayley sipped wine and held her beloved puppy inside the world’s strongest steel fortress. - Chapter 1 "Flu cases are on the rise. Please take precautions, avoid crowded areas, don't gather unnecessarily, and keep warm…" "Hayley, are you even listening to me?!" Hayley Reid jolted, staring at everything in front of her in disbelief. In the middle of the old, 300-square-foot living room with worn-out renovations was a couch, packed with middle-aged men and women. In the center was a plump, 70-ish woman with graying hair. She was Eleanor Reid, Hayley's grandmother. Eleanor glared at Hayley, her jowls bouncing with every movement. Hayley froze. This was the exact scene from two weeks before the apocalypse, when her "beloved" grandmother, father, and stepmother forced her to give up her house for her brother and his soon-to-be wife. The last thing she remembered was being stuck in a zombie siege at the eastern base a moment ago. "Ever since your mom passed, Lucy treated you like her own. Everyone says she's wonderful! Now, Philip is getting married and wants to borrow your house. Why won't you let him? You're so ungrateful!" Eleanor hissed. "Mom, Hayley's not ungrateful. I'm sure she'll come to her senses," said a plump woman next to Eleanor, pretending to mediate. This was Lucy Reid, Hayley's stepmother. "Hmph!" Eleanor snorted. "Clear out the house immediately. Philip said the place has been rented for too long, and the furniture is too worn. He needs new furniture before he gets married. You'll pay for it. After all, he's your brother. You should help out a little!" Hayley, standing in the middle, suddenly laughed out loud. They wanted her house and expected her to buy new furniture on top of that? Ridiculous. Even more ridiculous was the fact that she actually went along with it last time! Hayley's mother, Cynthia, died in a car accident when she was 14. Soon after, Lucy moved in with her son, Philip. On the surface, Lucy seemed perfect—she was attentive and caring. Hayley, going through her rebellious phase, was prickly with everyone but secretly craved warmth and family. Lucy's gentle, understanding ways fooled her. She supported Hayley in everything, no matter what, and Hayley almost genuinely saw her as a mother. She gave them everything, even the only house Cynthia had left her. She hesitated for only a moment before agreeing. The apocalypse soon hit, and Hayley was abandoned repeatedly. When it came time to escape on a rescue vehicle, they shoved her aside to save their skins. That was when Hayley truly understood how fake their love was. True family didn't exist for her. She had been nothing but a tool in their eyes, and they had squeezed her dry. Once she was useless, they kicked her aside. Not a single person there had ever seen her as family. She wanted to slap her past, foolish self so hard. Bang! Hayley tossed a few bags of cheap fruit from the old coffee table straight into the trash, then plopped herself down in front of them. A young man, who had been glued to his phone on the armchair, immediately dropped it and yelled righteously, "Hayley, what the hell are you doing? These are imported apples Mom got especially for you! She said they're your favorite. How could you just throw them away?" Hayley sneered. Her favorite? Since when? She gave Philip a cold glance. "You think you have the right to talk to me about my house?" Facing her icy gaze, Philip felt a shiver run through him and didn't dare to look at her. Hayley's eyes carried a murderous energy—the kind she had honed over ten years of surviving the apocalypse alone after they abandoned her. Philip instantly backed down. Lucy quickly tried to smooth things over. "What's wrong, Hayley? Are you not feeling well? If that's the case, we can come back another day. I know you're not happy with this request, but Philip is your brother. Sue's family wants a house in the city center, and you know how impossible that is now. Even with money, you might not get one. They're even doing lotteries for them. So, I'm begging you… Help your brother out. Later, when you get married, we'll try to make it up to you—" "Why should we make it up to her?" Bernard Reid, who had been quiet, finally spoke. He glared at Hayley. "You really think this house is yours? You should step aside and let Philip have it! When you get married, your husband can buy you one. Stop fighting Philip for it!" Hayley didn't even bother getting angry this time. In her past life, she had wondered why Bernard treated her, his biological daughter, so badly, while spoiling his stepson. As it turned out, Philip was his real son—his own flesh and blood! Before he married Cynthia, he had already married Lucy in his hometown and had a son. To him, Hayley was nothing. And after the apocalypse, he treated her even worse. Hayley held up four fingers. "Four hundred thousand." Everyone froze. "What are you talking about?" "This house was Mom's premarital property. She legally gave it to me later, so I own this house. You want it? Pay up. Four hundred thousand is already a bargain." "You're selling the house to us? You must be joking! We don't have that kind of money!" Hayley lifted her smartwatch. "I'm giving you five seconds to decide. If you don't agree, I'll sell it to someone else. Five…" "We're your elders! How could you talk money with us?!" Eleanor snapped. "Four." "You ungrateful little…! I'm gonna teach you a lesson!" Hayley ignored Eleanor, speeding up. "Three…two…" "Don't you dare!" Bernard jumped to hit her. Hayley kicked his chair out from under him. He landed hard, looking like an idiot. She looked down coldly at him and went on, "One." "You've lost it! How dare you hit your father!" Hayley didn't care about their rage. She grabbed her phone and dialed a number. "Mr. Cruz, I'm selling the house. Put it up for 400 thousand…" The house had been rented out through an agent until Hayley turned 18, which was why it hadn't been sold earlier. "You want it, huh?" Hayley smiled, glancing their way. "Sure. I'll—" "Don't say another word! We agree!" Lucy jumped in, panic in her voice. "Sell it to us!" Lucy knew that the house was actually worth 600 thousand, so getting it for 400 grand was already a steal. Plus, city-center houses were limited now, with all the residency and lottery rules. Hayley's house was hot property. Even if things didn't go exactly as they expected, the most important thing was getting it for themselves instead of letting an outsider have it. Even if they had to pay 400 thousand to get it, they would make a quick 200 grand reselling it. Hayley watched Lucy's reaction and smirked before hanging up. She had decided to sell the house to them. She was losing a bit, but that was the quickest option. Time was money, and she needed both. Most importantly, once the house was sold, they wouldn't have extra cash. She knew they only had 400 grand on hand. In her past life, the government had warned them to stockpile supplies three days before the apocalypse. Hayley was curious to see what they would be able to afford by then. - Ding! [You have received 400 thousand in your account.] Half an hour later at the bank, Hayley saw the money hit her account. Lucy and the others weren't thrilled but paid up. The real estate agent kept calling Hayley's phone; afraid she'd sell the house to him, the family didn't dare complain. "The property office is closed for a few days. I'll handle the transfer when they open," Hayley told them. "No worries. We trust you!" Lucy said, squinting and smiling sweetly. "The transfer can wait. We'll arrange a time later." Lucy acted generous, but Hayley knew better. The woman was just guarding against her future daughter-in-law, scared that her name would be on the house's deed. Right now, the deed still carried Hayley's name, which gave her room to stall. Hayley grinned. This was great! Philip suddenly said to her, "Since we've bought the house, pack your stuff and get out! And toss out all of your junk. I'll get new furniture with Sue." Right after paying, their attitude changed. "Give Hayley a few more days. She's a responsible girl; she'll probably pay you a bit for storage and even replace some furniture. You should be more understanding of your sister," Lucy said. "Mom, why do you still care about her? This little money-grubber doesn't deserve your kindness! I want her out! And Hayley, get your stupid dog out of the house! If I see it again, I'll chop it to pieces!" Hayley froze when she heard Philip mention the "stupid dog". Summer was still alive! She didn't waste another second with them and ran home. As soon as she opened her bedroom door, the quiet German Shepherd that was pacing nervously jumped into her arms. "Woof, woof!" "Summer!" Hayley almost cried, hugging it. Summer was a retired military dog, a gift from Hayley's mother on Hayley's tenth birthday. After Cynthia died, Summer had been her comfort through the hardest times. Lucy's family hated the intuitive dog and had tried several times to get rid of it, but Summer always came back. They wanted to give Summer away, but Hayley had insisted on keeping it, even getting into fights with them over it. To stay the "kind stepmother", Lucy let Hayley keep Summer but insisted that it be kept locked up in Hayley's room. After Hayley moved into Cynthia's old house, Summer finally had room to roam, though Lucy's family still locked it up when they came over. During the apocalypse in Hayley's past life, Lucy's family ate the old dog while Hayley was out scavenging. She had blamed herself for not protecting it. "Summer," Hayley whispered. "Woof, woof!" Summer licked her hand. "This time, I swear, I'll never let you get hurt again!" "Woof, woof!" Summer barked happily. Once Summer was settled, Hayley began packing. The house, rented out for years, had become old and worn. However, the furniture Cynthia had bought back then was expensive. Hayley had been living with her when she was still alive. The furniture was practically useless now, but it still carried a lot of memories. Being back, Hayley felt a little nostalgic. Then, a voice rang in her head. Ding! [Super Lord System activated! Within one hour, for every 200-dollars' worth of item you carry, gain 35 cubic feet of inventory!] Hayley froze. Here came the perks! [Countdown: 59 minutes and 59 seconds!] Skeptical, Hayley picked up her phone from the table to test it. Ding! [Phone detected, worth 1,000 dollars. Reward: 175 cubic feet!] With that, a 175-cubic-feet space appeared in her mind. Her phone vanished from her hand and reappeared there. She now had an inventory! Chapter 2 She had read plenty of novels before—this was a so-called system. Hayley quickly accepted the perk and started sucking in everything she could. She soon figured out the pricing rules. The system valued items at their original purchase price, even if they were used or disassembled. She jumped straight into moving, dismantling, and collecting everything. Ding! [Gold jewelry detected, worth 11,600 dollars. Reward: 2,030 cubic feet!] Ding! [Cup detected, worth 7.80 dollars.] Ding! [Calendar detected, worth 2 dollars.] The notifications kept coming. Ding! [Small desk detected, worth 73.80 dollars. Reward: 35 cubic feet!] Ding! [Rosewood table and chair set detected, worth 5,000 dollars. Reward: 875 cubic feet!] Ding! [Trash can detected, worth 3 dollars.] In about ten minutes, Hayley grabbed everything from shoes, hats, and clothes to pots, pans, pens, cups, trash bins, storage boxes, photo albums, nail clippers, and even larger stuff like tables, chairs, beds, and cabinets. Even the rotten apples Lucy had brought today got tossed into the pile. Ding! [Five pounds of rotten apples detected, worth 0.50 dollars.] Hayley spat. What disgusting liars! They wanted her to give them a 600-thousand-dollar house while offering her cheap, rotten apples they claimed to be imported. What a family! But she didn't mind. Every little bit counted, so she collected them all. Soon, the house was emptied of everything movable. Her sights turned to the big stuff she couldn't normally carry. Ding! [Toilet detected, worth 400 dollars.] Hayley yanked the toilet down with force. She had always been strong, but compared to her old self, who had survived ten years of the apocalypse, this body still felt a little weaker. She would need to train soon. After she stored the toilet, more notifications came in. Ding! [Sink detected, worth 139 dollars.] Ding! [Range hood detected, worth 519.80 dollars.] Ding! [Stove detected, worth 97.80 dollars.] Ding! [Security door detected, worth 317.80 dollars.] She was taking everything she could, not leaving even a single screw for them. Ding! [Windows detected, worth 80 dollars.] Ding! [Flooring detected, worth 30 dollars.] Within an hour, Hayley had stripped the house clean. Anything movable was gone. The floors were lifted, the windows and doors removed, and even unmovable tiles were smashed and taken. Ding! [Three seconds remaining!] Hayley thought fast—she dashed to the front door, stepped on the railing, and snagged a tiny hallway bulb. Ding! [Ten-watt bulb detected, worth 1 dollar. [Time's up! Total space gained: 3,110 cubic feet.] Hayley finally relaxed and said to Summer, "Summer! Let's go!" Not long after, Philip's family brought the pregnant Sue Norman to the new house. "Babe, here's our new place! It's in the city center and a school district, with over 1,000 square feet. It has two units per floor. We don't have a neighbor yet, so the hallway is all ours. The lighting's great, and it has the best layout in the complex. Plus, it's just 100 yards from your work. If you want, you can move in now. Furniture and appliances are ready!" The group marched up to the east-side unit—and froze. The house wasn't just empty; it didn't even have doors or windows. Even a hallway light bulb was gone. Sue turned on her heel. "Hmph! You expect me to renovate this dump? Well, I'm not getting married until you fix this house. And my name has to go on the deed!" Eleanor was fuming. She wanted to call Hayley to demand what that girl had done. But the bad news was, they couldn't reach Hayley. Meanwhile, Hayley was at a tunnel-style fallout shelter on the outskirts of Andersville. It was originally meant for a mountain road, but construction stopped due to insufficient funding and government rerouting. It had been abandoned and repurposed as a fallout shelter. "What are you renting a fallout shelter for?" the agent asked routinely. "Starting a business. I'm gonna grow mushrooms," Hayley said casually. From her previous life, she knew there were three types of shelters. The first were city-center shelters, built under malls, residential buildings, or hospitals. They were convenient, well-equipped, and fast to evacuate—but useless in a zombie apocalypse. Holding a high population meant it was the fastest to fall. The other two types were tunnel-style shelters and professional defense installations. Professional ones were critical in the late apocalypse and formed the backbone of stable bases, but Hayley couldn't rent one. So, tunnel shelters like these were perfect for her: they were secluded, far from people, and big, with a solid ventilation system and a heavy iron gate—exactly what she needed. Plus, they were cheap. Hayley's new shelter cost 400 a year to rent, for a minimum of 20 years. She paid three years upfront—1,200 dollars for a space the size of five basketball courts. The agent grinned, thinking she was an easy mark. Sure, the rent was cheap, but the location was extremely inconvenient and transportation was a headache. He figured that nine and a half out of ten entrepreneurs were idiots, but he wouldn't warn her. After collecting the money, signing the contract, and taking the 100-dollar service fee, he left. Hayley watched him leave without a word. She wouldn't reveal her true purpose. After ten years surviving the apocalypse, she learned one thing: never explain disaster plans to fools, because idiots like them were disasters themselves. After sending the agent off, Hayley entered the shelter with Summer. She checked everything. The ventilation system was intact, and she found a well left by a previous tenant, plus an electrical wire. The well's water tasted like mountain spring—totally separate from city water. Later, when treatment plants were contaminated, tap water would be useless. With this well, Hayley now had a safe water source. The wire wasn't connected, but that meant power could be set up. If she got a generator, the shelter could have electricity. Chapter 3 If she repaired the fence and added electricity, her fallout shelter's defenses would get a huge boost. She decided to get started. Just then, the voice from the system popped into her head. Ding! [Super Lord System activated! Please reinforce the original base. Rewards will be given based on the level of reinforcement. Countdown: 15 days!] Hayley's eyes lit up. She was just starting to process the new mission when another notification came. Ding! [Base war dog detected. Reward: War dog's combat power increased 100x! Physical stats increased 100x!] Hayley watched in amazement as Summer's body started to change. Its muscles doubled in size, its claws grew longer and sharper, and all signs of aging disappeared. In its place was the fierce, commanding presence of a powerful beast. "Woof, woof!" Hayley was amazed. "Wow!" - Hayley had Cynthia's old car, so she could get around easily. It was now time to start reinforcing her base. Not long after, she returned to her base. She placed the generator in the innermost storage room of the fallout shelter. Ding! [One thousand-kW generator detected. Reward: Indestructible, lowest-energy-consumption generator!] Hayley's jaw dropped. She stared at the generator, now looking like it was coated in silver. Its strength and durability were immediately way beyond what they had been. And the best part? It was indestructible! Normally, generators needed maintenance to last long, and Hayley had only been hoping to make it last. However, the system had upgraded it automatically. Amazing! She moved on and installed the surveillance cameras on the wire fences she had set up yesterday. Her tunnel hideout was in a perfect spot. Trees circled it, the main road was about a mile away, and a side road wound into the forest after about 500 yards. No one would ever notice a tunnel covered in wire here. It wasn't noticeable at all. The cameras covered every corner inside. Once she connected them to the generator, she could monitor any intruder—human or otherwise. Immediately, the cameras and electrified fences powered up. Her computer screen filled with tiny surveillance feeds, one for every angle. Then, the system chimed. Ding! [Monitoring and electrical grid system detected. Reward: Monitoring system upgraded! Coverage of the surveillance cameras increased 10x and can automatically detect all living and non-living entities! Electrical grid system upgraded. Maximum shock output: 10 thousand volts!] Hayley stared at her screen, astonished. She zoomed in on one camera. The pixel clarity was ten times better than before. Her 300-foot range camera now stretched a full mile, letting her see the road through gaps in the trees. A bird tried to land on the fence. It hovered and chose a spot—and with a loud zap, dropped straight down. Hayley's eyes glinted. Perfect! This defense was lethal. Anyone trying to break in? Instant death. "Summer, stay away from the fences, okay?" she warned. "Woof!" Upgraded Summer had grown bigger and smarter, more intuitive than before. Hayley ruffled its head, then pulled out the stuff from her old fridge from her inventory. They ate together. After the meal, she got back to organizing her base. Even cleaning the fallout shelter earned rewards. She cleared the water well and trimmed overgrown weeds. Ding! [Water well upgraded. Reward: Independent mountain-range clean water source!] Ding! [Weed coverage reduced. Reward: High-quality soil! Crop yield increased 100x! Growth speed increased 10x!] Hayley grinned. She now had clean water and rich soil. Her base was getting stronger and better every day. Soon, she could grow her own fresh fruits and vegetables and be self-sufficient. She made a mental note to buy seeds next. Ten days passed. The apocalypse was less than three days away. Every inch she cleaned and every fence she reinforced improved the defenses of her base, making it stronger and stronger. Meanwhile, her deliveries kept coming. During the day, she worked in the shelter. At night, she went to the warehouse to pick up packages. She had installed massive cameras at the warehouse entrance, and Summer helped guard the place. It was peaceful now, so people wouldn't dare steal with a huge dog watching. The delivery guys always unloaded truck after truck, then left as soon as they were done. At night, Hayley would go over everything and pull them into her inventory, then carry them back to her base. Ding! [Warehouse full.] All 100 tons of pasta, 1,000 boxes of instant noodles, 200 boxes of sausage, 100 boxes of pickled vegetables, and over 20 thousand meal packs were neatly stored in the innermost warehouse. Ding! [Reward: Super warehouse! Food remains permanently fresh!] The massive metal doors now looked like something from a bank vault. Not even professional explosives could open them—only Hayley's iris could. Inside, all items were sorted and stored. And the best part? Permanent freshness and no spoilage! Chapter 4 In just ten days, Hayley's fallout shelter looked completely transformed, inside and out. Now, it was only three days before the apocalypse. After planting the last tree, Hayley thought about what else she needed. For a self-sufficient, hidden life, she needed some chickens, ducks, and fish. Even with all the meal packs she had, nothing beat fresh food. Hayley kept walking through the market, but many stalls were closing. In a corner, she spotted someone selling live baby goats. She bought the last two for 300 bucks. The seller told her that these goats had been specifically bred for producing goat's milk, but business had been so bad that he started selling them off. The big ones were already gone, and only a few kids were left. By chance, Hayley managed to snag the last two today. "You should go home after buying these! With the flu outbreak, don't stay out too long," the vendor warned. Hayley nodded. She always wore a professional medical-grade mask, anyway. The truth was, the flu had never been the source of the zombie virus. It simply spread so widely and so quickly, lowering people's immunity. When the real virus hit, those with the lowest resistance turned into zombies right away. That was why everyone blamed the flu, thinking it was the true cause. It took Hayley ten years of surviving in the apocalypse to figure that much out. Yet, she still had no idea regarding the real origin of the zombie virus. Some people used to say it was nothing more than a game for the gods, like the Hunger Games. After all, the virus didn't just create zombies. It also changed people in other, stranger ways. Once Hayley had the vendor deliver her goods to the warehouse, she left the farmer's market without hanging around. Finding a hidden spot with no cameras, she placed the two goats into her inventory and drove off with Summer. On the way, she stopped at a farm supply store and bought a full set of tools, plus 20 shovels. Most people didn't realize shovels were serious weapons in survival situations. During conflicts, farmers used them as deadly tools. Even modern military spades evolved from shovels. In an apocalypse, a melee weapon like this could be more reliable than firearms. After stocking up on enough shovels, Hayley realized she needed to get baseball bats—another surprisingly effective weapon. Chapter 5 With that in mind, Hayley walked into a sports equipment store. After picking up a few of the best, sturdiest baseball bats, she grabbed a bunch of adventure gear—flashlights, helmets, armor, pads, tents, protective suits, tactical jackets…all of it. Everything she needed for the outdoors. This alone cost her over 4,000. The store also carried emergency kit accessories—tweezers, pliers, bandages, thermometers, and stuff like that. It reminded Hayley that she still needed to stop by the pharmacy. She left the outdoor store and went to stock up on common medicines—cold medicine, bandages, fever reducers, vitamins, alcohol, iodine, and other essentials. By the time she left the pharmacy, it was almost evening. The city lights sparkled, neon glowing all around. Hayley had pretty much gathered everything she could—food, drink, shelter, tools—all the basics covered. Now, she could focus on upgrading daily necessities and a few extra comforts. She figured it was time to go on a shopping spree. Before the apocalypse hit, she was going to enjoy the world one last time. First stop: a Michelin-star hotel she had never treated herself to before. She ordered a full-on feast—mushroom soup, barbecued ribs, pan-seared cod, roasted chicken, and garlic butter prawns—everything she had never been able to afford before. She even had the kitchen prepare ten extra orders of her favorite garlic butter prawns and filet mignon to take home for Summer. After that, she booked a suite and headed down to the mall. The mall was packed with goods, from general stores to tempting food stands. Hayley, used to hard times, hit the food section first—sausages, mini corn dogs, sponge cakes, meat pies, fried skewers, fried chicken, pork cutlets, stew, ice cream, milkshakes, assorted pastries…everything. She wanted it all, but there wasn't enough time or money to buy everything. Most of it was just luxury for a peaceful world—things that wouldn't matter after the apocalypse. But right now, she could buy and eat without worry. Hayley went store by store, quietly and extravagantly telling each clerk, "I want all your snacks." She paid and had everything delivered to her hotel room upstairs. At the first bakery, everything went into bags—fresh bread, cheesecake, cream puffs, petit fours, marshmallows, Swiss rolls, custard slices, custard tarts, waffles, palmiers—all packed and sent up. At a fried chicken shop, she bought every flavor—sweet chili, barbecue, garlic, honey mustard—and every type of chicken: boneless, drumsticks, wings, whole chickens. She then hit up the smoothie bars and ordered every flavor she could—berry blends, tropical fruit mixes, creamy yogurt smoothies, protein shakes, even frozen slushies—everything on the list! She basically just paid and gave them a delivery address before leaving, not wanting to attract too much attention. Just buying these snacks cost over 40 thousand. Each shop's stock usually totaled about 3,000 dollars. Hayley only spent around a few hundred dollars on smaller stalls, like the sausage stall and corn dog stand, ordering one of each flavor. Still, she basically cleared the snack stores in one sweep. Next, she went to the basement supermarket. Now, supermarkets were essential. She pushed two huge carts through the warehouse-style store. At checkout, her carts were filled with single units of all kinds—one bag of each flavored chips, one pack of every cookie or candy, one bottle of each drink, and every cooked food item she could get—roast turkey slices, rotisserie chicken, baked salmon, deli wraps, stuffed pita pockets, and microwavable pasta meals. Even partially prepared foods—marinated chicken, pork chops, fish fillets, and steak—were included. Household necessities like toiletries, face cream, sanitary pads, disposable towels, wipes—everything she could need. And now that she had money, she even bought appliances—a washing machine, a robot vacuum, and a fridge. She wouldn't have considered this before, but now she could. After checking out her two carts, she spoke to the store manager. She wanted the store's entire stock of everything in her carts, except for appliances. However, she had underestimated the cost and inventory. By the time she had selected just a third of what she wanted, her account was empty—220 thousand, gone in a flash! She found herself in an awkward position. Basic staples had been cheap, but processed goods were several times more expensive. Looking at her account balance hitting zero, Hayley decided this was enough. Chapter 6 As Hayley kept walking through the mall, she suddenly caught sight of two familiar figures. A young man was walking with a heavily pregnant woman just ahead of her. Philip and his wife—the same couple Hayley had just "pranked" a little while back. "Babe, calm down. Whatever you want today, just buy it. Forgive me, okay? Don't get mad… You don't want to stress the baby!" "No! You've been lying to me this whole time, haven't you? Your family doesn't even own that apartment! You tricked me on purpose!" "It's really ours." "Then what was all that earlier? Debt collectors at your door claiming the apartment was theirs, sending your grandma to the hospital!" "I don't know what happened. I swear, my mom paid 400 thousand to buy it from Hayley. We just have to find her and transfer the deed!" "Wait, didn't your mom say the apartment was a gift from Hayley, so I couldn't be on the deed? How is it suddenly bought by your family and transferable?" "Uh… A-Anyway! Just know that the apartment's ours now. I'm my family's only son, so I'm bound to get everything. And whatever's mine is yours! Just trust me!" Sue wouldn't buy it. "How am I supposed to trust you? First, you said it was move-in ready with renovations done, now it's a shell. You said it was your property, and now debt collectors show up. I've finally seen the truth—you guys are messing with me! I won't keep this baby! I'm gonna get rid of it now!" "Babe! Babe!" Hayley leaned against a corner, listening to their argument, a small smirk tugging at her lips. Wow. Just ten days, and things were already a mess at the Reids'. Eleanor even ended up in the hospital. Still, it could get even more entertaining. Hayley watched Philip, hands on the escalator railing, chasing after Sue. Mischievously, she whistled at him. Philip, already flustered, turned and spotted her leaning on the glass railing, casually watching them. "Hayley?" He froze, wanting to chase her, but Sue had already gotten to the floor below. "Babe! Babe!" One was his wife, about to get an abortion, and the other was Hayley. He wished he could split himself in two. After weighing his options, he decided to chase Hayley. He figured he would just grab her and make her explain everything to Sue—simple. He ran up the escalator that was heading down, trying to reach her. Meanwhile, Hayley walked at a calm, steady pace. By the time Philip caught up, she had already circled to the opposite escalator, making him chase her through the entire mall. They ended up in the underground parking lot. "Damn it! You little wench! Where do you think you're going?" Philip, panting, cornered Hayley. "How dare you mess with me behind my back! I swear I'll—" "Perfect," Hayley said cheerfully, shutting the car trunk with a click. "I was thinking the same thing." She swung a baseball bat in her hands. Philip's eyes went wide, alarm bells ringing. "What the… You're gonna hit me?" Before he could react, Hayley swung. She immediately overpowered him, dislocating his jaw so he couldn't talk, and dragged him to the corner of the parking lot, beating him mercilessly. Ten years surviving the apocalypse meant she had learned every kind of fighting technique. She could take down a grown man in seconds. But she was merciful with Philip. For half an hour, she smashed him in the arms and legs, striking only the most painful spots that wouldn't kill him. After 30 minutes, Philip lay on the ground, barely conscious. Hayley leaned against the car and kicked him lightly before bending down to grab his phone. She dialed 911 while pressing his head against the floor with her foot. "See? I'm nice. I even called 911 for you. You're welcome." Philip nearly passed out from anger. If her foot weren't on his face, he would've admitted she was "nice". "Damn you…" She took care of the scene and wiped his ID from the phone, not wanting the hospital to identify him that quickly. Then she transferred all the money in his digital bank to hers, using his fingerprint to authorize the payments. Afterward, she moved him to a bar street outside the parking lot, the same place she had called 911 from. Soon, EMTs arrived. Hayley watched them take Philip away, blending in like any bystander. Calmly, she sent messages to Bernard and Lucy with his phone, telling them he had been hurt and to check the hospital. After all that, she sold his phone to a small roadside store. Even if Lucy reported it, they wouldn't trace it back to Hayley in three days. By then, any investigation into Philip would be useless because it would be the apocalypse. Knocking Philip out added 6,000 dollars to her account. She used the money to stock up again, emptying several convenience store shelves into her car. As she prepared to leave, her car door slammed—someone had collapsed on it. Hayley's eyes darkened. Several stylishly dressed men and women helped lift the man. One tattooed guy waved. "Sorry, miss. My friend's drunk!" They laughed and carried him away. "Damn, he went down after two drinks! I remember him saying he could drink anyone under the table." "Yeah, he used to hold his liquor a lot better." "Maybe getting married weakened him!" "Hahaha!" Hayley leaned on her car, watching them leave. Her gaze fell on the young man in the middle—head down, stiff, pale hands hanging awkwardly. Soon, he came to. "What happened to me?" "You drank too much, that's what!" "You're useless! You didn't even drink that much!" "Work stress, I guess. I'm heading back." "Heading back? No way! Keep drinking! Let's get wasted tonight!" The group laughed as they walked off. Hayley's eyes darkened as she watched the scene. She checked her phone and noted that today was the 9th. In her last life, the zombie outbreak started on the 11th. The apocalypse…might have started early. As Hayley grabbed her car keys, a piercing scream cut through the air. "Ahhh!" That familiar sound. The zombie virus had broken out early!

Hayley Reid was reborn two weeks before the apocalypse began. In her last life, she survived ten years of hell—only to die at the hands of the people she trusted most. But this time, she returned with every memory intact… and awakened the Super Base System. While the world fell into chaos, Hayley sipped wine and held her beloved puppy inside the world’s strongest steel fortress. - Chapter 1 "Flu cases are on the rise. Please take precautions, avoid crowded areas, don't gather unnecessarily, and keep warm…" "Hayley, are you even listening to me?!" Hayley Reid jolted, staring at everything in front of her in disbelief. In the middle of the old, 300-square-foot living room with worn-out renovations was a couch, packed with middle-aged men and women. In the center was a plump, 70-ish woman with graying hair. She was Eleanor Reid, Hayley's grandmother. Eleanor glared at Hayley, her jowls bouncing with every movement. Hayley froze. This was the exact scene from two weeks before the apocalypse, when her "beloved" grandmother, father, and stepmother forced her to give up her house for her brother and his soon-to-be wife. The last thing she remembered was being stuck in a zombie siege at the eastern base a moment ago. "Ever since your mom passed, Lucy treated you like her own. Everyone says she's wonderful! Now, Philip is getting married and wants to borrow your house. Why won't you let him? You're so ungrateful!" Eleanor hissed. "Mom, Hayley's not ungrateful. I'm sure she'll come to her senses," said a plump woman next to Eleanor, pretending to mediate. This was Lucy Reid, Hayley's stepmother. "Hmph!" Eleanor snorted. "Clear out the house immediately. Philip said the place has been rented for too long, and the furniture is too worn. He needs new furniture before he gets married. You'll pay for it. After all, he's your brother. You should help out a little!" Hayley, standing in the middle, suddenly laughed out loud. They wanted her house and expected her to buy new furniture on top of that? Ridiculous. Even more ridiculous was the fact that she actually went along with it last time! Hayley's mother, Cynthia, died in a car accident when she was 14. Soon after, Lucy moved in with her son, Philip. On the surface, Lucy seemed perfect—she was attentive and caring. Hayley, going through her rebellious phase, was prickly with everyone but secretly craved warmth and family. Lucy's gentle, understanding ways fooled her. She supported Hayley in everything, no matter what, and Hayley almost genuinely saw her as a mother. She gave them everything, even the only house Cynthia had left her. She hesitated for only a moment before agreeing. The apocalypse soon hit, and Hayley was abandoned repeatedly. When it came time to escape on a rescue vehicle, they shoved her aside to save their skins. That was when Hayley truly understood how fake their love was. True family didn't exist for her. She had been nothing but a tool in their eyes, and they had squeezed her dry. Once she was useless, they kicked her aside. Not a single person there had ever seen her as family. She wanted to slap her past, foolish self so hard. Bang! Hayley tossed a few bags of cheap fruit from the old coffee table straight into the trash, then plopped herself down in front of them. A young man, who had been glued to his phone on the armchair, immediately dropped it and yelled righteously, "Hayley, what the hell are you doing? These are imported apples Mom got especially for you! She said they're your favorite. How could you just throw them away?" Hayley sneered. Her favorite? Since when? She gave Philip a cold glance. "You think you have the right to talk to me about my house?" Facing her icy gaze, Philip felt a shiver run through him and didn't dare to look at her. Hayley's eyes carried a murderous energy—the kind she had honed over ten years of surviving the apocalypse alone after they abandoned her. Philip instantly backed down. Lucy quickly tried to smooth things over. "What's wrong, Hayley? Are you not feeling well? If that's the case, we can come back another day. I know you're not happy with this request, but Philip is your brother. Sue's family wants a house in the city center, and you know how impossible that is now. Even with money, you might not get one. They're even doing lotteries for them. So, I'm begging you… Help your brother out. Later, when you get married, we'll try to make it up to you—" "Why should we make it up to her?" Bernard Reid, who had been quiet, finally spoke. He glared at Hayley. "You really think this house is yours? You should step aside and let Philip have it! When you get married, your husband can buy you one. Stop fighting Philip for it!" Hayley didn't even bother getting angry this time. In her past life, she had wondered why Bernard treated her, his biological daughter, so badly, while spoiling his stepson. As it turned out, Philip was his real son—his own flesh and blood! Before he married Cynthia, he had already married Lucy in his hometown and had a son. To him, Hayley was nothing. And after the apocalypse, he treated her even worse. Hayley held up four fingers. "Four hundred thousand." Everyone froze. "What are you talking about?" "This house was Mom's premarital property. She legally gave it to me later, so I own this house. You want it? Pay up. Four hundred thousand is already a bargain." "You're selling the house to us? You must be joking! We don't have that kind of money!" Hayley lifted her smartwatch. "I'm giving you five seconds to decide. If you don't agree, I'll sell it to someone else. Five…" "We're your elders! How could you talk money with us?!" Eleanor snapped. "Four." "You ungrateful little…! I'm gonna teach you a lesson!" Hayley ignored Eleanor, speeding up. "Three…two…" "Don't you dare!" Bernard jumped to hit her. Hayley kicked his chair out from under him. He landed hard, looking like an idiot. She looked down coldly at him and went on, "One." "You've lost it! How dare you hit your father!" Hayley didn't care about their rage. She grabbed her phone and dialed a number. "Mr. Cruz, I'm selling the house. Put it up for 400 thousand…" The house had been rented out through an agent until Hayley turned 18, which was why it hadn't been sold earlier. "You want it, huh?" Hayley smiled, glancing their way. "Sure. I'll—" "Don't say another word! We agree!" Lucy jumped in, panic in her voice. "Sell it to us!" Lucy knew that the house was actually worth 600 thousand, so getting it for 400 grand was already a steal. Plus, city-center houses were limited now, with all the residency and lottery rules. Hayley's house was hot property. Even if things didn't go exactly as they expected, the most important thing was getting it for themselves instead of letting an outsider have it. Even if they had to pay 400 thousand to get it, they would make a quick 200 grand reselling it. Hayley watched Lucy's reaction and smirked before hanging up. She had decided to sell the house to them. She was losing a bit, but that was the quickest option. Time was money, and she needed both. Most importantly, once the house was sold, they wouldn't have extra cash. She knew they only had 400 grand on hand. In her past life, the government had warned them to stockpile supplies three days before the apocalypse. Hayley was curious to see what they would be able to afford by then. - Ding! [You have received 400 thousand in your account.] Half an hour later at the bank, Hayley saw the money hit her account. Lucy and the others weren't thrilled but paid up. The real estate agent kept calling Hayley's phone; afraid she'd sell the house to him, the family didn't dare complain. "The property office is closed for a few days. I'll handle the transfer when they open," Hayley told them. "No worries. We trust you!" Lucy said, squinting and smiling sweetly. "The transfer can wait. We'll arrange a time later." Lucy acted generous, but Hayley knew better. The woman was just guarding against her future daughter-in-law, scared that her name would be on the house's deed. Right now, the deed still carried Hayley's name, which gave her room to stall. Hayley grinned. This was great! Philip suddenly said to her, "Since we've bought the house, pack your stuff and get out! And toss out all of your junk. I'll get new furniture with Sue." Right after paying, their attitude changed. "Give Hayley a few more days. She's a responsible girl; she'll probably pay you a bit for storage and even replace some furniture. You should be more understanding of your sister," Lucy said. "Mom, why do you still care about her? This little money-grubber doesn't deserve your kindness! I want her out! And Hayley, get your stupid dog out of the house! If I see it again, I'll chop it to pieces!" Hayley froze when she heard Philip mention the "stupid dog". Summer was still alive! She didn't waste another second with them and ran home. As soon as she opened her bedroom door, the quiet German Shepherd that was pacing nervously jumped into her arms. "Woof, woof!" "Summer!" Hayley almost cried, hugging it. Summer was a retired military dog, a gift from Hayley's mother on Hayley's tenth birthday. After Cynthia died, Summer had been her comfort through the hardest times. Lucy's family hated the intuitive dog and had tried several times to get rid of it, but Summer always came back. They wanted to give Summer away, but Hayley had insisted on keeping it, even getting into fights with them over it. To stay the "kind stepmother", Lucy let Hayley keep Summer but insisted that it be kept locked up in Hayley's room. After Hayley moved into Cynthia's old house, Summer finally had room to roam, though Lucy's family still locked it up when they came over. During the apocalypse in Hayley's past life, Lucy's family ate the old dog while Hayley was out scavenging. She had blamed herself for not protecting it. "Summer," Hayley whispered. "Woof, woof!" Summer licked her hand. "This time, I swear, I'll never let you get hurt again!" "Woof, woof!" Summer barked happily. Once Summer was settled, Hayley began packing. The house, rented out for years, had become old and worn. However, the furniture Cynthia had bought back then was expensive. Hayley had been living with her when she was still alive. The furniture was practically useless now, but it still carried a lot of memories. Being back, Hayley felt a little nostalgic. Then, a voice rang in her head. Ding! [Super Lord System activated! Within one hour, for every 200-dollars' worth of item you carry, gain 35 cubic feet of inventory!] Hayley froze. Here came the perks! [Countdown: 59 minutes and 59 seconds!] Skeptical, Hayley picked up her phone from the table to test it. Ding! [Phone detected, worth 1,000 dollars. Reward: 175 cubic feet!] With that, a 175-cubic-feet space appeared in her mind. Her phone vanished from her hand and reappeared there. She now had an inventory! Chapter 2 She had read plenty of novels before—this was a so-called system. Hayley quickly accepted the perk and started sucking in everything she could. She soon figured out the pricing rules. The system valued items at their original purchase price, even if they were used or disassembled. She jumped straight into moving, dismantling, and collecting everything. Ding! [Gold jewelry detected, worth 11,600 dollars. Reward: 2,030 cubic feet!] Ding! [Cup detected, worth 7.80 dollars.] Ding! [Calendar detected, worth 2 dollars.] The notifications kept coming. Ding! [Small desk detected, worth 73.80 dollars. Reward: 35 cubic feet!] Ding! [Rosewood table and chair set detected, worth 5,000 dollars. Reward: 875 cubic feet!] Ding! [Trash can detected, worth 3 dollars.] In about ten minutes, Hayley grabbed everything from shoes, hats, and clothes to pots, pans, pens, cups, trash bins, storage boxes, photo albums, nail clippers, and even larger stuff like tables, chairs, beds, and cabinets. Even the rotten apples Lucy had brought today got tossed into the pile. Ding! [Five pounds of rotten apples detected, worth 0.50 dollars.] Hayley spat. What disgusting liars! They wanted her to give them a 600-thousand-dollar house while offering her cheap, rotten apples they claimed to be imported. What a family! But she didn't mind. Every little bit counted, so she collected them all. Soon, the house was emptied of everything movable. Her sights turned to the big stuff she couldn't normally carry. Ding! [Toilet detected, worth 400 dollars.] Hayley yanked the toilet down with force. She had always been strong, but compared to her old self, who had survived ten years of the apocalypse, this body still felt a little weaker. She would need to train soon. After she stored the toilet, more notifications came in. Ding! [Sink detected, worth 139 dollars.] Ding! [Range hood detected, worth 519.80 dollars.] Ding! [Stove detected, worth 97.80 dollars.] Ding! [Security door detected, worth 317.80 dollars.] She was taking everything she could, not leaving even a single screw for them. Ding! [Windows detected, worth 80 dollars.] Ding! [Flooring detected, worth 30 dollars.] Within an hour, Hayley had stripped the house clean. Anything movable was gone. The floors were lifted, the windows and doors removed, and even unmovable tiles were smashed and taken. Ding! [Three seconds remaining!] Hayley thought fast—she dashed to the front door, stepped on the railing, and snagged a tiny hallway bulb. Ding! [Ten-watt bulb detected, worth 1 dollar. [Time's up! Total space gained: 3,110 cubic feet.] Hayley finally relaxed and said to Summer, "Summer! Let's go!" Not long after, Philip's family brought the pregnant Sue Norman to the new house. "Babe, here's our new place! It's in the city center and a school district, with over 1,000 square feet. It has two units per floor. We don't have a neighbor yet, so the hallway is all ours. The lighting's great, and it has the best layout in the complex. Plus, it's just 100 yards from your work. If you want, you can move in now. Furniture and appliances are ready!" The group marched up to the east-side unit—and froze. The house wasn't just empty; it didn't even have doors or windows. Even a hallway light bulb was gone. Sue turned on her heel. "Hmph! You expect me to renovate this dump? Well, I'm not getting married until you fix this house. And my name has to go on the deed!" Eleanor was fuming. She wanted to call Hayley to demand what that girl had done. But the bad news was, they couldn't reach Hayley. Meanwhile, Hayley was at a tunnel-style fallout shelter on the outskirts of Andersville. It was originally meant for a mountain road, but construction stopped due to insufficient funding and government rerouting. It had been abandoned and repurposed as a fallout shelter. "What are you renting a fallout shelter for?" the agent asked routinely. "Starting a business. I'm gonna grow mushrooms," Hayley said casually. From her previous life, she knew there were three types of shelters. The first were city-center shelters, built under malls, residential buildings, or hospitals. They were convenient, well-equipped, and fast to evacuate—but useless in a zombie apocalypse. Holding a high population meant it was the fastest to fall. The other two types were tunnel-style shelters and professional defense installations. Professional ones were critical in the late apocalypse and formed the backbone of stable bases, but Hayley couldn't rent one. So, tunnel shelters like these were perfect for her: they were secluded, far from people, and big, with a solid ventilation system and a heavy iron gate—exactly what she needed. Plus, they were cheap. Hayley's new shelter cost 400 a year to rent, for a minimum of 20 years. She paid three years upfront—1,200 dollars for a space the size of five basketball courts. The agent grinned, thinking she was an easy mark. Sure, the rent was cheap, but the location was extremely inconvenient and transportation was a headache. He figured that nine and a half out of ten entrepreneurs were idiots, but he wouldn't warn her. After collecting the money, signing the contract, and taking the 100-dollar service fee, he left. Hayley watched him leave without a word. She wouldn't reveal her true purpose. After ten years surviving the apocalypse, she learned one thing: never explain disaster plans to fools, because idiots like them were disasters themselves. After sending the agent off, Hayley entered the shelter with Summer. She checked everything. The ventilation system was intact, and she found a well left by a previous tenant, plus an electrical wire. The well's water tasted like mountain spring—totally separate from city water. Later, when treatment plants were contaminated, tap water would be useless. With this well, Hayley now had a safe water source. The wire wasn't connected, but that meant power could be set up. If she got a generator, the shelter could have electricity. Chapter 3 If she repaired the fence and added electricity, her fallout shelter's defenses would get a huge boost. She decided to get started. Just then, the voice from the system popped into her head. Ding! [Super Lord System activated! Please reinforce the original base. Rewards will be given based on the level of reinforcement. Countdown: 15 days!] Hayley's eyes lit up. She was just starting to process the new mission when another notification came. Ding! [Base war dog detected. Reward: War dog's combat power increased 100x! Physical stats increased 100x!] Hayley watched in amazement as Summer's body started to change. Its muscles doubled in size, its claws grew longer and sharper, and all signs of aging disappeared. In its place was the fierce, commanding presence of a powerful beast. "Woof, woof!" Hayley was amazed. "Wow!" - Hayley had Cynthia's old car, so she could get around easily. It was now time to start reinforcing her base. Not long after, she returned to her base. She placed the generator in the innermost storage room of the fallout shelter. Ding! [One thousand-kW generator detected. Reward: Indestructible, lowest-energy-consumption generator!] Hayley's jaw dropped. She stared at the generator, now looking like it was coated in silver. Its strength and durability were immediately way beyond what they had been. And the best part? It was indestructible! Normally, generators needed maintenance to last long, and Hayley had only been hoping to make it last. However, the system had upgraded it automatically. Amazing! She moved on and installed the surveillance cameras on the wire fences she had set up yesterday. Her tunnel hideout was in a perfect spot. Trees circled it, the main road was about a mile away, and a side road wound into the forest after about 500 yards. No one would ever notice a tunnel covered in wire here. It wasn't noticeable at all. The cameras covered every corner inside. Once she connected them to the generator, she could monitor any intruder—human or otherwise. Immediately, the cameras and electrified fences powered up. Her computer screen filled with tiny surveillance feeds, one for every angle. Then, the system chimed. Ding! [Monitoring and electrical grid system detected. Reward: Monitoring system upgraded! Coverage of the surveillance cameras increased 10x and can automatically detect all living and non-living entities! Electrical grid system upgraded. Maximum shock output: 10 thousand volts!] Hayley stared at her screen, astonished. She zoomed in on one camera. The pixel clarity was ten times better than before. Her 300-foot range camera now stretched a full mile, letting her see the road through gaps in the trees. A bird tried to land on the fence. It hovered and chose a spot—and with a loud zap, dropped straight down. Hayley's eyes glinted. Perfect! This defense was lethal. Anyone trying to break in? Instant death. "Summer, stay away from the fences, okay?" she warned. "Woof!" Upgraded Summer had grown bigger and smarter, more intuitive than before. Hayley ruffled its head, then pulled out the stuff from her old fridge from her inventory. They ate together. After the meal, she got back to organizing her base. Even cleaning the fallout shelter earned rewards. She cleared the water well and trimmed overgrown weeds. Ding! [Water well upgraded. Reward: Independent mountain-range clean water source!] Ding! [Weed coverage reduced. Reward: High-quality soil! Crop yield increased 100x! Growth speed increased 10x!] Hayley grinned. She now had clean water and rich soil. Her base was getting stronger and better every day. Soon, she could grow her own fresh fruits and vegetables and be self-sufficient. She made a mental note to buy seeds next. Ten days passed. The apocalypse was less than three days away. Every inch she cleaned and every fence she reinforced improved the defenses of her base, making it stronger and stronger. Meanwhile, her deliveries kept coming. During the day, she worked in the shelter. At night, she went to the warehouse to pick up packages. She had installed massive cameras at the warehouse entrance, and Summer helped guard the place. It was peaceful now, so people wouldn't dare steal with a huge dog watching. The delivery guys always unloaded truck after truck, then left as soon as they were done. At night, Hayley would go over everything and pull them into her inventory, then carry them back to her base. Ding! [Warehouse full.] All 100 tons of pasta, 1,000 boxes of instant noodles, 200 boxes of sausage, 100 boxes of pickled vegetables, and over 20 thousand meal packs were neatly stored in the innermost warehouse. Ding! [Reward: Super warehouse! Food remains permanently fresh!] The massive metal doors now looked like something from a bank vault. Not even professional explosives could open them—only Hayley's iris could. Inside, all items were sorted and stored. And the best part? Permanent freshness and no spoilage! Chapter 4 In just ten days, Hayley's fallout shelter looked completely transformed, inside and out. Now, it was only three days before the apocalypse. After planting the last tree, Hayley thought about what else she needed. For a self-sufficient, hidden life, she needed some chickens, ducks, and fish. Even with all the meal packs she had, nothing beat fresh food. Hayley kept walking through the market, but many stalls were closing. In a corner, she spotted someone selling live baby goats. She bought the last two for 300 bucks. The seller told her that these goats had been specifically bred for producing goat's milk, but business had been so bad that he started selling them off. The big ones were already gone, and only a few kids were left. By chance, Hayley managed to snag the last two today. "You should go home after buying these! With the flu outbreak, don't stay out too long," the vendor warned. Hayley nodded. She always wore a professional medical-grade mask, anyway. The truth was, the flu had never been the source of the zombie virus. It simply spread so widely and so quickly, lowering people's immunity. When the real virus hit, those with the lowest resistance turned into zombies right away. That was why everyone blamed the flu, thinking it was the true cause. It took Hayley ten years of surviving in the apocalypse to figure that much out. Yet, she still had no idea regarding the real origin of the zombie virus. Some people used to say it was nothing more than a game for the gods, like the Hunger Games. After all, the virus didn't just create zombies. It also changed people in other, stranger ways. Once Hayley had the vendor deliver her goods to the warehouse, she left the farmer's market without hanging around. Finding a hidden spot with no cameras, she placed the two goats into her inventory and drove off with Summer. On the way, she stopped at a farm supply store and bought a full set of tools, plus 20 shovels. Most people didn't realize shovels were serious weapons in survival situations. During conflicts, farmers used them as deadly tools. Even modern military spades evolved from shovels. In an apocalypse, a melee weapon like this could be more reliable than firearms. After stocking up on enough shovels, Hayley realized she needed to get baseball bats—another surprisingly effective weapon. Chapter 5 With that in mind, Hayley walked into a sports equipment store. After picking up a few of the best, sturdiest baseball bats, she grabbed a bunch of adventure gear—flashlights, helmets, armor, pads, tents, protective suits, tactical jackets…all of it. Everything she needed for the outdoors. This alone cost her over 4,000. The store also carried emergency kit accessories—tweezers, pliers, bandages, thermometers, and stuff like that. It reminded Hayley that she still needed to stop by the pharmacy. She left the outdoor store and went to stock up on common medicines—cold medicine, bandages, fever reducers, vitamins, alcohol, iodine, and other essentials. By the time she left the pharmacy, it was almost evening. The city lights sparkled, neon glowing all around. Hayley had pretty much gathered everything she could—food, drink, shelter, tools—all the basics covered. Now, she could focus on upgrading daily necessities and a few extra comforts. She figured it was time to go on a shopping spree. Before the apocalypse hit, she was going to enjoy the world one last time. First stop: a Michelin-star hotel she had never treated herself to before. She ordered a full-on feast—mushroom soup, barbecued ribs, pan-seared cod, roasted chicken, and garlic butter prawns—everything she had never been able to afford before. She even had the kitchen prepare ten extra orders of her favorite garlic butter prawns and filet mignon to take home for Summer. After that, she booked a suite and headed down to the mall. The mall was packed with goods, from general stores to tempting food stands. Hayley, used to hard times, hit the food section first—sausages, mini corn dogs, sponge cakes, meat pies, fried skewers, fried chicken, pork cutlets, stew, ice cream, milkshakes, assorted pastries…everything. She wanted it all, but there wasn't enough time or money to buy everything. Most of it was just luxury for a peaceful world—things that wouldn't matter after the apocalypse. But right now, she could buy and eat without worry. Hayley went store by store, quietly and extravagantly telling each clerk, "I want all your snacks." She paid and had everything delivered to her hotel room upstairs. At the first bakery, everything went into bags—fresh bread, cheesecake, cream puffs, petit fours, marshmallows, Swiss rolls, custard slices, custard tarts, waffles, palmiers—all packed and sent up. At a fried chicken shop, she bought every flavor—sweet chili, barbecue, garlic, honey mustard—and every type of chicken: boneless, drumsticks, wings, whole chickens. She then hit up the smoothie bars and ordered every flavor she could—berry blends, tropical fruit mixes, creamy yogurt smoothies, protein shakes, even frozen slushies—everything on the list! She basically just paid and gave them a delivery address before leaving, not wanting to attract too much attention. Just buying these snacks cost over 40 thousand. Each shop's stock usually totaled about 3,000 dollars. Hayley only spent around a few hundred dollars on smaller stalls, like the sausage stall and corn dog stand, ordering one of each flavor. Still, she basically cleared the snack stores in one sweep. Next, she went to the basement supermarket. Now, supermarkets were essential. She pushed two huge carts through the warehouse-style store. At checkout, her carts were filled with single units of all kinds—one bag of each flavored chips, one pack of every cookie or candy, one bottle of each drink, and every cooked food item she could get—roast turkey slices, rotisserie chicken, baked salmon, deli wraps, stuffed pita pockets, and microwavable pasta meals. Even partially prepared foods—marinated chicken, pork chops, fish fillets, and steak—were included. Household necessities like toiletries, face cream, sanitary pads, disposable towels, wipes—everything she could need. And now that she had money, she even bought appliances—a washing machine, a robot vacuum, and a fridge. She wouldn't have considered this before, but now she could. After checking out her two carts, she spoke to the store manager. She wanted the store's entire stock of everything in her carts, except for appliances. However, she had underestimated the cost and inventory. By the time she had selected just a third of what she wanted, her account was empty—220 thousand, gone in a flash! She found herself in an awkward position. Basic staples had been cheap, but processed goods were several times more expensive. Looking at her account balance hitting zero, Hayley decided this was enough. Chapter 6 As Hayley kept walking through the mall, she suddenly caught sight of two familiar figures. A young man was walking with a heavily pregnant woman just ahead of her. Philip and his wife—the same couple Hayley had just "pranked" a little while back. "Babe, calm down. Whatever you want today, just buy it. Forgive me, okay? Don't get mad… You don't want to stress the baby!" "No! You've been lying to me this whole time, haven't you? Your family doesn't even own that apartment! You tricked me on purpose!" "It's really ours." "Then what was all that earlier? Debt collectors at your door claiming the apartment was theirs, sending your grandma to the hospital!" "I don't know what happened. I swear, my mom paid 400 thousand to buy it from Hayley. We just have to find her and transfer the deed!" "Wait, didn't your mom say the apartment was a gift from Hayley, so I couldn't be on the deed? How is it suddenly bought by your family and transferable?" "Uh… A-Anyway! Just know that the apartment's ours now. I'm my family's only son, so I'm bound to get everything. And whatever's mine is yours! Just trust me!" Sue wouldn't buy it. "How am I supposed to trust you? First, you said it was move-in ready with renovations done, now it's a shell. You said it was your property, and now debt collectors show up. I've finally seen the truth—you guys are messing with me! I won't keep this baby! I'm gonna get rid of it now!" "Babe! Babe!" Hayley leaned against a corner, listening to their argument, a small smirk tugging at her lips. Wow. Just ten days, and things were already a mess at the Reids'. Eleanor even ended up in the hospital. Still, it could get even more entertaining. Hayley watched Philip, hands on the escalator railing, chasing after Sue. Mischievously, she whistled at him. Philip, already flustered, turned and spotted her leaning on the glass railing, casually watching them. "Hayley?" He froze, wanting to chase her, but Sue had already gotten to the floor below. "Babe! Babe!" One was his wife, about to get an abortion, and the other was Hayley. He wished he could split himself in two. After weighing his options, he decided to chase Hayley. He figured he would just grab her and make her explain everything to Sue—simple. He ran up the escalator that was heading down, trying to reach her. Meanwhile, Hayley walked at a calm, steady pace. By the time Philip caught up, she had already circled to the opposite escalator, making him chase her through the entire mall. They ended up in the underground parking lot. "Damn it! You little wench! Where do you think you're going?" Philip, panting, cornered Hayley. "How dare you mess with me behind my back! I swear I'll—" "Perfect," Hayley said cheerfully, shutting the car trunk with a click. "I was thinking the same thing." She swung a baseball bat in her hands. Philip's eyes went wide, alarm bells ringing. "What the… You're gonna hit me?" Before he could react, Hayley swung. She immediately overpowered him, dislocating his jaw so he couldn't talk, and dragged him to the corner of the parking lot, beating him mercilessly. Ten years surviving the apocalypse meant she had learned every kind of fighting technique. She could take down a grown man in seconds. But she was merciful with Philip. For half an hour, she smashed him in the arms and legs, striking only the most painful spots that wouldn't kill him. After 30 minutes, Philip lay on the ground, barely conscious. Hayley leaned against the car and kicked him lightly before bending down to grab his phone. She dialed 911 while pressing his head against the floor with her foot. "See? I'm nice. I even called 911 for you. You're welcome." Philip nearly passed out from anger. If her foot weren't on his face, he would've admitted she was "nice". "Damn you…" She took care of the scene and wiped his ID from the phone, not wanting the hospital to identify him that quickly. Then she transferred all the money in his digital bank to hers, using his fingerprint to authorize the payments. Afterward, she moved him to a bar street outside the parking lot, the same place she had called 911 from. Soon, EMTs arrived. Hayley watched them take Philip away, blending in like any bystander. Calmly, she sent messages to Bernard and Lucy with his phone, telling them he had been hurt and to check the hospital. After all that, she sold his phone to a small roadside store. Even if Lucy reported it, they wouldn't trace it back to Hayley in three days. By then, any investigation into Philip would be useless because it would be the apocalypse. Knocking Philip out added 6,000 dollars to her account. She used the money to stock up again, emptying several convenience store shelves into her car. As she prepared to leave, her car door slammed—someone had collapsed on it. Hayley's eyes darkened. Several stylishly dressed men and women helped lift the man. One tattooed guy waved. "Sorry, miss. My friend's drunk!" They laughed and carried him away. "Damn, he went down after two drinks! I remember him saying he could drink anyone under the table." "Yeah, he used to hold his liquor a lot better." "Maybe getting married weakened him!" "Hahaha!" Hayley leaned on her car, watching them leave. Her gaze fell on the young man in the middle—head down, stiff, pale hands hanging awkwardly. Soon, he came to. "What happened to me?" "You drank too much, that's what!" "You're useless! You didn't even drink that much!" "Work stress, I guess. I'm heading back." "Heading back? No way! Keep drinking! Let's get wasted tonight!" The group laughed as they walked off. Hayley's eyes darkened as she watched the scene. She checked her phone and noted that today was the 9th. In her last life, the zombie outbreak started on the 11th. The apocalypse…might have started early. As Hayley grabbed her car keys, a piercing scream cut through the air. "Ahhh!" That familiar sound. The zombie virus had broken out early!

Hayley Reid was reborn two weeks before the apocalypse began. In her last life, she survived ten years of hell—only to die at the hands of the people she trusted most. But this time, she returned with every memory intact… and awakened the Super Base System. While the world fell into chaos, Hayley sipped wine and held her beloved puppy inside the world’s strongest steel fortress. - Chapter 1 "Flu cases are on the rise. Please take precautions, avoid crowded areas, don't gather unnecessarily, and keep warm…" "Hayley, are you even listening to me?!" Hayley Reid jolted, staring at everything in front of her in disbelief. In the middle of the old, 300-square-foot living room with worn-out renovations was a couch, packed with middle-aged men and women. In the center was a plump, 70-ish woman with graying hair. She was Eleanor Reid, Hayley's grandmother. Eleanor glared at Hayley, her jowls bouncing with every movement. Hayley froze. This was the exact scene from two weeks before the apocalypse, when her "beloved" grandmother, father, and stepmother forced her to give up her house for her brother and his soon-to-be wife. The last thing she remembered was being stuck in a zombie siege at the eastern base a moment ago. "Ever since your mom passed, Lucy treated you like her own. Everyone says she's wonderful! Now, Philip is getting married and wants to borrow your house. Why won't you let him? You're so ungrateful!" Eleanor hissed. "Mom, Hayley's not ungrateful. I'm sure she'll come to her senses," said a plump woman next to Eleanor, pretending to mediate. This was Lucy Reid, Hayley's stepmother. "Hmph!" Eleanor snorted. "Clear out the house immediately. Philip said the place has been rented for too long, and the furniture is too worn. He needs new furniture before he gets married. You'll pay for it. After all, he's your brother. You should help out a little!" Hayley, standing in the middle, suddenly laughed out loud. They wanted her house and expected her to buy new furniture on top of that? Ridiculous. Even more ridiculous was the fact that she actually went along with it last time! Hayley's mother, Cynthia, died in a car accident when she was 14. Soon after, Lucy moved in with her son, Philip. On the surface, Lucy seemed perfect—she was attentive and caring. Hayley, going through her rebellious phase, was prickly with everyone but secretly craved warmth and family. Lucy's gentle, understanding ways fooled her. She supported Hayley in everything, no matter what, and Hayley almost genuinely saw her as a mother. She gave them everything, even the only house Cynthia had left her. She hesitated for only a moment before agreeing. The apocalypse soon hit, and Hayley was abandoned repeatedly. When it came time to escape on a rescue vehicle, they shoved her aside to save their skins. That was when Hayley truly understood how fake their love was. True family didn't exist for her. She had been nothing but a tool in their eyes, and they had squeezed her dry. Once she was useless, they kicked her aside. Not a single person there had ever seen her as family. She wanted to slap her past, foolish self so hard. Bang! Hayley tossed a few bags of cheap fruit from the old coffee table straight into the trash, then plopped herself down in front of them. A young man, who had been glued to his phone on the armchair, immediately dropped it and yelled righteously, "Hayley, what the hell are you doing? These are imported apples Mom got especially for you! She said they're your favorite. How could you just throw them away?" Hayley sneered. Her favorite? Since when? She gave Philip a cold glance. "You think you have the right to talk to me about my house?" Facing her icy gaze, Philip felt a shiver run through him and didn't dare to look at her. Hayley's eyes carried a murderous energy—the kind she had honed over ten years of surviving the apocalypse alone after they abandoned her. Philip instantly backed down. Lucy quickly tried to smooth things over. "What's wrong, Hayley? Are you not feeling well? If that's the case, we can come back another day. I know you're not happy with this request, but Philip is your brother. Sue's family wants a house in the city center, and you know how impossible that is now. Even with money, you might not get one. They're even doing lotteries for them. So, I'm begging you… Help your brother out. Later, when you get married, we'll try to make it up to you—" "Why should we make it up to her?" Bernard Reid, who had been quiet, finally spoke. He glared at Hayley. "You really think this house is yours? You should step aside and let Philip have it! When you get married, your husband can buy you one. Stop fighting Philip for it!" Hayley didn't even bother getting angry this time. In her past life, she had wondered why Bernard treated her, his biological daughter, so badly, while spoiling his stepson. As it turned out, Philip was his real son—his own flesh and blood! Before he married Cynthia, he had already married Lucy in his hometown and had a son. To him, Hayley was nothing. And after the apocalypse, he treated her even worse. Hayley held up four fingers. "Four hundred thousand." Everyone froze. "What are you talking about?" "This house was Mom's premarital property. She legally gave it to me later, so I own this house. You want it? Pay up. Four hundred thousand is already a bargain." "You're selling the house to us? You must be joking! We don't have that kind of money!" Hayley lifted her smartwatch. "I'm giving you five seconds to decide. If you don't agree, I'll sell it to someone else. Five…" "We're your elders! How could you talk money with us?!" Eleanor snapped. "Four." "You ungrateful little…! I'm gonna teach you a lesson!" Hayley ignored Eleanor, speeding up. "Three…two…" "Don't you dare!" Bernard jumped to hit her. Hayley kicked his chair out from under him. He landed hard, looking like an idiot. She looked down coldly at him and went on, "One." "You've lost it! How dare you hit your father!" Hayley didn't care about their rage. She grabbed her phone and dialed a number. "Mr. Cruz, I'm selling the house. Put it up for 400 thousand…" The house had been rented out through an agent until Hayley turned 18, which was why it hadn't been sold earlier. "You want it, huh?" Hayley smiled, glancing their way. "Sure. I'll—" "Don't say another word! We agree!" Lucy jumped in, panic in her voice. "Sell it to us!" Lucy knew that the house was actually worth 600 thousand, so getting it for 400 grand was already a steal. Plus, city-center houses were limited now, with all the residency and lottery rules. Hayley's house was hot property. Even if things didn't go exactly as they expected, the most important thing was getting it for themselves instead of letting an outsider have it. Even if they had to pay 400 thousand to get it, they would make a quick 200 grand reselling it. Hayley watched Lucy's reaction and smirked before hanging up. She had decided to sell the house to them. She was losing a bit, but that was the quickest option. Time was money, and she needed both. Most importantly, once the house was sold, they wouldn't have extra cash. She knew they only had 400 grand on hand. In her past life, the government had warned them to stockpile supplies three days before the apocalypse. Hayley was curious to see what they would be able to afford by then. - Ding! [You have received 400 thousand in your account.] Half an hour later at the bank, Hayley saw the money hit her account. Lucy and the others weren't thrilled but paid up. The real estate agent kept calling Hayley's phone; afraid she'd sell the house to him, the family didn't dare complain. "The property office is closed for a few days. I'll handle the transfer when they open," Hayley told them. "No worries. We trust you!" Lucy said, squinting and smiling sweetly. "The transfer can wait. We'll arrange a time later." Lucy acted generous, but Hayley knew better. The woman was just guarding against her future daughter-in-law, scared that her name would be on the house's deed. Right now, the deed still carried Hayley's name, which gave her room to stall. Hayley grinned. This was great! Philip suddenly said to her, "Since we've bought the house, pack your stuff and get out! And toss out all of your junk. I'll get new furniture with Sue." Right after paying, their attitude changed. "Give Hayley a few more days. She's a responsible girl; she'll probably pay you a bit for storage and even replace some furniture. You should be more understanding of your sister," Lucy said. "Mom, why do you still care about her? This little money-grubber doesn't deserve your kindness! I want her out! And Hayley, get your stupid dog out of the house! If I see it again, I'll chop it to pieces!" Hayley froze when she heard Philip mention the "stupid dog". Summer was still alive! She didn't waste another second with them and ran home. As soon as she opened her bedroom door, the quiet German Shepherd that was pacing nervously jumped into her arms. "Woof, woof!" "Summer!" Hayley almost cried, hugging it. Summer was a retired military dog, a gift from Hayley's mother on Hayley's tenth birthday. After Cynthia died, Summer had been her comfort through the hardest times. Lucy's family hated the intuitive dog and had tried several times to get rid of it, but Summer always came back. They wanted to give Summer away, but Hayley had insisted on keeping it, even getting into fights with them over it. To stay the "kind stepmother", Lucy let Hayley keep Summer but insisted that it be kept locked up in Hayley's room. After Hayley moved into Cynthia's old house, Summer finally had room to roam, though Lucy's family still locked it up when they came over. During the apocalypse in Hayley's past life, Lucy's family ate the old dog while Hayley was out scavenging. She had blamed herself for not protecting it. "Summer," Hayley whispered. "Woof, woof!" Summer licked her hand. "This time, I swear, I'll never let you get hurt again!" "Woof, woof!" Summer barked happily. Once Summer was settled, Hayley began packing. The house, rented out for years, had become old and worn. However, the furniture Cynthia had bought back then was expensive. Hayley had been living with her when she was still alive. The furniture was practically useless now, but it still carried a lot of memories. Being back, Hayley felt a little nostalgic. Then, a voice rang in her head. Ding! [Super Lord System activated! Within one hour, for every 200-dollars' worth of item you carry, gain 35 cubic feet of inventory!] Hayley froze. Here came the perks! [Countdown: 59 minutes and 59 seconds!] Skeptical, Hayley picked up her phone from the table to test it. Ding! [Phone detected, worth 1,000 dollars. Reward: 175 cubic feet!] With that, a 175-cubic-feet space appeared in her mind. Her phone vanished from her hand and reappeared there. She now had an inventory! Chapter 2 She had read plenty of novels before—this was a so-called system. Hayley quickly accepted the perk and started sucking in everything she could. She soon figured out the pricing rules. The system valued items at their original purchase price, even if they were used or disassembled. She jumped straight into moving, dismantling, and collecting everything. Ding! [Gold jewelry detected, worth 11,600 dollars. Reward: 2,030 cubic feet!] Ding! [Cup detected, worth 7.80 dollars.] Ding! [Calendar detected, worth 2 dollars.] The notifications kept coming. Ding! [Small desk detected, worth 73.80 dollars. Reward: 35 cubic feet!] Ding! [Rosewood table and chair set detected, worth 5,000 dollars. Reward: 875 cubic feet!] Ding! [Trash can detected, worth 3 dollars.] In about ten minutes, Hayley grabbed everything from shoes, hats, and clothes to pots, pans, pens, cups, trash bins, storage boxes, photo albums, nail clippers, and even larger stuff like tables, chairs, beds, and cabinets. Even the rotten apples Lucy had brought today got tossed into the pile. Ding! [Five pounds of rotten apples detected, worth 0.50 dollars.] Hayley spat. What disgusting liars! They wanted her to give them a 600-thousand-dollar house while offering her cheap, rotten apples they claimed to be imported. What a family! But she didn't mind. Every little bit counted, so she collected them all. Soon, the house was emptied of everything movable. Her sights turned to the big stuff she couldn't normally carry. Ding! [Toilet detected, worth 400 dollars.] Hayley yanked the toilet down with force. She had always been strong, but compared to her old self, who had survived ten years of the apocalypse, this body still felt a little weaker. She would need to train soon. After she stored the toilet, more notifications came in. Ding! [Sink detected, worth 139 dollars.] Ding! [Range hood detected, worth 519.80 dollars.] Ding! [Stove detected, worth 97.80 dollars.] Ding! [Security door detected, worth 317.80 dollars.] She was taking everything she could, not leaving even a single screw for them. Ding! [Windows detected, worth 80 dollars.] Ding! [Flooring detected, worth 30 dollars.] Within an hour, Hayley had stripped the house clean. Anything movable was gone. The floors were lifted, the windows and doors removed, and even unmovable tiles were smashed and taken. Ding! [Three seconds remaining!] Hayley thought fast—she dashed to the front door, stepped on the railing, and snagged a tiny hallway bulb. Ding! [Ten-watt bulb detected, worth 1 dollar. [Time's up! Total space gained: 3,110 cubic feet.] Hayley finally relaxed and said to Summer, "Summer! Let's go!" Not long after, Philip's family brought the pregnant Sue Norman to the new house. "Babe, here's our new place! It's in the city center and a school district, with over 1,000 square feet. It has two units per floor. We don't have a neighbor yet, so the hallway is all ours. The lighting's great, and it has the best layout in the complex. Plus, it's just 100 yards from your work. If you want, you can move in now. Furniture and appliances are ready!" The group marched up to the east-side unit—and froze. The house wasn't just empty; it didn't even have doors or windows. Even a hallway light bulb was gone. Sue turned on her heel. "Hmph! You expect me to renovate this dump? Well, I'm not getting married until you fix this house. And my name has to go on the deed!" Eleanor was fuming. She wanted to call Hayley to demand what that girl had done. But the bad news was, they couldn't reach Hayley. Meanwhile, Hayley was at a tunnel-style fallout shelter on the outskirts of Andersville. It was originally meant for a mountain road, but construction stopped due to insufficient funding and government rerouting. It had been abandoned and repurposed as a fallout shelter. "What are you renting a fallout shelter for?" the agent asked routinely. "Starting a business. I'm gonna grow mushrooms," Hayley said casually. From her previous life, she knew there were three types of shelters. The first were city-center shelters, built under malls, residential buildings, or hospitals. They were convenient, well-equipped, and fast to evacuate—but useless in a zombie apocalypse. Holding a high population meant it was the fastest to fall. The other two types were tunnel-style shelters and professional defense installations. Professional ones were critical in the late apocalypse and formed the backbone of stable bases, but Hayley couldn't rent one. So, tunnel shelters like these were perfect for her: they were secluded, far from people, and big, with a solid ventilation system and a heavy iron gate—exactly what she needed. Plus, they were cheap. Hayley's new shelter cost 400 a year to rent, for a minimum of 20 years. She paid three years upfront—1,200 dollars for a space the size of five basketball courts. The agent grinned, thinking she was an easy mark. Sure, the rent was cheap, but the location was extremely inconvenient and transportation was a headache. He figured that nine and a half out of ten entrepreneurs were idiots, but he wouldn't warn her. After collecting the money, signing the contract, and taking the 100-dollar service fee, he left. Hayley watched him leave without a word. She wouldn't reveal her true purpose. After ten years surviving the apocalypse, she learned one thing: never explain disaster plans to fools, because idiots like them were disasters themselves. After sending the agent off, Hayley entered the shelter with Summer. She checked everything. The ventilation system was intact, and she found a well left by a previous tenant, plus an electrical wire. The well's water tasted like mountain spring—totally separate from city water. Later, when treatment plants were contaminated, tap water would be useless. With this well, Hayley now had a safe water source. The wire wasn't connected, but that meant power could be set up. If she got a generator, the shelter could have electricity. Chapter 3 If she repaired the fence and added electricity, her fallout shelter's defenses would get a huge boost. She decided to get started. Just then, the voice from the system popped into her head. Ding! [Super Lord System activated! Please reinforce the original base. Rewards will be given based on the level of reinforcement. Countdown: 15 days!] Hayley's eyes lit up. She was just starting to process the new mission when another notification came. Ding! [Base war dog detected. Reward: War dog's combat power increased 100x! Physical stats increased 100x!] Hayley watched in amazement as Summer's body started to change. Its muscles doubled in size, its claws grew longer and sharper, and all signs of aging disappeared. In its place was the fierce, commanding presence of a powerful beast. "Woof, woof!" Hayley was amazed. "Wow!" - Hayley had Cynthia's old car, so she could get around easily. It was now time to start reinforcing her base. Not long after, she returned to her base. She placed the generator in the innermost storage room of the fallout shelter. Ding! [One thousand-kW generator detected. Reward: Indestructible, lowest-energy-consumption generator!] Hayley's jaw dropped. She stared at the generator, now looking like it was coated in silver. Its strength and durability were immediately way beyond what they had been. And the best part? It was indestructible! Normally, generators needed maintenance to last long, and Hayley had only been hoping to make it last. However, the system had upgraded it automatically. Amazing! She moved on and installed the surveillance cameras on the wire fences she had set up yesterday. Her tunnel hideout was in a perfect spot. Trees circled it, the main road was about a mile away, and a side road wound into the forest after about 500 yards. No one would ever notice a tunnel covered in wire here. It wasn't noticeable at all. The cameras covered every corner inside. Once she connected them to the generator, she could monitor any intruder—human or otherwise. Immediately, the cameras and electrified fences powered up. Her computer screen filled with tiny surveillance feeds, one for every angle. Then, the system chimed. Ding! [Monitoring and electrical grid system detected. Reward: Monitoring system upgraded! Coverage of the surveillance cameras increased 10x and can automatically detect all living and non-living entities! Electrical grid system upgraded. Maximum shock output: 10 thousand volts!] Hayley stared at her screen, astonished. She zoomed in on one camera. The pixel clarity was ten times better than before. Her 300-foot range camera now stretched a full mile, letting her see the road through gaps in the trees. A bird tried to land on the fence. It hovered and chose a spot—and with a loud zap, dropped straight down. Hayley's eyes glinted. Perfect! This defense was lethal. Anyone trying to break in? Instant death. "Summer, stay away from the fences, okay?" she warned. "Woof!" Upgraded Summer had grown bigger and smarter, more intuitive than before. Hayley ruffled its head, then pulled out the stuff from her old fridge from her inventory. They ate together. After the meal, she got back to organizing her base. Even cleaning the fallout shelter earned rewards. She cleared the water well and trimmed overgrown weeds. Ding! [Water well upgraded. Reward: Independent mountain-range clean water source!] Ding! [Weed coverage reduced. Reward: High-quality soil! Crop yield increased 100x! Growth speed increased 10x!] Hayley grinned. She now had clean water and rich soil. Her base was getting stronger and better every day. Soon, she could grow her own fresh fruits and vegetables and be self-sufficient. She made a mental note to buy seeds next. Ten days passed. The apocalypse was less than three days away. Every inch she cleaned and every fence she reinforced improved the defenses of her base, making it stronger and stronger. Meanwhile, her deliveries kept coming. During the day, she worked in the shelter. At night, she went to the warehouse to pick up packages. She had installed massive cameras at the warehouse entrance, and Summer helped guard the place. It was peaceful now, so people wouldn't dare steal with a huge dog watching. The delivery guys always unloaded truck after truck, then left as soon as they were done. At night, Hayley would go over everything and pull them into her inventory, then carry them back to her base. Ding! [Warehouse full.] All 100 tons of pasta, 1,000 boxes of instant noodles, 200 boxes of sausage, 100 boxes of pickled vegetables, and over 20 thousand meal packs were neatly stored in the innermost warehouse. Ding! [Reward: Super warehouse! Food remains permanently fresh!] The massive metal doors now looked like something from a bank vault. Not even professional explosives could open them—only Hayley's iris could. Inside, all items were sorted and stored. And the best part? Permanent freshness and no spoilage! Chapter 4 In just ten days, Hayley's fallout shelter looked completely transformed, inside and out. Now, it was only three days before the apocalypse. After planting the last tree, Hayley thought about what else she needed. For a self-sufficient, hidden life, she needed some chickens, ducks, and fish. Even with all the meal packs she had, nothing beat fresh food. Hayley kept walking through the market, but many stalls were closing. In a corner, she spotted someone selling live baby goats. She bought the last two for 300 bucks. The seller told her that these goats had been specifically bred for producing goat's milk, but business had been so bad that he started selling them off. The big ones were already gone, and only a few kids were left. By chance, Hayley managed to snag the last two today. "You should go home after buying these! With the flu outbreak, don't stay out too long," the vendor warned. Hayley nodded. She always wore a professional medical-grade mask, anyway. The truth was, the flu had never been the source of the zombie virus. It simply spread so widely and so quickly, lowering people's immunity. When the real virus hit, those with the lowest resistance turned into zombies right away. That was why everyone blamed the flu, thinking it was the true cause. It took Hayley ten years of surviving in the apocalypse to figure that much out. Yet, she still had no idea regarding the real origin of the zombie virus. Some people used to say it was nothing more than a game for the gods, like the Hunger Games. After all, the virus didn't just create zombies. It also changed people in other, stranger ways. Once Hayley had the vendor deliver her goods to the warehouse, she left the farmer's market without hanging around. Finding a hidden spot with no cameras, she placed the two goats into her inventory and drove off with Summer. On the way, she stopped at a farm supply store and bought a full set of tools, plus 20 shovels. Most people didn't realize shovels were serious weapons in survival situations. During conflicts, farmers used them as deadly tools. Even modern military spades evolved from shovels. In an apocalypse, a melee weapon like this could be more reliable than firearms. After stocking up on enough shovels, Hayley realized she needed to get baseball bats—another surprisingly effective weapon. Chapter 5 With that in mind, Hayley walked into a sports equipment store. After picking up a few of the best, sturdiest baseball bats, she grabbed a bunch of adventure gear—flashlights, helmets, armor, pads, tents, protective suits, tactical jackets…all of it. Everything she needed for the outdoors. This alone cost her over 4,000. The store also carried emergency kit accessories—tweezers, pliers, bandages, thermometers, and stuff like that. It reminded Hayley that she still needed to stop by the pharmacy. She left the outdoor store and went to stock up on common medicines—cold medicine, bandages, fever reducers, vitamins, alcohol, iodine, and other essentials. By the time she left the pharmacy, it was almost evening. The city lights sparkled, neon glowing all around. Hayley had pretty much gathered everything she could—food, drink, shelter, tools—all the basics covered. Now, she could focus on upgrading daily necessities and a few extra comforts. She figured it was time to go on a shopping spree. Before the apocalypse hit, she was going to enjoy the world one last time. First stop: a Michelin-star hotel she had never treated herself to before. She ordered a full-on feast—mushroom soup, barbecued ribs, pan-seared cod, roasted chicken, and garlic butter prawns—everything she had never been able to afford before. She even had the kitchen prepare ten extra orders of her favorite garlic butter prawns and filet mignon to take home for Summer. After that, she booked a suite and headed down to the mall. The mall was packed with goods, from general stores to tempting food stands. Hayley, used to hard times, hit the food section first—sausages, mini corn dogs, sponge cakes, meat pies, fried skewers, fried chicken, pork cutlets, stew, ice cream, milkshakes, assorted pastries…everything. She wanted it all, but there wasn't enough time or money to buy everything. Most of it was just luxury for a peaceful world—things that wouldn't matter after the apocalypse. But right now, she could buy and eat without worry. Hayley went store by store, quietly and extravagantly telling each clerk, "I want all your snacks." She paid and had everything delivered to her hotel room upstairs. At the first bakery, everything went into bags—fresh bread, cheesecake, cream puffs, petit fours, marshmallows, Swiss rolls, custard slices, custard tarts, waffles, palmiers—all packed and sent up. At a fried chicken shop, she bought every flavor—sweet chili, barbecue, garlic, honey mustard—and every type of chicken: boneless, drumsticks, wings, whole chickens. She then hit up the smoothie bars and ordered every flavor she could—berry blends, tropical fruit mixes, creamy yogurt smoothies, protein shakes, even frozen slushies—everything on the list! She basically just paid and gave them a delivery address before leaving, not wanting to attract too much attention. Just buying these snacks cost over 40 thousand. Each shop's stock usually totaled about 3,000 dollars. Hayley only spent around a few hundred dollars on smaller stalls, like the sausage stall and corn dog stand, ordering one of each flavor. Still, she basically cleared the snack stores in one sweep. Next, she went to the basement supermarket. Now, supermarkets were essential. She pushed two huge carts through the warehouse-style store. At checkout, her carts were filled with single units of all kinds—one bag of each flavored chips, one pack of every cookie or candy, one bottle of each drink, and every cooked food item she could get—roast turkey slices, rotisserie chicken, baked salmon, deli wraps, stuffed pita pockets, and microwavable pasta meals. Even partially prepared foods—marinated chicken, pork chops, fish fillets, and steak—were included. Household necessities like toiletries, face cream, sanitary pads, disposable towels, wipes—everything she could need. And now that she had money, she even bought appliances—a washing machine, a robot vacuum, and a fridge. She wouldn't have considered this before, but now she could. After checking out her two carts, she spoke to the store manager. She wanted the store's entire stock of everything in her carts, except for appliances. However, she had underestimated the cost and inventory. By the time she had selected just a third of what she wanted, her account was empty—220 thousand, gone in a flash! She found herself in an awkward position. Basic staples had been cheap, but processed goods were several times more expensive. Looking at her account balance hitting zero, Hayley decided this was enough. Chapter 6 As Hayley kept walking through the mall, she suddenly caught sight of two familiar figures. A young man was walking with a heavily pregnant woman just ahead of her. Philip and his wife—the same couple Hayley had just "pranked" a little while back. "Babe, calm down. Whatever you want today, just buy it. Forgive me, okay? Don't get mad… You don't want to stress the baby!" "No! You've been lying to me this whole time, haven't you? Your family doesn't even own that apartment! You tricked me on purpose!" "It's really ours." "Then what was all that earlier? Debt collectors at your door claiming the apartment was theirs, sending your grandma to the hospital!" "I don't know what happened. I swear, my mom paid 400 thousand to buy it from Hayley. We just have to find her and transfer the deed!" "Wait, didn't your mom say the apartment was a gift from Hayley, so I couldn't be on the deed? How is it suddenly bought by your family and transferable?" "Uh… A-Anyway! Just know that the apartment's ours now. I'm my family's only son, so I'm bound to get everything. And whatever's mine is yours! Just trust me!" Sue wouldn't buy it. "How am I supposed to trust you? First, you said it was move-in ready with renovations done, now it's a shell. You said it was your property, and now debt collectors show up. I've finally seen the truth—you guys are messing with me! I won't keep this baby! I'm gonna get rid of it now!" "Babe! Babe!" Hayley leaned against a corner, listening to their argument, a small smirk tugging at her lips. Wow. Just ten days, and things were already a mess at the Reids'. Eleanor even ended up in the hospital. Still, it could get even more entertaining. Hayley watched Philip, hands on the escalator railing, chasing after Sue. Mischievously, she whistled at him. Philip, already flustered, turned and spotted her leaning on the glass railing, casually watching them. "Hayley?" He froze, wanting to chase her, but Sue had already gotten to the floor below. "Babe! Babe!" One was his wife, about to get an abortion, and the other was Hayley. He wished he could split himself in two. After weighing his options, he decided to chase Hayley. He figured he would just grab her and make her explain everything to Sue—simple. He ran up the escalator that was heading down, trying to reach her. Meanwhile, Hayley walked at a calm, steady pace. By the time Philip caught up, she had already circled to the opposite escalator, making him chase her through the entire mall. They ended up in the underground parking lot. "Damn it! You little wench! Where do you think you're going?" Philip, panting, cornered Hayley. "How dare you mess with me behind my back! I swear I'll—" "Perfect," Hayley said cheerfully, shutting the car trunk with a click. "I was thinking the same thing." She swung a baseball bat in her hands. Philip's eyes went wide, alarm bells ringing. "What the… You're gonna hit me?" Before he could react, Hayley swung. She immediately overpowered him, dislocating his jaw so he couldn't talk, and dragged him to the corner of the parking lot, beating him mercilessly. Ten years surviving the apocalypse meant she had learned every kind of fighting technique. She could take down a grown man in seconds. But she was merciful with Philip. For half an hour, she smashed him in the arms and legs, striking only the most painful spots that wouldn't kill him. After 30 minutes, Philip lay on the ground, barely conscious. Hayley leaned against the car and kicked him lightly before bending down to grab his phone. She dialed 911 while pressing his head against the floor with her foot. "See? I'm nice. I even called 911 for you. You're welcome." Philip nearly passed out from anger. If her foot weren't on his face, he would've admitted she was "nice". "Damn you…" She took care of the scene and wiped his ID from the phone, not wanting the hospital to identify him that quickly. Then she transferred all the money in his digital bank to hers, using his fingerprint to authorize the payments. Afterward, she moved him to a bar street outside the parking lot, the same place she had called 911 from. Soon, EMTs arrived. Hayley watched them take Philip away, blending in like any bystander. Calmly, she sent messages to Bernard and Lucy with his phone, telling them he had been hurt and to check the hospital. After all that, she sold his phone to a small roadside store. Even if Lucy reported it, they wouldn't trace it back to Hayley in three days. By then, any investigation into Philip would be useless because it would be the apocalypse. Knocking Philip out added 6,000 dollars to her account. She used the money to stock up again, emptying several convenience store shelves into her car. As she prepared to leave, her car door slammed—someone had collapsed on it. Hayley's eyes darkened. Several stylishly dressed men and women helped lift the man. One tattooed guy waved. "Sorry, miss. My friend's drunk!" They laughed and carried him away. "Damn, he went down after two drinks! I remember him saying he could drink anyone under the table." "Yeah, he used to hold his liquor a lot better." "Maybe getting married weakened him!" "Hahaha!" Hayley leaned on her car, watching them leave. Her gaze fell on the young man in the middle—head down, stiff, pale hands hanging awkwardly. Soon, he came to. "What happened to me?" "You drank too much, that's what!" "You're useless! You didn't even drink that much!" "Work stress, I guess. I'm heading back." "Heading back? No way! Keep drinking! Let's get wasted tonight!" The group laughed as they walked off. Hayley's eyes darkened as she watched the scene. She checked her phone and noted that today was the 9th. In her last life, the zombie outbreak started on the 11th. The apocalypse…might have started early. As Hayley grabbed her car keys, a piercing scream cut through the air. "Ahhh!" That familiar sound. The zombie virus had broken out early!

After I caught my husband Clark having an affair with his secretary in the office, I filed for divorce. Unexpectedly, the only condition he proposed was to sleep with him... ** "Nyla, are you sure you want me to draft a divorce agreement?" Valarie's voice crackled through the phone, hesitant and worried. "Think about it. Once you sign this, you and Clark will have nothing to do with each other anymore." Nyla stared at the amber liquid in her glass. The whiskey burned her throat, but nothing could burn away the images from last night. Her fingers tightened around the phone. "Yes," she said finally. "I'm leaving him." "Why?" Valarie's confusion bled through the speaker. "Clark's been so good to you. He loves you so much..." Nyla almost laughed. Love. What a joke. She pressed her lips together, fighting back the bitter taste rising in her throat. After hanging up, Nyla looked out the window. The massive LED screen on the skyscraper across the street was still playing that press conference. Clark stood there in his perfect suit, holding up that ridiculous jewelry piece. Using the world's finest diamonds and gemstones, he had created a one-of-a-kind piece for his wife. It was named "Love Nyla." He named it after Nyla, declaring to the world his eternal love for her. Upon its release, "Love Nyla" instantly ignited social media discussion, remaining a hot topic. The world was buzzing about their enviable love. Outside, the LED screens continued to replay the video, but Nyla chuckled self-deprecatingly. "Love me?" she muttered to herself. "Love me enough to sleep with another woman on our anniversary night?" Last night was their third wedding anniversary. Clark had said he wanted to surprise her and asked her to wait for him at home. Nyla wore Clark's favorite white dress, lit candles, and prepared his favorite dinner, waiting eagerly until late at night. She had waited. And waited. Midnight came and went. At one in the morning, her phone suddenly buzzed with a Facebook friend request. A strange profile picture with the note "A surprise for you." Nyla was about to reject the message outright, but then the person sent another message: [Are you still awake? Is it because your husband isn't with you?] Nyla's alarm bells went off. How did this person know Clark wasn't home? She didn't accept the friend request, but the messages kept coming: [Stop pretending, I know you're reading this.] [Your husband is with me now.] [I was scared of thunder, so he worried about me and came to keep me company.] [What a good man, but it's a shame he's not good for you alone.] Each message stabbed Nyla like a knife in the heart. Her hands trembled. Her mind told her it might be a prank, but deep down, a voice frantically questioned it. The last message completely broke her defenses: [If you don't believe me, I'll send you the address. The door lock code is your wedding anniversary.] Nyla couldn't sit still any longer. With trembling fingers, she accepted the friend request. The other party immediately sent an address and a password: 0823. It was indeed their anniversary. Nyla rushed out of the house like a madman and drove to the address. It was an upscale apartment. She stood in front of the door, her finger hovering over the combination lock, her heart pounding. She entered 0823, and the lock clicked and the door opened. A men's suit jacket lay scattered in the hallway. She recognized it as the three-year anniversary gift she had given Clark, which Clark had worn when he left that morning. A pair of black lace paanties lay on the sofa in the living room, and a wine glass with a woman's lipstick stain on it lay on the coffee table. From the hallway to the bedroom, men's and women's clothing was scattered everywhere. The most striking thing was a red lace nightgown, torn to shreds, lying by the bedroom door. Nyla's legs were so weak she could barely stand, but she still trembled as she pushed open the half-open bedroom door. On the bed, Clark, na-ked, embraced another woman. The woman knelt on the bed, her head buried between Clark's legs, licking Clark's pen.is. Clark's eyes were closed, his face a look of enjoyment, m0-aning, "Yes, that's it, great..." The woman asked proudly, "Am I better, or is Nyla better?" Clark replied, "You think you can compare with Nyla?" Then he spun the woman around, grabbed her h1ps from behind, and thrust wildly. The woman's m0-ans mingled with Clark's heavy gasps. The scene completely devastated Nyla. Eight years had passed, from their innocent college romance to their current marriage. Everyone had envied their love, saying they were a match made in hea-ven. But now, it all seemed so absurd. She covered her mouth, resisting the urge to vomit, and fled the nauseating place. She drove to a bar downtown and sat alone in a corner, drinking furiously. The sharp taste of the whiskey stung her throat, but it couldn't numb the pain in her heart. When Valarie received her call and rushed to the bar, Nyla was already completely drunk. "Nyla!" Valarie's voice cut through her memories as she slid into the booth across from her, face etched with worry. "Why are you so drunk? What happened? Did Clark make you mad?" Drunk Nyla looked at her with red eyes. "Val, I don't want to hear that name right now." Nyla took another swig of the whiskey in front of her, leaving a bitter taste in her mouth. "Val, I saw him hooking up with that woman right in front of me. It's definitely not a misunderstanding." Valarie saw her friend's pained expression and held her hand with a heartache. "Nyla, maybe you two can talk it out..." "There's nothing to talk about," Nyla interrupted decisively. "Divorce. Every time I think about him hooking up with that woman, I feel sick." Chapter 2 Nyla returned home and sat on the living room sofa, staring at her phone. The number she had just dialed glowed on the screen. After calming down from her anger and pain, she had to face reality. A divorce required financial independence. Clark was covering all of her father's monthly medical expenses. The bills reached a staggering $100,000 each month. She simply couldn't afford it. Her fingers trembled as she scrolled through her contacts. She stopped at a familiar name. Professor Anderson. Her former research supervisor from graduate school. "Professor Anderson? This is Nyla. Nyla Jayston." She tried to sound calm, but her voice cracked slightly. A surprised voice came from the other end. "Nyla! Oh my god, are you okay? I haven't been in touch since you got married three years ago." Nyla bit her lip hard. The metallic taste of blood filled her mouth. "Professor, I want to return to research. I know this sounds sudden, but I need a job." "Of course!" Professor Anderson agreed without hesitation. "You're one of the best students I've ever taught. Your thesis on molecular biology was groundbreaking. I can contact you right now with a company that's looking for a senior researcher position. The salary is excellent." "Thank you," Nyla whispered. Relief flooded through her chest. "I really appreciate this." "Don't mention it. You have incredible talent. It's a shame you left research when you got married. When can you start?" "As soon as possible." After hanging up, Nyla felt a small spark of hope. She could do this. She could leave Clark and rebuild her life. She walked into their bedroom and began packing. Her hands moved mechanically, folding clothes and placing them in a suitcase. Hanging in the closet were the matching pajamas they'd bought on their honeymoon in Paris. On the dresser sat a small angel figurine they'd brought back from Italy. On the wall were photos of them at the beach, laughing and kissing under the sunset. Each item silently spoke of past sweetness. Yet now they stabbed her heart like knives. How had she been so blind? How had she missed the signs? She opened the dresser drawer to retrieve some personal belongings. Her wedding ring caught the light, mocking her. Then she saw it. The marriage certificate. With trembling hands, Nyla picked it up. She flipped to the first page, revealing two young, radiant faces. Her own smile was so bright it hurt to look at. Clark's eyes shone with pure joy. It was August 23rd, three years ago. To become the first couple to receive their marriage certificate that day, they had woken up at four in the morning to queue at the registry office. Clark had been as excited as a child. He spoke nervously throughout the entire ride. "Nyla, we're really getting married," he had said, bouncing in the passenger seat. "I feel like I'm eighteen again. Like the first time I saw you in Professor Wilson's chemistry class." When the staff handed them the marriage certificate, Clark's hands had trembled violently. He took it carefully, as if it were made of glass. Tears welled in his eyes. "Nyla, we're finally husband and wife," he had whispered, his voice breaking with emotion. "I swear I'll love and protect you for the rest of my life. You're everything to me." Nyla had believed every word. She had thought they were soulmates. Forever. But now... She stared at her beaming smile in the photo. Before she could shed a tear, she heard the familiar sound of a car engine downstairs. Her heart stopped. The garage door rumbled open. Footsteps on the stairs. "Honey, I'm back!" Clark's voice echoed from downstairs, cheerful and casual. Panic seized Nyla's chest. She hurriedly shoved the marriage certificate back into the drawer. She wiped her eyes frantically and tried to appear normal. The bedroom door was still open. She couldn't let him see the suitcase. Footsteps approached down the hallway. Clark pushed the door open, his face lighting up when he saw her. Without warning, he wrapped his arms around her from behind. His embrace had once been her safest haven. Now Nyla felt only nausea rising in her throat. She could smell an unfamiliar scent on his skin. Sweet vanilla shower gel. He had obviously showered somewhere else before coming home. "Did you miss me?" Clark whispered softly in her ear. His voice carried a lazy satisfaction, like a cat who'd just finished a meal. Nyla's muscles tensed. She resisted the urge to shove him away. Her body felt rigid as stone. "Where have you been?" "I'm sorry, babe." Clark's lie rolled off his tongue effortlessly. "I was so busy at work yesterday that I fell asleep at the office. I completely missed our anniversary." He pulled an exquisite jewelry box from his jacket pocket. "But look what I got you to make up for it." He opened the box with a flourish. Inside lay an exquisite diamond necklace. The stones caught the bedroom light, throwing rainbow patterns on the walls. "It's beautiful, isn't it?" Clark's eyes sparkled with pride. "Turn around so I can put it on you." Nyla mechanically turned around. She felt like a puppet with cut strings. Clark's fingers traced her neck as he fastened the clasp. The cold metal pressed against her skin. The diamonds felt heavy. Suffocating. "Perfect," Clark stepped back to admire his handiwork. His satisfaction was obvious. "Tomorrow night is Grandpa's birthday party. The entire Summer family will be there. With this necklace, you'll definitely be the most beautiful woman in the room." "Do I need to go?" Nyla asked. Her voice sounded hollow even to her own ears. She just wanted to escape. To get away from everything connected to the Summer family. "Of course you need to go. You're my wife." Clark looked at her with what seemed like genuine affection. He leaned in to kiss her, but Nyla quickly pushed him away. "You should shower first," she said, turning her face away. Clark nodded, seemingly unbothered. "Good idea. I've been working all day." He grabbed some clothes and headed to the bathroom. The shower turned on. Steam began seeping under the door. Nyla's phone suddenly buzzed with a notification. She glanced at the screen. A Facebook message. Her blood turned to ice. On the screen was a photo. A woman wearing a necklace identical to the one around Nyla's neck. Hickeys and scratches covered the woman's pale skin. The photo was cropped to show only her slender neck and the curve of her breasts. Below the image was a message that made Nyla's world crumble: [Does the necklace look good? I picked it out especially for you. I wore it when we faking last night. Clark said it looked beautiful on me.] Chapter 3 Nyla felt a surge of nausea wash over her. She quickly removed the necklace from her neck. Without hesitation, she tossed it into the bedroom trash can. The diamonds clinked against the metal bin. She rushed into the guest bathroom and turned on the shower. The scalding water burned her skin, but she didn't care. She grabbed the shower gel and frantically scrubbed her neck and body. She needed to remove every trace of Clark. Every memory of his touch. Her skin turned red from the harsh scrubbing, but she still felt dirty. The thought of that necklace clinging to another woman's neck made her sick. She imagined it swaying as that woman moved beneath Clark. The mental image made her stomach lurch. The bathroom door suddenly opened. Clark stood in the doorway, his eyes fixed on Nyla through the glass shower door. His gaze traveled over her wet hair, down her shoulders, following the water droplets that traced her curves. Clark's breathing became heavy. His eyes burned with lust. "Nyla, you're so beautiful," he said, his voice thick with desire. Nyla heard his voice and immediately wrapped herself in a towel. She stepped out of the shower, but the thought that he might have looked at that other woman the same way made her nauseous. "Don't come near me." Nyla took several steps back, but Clark was already approaching. "Baby, what's wrong?" Clark reached out to touch her cheek, but Nyla quickly dodged his hand. Clark didn't give up. Instead, he pulled her into his arms. His hands began wandering over her body, caressing her back through the towel. Then they moved lower. "Nyla, I want you," he whispered in her ear. His breath was hot against her skin. Nyla's body went rigid. She tried to pull away, but Clark was much stronger. His hand moved to her breast, his thumb brushing over the sensitive skin. His other hand slid down toward her inner th1gh. "Let's have a baby, okay?" Clark's voice was filled with longing. "We could have a beautiful child. A little girl with your eyes." Nyla felt ice water flood her veins. She thought of the photo that woman had sent. The same hands that were touching her now had been all over another woman's body just hours ago. Anger and disgust exploded inside her chest. "Get away from me!" Nyla pushed Clark with all her strength. "Clark, I'm tired! I don't want to do this right now!" Clark stumbled backward, startled by her sudden fury. He stared at Nyla's face, confusion clouding his features. "Honey, I'm sorry." His voice immediately filled with guilt. "I shouldn't have pushed you. I just want you so badly. I love you so much." He paused, searching her face. "If you don't want a child right now, we can wait." Watching Clark's apologetic expression, Nyla felt a mixture of emotions churning in her stomach. This man had been gentle and caring toward her for three years. She couldn't reconcile this version of him with the man who had been with another woman last night. But the facts were undeniable. Those photos. Those messages. The necklace in the trash can. That night, Nyla lay awake staring at the ceiling. Clark's breathing was even beside her. The painful images replayed in her mind over and over. She didn't sleep until dawn. The next morning, Nyla woke with dark circles under her eyes. Her reflection in the mirror looked hollow and tired. "Honey, are you feeling okay?" Clark asked with concern. "You look exhausted. Maybe you should rest today." Nyla shook her head. "I'm fine. We need to get ready for your grandfather's birthday party." As they drove through the gates of the Summer family estate, a black car suddenly roared past them. It stopped directly in front of the main entrance. The license plate read "DAMON-1." Clark's hands tightened on the steering wheel. His face darkened instantly. "Uncle Damon," he muttered under his breath. Damon Summer was Clark's uncle, Richard's youngest son. Despite being only six years older than Clark, Damon had always intimidated his nephew. He had refused to join the family business, starting his own company instead. That company was now worth five times more than Summer Group. Damon was known for being brilliant, ruthless, and vindictive. Last year, he had overheard Clark making disparaging comments about him at a business dinner. As punishment, Damon had refused a potential partnership that would have brought Summer Group hundreds of millions in revenue. Clark parked behind the car. As Nyla stepped out of the car, her high heel caught in the gravel driveway. She wobbled, about to fall backward. Suddenly, a pair of strong hands caught her waist, steadying her against a solid chest. Nyla looked up into a pair of deep, dark eyes. The man was tall and imposing, probably around twenty-nine. His features were sharp and perfectly sculpted. High cheekbones, a straight nose, a strong jawline. He wore a tailored dark gray suit that emphasized his broad shoulders and lean build. This was Damon Summer. "Careful," Damon said. His voice was deep and magnetic, with a hint of genuine concern. For a moment, Nyla found herself caught in his gaze. Clark appeared beside them, his face flushed with jealousy. He roughly grabbed Nyla's hand and pulled her away from Damon. "Thank you, Uncle," Clark said tersely. His voice was tight with barely controlled anger. He dragged Nyla toward the manor entrance. After they'd walked a few steps, he leaned close to her ear. "Nyla, you know I don't like you getting too close to other men," he whispered harshly. "Not even my uncle." Nyla almost laughed at the irony. Here was Clark, who had been with another woman just last night, acting possessive about her talking to his uncle. "So you'd rather have your wife fall flat on her face in front of the Summer family estate?" she replied coldly. Clark immediately backed down. "Honey, that's not what I meant. I just don't want people to get the wrong idea." Nyla ignored him and continued walking toward the entrance. The Summer family manor was impressive, with its grand foyer and crystal chandeliers. But Nyla felt no joy at being here. In the living room, Clark's grandmother Marie immediately called out with a beaming smile. "Nyla, Clark, you're here! Come sit down!" Nyla took a deep breath and forced a polite smile. Whatever her feelings about Clark, she still respected his grandparents. Richard had always treated her kindly. "Hello, Grandpa. Hello, Grandma," she greeted them warmly. Marie's eyes lit up as she watched Clark and Nyla approach. She had been trying to convince Damon to settle down for years. "Come, sit here next to me," Marie patted the sofa beside her. As they settled in, Damon entered the living room. Marie's expression immediately shifted to disapproval. "Look at Clark," she said pointedly to Damon. "He's got his company running smoothly, and his wife is absolutely beautiful. They might be giving us a great-grandchild soon." Her voice grew stern. "And you? You're almost thirty and still single. If you don't bring a girlfriend to the next family gathering, don't bother coming at all!" Damon's gaze flicked to Clark, then settled on Nyla. His lips curved into a half-smile. "Yes," he said quietly. "Really beautiful." Chapter 4 Marie's headache intensified at Damon's nonchalant attitude. She shook her head and turned her attention to Clark and Nyla. "You've been married for three years now. When are you planning on having kids? I'm looking forward to having great-grandchildren." The moment this topic came up, the atmosphere in the living room suddenly became tense. Nyla's fingers gripped her teacup so tightly her knuckles turned white. This was her most sensitive topic, the one that pierced her heart every time it was mentioned. Clark's aunt Anne immediately seized the opportunity. She leaned forward with a sneer. "Nyla, you and Clark have been married for three years. What will it look like if you don't have a child? What will others think of our Summer family?" She paused, malice glinting in her eyes. "And if Clark hadn't insisted on marrying you, do you think you could have married into our Summer family with your background? Don't be so ungrateful. You don't want to have children for Clark, but there are plenty of women out there who would." Anne spoke with mock concern, but her gaze was filled with contempt. She had always looked down on this niece-in-law. Talking about children made Nyla's chest tighten with pain. Of course she wanted a child. She had given up her promising career in scientific research to be a good wife. But she couldn't conceive. She had secretly visited doctors who said nothing was wrong with her body. Perhaps it was stress. But the Summer family often mocked her, calling her barren and useless. Just as Nyla was drowning in humiliation, Clark suddenly took her hand. He smiled at his grandmother. "Grandma, we're trying! There's no rushing these things. We have to let nature take its course." Then he turned to Anne, his voice stern. "Anne, watch your words. Nyla is my wife, and I won't tolerate anyone speaking to her like that." Anne's face flushed red at being publicly rebuked. "I'm doing this for your own good. You've been married for so long without any progress..." "That's enough," Clark interrupted sharply. "You don't need to worry about Nyla and me. And I want to make it clear that I'm honored to have Nyla as my wife. She didn't marry up." Nyla felt a confusing mix of emotions as she listened to Clark's defense. The love they had shared over the years was genuine. Clark's protection of her had always felt real. He consistently stood between her and his family's criticism. But at the same time, his betrayal was also real. Those photos, that necklace in the trash can, the woman's taunting messages. All of it reminded her that this man had deceived her completely. Anne was clearly unwilling to let this go. She continued with false sweetness. "I'm just telling the truth. No pre-gnancy in three years? Maybe there's something wrong with her body. With all the medical advances these days, she should get checked out. There are treatments for these things." "Anne!" Clark's voice turned dangerously cold. "I'm warning you for the last time. Whether or when we have children is between Nyla and me. It's not your business to interfere." In the past, Nyla would have been grateful for Clark's protection. She would have seen it as proof of his love. But today, hearing these words felt hollow. She knew that the moment Clark cheated, everything changed. No amount of public defense could erase what he had done in private. Midway through the banquet, Clark's phone suddenly rang. "Sorry, everyone," Clark said with an apologetic smile. "There's an emergency at work. I need to handle this right away." He turned to Nyla, his expression softening. "Honey, can you have Grandma's driver take you home? I'll be back as soon as I can." Marie waved dismissively. "Clark, go ahead. Don't worry about Nyla." Clark kissed Nyla's forehead quickly. "I'll make this up to you, I promise." As soon as Clark's car disappeared down the driveway, Marie's polite mask slipped completely. She looked at Nyla with open displeasure. "Well, now that Clark's gone," Marie said coolly, "I suppose you'll be wanting to leave too." The temperature in the room seemed to drop. "Nyla's not some delicate flower," Anne chimed in with renewed confidence. "She can find her own way home, can't she?" Nyla felt her cheeks burn with embarrassment. She had been dismissed like a servant. Without Clark's protection, she meant nothing to these people. "I think that's my cue to leave," Nyla said. She stood up. "Thank you for your hospitality." The butler, following Marie's subtle nod, escorted Nyla only to the manor gate. He immediately turned back toward the house, leaving her standing alone on the roadside. That's when the rain started. Fat droplets fell from the dark sky, quickly soaking through Nyla's silk dress. She pulled out her phone to call a taxi, but the app showed no available drivers in this remote area. The Summer estate was far from the city center. The rain intensified rapidly. Within minutes, Nyla was completely drenched. Her carefully styled hair hung in wet strands around her face. Her dress clung uncomfortably to her skin. Just when she thought things couldn't get worse, headlights cut through the darkness. A black car slowed to a stop beside her. The window rolled down, revealing Damon's sharp features. Chapter 5 As Damon prepared to leave the manor, he glanced out the car window. Through the rain, he could see Nyla huddled against the stone wall near the gate. Her dress was completely soaked, clinging to her body and outlining her curves. Her long hair hung in wet strands around her face, making her look fragile and abandoned. Damon understood immediately what had happened. He knew Marie and Anne's personalities well. They would never be kind enough to arrange transportation for the niece-in-law they had always disliked. He turned to his assistant Spencer, who was sitting in the passenger seat. "Get out and hold an umbrella for her." Spencer immediately grabbed the black umbrella from the floor and stepped out into the rain. He walked quickly toward Nyla while Damon rolled down his window. "Get in," Damon said to Nyla. His voice was characteristically cold and commanding. "I'll take you home." Nyla looked up, startled to see it was Damon. She instinctively took a step back, shaking her head. "Uncle Damon, it's okay. The rain will stop soon. I can wait." She remembered Clark's warnings about how dangerous Damon could be. Clark had specifically told her to keep her distance from his uncle. She didn't want to cause herself any more trouble, especially not tonight. Damon's brow furrowed when he saw Nyla clearly trying to avoid him. His tone grew deeper and more commanding. "Get in the car. Don't make me repeat myself." His natural dominance was overwhelming. The way he spoke made it nearly impossible to refuse. Nyla felt her resolve weakening under his intense gaze. Before she could refuse again, Spencer appeared beside her with the umbrella. He gently took her damp clutch from her trembling hands. "Ms. Nyla, please get in the car," Spencer said kindly. "This rain will continue for at least another hour. It's very windy out here, and you're not dressed warmly enough. You'll catch pneumonia." Spencer's tone was gentle and concerned. Nyla glanced up at the dark storm clouds, then down at her completely soaked dress. Water was still dripping from her hair. She was starting to shiver uncontrollably. Finally, biting her lip, she opened the car door and slid inside. The interior of the car was warm and luxurious. Soft leather seats and the faint scent of expensive cologne filled the space. Nyla immediately felt the temperature difference. Damon glanced at her wet dress, which was now clinging even more tightly to her body. The fabric had become almost transparent. He could see the outline of her undergarments. His throat tightened involuntarily. Without a word, he took off his dark gray suit jacket and tossed it to her. "Thank you," Nyla murmured, quickly pulling the jacket around her shoulders. It was still warm from his body heat and smelled like his cologne. The scent was surprisingly comforting. "I'll have it cleaned and return it to you." "Just throw it away," Damon replied coldly. His tone carried casual arrogance, as if the expensive jacket meant nothing to him. The car pulled away from the manor and drove smoothly through the rainy night. Silence settled between them. Nyla huddled in the corner of the backseat, not daring to look at the powerful man beside her. She could feel an oppressive aura radiating from him. It made her unconsciously nervous. She stole a glance at his profile. His jaw was sharp and perfectly defined. His dark hair was styled impeccably despite the rain. Everything about him screamed wealth and power. He was nothing like Clark, who was gentle and approachable. Damon seemed dangerous. Twenty minutes later, the car stopped in front of Nyla's house. She quickly gathered herself and reached for the door handle. "Thank you so much for the ride," she said hurriedly, leaving his jacket on the seat. "I really appreciate it." Damon watched her disappear inside the house. The faint scent of jasmine perfume still lingered in the car where she had been sitting. He found himself breathing it in deeply. His body reacted involuntarily to her proximity. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "She's your nephew's wife," he warned himself silently. "Control yourself." As soon as Nyla entered her house, she felt a wave of dizziness wash over her. Her body began to feel hot despite her wet clothes. Her head felt heavy and confused. Before she could even change out of her soaked dress, everything went black. She collapsed in the living room. When Nyla woke up, she found herself lying in a hospital bed. The room smelled strongly of disinfectant, but the bedside table was covered with familiar treats. Strawberry shortcake, colorful macarons, handmade chocolates, and a large bouquet of pink roses. "Ma'am, you're finally awake!" A nurse appeared beside her bed, looking relieved. "You've had a high fever for over twenty-four hours. Mr. Summer was so worried. He stayed by your bedside the entire time. He only left an hour ago because of an emergency call." The nurse checked Nyla's temperature with a digital thermometer. "Do you want me to call him? He'll be so happy to know you're conscious." Looking at the familiar arrangement of gifts, Nyla felt her heart soften despite everything. She had always been prone to illness and had a terrible fear of injections and medication. Whenever she was sick, Clark would do exactly this. He would buy all her favorite treats and flowers, hoping to cheer her up and speed her recovery. It had become their tradition over the years. These sweet memories made her chest ache with confusion. How could the man who cheated on her be the same person who spent the night worried beside her hospital bed? "Where is he now?" Nyla asked, pushing herself up in bed. "I want to find him myself." The nurse smiled. "He's somewhere in the hospital taking care of business." She left her room and walked down the sterile hospital corridor. As she rounded the corner, she stopped dead in her tracks. There was Clark, coming out of the obstetrics and gynecology department. But he wasn't alone. A woman walked beside him, her hand resting protectively on her belly. Chapter 6 Clark gently helped the young woman out of the obstetrics clinic. Both of them were smiling, their faces glowing with happiness. Nyla immediately recognized her. This was the woman from the photos in those anonymous messages. Just then, the woman spotted Nyla standing frozen in the hallway. Her eyes lit up with surprise and something that looked like malicious delight. "Oh wow, isn't that Mrs. Summer?" she exclaimed loudly. "What a coincidence running into you at the hospital!" At the sound of her voice, Clark looked up. His eyes met Nyla's across the corridor. His entire body went rigid. He quickly dropped his hand from the woman's arm, panic flooding his features. "Nyla!" Clark hurried toward her, his voice high with nervousness. "Why are you here? You should be resting in your room!" He reached her side, speaking rapidly. "I was just downstairs getting your medicine when I accidentally bumped into Jordyn here. She's my new secretary, and she's pre-gnant. I was worried she might fall, so I helped steady her." His explanation tumbled out in a rush. Sweat beaded on his forehead despite the air conditioning. Nyla's gaze moved to the woman's slightly swollen belly. She felt her breathing become shallow and labored. But she forced herself to remain outwardly calm. "Miss Jordyn," Nyla said slowly, "when did you get pre-gnant? Where's the father? Shouldn't he be here with you for such an important appointment?" Jordyn caressed her belly with obvious pride. A sweet, satisfied smile spread across her face. "I just found out I'm two months along. The father couldn't be here because he's so busy with work, but he was absolutely thrilled when I told him." She practically glowed as she spoke. "He said he wants to give me and the baby the best life possible. He's already bought me a beautiful apartment downtown and promised to make everything official after the baby arrives." Every word felt like a knife twisting in Nyla's chest. Jordyn continued, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "Mrs. Summer, you're so lucky to have such a wonderful husband. But I think my boyfriend is just as amazing. He tells me I've become even more beautiful since getting pre-gnant. He can barely stand to leave my side." She paused, tilting her head with feigned innocence. "Mrs. Summer, do you have time? I'm free today. Would you like to have dinner together? I could invite the baby's father to join us." The challenge in her eyes was unmistakable. Clark's expression darkened. He shot Jordyn a warning look. "My wife doesn't have time. Miss Jordyn, I'm sure your boyfriend is waiting for you. Don't keep him worried." His voice carried clear dismissal and irritation. Then he wrapped his arm around Nyla's shoulders, his touch gentle and concerned. "Honey, you're still recovering. You shouldn't be walking around the hospital. Let me take you back to your room." He spoke in the same caring tone. "She's just a secretary. Don't worry about her." Jordyn's face crumpled at the cold dismissal in Clark's voice. Her eyes filled with tears, making her look young and vulnerable. "You're right. I got too excited. I'm not worthy of having dinner with Mrs. Summer." She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, looking genuinely hurt. "I should go. My boyfriend will be wondering where I am." With that, she turned and walked away, her shoulders shaking slightly. Clark's expression flickered. For a moment, he looked like he wanted to follow her. But when he noticed Nyla watching him carefully, he stayed put. He turned back to Nyla and patted her head affectionately. "Be good, okay? I have some urgent things to handle at the company. I'll have James drive you home. Get some rest, and I'll be back tonight to check on you." His voice was warm and loving, the same tone he had used for three years of marriage. As soon as Nyla returned to her hospital room, her phone buzzed with a new message. It was from Jordyn. The first image was a pre-gnancy test showing two clear pink lines. Then came a series of messages that made Nyla's hands shake: [Nyla, I know you figured it out today. The baby is Clark's. Don't think he loves you as much as you believe. If he truly loves you, then what am I doing in his life?] [Do you know how obsessed he is with me? Every year on your birthday and your anniversary, after he puts you to sleep, he comes to spend the night with me. He's so passionate with me, so wild. We go through boxes of c0n-doms, and I can barely walk the next day.] [We've faking in his car, his office, even in your bedroom when you were away. He's done things with me that I bet he's never done with you. Has he ever been truly passionate with you, Nyla? Or does he save all his fire for me?] Reading these brutal messages, Nyla felt something break inside her chest. Her hands trembled as she set down the phone. She took deep, measured breaths, trying to suppress the storm of emotions threatening to overwhelm her. That evening, Clark returned with an elegant white box. Inside was a strawberry mousse cake from the city's most expensive French pastry shop. It had once been Nyla's absolute favorite dessert. "Baby, I brought your favorite cake," Clark said carefully, watching her face for a reaction. "The doctor said you're still weak and need to eat more sweets to build up your energy." He opened the box with a flourish, revealing the delicate pink confection. In the past, Nyla would have clapped her hands with delight at seeing this cake. She used to say it was almost too beautiful to eat. But now, looking at it made her stomach turn. She picked up the small silver fork and took a mechanical bite. The overly sweet flavor sat in her mouth like paste. She couldn't swallow it. Without a word, Nyla stood up and threw the entire cake box into the trash can. The beautiful dessert landed with a dull thud. Clark stared at her in shock. "Nyla, what's wrong with you? " Chapter 7 Nyla turned to face Clark, her eyes completely devoid of their usual warmth. "It doesn't taste the same anymore." Her voice was eerily calm, but it sent a chill through Clark's entire body. He rushed to her side and pulled her into his arms. "Baby, maybe this bakery changed their recipe," he said. "I'll call them tomorrow and find out. No matter how much it costs, I'll make sure they get the taste exactly right again." Nyla's body remained rigid in his embrace. "Things change, Clark. Once they change, you can't go back." Her voice was still calm, but each word felt like an icicle piercing Clark's heart. He sensed she wasn't just talking about the cake anymore. She was talking about them. Clark felt panic rising in his chest. That was when his phone rang. The ringtone cut through the tension. Clark glanced at the caller ID and his face went pale. Nyla caught the shift in his expression, and her disappointment deepened. "I... I need to take this call," Clark stammered. "There's an emergency at work." Nyla turned away from him completely. "Go ahead. Work is important." Clark stood frozen for several seconds, torn between answering the phone and staying with his wife. Finally, he made his choice and headed for the door. As he stepped into the hallway, Nyla could hear his voice through the thin walls: "Jordyn, what's wrong? Are you feeling sick? I'll be right there..." His voice faded as he moved further away, leaving Nyla alone in their living room. The silence felt suffocating. Nyla stared at the white walls, feeling like they were closing in on her. Twenty minutes after Clark left, Nyla's phone buzzed with an incoming call. She didn't recognize the number, but she answered anyway. "Mrs. Summer, I hope I'm not interrupting," came Jordyn's sweet voice. "I'm not feeling well, so I borrowed Clark from you tonight. He came without hesitation when I called. He said nothing was more important than making sure I was okay." Nyla's grip tightened on the phone, but she said nothing. Jordyn continued with obvious satisfaction. "You know what Clark told me today? He said I'm younger and prettier than you. He said I can give him something you never could - a child. He mentioned that you haven't been able to conceive in three years. He's worried there might be something wrong with your body." "Oh, and that strawberry mousse cake you threw away today?" Jordyn's voice turned mocking. "Clark buys me that same cake all the time. He says sweet treats are perfect for sweet girls. Don't you think it tastes sweet, Mrs. Summer?" The call ended with Jordyn's cruel laughter. Nyla sat in the darkness, feeling something fundamental shift inside her. The pain was so intense it took her breath away. Then slowly, mercifully, numbness began to set in. From that day forward, Nyla began quietly packing her belongings. She folded her clothes carefully and placed them in suitcases. She packed her books, her makeup, her jewelry. Each item felt heavy with memories she no longer wanted to keep. Clark became even busier during this time. He came home later and later, sometimes not at all. When he did return, he was distant and distracted. Meanwhile, Jordyn's messages never stopped. Photos of her growing belly, pictures of expensive gifts, taunting words designed to twist the knife deeper. Nyla's best friend Valarie came over to help with the divorce paperwork. "Given that Clark committed adultery and got another woman pre-gnant, you could definitely ask for substantial compensation," Valarie said seriously. "Plus, you gave up your career for this marriage. That's worth a lot in court." Valarie spread the legal documents across the coffee table. "You sacrificed your research position at the university. You could have been earning six figures by now." But before proceeding with anything official, Nyla felt she should tell her father. She drove to the hospital where he was still recovering from his recent surgery. Her father looked better than he had in weeks. His color was returning, and he was sitting up reading the newspaper. "Dad," Nyla began carefully, "if... hypothetically... if I wanted to get divorced, what would you think?" Her father set down his newspaper and studied his daughter's face intently. "Nyla, is something wrong between you and Clark?" Nyla forced herself to maintain eye contact. "I'm just curious. If that day ever came..." "Absolutely not!" Her father's voice rose sharply. "Nyla, do you understand what the Summer family has done for us? When my factory had that terrible accident, they provided the money that saved us from bankruptcy. They've been paying my medical bills for three years. Without them, we would have lost everything." Her father's face was flushed with emotion. "Clark has been nothing but good to you. How could you even think such thoughts? Has someone been filling your head with ideas?" Nyla realized she couldn't continue this conversation. Her father had no idea about Clark's betrayal. She couldn't bear to put her sick father through that kind of shock and disappointment. She was about to change the subject when her father's phone chimed with a text message. He glanced at the screen and his face went completely white. The message was from Jordyn. It contained a photo of her and Clark kissing passionately in what looked like a hotel room. Below the image was a message that read: "Thought you should know - I'm pre-gnant with your son-in-law Clark's baby." Chapter 8 Harrison suddenly developed a violent coughing fit. His body convulsed as he struggled to breathe. His face turned an alarming shade of blue, and his hands clawed at his chest. The phone slipped from his trembling fingers and clattered to the floor. Nyla saw the message on the fallen phone and immediately understood what had triggered his condition. Rage flooded through her veins, but her father's health took priority over confronting Jordyn. She frantically pressed the call button for the nurses. "Help! I need a doctor now!" she shouted into the hallway. A team of medical staff rushed into the room. They immediately began checking her father's vital signs while Nyla stood helplessly in the corner, watching his condition deteriorate before her eyes. The lead doctor emerged from the examination looking grave. He pulled off his mask and shook his head slowly. "Mr. Jayston's condition has suddenly worsened," he said wearily. "His kid ney failure has progressed rapidly. We need to transfer him to the ICU immediately for intensive monitoring and treatment." Nyla felt her legs go weak. "How serious is this?" "It's critical," the doctor replied bluntly. "But I'm afraid we have a problem. Our ICU is completely full. Every bed is occupied, and there's a waiting list. All the hospitals in the city are experiencing the same shortage of resources." "Wait?" Nyla could barely comprehend what she was hearing. "Doctor, my father can't wait. Look at him!" Her father was still struggling to breathe normally. His skin had a grayish pallor that terrified her. "I understand your concern, Mrs. Summer, but we're doing everything we can," the doctor said helplessly. "All we can do right now is stabilize his condition with medication and hope a bed opens up soon." Desperation clawed at Nyla's chest. She thought immediately of Clark. As the heir to Summer Group, he had connections throughout the medical community. He could pull strings and get her father the care he needed. With shaking hands, she dialed Clark's number. After several rings, someone picked up. But it wasn't Clark's voice that greeted her. "Hello, who's calling?" came Jordyn's sickeningly sweet voice. Nyla's blood turned to ice. "This is Nyla. I need to speak to Clark immediately. It's an emergency." "Oh, Mrs. Summer!" Jordyn's voice was dripping with false concern. "Clark is in the shower right now. He's been taking such good care of me all day that he's completely exhausted. Poor thing needs to rest." Nyla bit back her fury and forced herself to stay focused. "This is about my father. He's dying and needs an ICU bed. Please put Clark on the phone right now." "Oh my, what terrible timing," Jordyn said with obvious fake sympathy. "I wasn't feeling well this afternoon either. Just some pre-gnancy nausea and dizziness, you know how it is. But Clark was so worried about me and the baby that he immediately called in the best medical team in the city. They're all on standby right now, just in case something happens to us." Nyla's hands were shaking so violently she could barely hold the phone. Her father was dying, and her husband was playing house with his pre-gnant mistress. "Can you please just-" Nyla began, but Jordyn cut her off. "Oh, I hear the shower turning off. Clark will be so tired after everything we've been through today. I should probably let him rest. You understand, don't you?" The line went dead. Nyla stood in the hospital hallway, feeling like the world was collapsing around her. She closed her eyes and tried to think of alternatives. Then suddenly, an image flashed through her mind - a figure handing her a coat in the rain. Damon's cold but decisive voice echoing in the car. Without allowing herself to second-guess the decision, she dialed his number. "Mr. Damon, this is Nyla," she said when he answered. "I'm sorry to bother you, but my father is critically ill. He needs an ICU bed urgently, but the hospital says they don't have any available. I know this is a lot to ask..." "Send me the hospital address," Damon's voice cut through her rambling. It was sharp and authoritative. "I'll handle it. Ten minutes." The line went dead, but his words carried more reassurance than Clark's empty promises ever had. Exactly ten minutes later, the hospital director personally arrived at her father's ward. Behind him came a full medical team, including specialists Nyla recognized from medical journals. They moved with efficient precision. "Mr. Jayston will be transferred to our premium ICU immediately," the director told Nyla respectfully. "We're bringing in the city's leading kid-ney specialists for consultation. He'll receive the absolute best care available." Within an hour, her father was settled in a private ICU room with round-the-clock monitoring. That evening, after her father's condition had finally stabilized, Nyla returned to the house she had shared with Clark. She sat in their living room, surrounded by three years of memories that now felt like lies. She opened her phone and began forwarding every single message and photo Jordyn had sent her to Clark's email address. The videos of Jordyn showing off expensive jewelry. Photos of their intimate moments in the apartment Clark had bought her. Recordings of Jordyn rubbing her belly and cooing, "Daddy loves us so much. He's going to give us everything." After sending all these, Nyla typed a final message: "Clark, these are from your girlfriend Jordyn. Since you two love each other so much, I'll step aside and let you be together." Then she photographed the divorce papers Valarie had prepared and attached them to another email: "The divorce agreement is ready. Have your lawyer contact Valarie tomorrow to finalize everything." After hitting send, Nyla stood up and began dismantling their life together. She pulled their wedding photos off the walls and threw them directly into the trash. The jewelry Clark had given her, the clothes he had bought, the makeup he had surprised her with - everything went into garbage bags. She called a moving company and worked through the night to clear out her belongings. By dawn, the house looked exactly as it had before she had moved in - empty and cold. Nyla took one final look around the space that had once felt like home. She dragged her suitcase to the door and walked out without looking back.

After I caught my husband Clark having an affair with his secretary in the office, I filed for divorce. Unexpectedly, the only condition he proposed was to sleep with him... ** "Nyla, are you sure you want me to draft a divorce agreement?" Valarie's voice crackled through the phone, hesitant and worried. "Think about it. Once you sign this, you and Clark will have nothing to do with each other anymore." Nyla stared at the amber liquid in her glass. The whiskey burned her throat, but nothing could burn away the images from last night. Her fingers tightened around the phone. "Yes," she said finally. "I'm leaving him." "Why?" Valarie's confusion bled through the speaker. "Clark's been so good to you. He loves you so much..." Nyla almost laughed. Love. What a joke. She pressed her lips together, fighting back the bitter taste rising in her throat. After hanging up, Nyla looked out the window. The massive LED screen on the skyscraper across the street was still playing that press conference. Clark stood there in his perfect suit, holding up that ridiculous jewelry piece. Using the world's finest diamonds and gemstones, he had created a one-of-a-kind piece for his wife. It was named "Love Nyla." He named it after Nyla, declaring to the world his eternal love for her. Upon its release, "Love Nyla" instantly ignited social media discussion, remaining a hot topic. The world was buzzing about their enviable love. Outside, the LED screens continued to replay the video, but Nyla chuckled self-deprecatingly. "Love me?" she muttered to herself. "Love me enough to sleep with another woman on our anniversary night?" Last night was their third wedding anniversary. Clark had said he wanted to surprise her and asked her to wait for him at home. Nyla wore Clark's favorite white dress, lit candles, and prepared his favorite dinner, waiting eagerly until late at night. She had waited. And waited. Midnight came and went. At one in the morning, her phone suddenly buzzed with a Facebook friend request. A strange profile picture with the note "A surprise for you." Nyla was about to reject the message outright, but then the person sent another message: [Are you still awake? Is it because your husband isn't with you?] Nyla's alarm bells went off. How did this person know Clark wasn't home? She didn't accept the friend request, but the messages kept coming: [Stop pretending, I know you're reading this.] [Your husband is with me now.] [I was scared of thunder, so he worried about me and came to keep me company.] [What a good man, but it's a shame he's not good for you alone.] Each message stabbed Nyla like a knife in the heart. Her hands trembled. Her mind told her it might be a prank, but deep down, a voice frantically questioned it. The last message completely broke her defenses: [If you don't believe me, I'll send you the address. The door lock code is your wedding anniversary.] Nyla couldn't sit still any longer. With trembling fingers, she accepted the friend request. The other party immediately sent an address and a password: 0823. It was indeed their anniversary. Nyla rushed out of the house like a madman and drove to the address. It was an upscale apartment. She stood in front of the door, her finger hovering over the combination lock, her heart pounding. She entered 0823, and the lock clicked and the door opened. A men's suit jacket lay scattered in the hallway. She recognized it as the three-year anniversary gift she had given Clark, which Clark had worn when he left that morning. A pair of black lace paanties lay on the sofa in the living room, and a wine glass with a woman's lipstick stain on it lay on the coffee table. From the hallway to the bedroom, men's and women's clothing was scattered everywhere. The most striking thing was a red lace nightgown, torn to shreds, lying by the bedroom door. Nyla's legs were so weak she could barely stand, but she still trembled as she pushed open the half-open bedroom door. On the bed, Clark, na-ked, embraced another woman. The woman knelt on the bed, her head buried between Clark's legs, licking Clark's pen.is. Clark's eyes were closed, his face a look of enjoyment, m0-aning, "Yes, that's it, great..." The woman asked proudly, "Am I better, or is Nyla better?" Clark replied, "You think you can compare with Nyla?" Then he spun the woman around, grabbed her h1ps from behind, and thrust wildly. The woman's m0-ans mingled with Clark's heavy gasps. The scene completely devastated Nyla. Eight years had passed, from their innocent college romance to their current marriage. Everyone had envied their love, saying they were a match made in hea-ven. But now, it all seemed so absurd. She covered her mouth, resisting the urge to vomit, and fled the nauseating place. She drove to a bar downtown and sat alone in a corner, drinking furiously. The sharp taste of the whiskey stung her throat, but it couldn't numb the pain in her heart. When Valarie received her call and rushed to the bar, Nyla was already completely drunk. "Nyla!" Valarie's voice cut through her memories as she slid into the booth across from her, face etched with worry. "Why are you so drunk? What happened? Did Clark make you mad?" Drunk Nyla looked at her with red eyes. "Val, I don't want to hear that name right now." Nyla took another swig of the whiskey in front of her, leaving a bitter taste in her mouth. "Val, I saw him hooking up with that woman right in front of me. It's definitely not a misunderstanding." Valarie saw her friend's pained expression and held her hand with a heartache. "Nyla, maybe you two can talk it out..." "There's nothing to talk about," Nyla interrupted decisively. "Divorce. Every time I think about him hooking up with that woman, I feel sick." Chapter 2 Nyla returned home and sat on the living room sofa, staring at her phone. The number she had just dialed glowed on the screen. After calming down from her anger and pain, she had to face reality. A divorce required financial independence. Clark was covering all of her father's monthly medical expenses. The bills reached a staggering $100,000 each month. She simply couldn't afford it. Her fingers trembled as she scrolled through her contacts. She stopped at a familiar name. Professor Anderson. Her former research supervisor from graduate school. "Professor Anderson? This is Nyla. Nyla Jayston." She tried to sound calm, but her voice cracked slightly. A surprised voice came from the other end. "Nyla! Oh my god, are you okay? I haven't been in touch since you got married three years ago." Nyla bit her lip hard. The metallic taste of blood filled her mouth. "Professor, I want to return to research. I know this sounds sudden, but I need a job." "Of course!" Professor Anderson agreed without hesitation. "You're one of the best students I've ever taught. Your thesis on molecular biology was groundbreaking. I can contact you right now with a company that's looking for a senior researcher position. The salary is excellent." "Thank you," Nyla whispered. Relief flooded through her chest. "I really appreciate this." "Don't mention it. You have incredible talent. It's a shame you left research when you got married. When can you start?" "As soon as possible." After hanging up, Nyla felt a small spark of hope. She could do this. She could leave Clark and rebuild her life. She walked into their bedroom and began packing. Her hands moved mechanically, folding clothes and placing them in a suitcase. Hanging in the closet were the matching pajamas they'd bought on their honeymoon in Paris. On the dresser sat a small angel figurine they'd brought back from Italy. On the wall were photos of them at the beach, laughing and kissing under the sunset. Each item silently spoke of past sweetness. Yet now they stabbed her heart like knives. How had she been so blind? How had she missed the signs? She opened the dresser drawer to retrieve some personal belongings. Her wedding ring caught the light, mocking her. Then she saw it. The marriage certificate. With trembling hands, Nyla picked it up. She flipped to the first page, revealing two young, radiant faces. Her own smile was so bright it hurt to look at. Clark's eyes shone with pure joy. It was August 23rd, three years ago. To become the first couple to receive their marriage certificate that day, they had woken up at four in the morning to queue at the registry office. Clark had been as excited as a child. He spoke nervously throughout the entire ride. "Nyla, we're really getting married," he had said, bouncing in the passenger seat. "I feel like I'm eighteen again. Like the first time I saw you in Professor Wilson's chemistry class." When the staff handed them the marriage certificate, Clark's hands had trembled violently. He took it carefully, as if it were made of glass. Tears welled in his eyes. "Nyla, we're finally husband and wife," he had whispered, his voice breaking with emotion. "I swear I'll love and protect you for the rest of my life. You're everything to me." Nyla had believed every word. She had thought they were soulmates. Forever. But now... She stared at her beaming smile in the photo. Before she could shed a tear, she heard the familiar sound of a car engine downstairs. Her heart stopped. The garage door rumbled open. Footsteps on the stairs. "Honey, I'm back!" Clark's voice echoed from downstairs, cheerful and casual. Panic seized Nyla's chest. She hurriedly shoved the marriage certificate back into the drawer. She wiped her eyes frantically and tried to appear normal. The bedroom door was still open. She couldn't let him see the suitcase. Footsteps approached down the hallway. Clark pushed the door open, his face lighting up when he saw her. Without warning, he wrapped his arms around her from behind. His embrace had once been her safest haven. Now Nyla felt only nausea rising in her throat. She could smell an unfamiliar scent on his skin. Sweet vanilla shower gel. He had obviously showered somewhere else before coming home. "Did you miss me?" Clark whispered softly in her ear. His voice carried a lazy satisfaction, like a cat who'd just finished a meal. Nyla's muscles tensed. She resisted the urge to shove him away. Her body felt rigid as stone. "Where have you been?" "I'm sorry, babe." Clark's lie rolled off his tongue effortlessly. "I was so busy at work yesterday that I fell asleep at the office. I completely missed our anniversary." He pulled an exquisite jewelry box from his jacket pocket. "But look what I got you to make up for it." He opened the box with a flourish. Inside lay an exquisite diamond necklace. The stones caught the bedroom light, throwing rainbow patterns on the walls. "It's beautiful, isn't it?" Clark's eyes sparkled with pride. "Turn around so I can put it on you." Nyla mechanically turned around. She felt like a puppet with cut strings. Clark's fingers traced her neck as he fastened the clasp. The cold metal pressed against her skin. The diamonds felt heavy. Suffocating. "Perfect," Clark stepped back to admire his handiwork. His satisfaction was obvious. "Tomorrow night is Grandpa's birthday party. The entire Summer family will be there. With this necklace, you'll definitely be the most beautiful woman in the room." "Do I need to go?" Nyla asked. Her voice sounded hollow even to her own ears. She just wanted to escape. To get away from everything connected to the Summer family. "Of course you need to go. You're my wife." Clark looked at her with what seemed like genuine affection. He leaned in to kiss her, but Nyla quickly pushed him away. "You should shower first," she said, turning her face away. Clark nodded, seemingly unbothered. "Good idea. I've been working all day." He grabbed some clothes and headed to the bathroom. The shower turned on. Steam began seeping under the door. Nyla's phone suddenly buzzed with a notification. She glanced at the screen. A Facebook message. Her blood turned to ice. On the screen was a photo. A woman wearing a necklace identical to the one around Nyla's neck. Hickeys and scratches covered the woman's pale skin. The photo was cropped to show only her slender neck and the curve of her breasts. Below the image was a message that made Nyla's world crumble: [Does the necklace look good? I picked it out especially for you. I wore it when we faking last night. Clark said it looked beautiful on me.] Chapter 3 Nyla felt a surge of nausea wash over her. She quickly removed the necklace from her neck. Without hesitation, she tossed it into the bedroom trash can. The diamonds clinked against the metal bin. She rushed into the guest bathroom and turned on the shower. The scalding water burned her skin, but she didn't care. She grabbed the shower gel and frantically scrubbed her neck and body. She needed to remove every trace of Clark. Every memory of his touch. Her skin turned red from the harsh scrubbing, but she still felt dirty. The thought of that necklace clinging to another woman's neck made her sick. She imagined it swaying as that woman moved beneath Clark. The mental image made her stomach lurch. The bathroom door suddenly opened. Clark stood in the doorway, his eyes fixed on Nyla through the glass shower door. His gaze traveled over her wet hair, down her shoulders, following the water droplets that traced her curves. Clark's breathing became heavy. His eyes burned with lust. "Nyla, you're so beautiful," he said, his voice thick with desire. Nyla heard his voice and immediately wrapped herself in a towel. She stepped out of the shower, but the thought that he might have looked at that other woman the same way made her nauseous. "Don't come near me." Nyla took several steps back, but Clark was already approaching. "Baby, what's wrong?" Clark reached out to touch her cheek, but Nyla quickly dodged his hand. Clark didn't give up. Instead, he pulled her into his arms. His hands began wandering over her body, caressing her back through the towel. Then they moved lower. "Nyla, I want you," he whispered in her ear. His breath was hot against her skin. Nyla's body went rigid. She tried to pull away, but Clark was much stronger. His hand moved to her breast, his thumb brushing over the sensitive skin. His other hand slid down toward her inner th1gh. "Let's have a baby, okay?" Clark's voice was filled with longing. "We could have a beautiful child. A little girl with your eyes." Nyla felt ice water flood her veins. She thought of the photo that woman had sent. The same hands that were touching her now had been all over another woman's body just hours ago. Anger and disgust exploded inside her chest. "Get away from me!" Nyla pushed Clark with all her strength. "Clark, I'm tired! I don't want to do this right now!" Clark stumbled backward, startled by her sudden fury. He stared at Nyla's face, confusion clouding his features. "Honey, I'm sorry." His voice immediately filled with guilt. "I shouldn't have pushed you. I just want you so badly. I love you so much." He paused, searching her face. "If you don't want a child right now, we can wait." Watching Clark's apologetic expression, Nyla felt a mixture of emotions churning in her stomach. This man had been gentle and caring toward her for three years. She couldn't reconcile this version of him with the man who had been with another woman last night. But the facts were undeniable. Those photos. Those messages. The necklace in the trash can. That night, Nyla lay awake staring at the ceiling. Clark's breathing was even beside her. The painful images replayed in her mind over and over. She didn't sleep until dawn. The next morning, Nyla woke with dark circles under her eyes. Her reflection in the mirror looked hollow and tired. "Honey, are you feeling okay?" Clark asked with concern. "You look exhausted. Maybe you should rest today." Nyla shook her head. "I'm fine. We need to get ready for your grandfather's birthday party." As they drove through the gates of the Summer family estate, a black car suddenly roared past them. It stopped directly in front of the main entrance. The license plate read "DAMON-1." Clark's hands tightened on the steering wheel. His face darkened instantly. "Uncle Damon," he muttered under his breath. Damon Summer was Clark's uncle, Richard's youngest son. Despite being only six years older than Clark, Damon had always intimidated his nephew. He had refused to join the family business, starting his own company instead. That company was now worth five times more than Summer Group. Damon was known for being brilliant, ruthless, and vindictive. Last year, he had overheard Clark making disparaging comments about him at a business dinner. As punishment, Damon had refused a potential partnership that would have brought Summer Group hundreds of millions in revenue. Clark parked behind the car. As Nyla stepped out of the car, her high heel caught in the gravel driveway. She wobbled, about to fall backward. Suddenly, a pair of strong hands caught her waist, steadying her against a solid chest. Nyla looked up into a pair of deep, dark eyes. The man was tall and imposing, probably around twenty-nine. His features were sharp and perfectly sculpted. High cheekbones, a straight nose, a strong jawline. He wore a tailored dark gray suit that emphasized his broad shoulders and lean build. This was Damon Summer. "Careful," Damon said. His voice was deep and magnetic, with a hint of genuine concern. For a moment, Nyla found herself caught in his gaze. Clark appeared beside them, his face flushed with jealousy. He roughly grabbed Nyla's hand and pulled her away from Damon. "Thank you, Uncle," Clark said tersely. His voice was tight with barely controlled anger. He dragged Nyla toward the manor entrance. After they'd walked a few steps, he leaned close to her ear. "Nyla, you know I don't like you getting too close to other men," he whispered harshly. "Not even my uncle." Nyla almost laughed at the irony. Here was Clark, who had been with another woman just last night, acting possessive about her talking to his uncle. "So you'd rather have your wife fall flat on her face in front of the Summer family estate?" she replied coldly. Clark immediately backed down. "Honey, that's not what I meant. I just don't want people to get the wrong idea." Nyla ignored him and continued walking toward the entrance. The Summer family manor was impressive, with its grand foyer and crystal chandeliers. But Nyla felt no joy at being here. In the living room, Clark's grandmother Marie immediately called out with a beaming smile. "Nyla, Clark, you're here! Come sit down!" Nyla took a deep breath and forced a polite smile. Whatever her feelings about Clark, she still respected his grandparents. Richard had always treated her kindly. "Hello, Grandpa. Hello, Grandma," she greeted them warmly. Marie's eyes lit up as she watched Clark and Nyla approach. She had been trying to convince Damon to settle down for years. "Come, sit here next to me," Marie patted the sofa beside her. As they settled in, Damon entered the living room. Marie's expression immediately shifted to disapproval. "Look at Clark," she said pointedly to Damon. "He's got his company running smoothly, and his wife is absolutely beautiful. They might be giving us a great-grandchild soon." Her voice grew stern. "And you? You're almost thirty and still single. If you don't bring a girlfriend to the next family gathering, don't bother coming at all!" Damon's gaze flicked to Clark, then settled on Nyla. His lips curved into a half-smile. "Yes," he said quietly. "Really beautiful." Chapter 4 Marie's headache intensified at Damon's nonchalant attitude. She shook her head and turned her attention to Clark and Nyla. "You've been married for three years now. When are you planning on having kids? I'm looking forward to having great-grandchildren." The moment this topic came up, the atmosphere in the living room suddenly became tense. Nyla's fingers gripped her teacup so tightly her knuckles turned white. This was her most sensitive topic, the one that pierced her heart every time it was mentioned. Clark's aunt Anne immediately seized the opportunity. She leaned forward with a sneer. "Nyla, you and Clark have been married for three years. What will it look like if you don't have a child? What will others think of our Summer family?" She paused, malice glinting in her eyes. "And if Clark hadn't insisted on marrying you, do you think you could have married into our Summer family with your background? Don't be so ungrateful. You don't want to have children for Clark, but there are plenty of women out there who would." Anne spoke with mock concern, but her gaze was filled with contempt. She had always looked down on this niece-in-law. Talking about children made Nyla's chest tighten with pain. Of course she wanted a child. She had given up her promising career in scientific research to be a good wife. But she couldn't conceive. She had secretly visited doctors who said nothing was wrong with her body. Perhaps it was stress. But the Summer family often mocked her, calling her barren and useless. Just as Nyla was drowning in humiliation, Clark suddenly took her hand. He smiled at his grandmother. "Grandma, we're trying! There's no rushing these things. We have to let nature take its course." Then he turned to Anne, his voice stern. "Anne, watch your words. Nyla is my wife, and I won't tolerate anyone speaking to her like that." Anne's face flushed red at being publicly rebuked. "I'm doing this for your own good. You've been married for so long without any progress..." "That's enough," Clark interrupted sharply. "You don't need to worry about Nyla and me. And I want to make it clear that I'm honored to have Nyla as my wife. She didn't marry up." Nyla felt a confusing mix of emotions as she listened to Clark's defense. The love they had shared over the years was genuine. Clark's protection of her had always felt real. He consistently stood between her and his family's criticism. But at the same time, his betrayal was also real. Those photos, that necklace in the trash can, the woman's taunting messages. All of it reminded her that this man had deceived her completely. Anne was clearly unwilling to let this go. She continued with false sweetness. "I'm just telling the truth. No pre-gnancy in three years? Maybe there's something wrong with her body. With all the medical advances these days, she should get checked out. There are treatments for these things." "Anne!" Clark's voice turned dangerously cold. "I'm warning you for the last time. Whether or when we have children is between Nyla and me. It's not your business to interfere." In the past, Nyla would have been grateful for Clark's protection. She would have seen it as proof of his love. But today, hearing these words felt hollow. She knew that the moment Clark cheated, everything changed. No amount of public defense could erase what he had done in private. Midway through the banquet, Clark's phone suddenly rang. "Sorry, everyone," Clark said with an apologetic smile. "There's an emergency at work. I need to handle this right away." He turned to Nyla, his expression softening. "Honey, can you have Grandma's driver take you home? I'll be back as soon as I can." Marie waved dismissively. "Clark, go ahead. Don't worry about Nyla." Clark kissed Nyla's forehead quickly. "I'll make this up to you, I promise." As soon as Clark's car disappeared down the driveway, Marie's polite mask slipped completely. She looked at Nyla with open displeasure. "Well, now that Clark's gone," Marie said coolly, "I suppose you'll be wanting to leave too." The temperature in the room seemed to drop. "Nyla's not some delicate flower," Anne chimed in with renewed confidence. "She can find her own way home, can't she?" Nyla felt her cheeks burn with embarrassment. She had been dismissed like a servant. Without Clark's protection, she meant nothing to these people. "I think that's my cue to leave," Nyla said. She stood up. "Thank you for your hospitality." The butler, following Marie's subtle nod, escorted Nyla only to the manor gate. He immediately turned back toward the house, leaving her standing alone on the roadside. That's when the rain started. Fat droplets fell from the dark sky, quickly soaking through Nyla's silk dress. She pulled out her phone to call a taxi, but the app showed no available drivers in this remote area. The Summer estate was far from the city center. The rain intensified rapidly. Within minutes, Nyla was completely drenched. Her carefully styled hair hung in wet strands around her face. Her dress clung uncomfortably to her skin. Just when she thought things couldn't get worse, headlights cut through the darkness. A black car slowed to a stop beside her. The window rolled down, revealing Damon's sharp features. Chapter 5 As Damon prepared to leave the manor, he glanced out the car window. Through the rain, he could see Nyla huddled against the stone wall near the gate. Her dress was completely soaked, clinging to her body and outlining her curves. Her long hair hung in wet strands around her face, making her look fragile and abandoned. Damon understood immediately what had happened. He knew Marie and Anne's personalities well. They would never be kind enough to arrange transportation for the niece-in-law they had always disliked. He turned to his assistant Spencer, who was sitting in the passenger seat. "Get out and hold an umbrella for her." Spencer immediately grabbed the black umbrella from the floor and stepped out into the rain. He walked quickly toward Nyla while Damon rolled down his window. "Get in," Damon said to Nyla. His voice was characteristically cold and commanding. "I'll take you home." Nyla looked up, startled to see it was Damon. She instinctively took a step back, shaking her head. "Uncle Damon, it's okay. The rain will stop soon. I can wait." She remembered Clark's warnings about how dangerous Damon could be. Clark had specifically told her to keep her distance from his uncle. She didn't want to cause herself any more trouble, especially not tonight. Damon's brow furrowed when he saw Nyla clearly trying to avoid him. His tone grew deeper and more commanding. "Get in the car. Don't make me repeat myself." His natural dominance was overwhelming. The way he spoke made it nearly impossible to refuse. Nyla felt her resolve weakening under his intense gaze. Before she could refuse again, Spencer appeared beside her with the umbrella. He gently took her damp clutch from her trembling hands. "Ms. Nyla, please get in the car," Spencer said kindly. "This rain will continue for at least another hour. It's very windy out here, and you're not dressed warmly enough. You'll catch pneumonia." Spencer's tone was gentle and concerned. Nyla glanced up at the dark storm clouds, then down at her completely soaked dress. Water was still dripping from her hair. She was starting to shiver uncontrollably. Finally, biting her lip, she opened the car door and slid inside. The interior of the car was warm and luxurious. Soft leather seats and the faint scent of expensive cologne filled the space. Nyla immediately felt the temperature difference. Damon glanced at her wet dress, which was now clinging even more tightly to her body. The fabric had become almost transparent. He could see the outline of her undergarments. His throat tightened involuntarily. Without a word, he took off his dark gray suit jacket and tossed it to her. "Thank you," Nyla murmured, quickly pulling the jacket around her shoulders. It was still warm from his body heat and smelled like his cologne. The scent was surprisingly comforting. "I'll have it cleaned and return it to you." "Just throw it away," Damon replied coldly. His tone carried casual arrogance, as if the expensive jacket meant nothing to him. The car pulled away from the manor and drove smoothly through the rainy night. Silence settled between them. Nyla huddled in the corner of the backseat, not daring to look at the powerful man beside her. She could feel an oppressive aura radiating from him. It made her unconsciously nervous. She stole a glance at his profile. His jaw was sharp and perfectly defined. His dark hair was styled impeccably despite the rain. Everything about him screamed wealth and power. He was nothing like Clark, who was gentle and approachable. Damon seemed dangerous. Twenty minutes later, the car stopped in front of Nyla's house. She quickly gathered herself and reached for the door handle. "Thank you so much for the ride," she said hurriedly, leaving his jacket on the seat. "I really appreciate it." Damon watched her disappear inside the house. The faint scent of jasmine perfume still lingered in the car where she had been sitting. He found himself breathing it in deeply. His body reacted involuntarily to her proximity. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "She's your nephew's wife," he warned himself silently. "Control yourself." As soon as Nyla entered her house, she felt a wave of dizziness wash over her. Her body began to feel hot despite her wet clothes. Her head felt heavy and confused. Before she could even change out of her soaked dress, everything went black. She collapsed in the living room. When Nyla woke up, she found herself lying in a hospital bed. The room smelled strongly of disinfectant, but the bedside table was covered with familiar treats. Strawberry shortcake, colorful macarons, handmade chocolates, and a large bouquet of pink roses. "Ma'am, you're finally awake!" A nurse appeared beside her bed, looking relieved. "You've had a high fever for over twenty-four hours. Mr. Summer was so worried. He stayed by your bedside the entire time. He only left an hour ago because of an emergency call." The nurse checked Nyla's temperature with a digital thermometer. "Do you want me to call him? He'll be so happy to know you're conscious." Looking at the familiar arrangement of gifts, Nyla felt her heart soften despite everything. She had always been prone to illness and had a terrible fear of injections and medication. Whenever she was sick, Clark would do exactly this. He would buy all her favorite treats and flowers, hoping to cheer her up and speed her recovery. It had become their tradition over the years. These sweet memories made her chest ache with confusion. How could the man who cheated on her be the same person who spent the night worried beside her hospital bed? "Where is he now?" Nyla asked, pushing herself up in bed. "I want to find him myself." The nurse smiled. "He's somewhere in the hospital taking care of business." She left her room and walked down the sterile hospital corridor. As she rounded the corner, she stopped dead in her tracks. There was Clark, coming out of the obstetrics and gynecology department. But he wasn't alone. A woman walked beside him, her hand resting protectively on her belly. Chapter 6 Clark gently helped the young woman out of the obstetrics clinic. Both of them were smiling, their faces glowing with happiness. Nyla immediately recognized her. This was the woman from the photos in those anonymous messages. Just then, the woman spotted Nyla standing frozen in the hallway. Her eyes lit up with surprise and something that looked like malicious delight. "Oh wow, isn't that Mrs. Summer?" she exclaimed loudly. "What a coincidence running into you at the hospital!" At the sound of her voice, Clark looked up. His eyes met Nyla's across the corridor. His entire body went rigid. He quickly dropped his hand from the woman's arm, panic flooding his features. "Nyla!" Clark hurried toward her, his voice high with nervousness. "Why are you here? You should be resting in your room!" He reached her side, speaking rapidly. "I was just downstairs getting your medicine when I accidentally bumped into Jordyn here. She's my new secretary, and she's pre-gnant. I was worried she might fall, so I helped steady her." His explanation tumbled out in a rush. Sweat beaded on his forehead despite the air conditioning. Nyla's gaze moved to the woman's slightly swollen belly. She felt her breathing become shallow and labored. But she forced herself to remain outwardly calm. "Miss Jordyn," Nyla said slowly, "when did you get pre-gnant? Where's the father? Shouldn't he be here with you for such an important appointment?" Jordyn caressed her belly with obvious pride. A sweet, satisfied smile spread across her face. "I just found out I'm two months along. The father couldn't be here because he's so busy with work, but he was absolutely thrilled when I told him." She practically glowed as she spoke. "He said he wants to give me and the baby the best life possible. He's already bought me a beautiful apartment downtown and promised to make everything official after the baby arrives." Every word felt like a knife twisting in Nyla's chest. Jordyn continued, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "Mrs. Summer, you're so lucky to have such a wonderful husband. But I think my boyfriend is just as amazing. He tells me I've become even more beautiful since getting pre-gnant. He can barely stand to leave my side." She paused, tilting her head with feigned innocence. "Mrs. Summer, do you have time? I'm free today. Would you like to have dinner together? I could invite the baby's father to join us." The challenge in her eyes was unmistakable. Clark's expression darkened. He shot Jordyn a warning look. "My wife doesn't have time. Miss Jordyn, I'm sure your boyfriend is waiting for you. Don't keep him worried." His voice carried clear dismissal and irritation. Then he wrapped his arm around Nyla's shoulders, his touch gentle and concerned. "Honey, you're still recovering. You shouldn't be walking around the hospital. Let me take you back to your room." He spoke in the same caring tone. "She's just a secretary. Don't worry about her." Jordyn's face crumpled at the cold dismissal in Clark's voice. Her eyes filled with tears, making her look young and vulnerable. "You're right. I got too excited. I'm not worthy of having dinner with Mrs. Summer." She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, looking genuinely hurt. "I should go. My boyfriend will be wondering where I am." With that, she turned and walked away, her shoulders shaking slightly. Clark's expression flickered. For a moment, he looked like he wanted to follow her. But when he noticed Nyla watching him carefully, he stayed put. He turned back to Nyla and patted her head affectionately. "Be good, okay? I have some urgent things to handle at the company. I'll have James drive you home. Get some rest, and I'll be back tonight to check on you." His voice was warm and loving, the same tone he had used for three years of marriage. As soon as Nyla returned to her hospital room, her phone buzzed with a new message. It was from Jordyn. The first image was a pre-gnancy test showing two clear pink lines. Then came a series of messages that made Nyla's hands shake: [Nyla, I know you figured it out today. The baby is Clark's. Don't think he loves you as much as you believe. If he truly loves you, then what am I doing in his life?] [Do you know how obsessed he is with me? Every year on your birthday and your anniversary, after he puts you to sleep, he comes to spend the night with me. He's so passionate with me, so wild. We go through boxes of c0n-doms, and I can barely walk the next day.] [We've faking in his car, his office, even in your bedroom when you were away. He's done things with me that I bet he's never done with you. Has he ever been truly passionate with you, Nyla? Or does he save all his fire for me?] Reading these brutal messages, Nyla felt something break inside her chest. Her hands trembled as she set down the phone. She took deep, measured breaths, trying to suppress the storm of emotions threatening to overwhelm her. That evening, Clark returned with an elegant white box. Inside was a strawberry mousse cake from the city's most expensive French pastry shop. It had once been Nyla's absolute favorite dessert. "Baby, I brought your favorite cake," Clark said carefully, watching her face for a reaction. "The doctor said you're still weak and need to eat more sweets to build up your energy." He opened the box with a flourish, revealing the delicate pink confection. In the past, Nyla would have clapped her hands with delight at seeing this cake. She used to say it was almost too beautiful to eat. But now, looking at it made her stomach turn. She picked up the small silver fork and took a mechanical bite. The overly sweet flavor sat in her mouth like paste. She couldn't swallow it. Without a word, Nyla stood up and threw the entire cake box into the trash can. The beautiful dessert landed with a dull thud. Clark stared at her in shock. "Nyla, what's wrong with you? " Chapter 7 Nyla turned to face Clark, her eyes completely devoid of their usual warmth. "It doesn't taste the same anymore." Her voice was eerily calm, but it sent a chill through Clark's entire body. He rushed to her side and pulled her into his arms. "Baby, maybe this bakery changed their recipe," he said. "I'll call them tomorrow and find out. No matter how much it costs, I'll make sure they get the taste exactly right again." Nyla's body remained rigid in his embrace. "Things change, Clark. Once they change, you can't go back." Her voice was still calm, but each word felt like an icicle piercing Clark's heart. He sensed she wasn't just talking about the cake anymore. She was talking about them. Clark felt panic rising in his chest. That was when his phone rang. The ringtone cut through the tension. Clark glanced at the caller ID and his face went pale. Nyla caught the shift in his expression, and her disappointment deepened. "I... I need to take this call," Clark stammered. "There's an emergency at work." Nyla turned away from him completely. "Go ahead. Work is important." Clark stood frozen for several seconds, torn between answering the phone and staying with his wife. Finally, he made his choice and headed for the door. As he stepped into the hallway, Nyla could hear his voice through the thin walls: "Jordyn, what's wrong? Are you feeling sick? I'll be right there..." His voice faded as he moved further away, leaving Nyla alone in their living room. The silence felt suffocating. Nyla stared at the white walls, feeling like they were closing in on her. Twenty minutes after Clark left, Nyla's phone buzzed with an incoming call. She didn't recognize the number, but she answered anyway. "Mrs. Summer, I hope I'm not interrupting," came Jordyn's sweet voice. "I'm not feeling well, so I borrowed Clark from you tonight. He came without hesitation when I called. He said nothing was more important than making sure I was okay." Nyla's grip tightened on the phone, but she said nothing. Jordyn continued with obvious satisfaction. "You know what Clark told me today? He said I'm younger and prettier than you. He said I can give him something you never could - a child. He mentioned that you haven't been able to conceive in three years. He's worried there might be something wrong with your body." "Oh, and that strawberry mousse cake you threw away today?" Jordyn's voice turned mocking. "Clark buys me that same cake all the time. He says sweet treats are perfect for sweet girls. Don't you think it tastes sweet, Mrs. Summer?" The call ended with Jordyn's cruel laughter. Nyla sat in the darkness, feeling something fundamental shift inside her. The pain was so intense it took her breath away. Then slowly, mercifully, numbness began to set in. From that day forward, Nyla began quietly packing her belongings. She folded her clothes carefully and placed them in suitcases. She packed her books, her makeup, her jewelry. Each item felt heavy with memories she no longer wanted to keep. Clark became even busier during this time. He came home later and later, sometimes not at all. When he did return, he was distant and distracted. Meanwhile, Jordyn's messages never stopped. Photos of her growing belly, pictures of expensive gifts, taunting words designed to twist the knife deeper. Nyla's best friend Valarie came over to help with the divorce paperwork. "Given that Clark committed adultery and got another woman pre-gnant, you could definitely ask for substantial compensation," Valarie said seriously. "Plus, you gave up your career for this marriage. That's worth a lot in court." Valarie spread the legal documents across the coffee table. "You sacrificed your research position at the university. You could have been earning six figures by now." But before proceeding with anything official, Nyla felt she should tell her father. She drove to the hospital where he was still recovering from his recent surgery. Her father looked better than he had in weeks. His color was returning, and he was sitting up reading the newspaper. "Dad," Nyla began carefully, "if... hypothetically... if I wanted to get divorced, what would you think?" Her father set down his newspaper and studied his daughter's face intently. "Nyla, is something wrong between you and Clark?" Nyla forced herself to maintain eye contact. "I'm just curious. If that day ever came..." "Absolutely not!" Her father's voice rose sharply. "Nyla, do you understand what the Summer family has done for us? When my factory had that terrible accident, they provided the money that saved us from bankruptcy. They've been paying my medical bills for three years. Without them, we would have lost everything." Her father's face was flushed with emotion. "Clark has been nothing but good to you. How could you even think such thoughts? Has someone been filling your head with ideas?" Nyla realized she couldn't continue this conversation. Her father had no idea about Clark's betrayal. She couldn't bear to put her sick father through that kind of shock and disappointment. She was about to change the subject when her father's phone chimed with a text message. He glanced at the screen and his face went completely white. The message was from Jordyn. It contained a photo of her and Clark kissing passionately in what looked like a hotel room. Below the image was a message that read: "Thought you should know - I'm pre-gnant with your son-in-law Clark's baby." Chapter 8 Harrison suddenly developed a violent coughing fit. His body convulsed as he struggled to breathe. His face turned an alarming shade of blue, and his hands clawed at his chest. The phone slipped from his trembling fingers and clattered to the floor. Nyla saw the message on the fallen phone and immediately understood what had triggered his condition. Rage flooded through her veins, but her father's health took priority over confronting Jordyn. She frantically pressed the call button for the nurses. "Help! I need a doctor now!" she shouted into the hallway. A team of medical staff rushed into the room. They immediately began checking her father's vital signs while Nyla stood helplessly in the corner, watching his condition deteriorate before her eyes. The lead doctor emerged from the examination looking grave. He pulled off his mask and shook his head slowly. "Mr. Jayston's condition has suddenly worsened," he said wearily. "His kid ney failure has progressed rapidly. We need to transfer him to the ICU immediately for intensive monitoring and treatment." Nyla felt her legs go weak. "How serious is this?" "It's critical," the doctor replied bluntly. "But I'm afraid we have a problem. Our ICU is completely full. Every bed is occupied, and there's a waiting list. All the hospitals in the city are experiencing the same shortage of resources." "Wait?" Nyla could barely comprehend what she was hearing. "Doctor, my father can't wait. Look at him!" Her father was still struggling to breathe normally. His skin had a grayish pallor that terrified her. "I understand your concern, Mrs. Summer, but we're doing everything we can," the doctor said helplessly. "All we can do right now is stabilize his condition with medication and hope a bed opens up soon." Desperation clawed at Nyla's chest. She thought immediately of Clark. As the heir to Summer Group, he had connections throughout the medical community. He could pull strings and get her father the care he needed. With shaking hands, she dialed Clark's number. After several rings, someone picked up. But it wasn't Clark's voice that greeted her. "Hello, who's calling?" came Jordyn's sickeningly sweet voice. Nyla's blood turned to ice. "This is Nyla. I need to speak to Clark immediately. It's an emergency." "Oh, Mrs. Summer!" Jordyn's voice was dripping with false concern. "Clark is in the shower right now. He's been taking such good care of me all day that he's completely exhausted. Poor thing needs to rest." Nyla bit back her fury and forced herself to stay focused. "This is about my father. He's dying and needs an ICU bed. Please put Clark on the phone right now." "Oh my, what terrible timing," Jordyn said with obvious fake sympathy. "I wasn't feeling well this afternoon either. Just some pre-gnancy nausea and dizziness, you know how it is. But Clark was so worried about me and the baby that he immediately called in the best medical team in the city. They're all on standby right now, just in case something happens to us." Nyla's hands were shaking so violently she could barely hold the phone. Her father was dying, and her husband was playing house with his pre-gnant mistress. "Can you please just-" Nyla began, but Jordyn cut her off. "Oh, I hear the shower turning off. Clark will be so tired after everything we've been through today. I should probably let him rest. You understand, don't you?" The line went dead. Nyla stood in the hospital hallway, feeling like the world was collapsing around her. She closed her eyes and tried to think of alternatives. Then suddenly, an image flashed through her mind - a figure handing her a coat in the rain. Damon's cold but decisive voice echoing in the car. Without allowing herself to second-guess the decision, she dialed his number. ...

Hayley Reid was reborn two weeks before the apocalypse began. In her last life, she survived ten years of hell—only to die at the hands of the people she trusted most. But this time, she returned with every memory intact… and awakened the Super Base System. While the world fell into chaos, Hayley sipped wine and held her beloved puppy inside the world’s strongest steel fortress. - Chapter 1 "Flu cases are on the rise. Please take precautions, avoid crowded areas, don't gather unnecessarily, and keep warm…" "Hayley, are you even listening to me?!" Hayley Reid jolted, staring at everything in front of her in disbelief. In the middle of the old, 300-square-foot living room with worn-out renovations was a couch, packed with middle-aged men and women. In the center was a plump, 70-ish woman with graying hair. She was Eleanor Reid, Hayley's grandmother. Eleanor glared at Hayley, her jowls bouncing with every movement. Hayley froze. This was the exact scene from two weeks before the apocalypse, when her "beloved" grandmother, father, and stepmother forced her to give up her house for her brother and his soon-to-be wife. The last thing she remembered was being stuck in a zombie siege at the eastern base a moment ago. "Ever since your mom passed, Lucy treated you like her own. Everyone says she's wonderful! Now, Philip is getting married and wants to borrow your house. Why won't you let him? You're so ungrateful!" Eleanor hissed. "Mom, Hayley's not ungrateful. I'm sure she'll come to her senses," said a plump woman next to Eleanor, pretending to mediate. This was Lucy Reid, Hayley's stepmother. "Hmph!" Eleanor snorted. "Clear out the house immediately. Philip said the place has been rented for too long, and the furniture is too worn. He needs new furniture before he gets married. You'll pay for it. After all, he's your brother. You should help out a little!" Hayley, standing in the middle, suddenly laughed out loud. They wanted her house and expected her to buy new furniture on top of that? Ridiculous. Even more ridiculous was the fact that she actually went along with it last time! Hayley's mother, Cynthia, died in a car accident when she was 14. Soon after, Lucy moved in with her son, Philip. On the surface, Lucy seemed perfect—she was attentive and caring. Hayley, going through her rebellious phase, was prickly with everyone but secretly craved warmth and family. Lucy's gentle, understanding ways fooled her. She supported Hayley in everything, no matter what, and Hayley almost genuinely saw her as a mother. She gave them everything, even the only house Cynthia had left her. She hesitated for only a moment before agreeing. The apocalypse soon hit, and Hayley was abandoned repeatedly. When it came time to escape on a rescue vehicle, they shoved her aside to save their skins. That was when Hayley truly understood how fake their love was. True family didn't exist for her. She had been nothing but a tool in their eyes, and they had squeezed her dry. Once she was useless, they kicked her aside. Not a single person there had ever seen her as family. She wanted to slap her past, foolish self so hard. Bang! Hayley tossed a few bags of cheap fruit from the old coffee table straight into the trash, then plopped herself down in front of them. A young man, who had been glued to his phone on the armchair, immediately dropped it and yelled righteously, "Hayley, what the hell are you doing? These are imported apples Mom got especially for you! She said they're your favorite. How could you just throw them away?" Hayley sneered. Her favorite? Since when? She gave Philip a cold glance. "You think you have the right to talk to me about my house?" Facing her icy gaze, Philip felt a shiver run through him and didn't dare to look at her. Hayley's eyes carried a murderous energy—the kind she had honed over ten years of surviving the apocalypse alone after they abandoned her. Philip instantly backed down. Lucy quickly tried to smooth things over. "What's wrong, Hayley? Are you not feeling well? If that's the case, we can come back another day. I know you're not happy with this request, but Philip is your brother. Sue's family wants a house in the city center, and you know how impossible that is now. Even with money, you might not get one. They're even doing lotteries for them. So, I'm begging you… Help your brother out. Later, when you get married, we'll try to make it up to you—" "Why should we make it up to her?" Bernard Reid, who had been quiet, finally spoke. He glared at Hayley. "You really think this house is yours? You should step aside and let Philip have it! When you get married, your husband can buy you one. Stop fighting Philip for it!" Hayley didn't even bother getting angry this time. In her past life, she had wondered why Bernard treated her, his biological daughter, so badly, while spoiling his stepson. As it turned out, Philip was his real son—his own flesh and blood! Before he married Cynthia, he had already married Lucy in his hometown and had a son. To him, Hayley was nothing. And after the apocalypse, he treated her even worse. Hayley held up four fingers. "Four hundred thousand." Everyone froze. "What are you talking about?" "This house was Mom's premarital property. She legally gave it to me later, so I own this house. You want it? Pay up. Four hundred thousand is already a bargain." "You're selling the house to us? You must be joking! We don't have that kind of money!" Hayley lifted her smartwatch. "I'm giving you five seconds to decide. If you don't agree, I'll sell it to someone else. Five…" "We're your elders! How could you talk money with us?!" Eleanor snapped. "Four." "You ungrateful little…! I'm gonna teach you a lesson!" Hayley ignored Eleanor, speeding up. "Three…two…" "Don't you dare!" Bernard jumped to hit her. Hayley kicked his chair out from under him. He landed hard, looking like an idiot. She looked down coldly at him and went on, "One." "You've lost it! How dare you hit your father!" Hayley didn't care about their rage. She grabbed her phone and dialed a number. "Mr. Cruz, I'm selling the house. Put it up for 400 thousand…" The house had been rented out through an agent until Hayley turned 18, which was why it hadn't been sold earlier. "You want it, huh?" Hayley smiled, glancing their way. "Sure. I'll—" "Don't say another word! We agree!" Lucy jumped in, panic in her voice. "Sell it to us!" Lucy knew that the house was actually worth 600 thousand, so getting it for 400 grand was already a steal. Plus, city-center houses were limited now, with all the residency and lottery rules. Hayley's house was hot property. Even if things didn't go exactly as they expected, the most important thing was getting it for themselves instead of letting an outsider have it. Even if they had to pay 400 thousand to get it, they would make a quick 200 grand reselling it. Hayley watched Lucy's reaction and smirked before hanging up. She had decided to sell the house to them. She was losing a bit, but that was the quickest option. Time was money, and she needed both. Most importantly, once the house was sold, they wouldn't have extra cash. She knew they only had 400 grand on hand. In her past life, the government had warned them to stockpile supplies three days before the apocalypse. Hayley was curious to see what they would be able to afford by then. - Ding! [You have received 400 thousand in your account.] Half an hour later at the bank, Hayley saw the money hit her account. Lucy and the others weren't thrilled but paid up. The real estate agent kept calling Hayley's phone; afraid she'd sell the house to him, the family didn't dare complain. "The property office is closed for a few days. I'll handle the transfer when they open," Hayley told them. "No worries. We trust you!" Lucy said, squinting and smiling sweetly. "The transfer can wait. We'll arrange a time later." Lucy acted generous, but Hayley knew better. The woman was just guarding against her future daughter-in-law, scared that her name would be on the house's deed. Right now, the deed still carried Hayley's name, which gave her room to stall. Hayley grinned. This was great! Philip suddenly said to her, "Since we've bought the house, pack your stuff and get out! And toss out all of your junk. I'll get new furniture with Sue." Right after paying, their attitude changed. "Give Hayley a few more days. She's a responsible girl; she'll probably pay you a bit for storage and even replace some furniture. You should be more understanding of your sister," Lucy said. "Mom, why do you still care about her? This little money-grubber doesn't deserve your kindness! I want her out! And Hayley, get your stupid dog out of the house! If I see it again, I'll chop it to pieces!" Hayley froze when she heard Philip mention the "stupid dog". Summer was still alive! She didn't waste another second with them and ran home. As soon as she opened her bedroom door, the quiet German Shepherd that was pacing nervously jumped into her arms. "Woof, woof!" "Summer!" Hayley almost cried, hugging it. Summer was a retired military dog, a gift from Hayley's mother on Hayley's tenth birthday. After Cynthia died, Summer had been her comfort through the hardest times. Lucy's family hated the intuitive dog and had tried several times to get rid of it, but Summer always came back. They wanted to give Summer away, but Hayley had insisted on keeping it, even getting into fights with them over it. To stay the "kind stepmother", Lucy let Hayley keep Summer but insisted that it be kept locked up in Hayley's room. After Hayley moved into Cynthia's old house, Summer finally had room to roam, though Lucy's family still locked it up when they came over. During the apocalypse in Hayley's past life, Lucy's family ate the old dog while Hayley was out scavenging. She had blamed herself for not protecting it. "Summer," Hayley whispered. "Woof, woof!" Summer licked her hand. "This time, I swear, I'll never let you get hurt again!" "Woof, woof!" Summer barked happily. Once Summer was settled, Hayley began packing. The house, rented out for years, had become old and worn. However, the furniture Cynthia had bought back then was expensive. Hayley had been living with her when she was still alive. The furniture was practically useless now, but it still carried a lot of memories. Being back, Hayley felt a little nostalgic. Then, a voice rang in her head. Ding! [Super Lord System activated! Within one hour, for every 200-dollars' worth of item you carry, gain 35 cubic feet of inventory!] Hayley froze. Here came the perks! [Countdown: 59 minutes and 59 seconds!] Skeptical, Hayley picked up her phone from the table to test it. Ding! [Phone detected, worth 1,000 dollars. Reward: 175 cubic feet!] With that, a 175-cubic-feet space appeared in her mind. Her phone vanished from her hand and reappeared there. She now had an inventory! Chapter 2 She had read plenty of novels before—this was a so-called system. Hayley quickly accepted the perk and started sucking in everything she could. She soon figured out the pricing rules. The system valued items at their original purchase price, even if they were used or disassembled. She jumped straight into moving, dismantling, and collecting everything. Ding! [Gold jewelry detected, worth 11,600 dollars. Reward: 2,030 cubic feet!] Ding! [Cup detected, worth 7.80 dollars.] Ding! [Calendar detected, worth 2 dollars.] The notifications kept coming. Ding! [Small desk detected, worth 73.80 dollars. Reward: 35 cubic feet!] Ding! [Rosewood table and chair set detected, worth 5,000 dollars. Reward: 875 cubic feet!] Ding! [Trash can detected, worth 3 dollars.] In about ten minutes, Hayley grabbed everything from shoes, hats, and clothes to pots, pans, pens, cups, trash bins, storage boxes, photo albums, nail clippers, and even larger stuff like tables, chairs, beds, and cabinets. Even the rotten apples Lucy had brought today got tossed into the pile. Ding! [Five pounds of rotten apples detected, worth 0.50 dollars.] Hayley spat. What disgusting liars! They wanted her to give them a 600-thousand-dollar house while offering her cheap, rotten apples they claimed to be imported. What a family! But she didn't mind. Every little bit counted, so she collected them all. Soon, the house was emptied of everything movable. Her sights turned to the big stuff she couldn't normally carry. Ding! [Toilet detected, worth 400 dollars.] Hayley yanked the toilet down with force. She had always been strong, but compared to her old self, who had survived ten years of the apocalypse, this body still felt a little weaker. She would need to train soon. After she stored the toilet, more notifications came in. Ding! [Sink detected, worth 139 dollars.] Ding! [Range hood detected, worth 519.80 dollars.] Ding! [Stove detected, worth 97.80 dollars.] Ding! [Security door detected, worth 317.80 dollars.] She was taking everything she could, not leaving even a single screw for them. Ding! [Windows detected, worth 80 dollars.] Ding! [Flooring detected, worth 30 dollars.] Within an hour, Hayley had stripped the house clean. Anything movable was gone. The floors were lifted, the windows and doors removed, and even unmovable tiles were smashed and taken. Ding! [Three seconds remaining!] Hayley thought fast—she dashed to the front door, stepped on the railing, and snagged a tiny hallway bulb. Ding! [Ten-watt bulb detected, worth 1 dollar. [Time's up! Total space gained: 3,110 cubic feet.] Hayley finally relaxed and said to Summer, "Summer! Let's go!" Not long after, Philip's family brought the pregnant Sue Norman to the new house. "Babe, here's our new place! It's in the city center and a school district, with over 1,000 square feet. It has two units per floor. We don't have a neighbor yet, so the hallway is all ours. The lighting's great, and it has the best layout in the complex. Plus, it's just 100 yards from your work. If you want, you can move in now. Furniture and appliances are ready!" The group marched up to the east-side unit—and froze. The house wasn't just empty; it didn't even have doors or windows. Even a hallway light bulb was gone. Sue turned on her heel. "Hmph! You expect me to renovate this dump? Well, I'm not getting married until you fix this house. And my name has to go on the deed!" Eleanor was fuming. She wanted to call Hayley to demand what that girl had done. But the bad news was, they couldn't reach Hayley. Meanwhile, Hayley was at a tunnel-style fallout shelter on the outskirts of Andersville. It was originally meant for a mountain road, but construction stopped due to insufficient funding and government rerouting. It had been abandoned and repurposed as a fallout shelter. "What are you renting a fallout shelter for?" the agent asked routinely. "Starting a business. I'm gonna grow mushrooms," Hayley said casually. From her previous life, she knew there were three types of shelters. The first were city-center shelters, built under malls, residential buildings, or hospitals. They were convenient, well-equipped, and fast to evacuate—but useless in a zombie apocalypse. Holding a high population meant it was the fastest to fall. The other two types were tunnel-style shelters and professional defense installations. Professional ones were critical in the late apocalypse and formed the backbone of stable bases, but Hayley couldn't rent one. So, tunnel shelters like these were perfect for her: they were secluded, far from people, and big, with a solid ventilation system and a heavy iron gate—exactly what she needed. Plus, they were cheap. Hayley's new shelter cost 400 a year to rent, for a minimum of 20 years. She paid three years upfront—1,200 dollars for a space the size of five basketball courts. The agent grinned, thinking she was an easy mark. Sure, the rent was cheap, but the location was extremely inconvenient and transportation was a headache. He figured that nine and a half out of ten entrepreneurs were idiots, but he wouldn't warn her. After collecting the money, signing the contract, and taking the 100-dollar service fee, he left. Hayley watched him leave without a word. She wouldn't reveal her true purpose. After ten years surviving the apocalypse, she learned one thing: never explain disaster plans to fools, because idiots like them were disasters themselves. After sending the agent off, Hayley entered the shelter with Summer. She checked everything. The ventilation system was intact, and she found a well left by a previous tenant, plus an electrical wire. The well's water tasted like mountain spring—totally separate from city water. Later, when treatment plants were contaminated, tap water would be useless. With this well, Hayley now had a safe water source. The wire wasn't connected, but that meant power could be set up. If she got a generator, the shelter could have electricity. Chapter 3 If she repaired the fence and added electricity, her fallout shelter's defenses would get a huge boost. She decided to get started. Just then, the voice from the system popped into her head. Ding! [Super Lord System activated! Please reinforce the original base. Rewards will be given based on the level of reinforcement. Countdown: 15 days!] Hayley's eyes lit up. She was just starting to process the new mission when another notification came. Ding! [Base war dog detected. Reward: War dog's combat power increased 100x! Physical stats increased 100x!] Hayley watched in amazement as Summer's body started to change. Its muscles doubled in size, its claws grew longer and sharper, and all signs of aging disappeared. In its place was the fierce, commanding presence of a powerful beast. "Woof, woof!" Hayley was amazed. "Wow!" - Hayley had Cynthia's old car, so she could get around easily. It was now time to start reinforcing her base. Not long after, she returned to her base. She placed the generator in the innermost storage room of the fallout shelter. Ding! [One thousand-kW generator detected. Reward: Indestructible, lowest-energy-consumption generator!] Hayley's jaw dropped. She stared at the generator, now looking like it was coated in silver. Its strength and durability were immediately way beyond what they had been. And the best part? It was indestructible! Normally, generators needed maintenance to last long, and Hayley had only been hoping to make it last. However, the system had upgraded it automatically. Amazing! She moved on and installed the surveillance cameras on the wire fences she had set up yesterday. Her tunnel hideout was in a perfect spot. Trees circled it, the main road was about a mile away, and a side road wound into the forest after about 500 yards. No one would ever notice a tunnel covered in wire here. It wasn't noticeable at all. The cameras covered every corner inside. Once she connected them to the generator, she could monitor any intruder—human or otherwise. Immediately, the cameras and electrified fences powered up. Her computer screen filled with tiny surveillance feeds, one for every angle. Then, the system chimed. Ding! [Monitoring and electrical grid system detected. Reward: Monitoring system upgraded! Coverage of the surveillance cameras increased 10x and can automatically detect all living and non-living entities! Electrical grid system upgraded. Maximum shock output: 10 thousand volts!] Hayley stared at her screen, astonished. She zoomed in on one camera. The pixel clarity was ten times better than before. Her 300-foot range camera now stretched a full mile, letting her see the road through gaps in the trees. A bird tried to land on the fence. It hovered and chose a spot—and with a loud zap, dropped straight down. Hayley's eyes glinted. Perfect! This defense was lethal. Anyone trying to break in? Instant death. "Summer, stay away from the fences, okay?" she warned. "Woof!" Upgraded Summer had grown bigger and smarter, more intuitive than before. Hayley ruffled its head, then pulled out the stuff from her old fridge from her inventory. They ate together. After the meal, she got back to organizing her base. Even cleaning the fallout shelter earned rewards. She cleared the water well and trimmed overgrown weeds. Ding! [Water well upgraded. Reward: Independent mountain-range clean water source!] Ding! [Weed coverage reduced. Reward: High-quality soil! Crop yield increased 100x! Growth speed increased 10x!] Hayley grinned. She now had clean water and rich soil. Her base was getting stronger and better every day. Soon, she could grow her own fresh fruits and vegetables and be self-sufficient. She made a mental note to buy seeds next. Ten days passed. The apocalypse was less than three days away. Every inch she cleaned and every fence she reinforced improved the defenses of her base, making it stronger and stronger. Meanwhile, her deliveries kept coming. During the day, she worked in the shelter. At night, she went to the warehouse to pick up packages. She had installed massive cameras at the warehouse entrance, and Summer helped guard the place. It was peaceful now, so people wouldn't dare steal with a huge dog watching. The delivery guys always unloaded truck after truck, then left as soon as they were done. At night, Hayley would go over everything and pull them into her inventory, then carry them back to her base. Ding! [Warehouse full.] All 100 tons of pasta, 1,000 boxes of instant noodles, 200 boxes of sausage, 100 boxes of pickled vegetables, and over 20 thousand meal packs were neatly stored in the innermost warehouse. Ding! [Reward: Super warehouse! Food remains permanently fresh!] The massive metal doors now looked like something from a bank vault. Not even professional explosives could open them—only Hayley's iris could. Inside, all items were sorted and stored. And the best part? Permanent freshness and no spoilage! Chapter 4 In just ten days, Hayley's fallout shelter looked completely transformed, inside and out. Now, it was only three days before the apocalypse. After planting the last tree, Hayley thought about what else she needed. For a self-sufficient, hidden life, she needed some chickens, ducks, and fish. Even with all the meal packs she had, nothing beat fresh food. Hayley kept walking through the market, but many stalls were closing. In a corner, she spotted someone selling live baby goats. She bought the last two for 300 bucks. The seller told her that these goats had been specifically bred for producing goat's milk, but business had been so bad that he started selling them off. The big ones were already gone, and only a few kids were left. By chance, Hayley managed to snag the last two today. "You should go home after buying these! With the flu outbreak, don't stay out too long," the vendor warned. Hayley nodded. She always wore a professional medical-grade mask, anyway. The truth was, the flu had never been the source of the zombie virus. It simply spread so widely and so quickly, lowering people's immunity. When the real virus hit, those with the lowest resistance turned into zombies right away. That was why everyone blamed the flu, thinking it was the true cause. It took Hayley ten years of surviving in the apocalypse to figure that much out. Yet, she still had no idea regarding the real origin of the zombie virus. Some people used to say it was nothing more than a game for the gods, like the Hunger Games. After all, the virus didn't just create zombies. It also changed people in other, stranger ways. Once Hayley had the vendor deliver her goods to the warehouse, she left the farmer's market without hanging around. Finding a hidden spot with no cameras, she placed the two goats into her inventory and drove off with Summer. On the way, she stopped at a farm supply store and bought a full set of tools, plus 20 shovels. Most people didn't realize shovels were serious weapons in survival situations. During conflicts, farmers used them as deadly tools. Even modern military spades evolved from shovels. In an apocalypse, a melee weapon like this could be more reliable than firearms. After stocking up on enough shovels, Hayley realized she needed to get baseball bats—another surprisingly effective weapon. Chapter 5 With that in mind, Hayley walked into a sports equipment store. After picking up a few of the best, sturdiest baseball bats, she grabbed a bunch of adventure gear—flashlights, helmets, armor, pads, tents, protective suits, tactical jackets…all of it. Everything she needed for the outdoors. This alone cost her over 4,000. The store also carried emergency kit accessories—tweezers, pliers, bandages, thermometers, and stuff like that. It reminded Hayley that she still needed to stop by the pharmacy. She left the outdoor store and went to stock up on common medicines—cold medicine, bandages, fever reducers, vitamins, alcohol, iodine, and other essentials. By the time she left the pharmacy, it was almost evening. The city lights sparkled, neon glowing all around. Hayley had pretty much gathered everything she could—food, drink, shelter, tools—all the basics covered. Now, she could focus on upgrading daily necessities and a few extra comforts. She figured it was time to go on a shopping spree. Before the apocalypse hit, she was going to enjoy the world one last time. First stop: a Michelin-star hotel she had never treated herself to before. She ordered a full-on feast—mushroom soup, barbecued ribs, pan-seared cod, roasted chicken, and garlic butter prawns—everything she had never been able to afford before. She even had the kitchen prepare ten extra orders of her favorite garlic butter prawns and filet mignon to take home for Summer. After that, she booked a suite and headed down to the mall. The mall was packed with goods, from general stores to tempting food stands. Hayley, used to hard times, hit the food section first—sausages, mini corn dogs, sponge cakes, meat pies, fried skewers, fried chicken, pork cutlets, stew, ice cream, milkshakes, assorted pastries…everything. She wanted it all, but there wasn't enough time or money to buy everything. Most of it was just luxury for a peaceful world—things that wouldn't matter after the apocalypse. But right now, she could buy and eat without worry. Hayley went store by store, quietly and extravagantly telling each clerk, "I want all your snacks." She paid and had everything delivered to her hotel room upstairs. At the first bakery, everything went into bags—fresh bread, cheesecake, cream puffs, petit fours, marshmallows, Swiss rolls, custard slices, custard tarts, waffles, palmiers—all packed and sent up. At a fried chicken shop, she bought every flavor—sweet chili, barbecue, garlic, honey mustard—and every type of chicken: boneless, drumsticks, wings, whole chickens. She then hit up the smoothie bars and ordered every flavor she could—berry blends, tropical fruit mixes, creamy yogurt smoothies, protein shakes, even frozen slushies—everything on the list! She basically just paid and gave them a delivery address before leaving, not wanting to attract too much attention. Just buying these snacks cost over 40 thousand. Each shop's stock usually totaled about 3,000 dollars. Hayley only spent around a few hundred dollars on smaller stalls, like the sausage stall and corn dog stand, ordering one of each flavor. Still, she basically cleared the snack stores in one sweep. Next, she went to the basement supermarket. Now, supermarkets were essential. She pushed two huge carts through the warehouse-style store. At checkout, her carts were filled with single units of all kinds—one bag of each flavored chips, one pack of every cookie or candy, one bottle of each drink, and every cooked food item she could get—roast turkey slices, rotisserie chicken, baked salmon, deli wraps, stuffed pita pockets, and microwavable pasta meals. Even partially prepared foods—marinated chicken, pork chops, fish fillets, and steak—were included. Household necessities like toiletries, face cream, sanitary pads, disposable towels, wipes—everything she could need. And now that she had money, she even bought appliances—a washing machine, a robot vacuum, and a fridge. She wouldn't have considered this before, but now she could. After checking out her two carts, she spoke to the store manager. She wanted the store's entire stock of everything in her carts, except for appliances. However, she had underestimated the cost and inventory. By the time she had selected just a third of what she wanted, her account was empty—220 thousand, gone in a flash! She found herself in an awkward position. Basic staples had been cheap, but processed goods were several times more expensive. Looking at her account balance hitting zero, Hayley decided this was enough. Chapter 6 As Hayley kept walking through the mall, she suddenly caught sight of two familiar figures. A young man was walking with a heavily pregnant woman just ahead of her. Philip and his wife—the same couple Hayley had just "pranked" a little while back. "Babe, calm down. Whatever you want today, just buy it. Forgive me, okay? Don't get mad… You don't want to stress the baby!" "No! You've been lying to me this whole time, haven't you? Your family doesn't even own that apartment! You tricked me on purpose!" "It's really ours." "Then what was all that earlier? Debt collectors at your door claiming the apartment was theirs, sending your grandma to the hospital!" "I don't know what happened. I swear, my mom paid 400 thousand to buy it from Hayley. We just have to find her and transfer the deed!" "Wait, didn't your mom say the apartment was a gift from Hayley, so I couldn't be on the deed? How is it suddenly bought by your family and transferable?" "Uh… A-Anyway! Just know that the apartment's ours now. I'm my family's only son, so I'm bound to get everything. And whatever's mine is yours! Just trust me!" Sue wouldn't buy it. "How am I supposed to trust you? First, you said it was move-in ready with renovations done, now it's a shell. You said it was your property, and now debt collectors show up. I've finally seen the truth—you guys are messing with me! I won't keep this baby! I'm gonna get rid of it now!" "Babe! Babe!" Hayley leaned against a corner, listening to their argument, a small smirk tugging at her lips. Wow. Just ten days, and things were already a mess at the Reids'. Eleanor even ended up in the hospital. Still, it could get even more entertaining. Hayley watched Philip, hands on the escalator railing, chasing after Sue. Mischievously, she whistled at him. Philip, already flustered, turned and spotted her leaning on the glass railing, casually watching them. "Hayley?" He froze, wanting to chase her, but Sue had already gotten to the floor below. "Babe! Babe!" One was his wife, about to get an abortion, and the other was Hayley. He wished he could split himself in two. After weighing his options, he decided to chase Hayley. He figured he would just grab her and make her explain everything to Sue—simple. He ran up the escalator that was heading down, trying to reach her. Meanwhile, Hayley walked at a calm, steady pace. By the time Philip caught up, she had already circled to the opposite escalator, making him chase her through the entire mall. They ended up in the underground parking lot. "Damn it! You little wench! Where do you think you're going?" Philip, panting, cornered Hayley. "How dare you mess with me behind my back! I swear I'll—" "Perfect," Hayley said cheerfully, shutting the car trunk with a click. "I was thinking the same thing." She swung a baseball bat in her hands. Philip's eyes went wide, alarm bells ringing. "What the… You're gonna hit me?" Before he could react, Hayley swung. She immediately overpowered him, dislocating his jaw so he couldn't talk, and dragged him to the corner of the parking lot, beating him mercilessly. Ten years surviving the apocalypse meant she had learned every kind of fighting technique. She could take down a grown man in seconds. But she was merciful with Philip. For half an hour, she smashed him in the arms and legs, striking only the most painful spots that wouldn't kill him. After 30 minutes, Philip lay on the ground, barely conscious. Hayley leaned against the car and kicked him lightly before bending down to grab his phone. She dialed 911 while pressing his head against the floor with her foot. "See? I'm nice. I even called 911 for you. You're welcome." Philip nearly passed out from anger. If her foot weren't on his face, he would've admitted she was "nice". "Damn you…" She took care of the scene and wiped his ID from the phone, not wanting the hospital to identify him that quickly. Then she transferred all the money in his digital bank to hers, using his fingerprint to authorize the payments. Afterward, she moved him to a bar street outside the parking lot, the same place she had called 911 from. Soon, EMTs arrived. Hayley watched them take Philip away, blending in like any bystander. Calmly, she sent messages to Bernard and Lucy with his phone, telling them he had been hurt and to check the hospital. After all that, she sold his phone to a small roadside store. Even if Lucy reported it, they wouldn't trace it back to Hayley in three days. By then, any investigation into Philip would be useless because it would be the apocalypse. Knocking Philip out added 6,000 dollars to her account. She used the money to stock up again, emptying several convenience store shelves into her car. As she prepared to leave, her car door slammed—someone had collapsed on it. Hayley's eyes darkened. Several stylishly dressed men and women helped lift the man. One tattooed guy waved. "Sorry, miss. My friend's drunk!" They laughed and carried him away. "Damn, he went down after two drinks! I remember him saying he could drink anyone under the table." "Yeah, he used to hold his liquor a lot better." "Maybe getting married weakened him!" "Hahaha!" Hayley leaned on her car, watching them leave. Her gaze fell on the young man in the middle—head down, stiff, pale hands hanging awkwardly. Soon, he came to. "What happened to me?" "You drank too much, that's what!" "You're useless! You didn't even drink that much!" "Work stress, I guess. I'm heading back." "Heading back? No way! Keep drinking! Let's get wasted tonight!" The group laughed as they walked off. Hayley's eyes darkened as she watched the scene. She checked her phone and noted that today was the 9th. In her last life, the zombie outbreak started on the 11th. The apocalypse…might have started early. As Hayley grabbed her car keys, a piercing scream cut through the air. "Ahhh!" That familiar sound. The zombie virus had broken out early!

Hayley Reid was reborn two weeks before the apocalypse began. In her last life, she survived ten years of hell—only to die at the hands of the people she trusted most. But this time, she returned with every memory intact… and awakened the Super Base System. While the world fell into chaos, Hayley sipped wine and held her beloved puppy inside the world’s strongest steel fortress. - Chapter 1 "Flu cases are on the rise. Please take precautions, avoid crowded areas, don't gather unnecessarily, and keep warm…" "Hayley, are you even listening to me?!" Hayley Reid jolted, staring at everything in front of her in disbelief. In the middle of the old, 300-square-foot living room with worn-out renovations was a couch, packed with middle-aged men and women. In the center was a plump, 70-ish woman with graying hair. She was Eleanor Reid, Hayley's grandmother. Eleanor glared at Hayley, her jowls bouncing with every movement. Hayley froze. This was the exact scene from two weeks before the apocalypse, when her "beloved" grandmother, father, and stepmother forced her to give up her house for her brother and his soon-to-be wife. The last thing she remembered was being stuck in a zombie siege at the eastern base a moment ago. "Ever since your mom passed, Lucy treated you like her own. Everyone says she's wonderful! Now, Philip is getting married and wants to borrow your house. Why won't you let him? You're so ungrateful!" Eleanor hissed. "Mom, Hayley's not ungrateful. I'm sure she'll come to her senses," said a plump woman next to Eleanor, pretending to mediate. This was Lucy Reid, Hayley's stepmother. "Hmph!" Eleanor snorted. "Clear out the house immediately. Philip said the place has been rented for too long, and the furniture is too worn. He needs new furniture before he gets married. You'll pay for it. After all, he's your brother. You should help out a little!" Hayley, standing in the middle, suddenly laughed out loud. They wanted her house and expected her to buy new furniture on top of that? Ridiculous. Even more ridiculous was the fact that she actually went along with it last time! Hayley's mother, Cynthia, died in a car accident when she was 14. Soon after, Lucy moved in with her son, Philip. On the surface, Lucy seemed perfect—she was attentive and caring. Hayley, going through her rebellious phase, was prickly with everyone but secretly craved warmth and family. Lucy's gentle, understanding ways fooled her. She supported Hayley in everything, no matter what, and Hayley almost genuinely saw her as a mother. She gave them everything, even the only house Cynthia had left her. She hesitated for only a moment before agreeing. The apocalypse soon hit, and Hayley was abandoned repeatedly. When it came time to escape on a rescue vehicle, they shoved her aside to save their skins. That was when Hayley truly understood how fake their love was. True family didn't exist for her. She had been nothing but a tool in their eyes, and they had squeezed her dry. Once she was useless, they kicked her aside. Not a single person there had ever seen her as family. She wanted to slap her past, foolish self so hard. Bang! Hayley tossed a few bags of cheap fruit from the old coffee table straight into the trash, then plopped herself down in front of them. A young man, who had been glued to his phone on the armchair, immediately dropped it and yelled righteously, "Hayley, what the hell are you doing? These are imported apples Mom got especially for you! She said they're your favorite. How could you just throw them away?" Hayley sneered. Her favorite? Since when? She gave Philip a cold glance. "You think you have the right to talk to me about my house?" Facing her icy gaze, Philip felt a shiver run through him and didn't dare to look at her. Hayley's eyes carried a murderous energy—the kind she had honed over ten years of surviving the apocalypse alone after they abandoned her. Philip instantly backed down. Lucy quickly tried to smooth things over. "What's wrong, Hayley? Are you not feeling well? If that's the case, we can come back another day. I know you're not happy with this request, but Philip is your brother. Sue's family wants a house in the city center, and you know how impossible that is now. Even with money, you might not get one. They're even doing lotteries for them. So, I'm begging you… Help your brother out. Later, when you get married, we'll try to make it up to you—" "Why should we make it up to her?" Bernard Reid, who had been quiet, finally spoke. He glared at Hayley. "You really think this house is yours? You should step aside and let Philip have it! When you get married, your husband can buy you one. Stop fighting Philip for it!" Hayley didn't even bother getting angry this time. In her past life, she had wondered why Bernard treated her, his biological daughter, so badly, while spoiling his stepson. As it turned out, Philip was his real son—his own flesh and blood! Before he married Cynthia, he had already married Lucy in his hometown and had a son. To him, Hayley was nothing. And after the apocalypse, he treated her even worse. Hayley held up four fingers. "Four hundred thousand." Everyone froze. "What are you talking about?" "This house was Mom's premarital property. She legally gave it to me later, so I own this house. You want it? Pay up. Four hundred thousand is already a bargain." "You're selling the house to us? You must be joking! We don't have that kind of money!" Hayley lifted her smartwatch. "I'm giving you five seconds to decide. If you don't agree, I'll sell it to someone else. Five…" "We're your elders! How could you talk money with us?!" Eleanor snapped. "Four." "You ungrateful little…! I'm gonna teach you a lesson!" Hayley ignored Eleanor, speeding up. "Three…two…" "Don't you dare!" Bernard jumped to hit her. Hayley kicked his chair out from under him. He landed hard, looking like an idiot. She looked down coldly at him and went on, "One." "You've lost it! How dare you hit your father!" Hayley didn't care about their rage. She grabbed her phone and dialed a number. "Mr. Cruz, I'm selling the house. Put it up for 400 thousand…" The house had been rented out through an agent until Hayley turned 18, which was why it hadn't been sold earlier. "You want it, huh?" Hayley smiled, glancing their way. "Sure. I'll—" "Don't say another word! We agree!" Lucy jumped in, panic in her voice. "Sell it to us!" Lucy knew that the house was actually worth 600 thousand, so getting it for 400 grand was already a steal. Plus, city-center houses were limited now, with all the residency and lottery rules. Hayley's house was hot property. Even if things didn't go exactly as they expected, the most important thing was getting it for themselves instead of letting an outsider have it. Even if they had to pay 400 thousand to get it, they would make a quick 200 grand reselling it. Hayley watched Lucy's reaction and smirked before hanging up. She had decided to sell the house to them. She was losing a bit, but that was the quickest option. Time was money, and she needed both. Most importantly, once the house was sold, they wouldn't have extra cash. She knew they only had 400 grand on hand. In her past life, the government had warned them to stockpile supplies three days before the apocalypse. Hayley was curious to see what they would be able to afford by then. - Ding! [You have received 400 thousand in your account.] Half an hour later at the bank, Hayley saw the money hit her account. Lucy and the others weren't thrilled but paid up. The real estate agent kept calling Hayley's phone; afraid she'd sell the house to him, the family didn't dare complain. "The property office is closed for a few days. I'll handle the transfer when they open," Hayley told them. "No worries. We trust you!" Lucy said, squinting and smiling sweetly. "The transfer can wait. We'll arrange a time later." Lucy acted generous, but Hayley knew better. The woman was just guarding against her future daughter-in-law, scared that her name would be on the house's deed. Right now, the deed still carried Hayley's name, which gave her room to stall. Hayley grinned. This was great! Philip suddenly said to her, "Since we've bought the house, pack your stuff and get out! And toss out all of your junk. I'll get new furniture with Sue." Right after paying, their attitude changed. "Give Hayley a few more days. She's a responsible girl; she'll probably pay you a bit for storage and even replace some furniture. You should be more understanding of your sister," Lucy said. "Mom, why do you still care about her? This little money-grubber doesn't deserve your kindness! I want her out! And Hayley, get your stupid dog out of the house! If I see it again, I'll chop it to pieces!" Hayley froze when she heard Philip mention the "stupid dog". Summer was still alive! She didn't waste another second with them and ran home. As soon as she opened her bedroom door, the quiet German Shepherd that was pacing nervously jumped into her arms. "Woof, woof!" "Summer!" Hayley almost cried, hugging it. Summer was a retired military dog, a gift from Hayley's mother on Hayley's tenth birthday. After Cynthia died, Summer had been her comfort through the hardest times. Lucy's family hated the intuitive dog and had tried several times to get rid of it, but Summer always came back. They wanted to give Summer away, but Hayley had insisted on keeping it, even getting into fights with them over it. To stay the "kind stepmother", Lucy let Hayley keep Summer but insisted that it be kept locked up in Hayley's room. After Hayley moved into Cynthia's old house, Summer finally had room to roam, though Lucy's family still locked it up when they came over. During the apocalypse in Hayley's past life, Lucy's family ate the old dog while Hayley was out scavenging. She had blamed herself for not protecting it. "Summer," Hayley whispered. "Woof, woof!" Summer licked her hand. "This time, I swear, I'll never let you get hurt again!" "Woof, woof!" Summer barked happily. Once Summer was settled, Hayley began packing. The house, rented out for years, had become old and worn. However, the furniture Cynthia had bought back then was expensive. Hayley had been living with her when she was still alive. The furniture was practically useless now, but it still carried a lot of memories. Being back, Hayley felt a little nostalgic. Then, a voice rang in her head. Ding! [Super Lord System activated! Within one hour, for every 200-dollars' worth of item you carry, gain 35 cubic feet of inventory!] Hayley froze. Here came the perks! [Countdown: 59 minutes and 59 seconds!] Skeptical, Hayley picked up her phone from the table to test it. Ding! [Phone detected, worth 1,000 dollars. Reward: 175 cubic feet!] With that, a 175-cubic-feet space appeared in her mind. Her phone vanished from her hand and reappeared there. She now had an inventory! Chapter 2 She had read plenty of novels before—this was a so-called system. Hayley quickly accepted the perk and started sucking in everything she could. She soon figured out the pricing rules. The system valued items at their original purchase price, even if they were used or disassembled. She jumped straight into moving, dismantling, and collecting everything. Ding! [Gold jewelry detected, worth 11,600 dollars. Reward: 2,030 cubic feet!] Ding! [Cup detected, worth 7.80 dollars.] Ding! [Calendar detected, worth 2 dollars.] The notifications kept coming. Ding! [Small desk detected, worth 73.80 dollars. Reward: 35 cubic feet!] Ding! [Rosewood table and chair set detected, worth 5,000 dollars. Reward: 875 cubic feet!] Ding! [Trash can detected, worth 3 dollars.] In about ten minutes, Hayley grabbed everything from shoes, hats, and clothes to pots, pans, pens, cups, trash bins, storage boxes, photo albums, nail clippers, and even larger stuff like tables, chairs, beds, and cabinets. Even the rotten apples Lucy had brought today got tossed into the pile. Ding! [Five pounds of rotten apples detected, worth 0.50 dollars.] Hayley spat. What disgusting liars! They wanted her to give them a 600-thousand-dollar house while offering her cheap, rotten apples they claimed to be imported. What a family! But she didn't mind. Every little bit counted, so she collected them all. Soon, the house was emptied of everything movable. Her sights turned to the big stuff she couldn't normally carry. Ding! [Toilet detected, worth 400 dollars.] Hayley yanked the toilet down with force. She had always been strong, but compared to her old self, who had survived ten years of the apocalypse, this body still felt a little weaker. She would need to train soon. After she stored the toilet, more notifications came in. Ding! [Sink detected, worth 139 dollars.] Ding! [Range hood detected, worth 519.80 dollars.] Ding! [Stove detected, worth 97.80 dollars.] Ding! [Security door detected, worth 317.80 dollars.] She was taking everything she could, not leaving even a single screw for them. Ding! [Windows detected, worth 80 dollars.] Ding! [Flooring detected, worth 30 dollars.] Within an hour, Hayley had stripped the house clean. Anything movable was gone. The floors were lifted, the windows and doors removed, and even unmovable tiles were smashed and taken. Ding! [Three seconds remaining!] Hayley thought fast—she dashed to the front door, stepped on the railing, and snagged a tiny hallway bulb. Ding! [Ten-watt bulb detected, worth 1 dollar. [Time's up! Total space gained: 3,110 cubic feet.] Hayley finally relaxed and said to Summer, "Summer! Let's go!" Not long after, Philip's family brought the pregnant Sue Norman to the new house. "Babe, here's our new place! It's in the city center and a school district, with over 1,000 square feet. It has two units per floor. We don't have a neighbor yet, so the hallway is all ours. The lighting's great, and it has the best layout in the complex. Plus, it's just 100 yards from your work. If you want, you can move in now. Furniture and appliances are ready!" The group marched up to the east-side unit—and froze. The house wasn't just empty; it didn't even have doors or windows. Even a hallway light bulb was gone. Sue turned on her heel. "Hmph! You expect me to renovate this dump? Well, I'm not getting married until you fix this house. And my name has to go on the deed!" Eleanor was fuming. She wanted to call Hayley to demand what that girl had done. But the bad news was, they couldn't reach Hayley. Meanwhile, Hayley was at a tunnel-style fallout shelter on the outskirts of Andersville. It was originally meant for a mountain road, but construction stopped due to insufficient funding and government rerouting. It had been abandoned and repurposed as a fallout shelter. "What are you renting a fallout shelter for?" the agent asked routinely. "Starting a business. I'm gonna grow mushrooms," Hayley said casually. From her previous life, she knew there were three types of shelters. The first were city-center shelters, built under malls, residential buildings, or hospitals. They were convenient, well-equipped, and fast to evacuate—but useless in a zombie apocalypse. Holding a high population meant it was the fastest to fall. The other two types were tunnel-style shelters and professional defense installations. Professional ones were critical in the late apocalypse and formed the backbone of stable bases, but Hayley couldn't rent one. So, tunnel shelters like these were perfect for her: they were secluded, far from people, and big, with a solid ventilation system and a heavy iron gate—exactly what she needed. Plus, they were cheap. Hayley's new shelter cost 400 a year to rent, for a minimum of 20 years. She paid three years upfront—1,200 dollars for a space the size of five basketball courts. The agent grinned, thinking she was an easy mark. Sure, the rent was cheap, but the location was extremely inconvenient and transportation was a headache. He figured that nine and a half out of ten entrepreneurs were idiots, but he wouldn't warn her. After collecting the money, signing the contract, and taking the 100-dollar service fee, he left. Hayley watched him leave without a word. She wouldn't reveal her true purpose. After ten years surviving the apocalypse, she learned one thing: never explain disaster plans to fools, because idiots like them were disasters themselves. After sending the agent off, Hayley entered the shelter with Summer. She checked everything. The ventilation system was intact, and she found a well left by a previous tenant, plus an electrical wire. The well's water tasted like mountain spring—totally separate from city water. Later, when treatment plants were contaminated, tap water would be useless. With this well, Hayley now had a safe water source. The wire wasn't connected, but that meant power could be set up. If she got a generator, the shelter could have electricity. Chapter 3 If she repaired the fence and added electricity, her fallout shelter's defenses would get a huge boost. She decided to get started. Just then, the voice from the system popped into her head. Ding! [Super Lord System activated! Please reinforce the original base. Rewards will be given based on the level of reinforcement. Countdown: 15 days!] Hayley's eyes lit up. She was just starting to process the new mission when another notification came. Ding! [Base war dog detected. Reward: War dog's combat power increased 100x! Physical stats increased 100x!] Hayley watched in amazement as Summer's body started to change. Its muscles doubled in size, its claws grew longer and sharper, and all signs of aging disappeared. In its place was the fierce, commanding presence of a powerful beast. "Woof, woof!" Hayley was amazed. "Wow!" - Hayley had Cynthia's old car, so she could get around easily. It was now time to start reinforcing her base. Not long after, she returned to her base. She placed the generator in the innermost storage room of the fallout shelter. Ding! [One thousand-kW generator detected. Reward: Indestructible, lowest-energy-consumption generator!] Hayley's jaw dropped. She stared at the generator, now looking like it was coated in silver. Its strength and durability were immediately way beyond what they had been. And the best part? It was indestructible! Normally, generators needed maintenance to last long, and Hayley had only been hoping to make it last. However, the system had upgraded it automatically. Amazing! She moved on and installed the surveillance cameras on the wire fences she had set up yesterday. Her tunnel hideout was in a perfect spot. Trees circled it, the main road was about a mile away, and a side road wound into the forest after about 500 yards. No one would ever notice a tunnel covered in wire here. It wasn't noticeable at all. The cameras covered every corner inside. Once she connected them to the generator, she could monitor any intruder—human or otherwise. Immediately, the cameras and electrified fences powered up. Her computer screen filled with tiny surveillance feeds, one for every angle. Then, the system chimed. Ding! [Monitoring and electrical grid system detected. Reward: Monitoring system upgraded! Coverage of the surveillance cameras increased 10x and can automatically detect all living and non-living entities! Electrical grid system upgraded. Maximum shock output: 10 thousand volts!] Hayley stared at her screen, astonished. She zoomed in on one camera. The pixel clarity was ten times better than before. Her 300-foot range camera now stretched a full mile, letting her see the road through gaps in the trees. A bird tried to land on the fence. It hovered and chose a spot—and with a loud zap, dropped straight down. Hayley's eyes glinted. Perfect! This defense was lethal. Anyone trying to break in? Instant death. "Summer, stay away from the fences, okay?" she warned. "Woof!" Upgraded Summer had grown bigger and smarter, more intuitive than before. Hayley ruffled its head, then pulled out the stuff from her old fridge from her inventory. They ate together. After the meal, she got back to organizing her base. Even cleaning the fallout shelter earned rewards. She cleared the water well and trimmed overgrown weeds. Ding! [Water well upgraded. Reward: Independent mountain-range clean water source!] Ding! [Weed coverage reduced. Reward: High-quality soil! Crop yield increased 100x! Growth speed increased 10x!] Hayley grinned. She now had clean water and rich soil. Her base was getting stronger and better every day. Soon, she could grow her own fresh fruits and vegetables and be self-sufficient. She made a mental note to buy seeds next. Ten days passed. The apocalypse was less than three days away. Every inch she cleaned and every fence she reinforced improved the defenses of her base, making it stronger and stronger. Meanwhile, her deliveries kept coming. During the day, she worked in the shelter. At night, she went to the warehouse to pick up packages. She had installed massive cameras at the warehouse entrance, and Summer helped guard the place. It was peaceful now, so people wouldn't dare steal with a huge dog watching. The delivery guys always unloaded truck after truck, then left as soon as they were done. At night, Hayley would go over everything and pull them into her inventory, then carry them back to her base. Ding! [Warehouse full.] All 100 tons of pasta, 1,000 boxes of instant noodles, 200 boxes of sausage, 100 boxes of pickled vegetables, and over 20 thousand meal packs were neatly stored in the innermost warehouse. Ding! [Reward: Super warehouse! Food remains permanently fresh!] The massive metal doors now looked like something from a bank vault. Not even professional explosives could open them—only Hayley's iris could. Inside, all items were sorted and stored. And the best part? Permanent freshness and no spoilage! Chapter 4 In just ten days, Hayley's fallout shelter looked completely transformed, inside and out. Now, it was only three days before the apocalypse. After planting the last tree, Hayley thought about what else she needed. For a self-sufficient, hidden life, she needed some chickens, ducks, and fish. Even with all the meal packs she had, nothing beat fresh food. Hayley kept walking through the market, but many stalls were closing. In a corner, she spotted someone selling live baby goats. She bought the last two for 300 bucks. The seller told her that these goats had been specifically bred for producing goat's milk, but business had been so bad that he started selling them off. The big ones were already gone, and only a few kids were left. By chance, Hayley managed to snag the last two today. "You should go home after buying these! With the flu outbreak, don't stay out too long," the vendor warned. Hayley nodded. She always wore a professional medical-grade mask, anyway. The truth was, the flu had never been the source of the zombie virus. It simply spread so widely and so quickly, lowering people's immunity. When the real virus hit, those with the lowest resistance turned into zombies right away. That was why everyone blamed the flu, thinking it was the true cause. It took Hayley ten years of surviving in the apocalypse to figure that much out. Yet, she still had no idea regarding the real origin of the zombie virus. Some people used to say it was nothing more than a game for the gods, like the Hunger Games. After all, the virus didn't just create zombies. It also changed people in other, stranger ways. Once Hayley had the vendor deliver her goods to the warehouse, she left the farmer's market without hanging around. Finding a hidden spot with no cameras, she placed the two goats into her inventory and drove off with Summer. On the way, she stopped at a farm supply store and bought a full set of tools, plus 20 shovels. Most people didn't realize shovels were serious weapons in survival situations. During conflicts, farmers used them as deadly tools. Even modern military spades evolved from shovels. In an apocalypse, a melee weapon like this could be more reliable than firearms. After stocking up on enough shovels, Hayley realized she needed to get baseball bats—another surprisingly effective weapon. Chapter 5 With that in mind, Hayley walked into a sports equipment store. After picking up a few of the best, sturdiest baseball bats, she grabbed a bunch of adventure gear—flashlights, helmets, armor, pads, tents, protective suits, tactical jackets…all of it. Everything she needed for the outdoors. This alone cost her over 4,000. The store also carried emergency kit accessories—tweezers, pliers, bandages, thermometers, and stuff like that. It reminded Hayley that she still needed to stop by the pharmacy. She left the outdoor store and went to stock up on common medicines—cold medicine, bandages, fever reducers, vitamins, alcohol, iodine, and other essentials. By the time she left the pharmacy, it was almost evening. The city lights sparkled, neon glowing all around. Hayley had pretty much gathered everything she could—food, drink, shelter, tools—all the basics covered. Now, she could focus on upgrading daily necessities and a few extra comforts. She figured it was time to go on a shopping spree. Before the apocalypse hit, she was going to enjoy the world one last time. First stop: a Michelin-star hotel she had never treated herself to before. She ordered a full-on feast—mushroom soup, barbecued ribs, pan-seared cod, roasted chicken, and garlic butter prawns—everything she had never been able to afford before. She even had the kitchen prepare ten extra orders of her favorite garlic butter prawns and filet mignon to take home for Summer. After that, she booked a suite and headed down to the mall. The mall was packed with goods, from general stores to tempting food stands. Hayley, used to hard times, hit the food section first—sausages, mini corn dogs, sponge cakes, meat pies, fried skewers, fried chicken, pork cutlets, stew, ice cream, milkshakes, assorted pastries…everything. She wanted it all, but there wasn't enough time or money to buy everything. Most of it was just luxury for a peaceful world—things that wouldn't matter after the apocalypse. But right now, she could buy and eat without worry. Hayley went store by store, quietly and extravagantly telling each clerk, "I want all your snacks." She paid and had everything delivered to her hotel room upstairs. At the first bakery, everything went into bags—fresh bread, cheesecake, cream puffs, petit fours, marshmallows, Swiss rolls, custard slices, custard tarts, waffles, palmiers—all packed and sent up. At a fried chicken shop, she bought every flavor—sweet chili, barbecue, garlic, honey mustard—and every type of chicken: boneless, drumsticks, wings, whole chickens. She then hit up the smoothie bars and ordered every flavor she could—berry blends, tropical fruit mixes, creamy yogurt smoothies, protein shakes, even frozen slushies—everything on the list! She basically just paid and gave them a delivery address before leaving, not wanting to attract too much attention. Just buying these snacks cost over 40 thousand. Each shop's stock usually totaled about 3,000 dollars. Hayley only spent around a few hundred dollars on smaller stalls, like the sausage stall and corn dog stand, ordering one of each flavor. Still, she basically cleared the snack stores in one sweep. Next, she went to the basement supermarket. Now, supermarkets were essential. She pushed two huge carts through the warehouse-style store. At checkout, her carts were filled with single units of all kinds—one bag of each flavored chips, one pack of every cookie or candy, one bottle of each drink, and every cooked food item she could get—roast turkey slices, rotisserie chicken, baked salmon, deli wraps, stuffed pita pockets, and microwavable pasta meals. Even partially prepared foods—marinated chicken, pork chops, fish fillets, and steak—were included. Household necessities like toiletries, face cream, sanitary pads, disposable towels, wipes—everything she could need. And now that she had money, she even bought appliances—a washing machine, a robot vacuum, and a fridge. She wouldn't have considered this before, but now she could. After checking out her two carts, she spoke to the store manager. She wanted the store's entire stock of everything in her carts, except for appliances. However, she had underestimated the cost and inventory. By the time she had selected just a third of what she wanted, her account was empty—220 thousand, gone in a flash! She found herself in an awkward position. Basic staples had been cheap, but processed goods were several times more expensive. Looking at her account balance hitting zero, Hayley decided this was enough. Chapter 6 As Hayley kept walking through the mall, she suddenly caught sight of two familiar figures. A young man was walking with a heavily pregnant woman just ahead of her. Philip and his wife—the same couple Hayley had just "pranked" a little while back. "Babe, calm down. Whatever you want today, just buy it. Forgive me, okay? Don't get mad… You don't want to stress the baby!" "No! You've been lying to me this whole time, haven't you? Your family doesn't even own that apartment! You tricked me on purpose!" "It's really ours." "Then what was all that earlier? Debt collectors at your door claiming the apartment was theirs, sending your grandma to the hospital!" "I don't know what happened. I swear, my mom paid 400 thousand to buy it from Hayley. We just have to find her and transfer the deed!" "Wait, didn't your mom say the apartment was a gift from Hayley, so I couldn't be on the deed? How is it suddenly bought by your family and transferable?" "Uh… A-Anyway! Just know that the apartment's ours now. I'm my family's only son, so I'm bound to get everything. And whatever's mine is yours! Just trust me!" Sue wouldn't buy it. "How am I supposed to trust you? First, you said it was move-in ready with renovations done, now it's a shell. You said it was your property, and now debt collectors show up. I've finally seen the truth—you guys are messing with me! I won't keep this baby! I'm gonna get rid of it now!" "Babe! Babe!" Hayley leaned against a corner, listening to their argument, a small smirk tugging at her lips. Wow. Just ten days, and things were already a mess at the Reids'. Eleanor even ended up in the hospital. Still, it could get even more entertaining. Hayley watched Philip, hands on the escalator railing, chasing after Sue. Mischievously, she whistled at him. Philip, already flustered, turned and spotted her leaning on the glass railing, casually watching them. "Hayley?" He froze, wanting to chase her, but Sue had already gotten to the floor below. "Babe! Babe!" One was his wife, about to get an abortion, and the other was Hayley. He wished he could split himself in two. After weighing his options, he decided to chase Hayley. He figured he would just grab her and make her explain everything to Sue—simple. He ran up the escalator that was heading down, trying to reach her. Meanwhile, Hayley walked at a calm, steady pace. By the time Philip caught up, she had already circled to the opposite escalator, making him chase her through the entire mall. They ended up in the underground parking lot. "Damn it! You little wench! Where do you think you're going?" Philip, panting, cornered Hayley. "How dare you mess with me behind my back! I swear I'll—" "Perfect," Hayley said cheerfully, shutting the car trunk with a click. "I was thinking the same thing." She swung a baseball bat in her hands. Philip's eyes went wide, alarm bells ringing. "What the… You're gonna hit me?" Before he could react, Hayley swung. She immediately overpowered him, dislocating his jaw so he couldn't talk, and dragged him to the corner of the parking lot, beating him mercilessly. Ten years surviving the apocalypse meant she had learned every kind of fighting technique. She could take down a grown man in seconds. But she was merciful with Philip. For half an hour, she smashed him in the arms and legs, striking only the most painful spots that wouldn't kill him. After 30 minutes, Philip lay on the ground, barely conscious. Hayley leaned against the car and kicked him lightly before bending down to grab his phone. She dialed 911 while pressing his head against the floor with her foot. "See? I'm nice. I even called 911 for you. You're welcome." Philip nearly passed out from anger. If her foot weren't on his face, he would've admitted she was "nice". "Damn you…" She took care of the scene and wiped his ID from the phone, not wanting the hospital to identify him that quickly. Then she transferred all the money in his digital bank to hers, using his fingerprint to authorize the payments. Afterward, she moved him to a bar street outside the parking lot, the same place she had called 911 from. Soon, EMTs arrived. Hayley watched them take Philip away, blending in like any bystander. Calmly, she sent messages to Bernard and Lucy with his phone, telling them he had been hurt and to check the hospital. After all that, she sold his phone to a small roadside store. Even if Lucy reported it, they wouldn't trace it back to Hayley in three days. By then, any investigation into Philip would be useless because it would be the apocalypse. Knocking Philip out added 6,000 dollars to her account. She used the money to stock up again, emptying several convenience store shelves into her car. As she prepared to leave, her car door slammed—someone had collapsed on it. Hayley's eyes darkened. Several stylishly dressed men and women helped lift the man. One tattooed guy waved. "Sorry, miss. My friend's drunk!" They laughed and carried him away. "Damn, he went down after two drinks! I remember him saying he could drink anyone under the table." "Yeah, he used to hold his liquor a lot better." "Maybe getting married weakened him!" "Hahaha!" Hayley leaned on her car, watching them leave. Her gaze fell on the young man in the middle—head down, stiff, pale hands hanging awkwardly. Soon, he came to. "What happened to me?" "You drank too much, that's what!" "You're useless! You didn't even drink that much!" "Work stress, I guess. I'm heading back." "Heading back? No way! Keep drinking! Let's get wasted tonight!" The group laughed as they walked off. Hayley's eyes darkened as she watched the scene. She checked her phone and noted that today was the 9th. In her last life, the zombie outbreak started on the 11th. The apocalypse…might have started early. As Hayley grabbed her car keys, a piercing scream cut through the air. "Ahhh!" That familiar sound. The zombie virus had broken out early!

Hayley Reid was reborn two weeks before the apocalypse began. In her last life, she survived ten years of hell—only to die at the hands of the people she trusted most. But this time, she returned with every memory intact… and awakened the Super Base System. While the world fell into chaos, Hayley sipped wine and held her beloved puppy inside the world’s strongest steel fortress. - Chapter 1 "Flu cases are on the rise. Please take precautions, avoid crowded areas, don't gather unnecessarily, and keep warm…" "Hayley, are you even listening to me?!" Hayley Reid jolted, staring at everything in front of her in disbelief. In the middle of the old, 300-square-foot living room with worn-out renovations was a couch, packed with middle-aged men and women. In the center was a plump, 70-ish woman with graying hair. She was Eleanor Reid, Hayley's grandmother. Eleanor glared at Hayley, her jowls bouncing with every movement. Hayley froze. This was the exact scene from two weeks before the apocalypse, when her "beloved" grandmother, father, and stepmother forced her to give up her house for her brother and his soon-to-be wife. The last thing she remembered was being stuck in a zombie siege at the eastern base a moment ago. "Ever since your mom passed, Lucy treated you like her own. Everyone says she's wonderful! Now, Philip is getting married and wants to borrow your house. Why won't you let him? You're so ungrateful!" Eleanor hissed. "Mom, Hayley's not ungrateful. I'm sure she'll come to her senses," said a plump woman next to Eleanor, pretending to mediate. This was Lucy Reid, Hayley's stepmother. "Hmph!" Eleanor snorted. "Clear out the house immediately. Philip said the place has been rented for too long, and the furniture is too worn. He needs new furniture before he gets married. You'll pay for it. After all, he's your brother. You should help out a little!" Hayley, standing in the middle, suddenly laughed out loud. They wanted her house and expected her to buy new furniture on top of that? Ridiculous. Even more ridiculous was the fact that she actually went along with it last time! Hayley's mother, Cynthia, died in a car accident when she was 14. Soon after, Lucy moved in with her son, Philip. On the surface, Lucy seemed perfect—she was attentive and caring. Hayley, going through her rebellious phase, was prickly with everyone but secretly craved warmth and family. Lucy's gentle, understanding ways fooled her. She supported Hayley in everything, no matter what, and Hayley almost genuinely saw her as a mother. She gave them everything, even the only house Cynthia had left her. She hesitated for only a moment before agreeing. The apocalypse soon hit, and Hayley was abandoned repeatedly. When it came time to escape on a rescue vehicle, they shoved her aside to save their skins. That was when Hayley truly understood how fake their love was. True family didn't exist for her. She had been nothing but a tool in their eyes, and they had squeezed her dry. Once she was useless, they kicked her aside. Not a single person there had ever seen her as family. She wanted to slap her past, foolish self so hard. Bang! Hayley tossed a few bags of cheap fruit from the old coffee table straight into the trash, then plopped herself down in front of them. A young man, who had been glued to his phone on the armchair, immediately dropped it and yelled righteously, "Hayley, what the hell are you doing? These are imported apples Mom got especially for you! She said they're your favorite. How could you just throw them away?" Hayley sneered. Her favorite? Since when? She gave Philip a cold glance. "You think you have the right to talk to me about my house?" Facing her icy gaze, Philip felt a shiver run through him and didn't dare to look at her. Hayley's eyes carried a murderous energy—the kind she had honed over ten years of surviving the apocalypse alone after they abandoned her. Philip instantly backed down. Lucy quickly tried to smooth things over. "What's wrong, Hayley? Are you not feeling well? If that's the case, we can come back another day. I know you're not happy with this request, but Philip is your brother. Sue's family wants a house in the city center, and you know how impossible that is now. Even with money, you might not get one. They're even doing lotteries for them. So, I'm begging you… Help your brother out. Later, when you get married, we'll try to make it up to you—" "Why should we make it up to her?" Bernard Reid, who had been quiet, finally spoke. He glared at Hayley. "You really think this house is yours? You should step aside and let Philip have it! When you get married, your husband can buy you one. Stop fighting Philip for it!" Hayley didn't even bother getting angry this time. In her past life, she had wondered why Bernard treated her, his biological daughter, so badly, while spoiling his stepson. As it turned out, Philip was his real son—his own flesh and blood! Before he married Cynthia, he had already married Lucy in his hometown and had a son. To him, Hayley was nothing. And after the apocalypse, he treated her even worse. Hayley held up four fingers. "Four hundred thousand." Everyone froze. "What are you talking about?" "This house was Mom's premarital property. She legally gave it to me later, so I own this house. You want it? Pay up. Four hundred thousand is already a bargain." "You're selling the house to us? You must be joking! We don't have that kind of money!" Hayley lifted her smartwatch. "I'm giving you five seconds to decide. If you don't agree, I'll sell it to someone else. Five…" "We're your elders! How could you talk money with us?!" Eleanor snapped. "Four." "You ungrateful little…! I'm gonna teach you a lesson!" Hayley ignored Eleanor, speeding up. "Three…two…" "Don't you dare!" Bernard jumped to hit her. Hayley kicked his chair out from under him. He landed hard, looking like an idiot. She looked down coldly at him and went on, "One." "You've lost it! How dare you hit your father!" Hayley didn't care about their rage. She grabbed her phone and dialed a number. "Mr. Cruz, I'm selling the house. Put it up for 400 thousand…" The house had been rented out through an agent until Hayley turned 18, which was why it hadn't been sold earlier. "You want it, huh?" Hayley smiled, glancing their way. "Sure. I'll—" "Don't say another word! We agree!" Lucy jumped in, panic in her voice. "Sell it to us!" Lucy knew that the house was actually worth 600 thousand, so getting it for 400 grand was already a steal. Plus, city-center houses were limited now, with all the residency and lottery rules. Hayley's house was hot property. Even if things didn't go exactly as they expected, the most important thing was getting it for themselves instead of letting an outsider have it. Even if they had to pay 400 thousand to get it, they would make a quick 200 grand reselling it. Hayley watched Lucy's reaction and smirked before hanging up. She had decided to sell the house to them. She was losing a bit, but that was the quickest option. Time was money, and she needed both. Most importantly, once the house was sold, they wouldn't have extra cash. She knew they only had 400 grand on hand. In her past life, the government had warned them to stockpile supplies three days before the apocalypse. Hayley was curious to see what they would be able to afford by then. - Ding! [You have received 400 thousand in your account.] Half an hour later at the bank, Hayley saw the money hit her account. Lucy and the others weren't thrilled but paid up. The real estate agent kept calling Hayley's phone; afraid she'd sell the house to him, the family didn't dare complain. "The property office is closed for a few days. I'll handle the transfer when they open," Hayley told them. "No worries. We trust you!" Lucy said, squinting and smiling sweetly. "The transfer can wait. We'll arrange a time later." Lucy acted generous, but Hayley knew better. The woman was just guarding against her future daughter-in-law, scared that her name would be on the house's deed. Right now, the deed still carried Hayley's name, which gave her room to stall. Hayley grinned. This was great! Philip suddenly said to her, "Since we've bought the house, pack your stuff and get out! And toss out all of your junk. I'll get new furniture with Sue." Right after paying, their attitude changed. "Give Hayley a few more days. She's a responsible girl; she'll probably pay you a bit for storage and even replace some furniture. You should be more understanding of your sister," Lucy said. "Mom, why do you still care about her? This little money-grubber doesn't deserve your kindness! I want her out! And Hayley, get your stupid dog out of the house! If I see it again, I'll chop it to pieces!" Hayley froze when she heard Philip mention the "stupid dog". Summer was still alive! She didn't waste another second with them and ran home. As soon as she opened her bedroom door, the quiet German Shepherd that was pacing nervously jumped into her arms. "Woof, woof!" "Summer!" Hayley almost cried, hugging it. Summer was a retired military dog, a gift from Hayley's mother on Hayley's tenth birthday. After Cynthia died, Summer had been her comfort through the hardest times. Lucy's family hated the intuitive dog and had tried several times to get rid of it, but Summer always came back. They wanted to give Summer away, but Hayley had insisted on keeping it, even getting into fights with them over it. To stay the "kind stepmother", Lucy let Hayley keep Summer but insisted that it be kept locked up in Hayley's room. After Hayley moved into Cynthia's old house, Summer finally had room to roam, though Lucy's family still locked it up when they came over. During the apocalypse in Hayley's past life, Lucy's family ate the old dog while Hayley was out scavenging. She had blamed herself for not protecting it. "Summer," Hayley whispered. "Woof, woof!" Summer licked her hand. "This time, I swear, I'll never let you get hurt again!" "Woof, woof!" Summer barked happily. Once Summer was settled, Hayley began packing. The house, rented out for years, had become old and worn. However, the furniture Cynthia had bought back then was expensive. Hayley had been living with her when she was still alive. The furniture was practically useless now, but it still carried a lot of memories. Being back, Hayley felt a little nostalgic. Then, a voice rang in her head. Ding! [Super Lord System activated! Within one hour, for every 200-dollars' worth of item you carry, gain 35 cubic feet of inventory!] Hayley froze. Here came the perks! [Countdown: 59 minutes and 59 seconds!] Skeptical, Hayley picked up her phone from the table to test it. Ding! [Phone detected, worth 1,000 dollars. Reward: 175 cubic feet!] With that, a 175-cubic-feet space appeared in her mind. Her phone vanished from her hand and reappeared there. She now had an inventory! Chapter 2 She had read plenty of novels before—this was a so-called system. Hayley quickly accepted the perk and started sucking in everything she could. She soon figured out the pricing rules. The system valued items at their original purchase price, even if they were used or disassembled. She jumped straight into moving, dismantling, and collecting everything. Ding! [Gold jewelry detected, worth 11,600 dollars. Reward: 2,030 cubic feet!] Ding! [Cup detected, worth 7.80 dollars.] Ding! [Calendar detected, worth 2 dollars.] The notifications kept coming. Ding! [Small desk detected, worth 73.80 dollars. Reward: 35 cubic feet!] Ding! [Rosewood table and chair set detected, worth 5,000 dollars. Reward: 875 cubic feet!] Ding! [Trash can detected, worth 3 dollars.] In about ten minutes, Hayley grabbed everything from shoes, hats, and clothes to pots, pans, pens, cups, trash bins, storage boxes, photo albums, nail clippers, and even larger stuff like tables, chairs, beds, and cabinets. Even the rotten apples Lucy had brought today got tossed into the pile. Ding! [Five pounds of rotten apples detected, worth 0.50 dollars.] Hayley spat. What disgusting liars! They wanted her to give them a 600-thousand-dollar house while offering her cheap, rotten apples they claimed to be imported. What a family! But she didn't mind. Every little bit counted, so she collected them all. Soon, the house was emptied of everything movable. Her sights turned to the big stuff she couldn't normally carry. Ding! [Toilet detected, worth 400 dollars.] Hayley yanked the toilet down with force. She had always been strong, but compared to her old self, who had survived ten years of the apocalypse, this body still felt a little weaker. She would need to train soon. After she stored the toilet, more notifications came in. Ding! [Sink detected, worth 139 dollars.] Ding! [Range hood detected, worth 519.80 dollars.] Ding! [Stove detected, worth 97.80 dollars.] Ding! [Security door detected, worth 317.80 dollars.] She was taking everything she could, not leaving even a single screw for them. Ding! [Windows detected, worth 80 dollars.] Ding! [Flooring detected, worth 30 dollars.] Within an hour, Hayley had stripped the house clean. Anything movable was gone. The floors were lifted, the windows and doors removed, and even unmovable tiles were smashed and taken. Ding! [Three seconds remaining!] Hayley thought fast—she dashed to the front door, stepped on the railing, and snagged a tiny hallway bulb. Ding! [Ten-watt bulb detected, worth 1 dollar. [Time's up! Total space gained: 3,110 cubic feet.] Hayley finally relaxed and said to Summer, "Summer! Let's go!" Not long after, Philip's family brought the pregnant Sue Norman to the new house. "Babe, here's our new place! It's in the city center and a school district, with over 1,000 square feet. It has two units per floor. We don't have a neighbor yet, so the hallway is all ours. The lighting's great, and it has the best layout in the complex. Plus, it's just 100 yards from your work. If you want, you can move in now. Furniture and appliances are ready!" The group marched up to the east-side unit—and froze. The house wasn't just empty; it didn't even have doors or windows. Even a hallway light bulb was gone. Sue turned on her heel. "Hmph! You expect me to renovate this dump? Well, I'm not getting married until you fix this house. And my name has to go on the deed!" Eleanor was fuming. She wanted to call Hayley to demand what that girl had done. But the bad news was, they couldn't reach Hayley. Meanwhile, Hayley was at a tunnel-style fallout shelter on the outskirts of Andersville. It was originally meant for a mountain road, but construction stopped due to insufficient funding and government rerouting. It had been abandoned and repurposed as a fallout shelter. "What are you renting a fallout shelter for?" the agent asked routinely. "Starting a business. I'm gonna grow mushrooms," Hayley said casually. From her previous life, she knew there were three types of shelters. The first were city-center shelters, built under malls, residential buildings, or hospitals. They were convenient, well-equipped, and fast to evacuate—but useless in a zombie apocalypse. Holding a high population meant it was the fastest to fall. The other two types were tunnel-style shelters and professional defense installations. Professional ones were critical in the late apocalypse and formed the backbone of stable bases, but Hayley couldn't rent one. So, tunnel shelters like these were perfect for her: they were secluded, far from people, and big, with a solid ventilation system and a heavy iron gate—exactly what she needed. Plus, they were cheap. Hayley's new shelter cost 400 a year to rent, for a minimum of 20 years. She paid three years upfront—1,200 dollars for a space the size of five basketball courts. The agent grinned, thinking she was an easy mark. Sure, the rent was cheap, but the location was extremely inconvenient and transportation was a headache. He figured that nine and a half out of ten entrepreneurs were idiots, but he wouldn't warn her. After collecting the money, signing the contract, and taking the 100-dollar service fee, he left. Hayley watched him leave without a word. She wouldn't reveal her true purpose. After ten years surviving the apocalypse, she learned one thing: never explain disaster plans to fools, because idiots like them were disasters themselves. After sending the agent off, Hayley entered the shelter with Summer. She checked everything. The ventilation system was intact, and she found a well left by a previous tenant, plus an electrical wire. The well's water tasted like mountain spring—totally separate from city water. Later, when treatment plants were contaminated, tap water would be useless. With this well, Hayley now had a safe water source. The wire wasn't connected, but that meant power could be set up. If she got a generator, the shelter could have electricity. Chapter 3 If she repaired the fence and added electricity, her fallout shelter's defenses would get a huge boost. She decided to get started. Just then, the voice from the system popped into her head. Ding! [Super Lord System activated! Please reinforce the original base. Rewards will be given based on the level of reinforcement. Countdown: 15 days!] Hayley's eyes lit up. She was just starting to process the new mission when another notification came. Ding! [Base war dog detected. Reward: War dog's combat power increased 100x! Physical stats increased 100x!] Hayley watched in amazement as Summer's body started to change. Its muscles doubled in size, its claws grew longer and sharper, and all signs of aging disappeared. In its place was the fierce, commanding presence of a powerful beast. "Woof, woof!" Hayley was amazed. "Wow!" - Hayley had Cynthia's old car, so she could get around easily. It was now time to start reinforcing her base. Not long after, she returned to her base. She placed the generator in the innermost storage room of the fallout shelter. Ding! [One thousand-kW generator detected. Reward: Indestructible, lowest-energy-consumption generator!] Hayley's jaw dropped. She stared at the generator, now looking like it was coated in silver. Its strength and durability were immediately way beyond what they had been. And the best part? It was indestructible! Normally, generators needed maintenance to last long, and Hayley had only been hoping to make it last. However, the system had upgraded it automatically. Amazing! She moved on and installed the surveillance cameras on the wire fences she had set up yesterday. Her tunnel hideout was in a perfect spot. Trees circled it, the main road was about a mile away, and a side road wound into the forest after about 500 yards. No one would ever notice a tunnel covered in wire here. It wasn't noticeable at all. The cameras covered every corner inside. Once she connected them to the generator, she could monitor any intruder—human or otherwise. Immediately, the cameras and electrified fences powered up. Her computer screen filled with tiny surveillance feeds, one for every angle. Then, the system chimed. Ding! [Monitoring and electrical grid system detected. Reward: Monitoring system upgraded! Coverage of the surveillance cameras increased 10x and can automatically detect all living and non-living entities! Electrical grid system upgraded. Maximum shock output: 10 thousand volts!] Hayley stared at her screen, astonished. She zoomed in on one camera. The pixel clarity was ten times better than before. Her 300-foot range camera now stretched a full mile, letting her see the road through gaps in the trees. A bird tried to land on the fence. It hovered and chose a spot—and with a loud zap, dropped straight down. Hayley's eyes glinted. Perfect! This defense was lethal. Anyone trying to break in? Instant death. "Summer, stay away from the fences, okay?" she warned. "Woof!" Upgraded Summer had grown bigger and smarter, more intuitive than before. Hayley ruffled its head, then pulled out the stuff from her old fridge from her inventory. They ate together. After the meal, she got back to organizing her base. Even cleaning the fallout shelter earned rewards. She cleared the water well and trimmed overgrown weeds. Ding! [Water well upgraded. Reward: Independent mountain-range clean water source!] Ding! [Weed coverage reduced. Reward: High-quality soil! Crop yield increased 100x! Growth speed increased 10x!] Hayley grinned. She now had clean water and rich soil. Her base was getting stronger and better every day. Soon, she could grow her own fresh fruits and vegetables and be self-sufficient. She made a mental note to buy seeds next. Ten days passed. The apocalypse was less than three days away. Every inch she cleaned and every fence she reinforced improved the defenses of her base, making it stronger and stronger. Meanwhile, her deliveries kept coming. During the day, she worked in the shelter. At night, she went to the warehouse to pick up packages. She had installed massive cameras at the warehouse entrance, and Summer helped guard the place. It was peaceful now, so people wouldn't dare steal with a huge dog watching. The delivery guys always unloaded truck after truck, then left as soon as they were done. At night, Hayley would go over everything and pull them into her inventory, then carry them back to her base. Ding! [Warehouse full.] All 100 tons of pasta, 1,000 boxes of instant noodles, 200 boxes of sausage, 100 boxes of pickled vegetables, and over 20 thousand meal packs were neatly stored in the innermost warehouse. Ding! [Reward: Super warehouse! Food remains permanently fresh!] The massive metal doors now looked like something from a bank vault. Not even professional explosives could open them—only Hayley's iris could. Inside, all items were sorted and stored. And the best part? Permanent freshness and no spoilage! Chapter 4 In just ten days, Hayley's fallout shelter looked completely transformed, inside and out. Now, it was only three days before the apocalypse. After planting the last tree, Hayley thought about what else she needed. For a self-sufficient, hidden life, she needed some chickens, ducks, and fish. Even with all the meal packs she had, nothing beat fresh food. Hayley kept walking through the market, but many stalls were closing. In a corner, she spotted someone selling live baby goats. She bought the last two for 300 bucks. The seller told her that these goats had been specifically bred for producing goat's milk, but business had been so bad that he started selling them off. The big ones were already gone, and only a few kids were left. By chance, Hayley managed to snag the last two today. "You should go home after buying these! With the flu outbreak, don't stay out too long," the vendor warned. Hayley nodded. She always wore a professional medical-grade mask, anyway. The truth was, the flu had never been the source of the zombie virus. It simply spread so widely and so quickly, lowering people's immunity. When the real virus hit, those with the lowest resistance turned into zombies right away. That was why everyone blamed the flu, thinking it was the true cause. It took Hayley ten years of surviving in the apocalypse to figure that much out. Yet, she still had no idea regarding the real origin of the zombie virus. Some people used to say it was nothing more than a game for the gods, like the Hunger Games. After all, the virus didn't just create zombies. It also changed people in other, stranger ways. Once Hayley had the vendor deliver her goods to the warehouse, she left the farmer's market without hanging around. Finding a hidden spot with no cameras, she placed the two goats into her inventory and drove off with Summer. On the way, she stopped at a farm supply store and bought a full set of tools, plus 20 shovels. Most people didn't realize shovels were serious weapons in survival situations. During conflicts, farmers used them as deadly tools. Even modern military spades evolved from shovels. In an apocalypse, a melee weapon like this could be more reliable than firearms. After stocking up on enough shovels, Hayley realized she needed to get baseball bats—another surprisingly effective weapon. Chapter 5 With that in mind, Hayley walked into a sports equipment store. After picking up a few of the best, sturdiest baseball bats, she grabbed a bunch of adventure gear—flashlights, helmets, armor, pads, tents, protective suits, tactical jackets…all of it. Everything she needed for the outdoors. This alone cost her over 4,000. The store also carried emergency kit accessories—tweezers, pliers, bandages, thermometers, and stuff like that. It reminded Hayley that she still needed to stop by the pharmacy. She left the outdoor store and went to stock up on common medicines—cold medicine, bandages, fever reducers, vitamins, alcohol, iodine, and other essentials. By the time she left the pharmacy, it was almost evening. The city lights sparkled, neon glowing all around. Hayley had pretty much gathered everything she could—food, drink, shelter, tools—all the basics covered. Now, she could focus on upgrading daily necessities and a few extra comforts. She figured it was time to go on a shopping spree. Before the apocalypse hit, she was going to enjoy the world one last time. First stop: a Michelin-star hotel she had never treated herself to before. She ordered a full-on feast—mushroom soup, barbecued ribs, pan-seared cod, roasted chicken, and garlic butter prawns—everything she had never been able to afford before. She even had the kitchen prepare ten extra orders of her favorite garlic butter prawns and filet mignon to take home for Summer. After that, she booked a suite and headed down to the mall. The mall was packed with goods, from general stores to tempting food stands. Hayley, used to hard times, hit the food section first—sausages, mini corn dogs, sponge cakes, meat pies, fried skewers, fried chicken, pork cutlets, stew, ice cream, milkshakes, assorted pastries…everything. She wanted it all, but there wasn't enough time or money to buy everything. Most of it was just luxury for a peaceful world—things that wouldn't matter after the apocalypse. But right now, she could buy and eat without worry. Hayley went store by store, quietly and extravagantly telling each clerk, "I want all your snacks." She paid and had everything delivered to her hotel room upstairs. At the first bakery, everything went into bags—fresh bread, cheesecake, cream puffs, petit fours, marshmallows, Swiss rolls, custard slices, custard tarts, waffles, palmiers—all packed and sent up. At a fried chicken shop, she bought every flavor—sweet chili, barbecue, garlic, honey mustard—and every type of chicken: boneless, drumsticks, wings, whole chickens. She then hit up the smoothie bars and ordered every flavor she could—berry blends, tropical fruit mixes, creamy yogurt smoothies, protein shakes, even frozen slushies—everything on the list! She basically just paid and gave them a delivery address before leaving, not wanting to attract too much attention. Just buying these snacks cost over 40 thousand. Each shop's stock usually totaled about 3,000 dollars. Hayley only spent around a few hundred dollars on smaller stalls, like the sausage stall and corn dog stand, ordering one of each flavor. Still, she basically cleared the snack stores in one sweep. Next, she went to the basement supermarket. Now, supermarkets were essential. She pushed two huge carts through the warehouse-style store. At checkout, her carts were filled with single units of all kinds—one bag of each flavored chips, one pack of every cookie or candy, one bottle of each drink, and every cooked food item she could get—roast turkey slices, rotisserie chicken, baked salmon, deli wraps, stuffed pita pockets, and microwavable pasta meals. Even partially prepared foods—marinated chicken, pork chops, fish fillets, and steak—were included. Household necessities like toiletries, face cream, sanitary pads, disposable towels, wipes—everything she could need. And now that she had money, she even bought appliances—a washing machine, a robot vacuum, and a fridge. She wouldn't have considered this before, but now she could. After checking out her two carts, she spoke to the store manager. She wanted the store's entire stock of everything in her carts, except for appliances. However, she had underestimated the cost and inventory. By the time she had selected just a third of what she wanted, her account was empty—220 thousand, gone in a flash! She found herself in an awkward position. Basic staples had been cheap, but processed goods were several times more expensive. Looking at her account balance hitting zero, Hayley decided this was enough. Chapter 6 As Hayley kept walking through the mall, she suddenly caught sight of two familiar figures. A young man was walking with a heavily pregnant woman just ahead of her. Philip and his wife—the same couple Hayley had just "pranked" a little while back. "Babe, calm down. Whatever you want today, just buy it. Forgive me, okay? Don't get mad… You don't want to stress the baby!" "No! You've been lying to me this whole time, haven't you? Your family doesn't even own that apartment! You tricked me on purpose!" "It's really ours." "Then what was all that earlier? Debt collectors at your door claiming the apartment was theirs, sending your grandma to the hospital!" "I don't know what happened. I swear, my mom paid 400 thousand to buy it from Hayley. We just have to find her and transfer the deed!" "Wait, didn't your mom say the apartment was a gift from Hayley, so I couldn't be on the deed? How is it suddenly bought by your family and transferable?" "Uh… A-Anyway! Just know that the apartment's ours now. I'm my family's only son, so I'm bound to get everything. And whatever's mine is yours! Just trust me!" Sue wouldn't buy it. "How am I supposed to trust you? First, you said it was move-in ready with renovations done, now it's a shell. You said it was your property, and now debt collectors show up. I've finally seen the truth—you guys are messing with me! I won't keep this baby! I'm gonna get rid of it now!" "Babe! Babe!" Hayley leaned against a corner, listening to their argument, a small smirk tugging at her lips. Wow. Just ten days, and things were already a mess at the Reids'. Eleanor even ended up in the hospital. Still, it could get even more entertaining. Hayley watched Philip, hands on the escalator railing, chasing after Sue. Mischievously, she whistled at him. Philip, already flustered, turned and spotted her leaning on the glass railing, casually watching them. "Hayley?" He froze, wanting to chase her, but Sue had already gotten to the floor below. "Babe! Babe!" One was his wife, about to get an abortion, and the other was Hayley. He wished he could split himself in two. After weighing his options, he decided to chase Hayley. He figured he would just grab her and make her explain everything to Sue—simple. He ran up the escalator that was heading down, trying to reach her. Meanwhile, Hayley walked at a calm, steady pace. By the time Philip caught up, she had already circled to the opposite escalator, making him chase her through the entire mall. They ended up in the underground parking lot. "Damn it! You little wench! Where do you think you're going?" Philip, panting, cornered Hayley. "How dare you mess with me behind my back! I swear I'll—" "Perfect," Hayley said cheerfully, shutting the car trunk with a click. "I was thinking the same thing." She swung a baseball bat in her hands. Philip's eyes went wide, alarm bells ringing. "What the… You're gonna hit me?" Before he could react, Hayley swung. She immediately overpowered him, dislocating his jaw so he couldn't talk, and dragged him to the corner of the parking lot, beating him mercilessly. Ten years surviving the apocalypse meant she had learned every kind of fighting technique. She could take down a grown man in seconds. But she was merciful with Philip. For half an hour, she smashed him in the arms and legs, striking only the most painful spots that wouldn't kill him. After 30 minutes, Philip lay on the ground, barely conscious. Hayley leaned against the car and kicked him lightly before bending down to grab his phone. She dialed 911 while pressing his head against the floor with her foot. "See? I'm nice. I even called 911 for you. You're welcome." Philip nearly passed out from anger. If her foot weren't on his face, he would've admitted she was "nice". "Damn you…" She took care of the scene and wiped his ID from the phone, not wanting the hospital to identify him that quickly. Then she transferred all the money in his digital bank to hers, using his fingerprint to authorize the payments. Afterward, she moved him to a bar street outside the parking lot, the same place she had called 911 from. Soon, EMTs arrived. Hayley watched them take Philip away, blending in like any bystander. Calmly, she sent messages to Bernard and Lucy with his phone, telling them he had been hurt and to check the hospital. After all that, she sold his phone to a small roadside store. Even if Lucy reported it, they wouldn't trace it back to Hayley in three days. By then, any investigation into Philip would be useless because it would be the apocalypse. Knocking Philip out added 6,000 dollars to her account. She used the money to stock up again, emptying several convenience store shelves into her car. As she prepared to leave, her car door slammed—someone had collapsed on it. Hayley's eyes darkened. Several stylishly dressed men and women helped lift the man. One tattooed guy waved. "Sorry, miss. My friend's drunk!" They laughed and carried him away. "Damn, he went down after two drinks! I remember him saying he could drink anyone under the table." "Yeah, he used to hold his liquor a lot better." "Maybe getting married weakened him!" "Hahaha!" Hayley leaned on her car, watching them leave. Her gaze fell on the young man in the middle—head down, stiff, pale hands hanging awkwardly. Soon, he came to. "What happened to me?" "You drank too much, that's what!" "You're useless! You didn't even drink that much!" "Work stress, I guess. I'm heading back." "Heading back? No way! Keep drinking! Let's get wasted tonight!" The group laughed as they walked off. Hayley's eyes darkened as she watched the scene. She checked her phone and noted that today was the 9th. In her last life, the zombie outbreak started on the 11th. The apocalypse…might have started early. As Hayley grabbed her car keys, a piercing scream cut through the air. "Ahhh!" That familiar sound. The zombie virus had broken out early!

Hayley Reid was reborn two weeks before the apocalypse began. In her last life, she survived ten years of hell—only to die at the hands of the people she trusted most. But this time, she returned with every memory intact… and awakened the Super Base System. While the world fell into chaos, Hayley sipped wine and held her beloved puppy inside the world’s strongest steel fortress. - Chapter 1 "Flu cases are on the rise. Please take precautions, avoid crowded areas, don't gather unnecessarily, and keep warm…" "Hayley, are you even listening to me?!" Hayley Reid jolted, staring at everything in front of her in disbelief. In the middle of the old, 300-square-foot living room with worn-out renovations was a couch, packed with middle-aged men and women. In the center was a plump, 70-ish woman with graying hair. She was Eleanor Reid, Hayley's grandmother. Eleanor glared at Hayley, her jowls bouncing with every movement. Hayley froze. This was the exact scene from two weeks before the apocalypse, when her "beloved" grandmother, father, and stepmother forced her to give up her house for her brother and his soon-to-be wife. The last thing she remembered was being stuck in a zombie siege at the eastern base a moment ago. "Ever since your mom passed, Lucy treated you like her own. Everyone says she's wonderful! Now, Philip is getting married and wants to borrow your house. Why won't you let him? You're so ungrateful!" Eleanor hissed. "Mom, Hayley's not ungrateful. I'm sure she'll come to her senses," said a plump woman next to Eleanor, pretending to mediate. This was Lucy Reid, Hayley's stepmother. "Hmph!" Eleanor snorted. "Clear out the house immediately. Philip said the place has been rented for too long, and the furniture is too worn. He needs new furniture before he gets married. You'll pay for it. After all, he's your brother. You should help out a little!" Hayley, standing in the middle, suddenly laughed out loud. They wanted her house and expected her to buy new furniture on top of that? Ridiculous. Even more ridiculous was the fact that she actually went along with it last time! Hayley's mother, Cynthia, died in a car accident when she was 14. Soon after, Lucy moved in with her son, Philip. On the surface, Lucy seemed perfect—she was attentive and caring. Hayley, going through her rebellious phase, was prickly with everyone but secretly craved warmth and family. Lucy's gentle, understanding ways fooled her. She supported Hayley in everything, no matter what, and Hayley almost genuinely saw her as a mother. She gave them everything, even the only house Cynthia had left her. She hesitated for only a moment before agreeing. The apocalypse soon hit, and Hayley was abandoned repeatedly. When it came time to escape on a rescue vehicle, they shoved her aside to save their skins. That was when Hayley truly understood how fake their love was. True family didn't exist for her. She had been nothing but a tool in their eyes, and they had squeezed her dry. Once she was useless, they kicked her aside. Not a single person there had ever seen her as family. She wanted to slap her past, foolish self so hard. Bang! Hayley tossed a few bags of cheap fruit from the old coffee table straight into the trash, then plopped herself down in front of them. A young man, who had been glued to his phone on the armchair, immediately dropped it and yelled righteously, "Hayley, what the hell are you doing? These are imported apples Mom got especially for you! She said they're your favorite. How could you just throw them away?" Hayley sneered. Her favorite? Since when? She gave Philip a cold glance. "You think you have the right to talk to me about my house?" Facing her icy gaze, Philip felt a shiver run through him and didn't dare to look at her. Hayley's eyes carried a murderous energy—the kind she had honed over ten years of surviving the apocalypse alone after they abandoned her. Philip instantly backed down. Lucy quickly tried to smooth things over. "What's wrong, Hayley? Are you not feeling well? If that's the case, we can come back another day. I know you're not happy with this request, but Philip is your brother. Sue's family wants a house in the city center, and you know how impossible that is now. Even with money, you might not get one. They're even doing lotteries for them. So, I'm begging you… Help your brother out. Later, when you get married, we'll try to make it up to you—" "Why should we make it up to her?" Bernard Reid, who had been quiet, finally spoke. He glared at Hayley. "You really think this house is yours? You should step aside and let Philip have it! When you get married, your husband can buy you one. Stop fighting Philip for it!" Hayley didn't even bother getting angry this time. In her past life, she had wondered why Bernard treated her, his biological daughter, so badly, while spoiling his stepson. As it turned out, Philip was his real son—his own flesh and blood! Before he married Cynthia, he had already married Lucy in his hometown and had a son. To him, Hayley was nothing. And after the apocalypse, he treated her even worse. Hayley held up four fingers. "Four hundred thousand." Everyone froze. "What are you talking about?" "This house was Mom's premarital property. She legally gave it to me later, so I own this house. You want it? Pay up. Four hundred thousand is already a bargain." "You're selling the house to us? You must be joking! We don't have that kind of money!" Hayley lifted her smartwatch. "I'm giving you five seconds to decide. If you don't agree, I'll sell it to someone else. Five…" "We're your elders! How could you talk money with us?!" Eleanor snapped. "Four." "You ungrateful little…! I'm gonna teach you a lesson!" Hayley ignored Eleanor, speeding up. "Three…two…" "Don't you dare!" Bernard jumped to hit her. Hayley kicked his chair out from under him. He landed hard, looking like an idiot. She looked down coldly at him and went on, "One." "You've lost it! How dare you hit your father!" Hayley didn't care about their rage. She grabbed her phone and dialed a number. "Mr. Cruz, I'm selling the house. Put it up for 400 thousand…" The house had been rented out through an agent until Hayley turned 18, which was why it hadn't been sold earlier. "You want it, huh?" Hayley smiled, glancing their way. "Sure. I'll—" "Don't say another word! We agree!" Lucy jumped in, panic in her voice. "Sell it to us!" Lucy knew that the house was actually worth 600 thousand, so getting it for 400 grand was already a steal. Plus, city-center houses were limited now, with all the residency and lottery rules. Hayley's house was hot property. Even if things didn't go exactly as they expected, the most important thing was getting it for themselves instead of letting an outsider have it. Even if they had to pay 400 thousand to get it, they would make a quick 200 grand reselling it. Hayley watched Lucy's reaction and smirked before hanging up. She had decided to sell the house to them. She was losing a bit, but that was the quickest option. Time was money, and she needed both. Most importantly, once the house was sold, they wouldn't have extra cash. She knew they only had 400 grand on hand. In her past life, the government had warned them to stockpile supplies three days before the apocalypse. Hayley was curious to see what they would be able to afford by then. - Ding! [You have received 400 thousand in your account.] Half an hour later at the bank, Hayley saw the money hit her account. Lucy and the others weren't thrilled but paid up. The real estate agent kept calling Hayley's phone; afraid she'd sell the house to him, the family didn't dare complain. "The property office is closed for a few days. I'll handle the transfer when they open," Hayley told them. "No worries. We trust you!" Lucy said, squinting and smiling sweetly. "The transfer can wait. We'll arrange a time later." Lucy acted generous, but Hayley knew better. The woman was just guarding against her future daughter-in-law, scared that her name would be on the house's deed. Right now, the deed still carried Hayley's name, which gave her room to stall. Hayley grinned. This was great! Philip suddenly said to her, "Since we've bought the house, pack your stuff and get out! And toss out all of your junk. I'll get new furniture with Sue." Right after paying, their attitude changed. "Give Hayley a few more days. She's a responsible girl; she'll probably pay you a bit for storage and even replace some furniture. You should be more understanding of your sister," Lucy said. "Mom, why do you still care about her? This little money-grubber doesn't deserve your kindness! I want her out! And Hayley, get your stupid dog out of the house! If I see it again, I'll chop it to pieces!" Hayley froze when she heard Philip mention the "stupid dog". Summer was still alive! She didn't waste another second with them and ran home. As soon as she opened her bedroom door, the quiet German Shepherd that was pacing nervously jumped into her arms. "Woof, woof!" "Summer!" Hayley almost cried, hugging it. Summer was a retired military dog, a gift from Hayley's mother on Hayley's tenth birthday. After Cynthia died, Summer had been her comfort through the hardest times. Lucy's family hated the intuitive dog and had tried several times to get rid of it, but Summer always came back. They wanted to give Summer away, but Hayley had insisted on keeping it, even getting into fights with them over it. To stay the "kind stepmother", Lucy let Hayley keep Summer but insisted that it be kept locked up in Hayley's room. After Hayley moved into Cynthia's old house, Summer finally had room to roam, though Lucy's family still locked it up when they came over. During the apocalypse in Hayley's past life, Lucy's family ate the old dog while Hayley was out scavenging. She had blamed herself for not protecting it. "Summer," Hayley whispered. "Woof, woof!" Summer licked her hand. "This time, I swear, I'll never let you get hurt again!" "Woof, woof!" Summer barked happily. Once Summer was settled, Hayley began packing. The house, rented out for years, had become old and worn. However, the furniture Cynthia had bought back then was expensive. Hayley had been living with her when she was still alive. The furniture was practically useless now, but it still carried a lot of memories. Being back, Hayley felt a little nostalgic. Then, a voice rang in her head. Ding! [Super Lord System activated! Within one hour, for every 200-dollars' worth of item you carry, gain 35 cubic feet of inventory!] Hayley froze. Here came the perks! [Countdown: 59 minutes and 59 seconds!] Skeptical, Hayley picked up her phone from the table to test it. Ding! [Phone detected, worth 1,000 dollars. Reward: 175 cubic feet!] With that, a 175-cubic-feet space appeared in her mind. Her phone vanished from her hand and reappeared there. She now had an inventory! Chapter 2 She had read plenty of novels before—this was a so-called system. Hayley quickly accepted the perk and started sucking in everything she could. She soon figured out the pricing rules. The system valued items at their original purchase price, even if they were used or disassembled. She jumped straight into moving, dismantling, and collecting everything. Ding! [Gold jewelry detected, worth 11,600 dollars. Reward: 2,030 cubic feet!] Ding! [Cup detected, worth 7.80 dollars.] Ding! [Calendar detected, worth 2 dollars.] The notifications kept coming. Ding! [Small desk detected, worth 73.80 dollars. Reward: 35 cubic feet!] Ding! [Rosewood table and chair set detected, worth 5,000 dollars. Reward: 875 cubic feet!] Ding! [Trash can detected, worth 3 dollars.] In about ten minutes, Hayley grabbed everything from shoes, hats, and clothes to pots, pans, pens, cups, trash bins, storage boxes, photo albums, nail clippers, and even larger stuff like tables, chairs, beds, and cabinets. Even the rotten apples Lucy had brought today got tossed into the pile. Ding! [Five pounds of rotten apples detected, worth 0.50 dollars.] Hayley spat. What disgusting liars! They wanted her to give them a 600-thousand-dollar house while offering her cheap, rotten apples they claimed to be imported. What a family! But she didn't mind. Every little bit counted, so she collected them all. Soon, the house was emptied of everything movable. Her sights turned to the big stuff she couldn't normally carry. Ding! [Toilet detected, worth 400 dollars.] Hayley yanked the toilet down with force. She had always been strong, but compared to her old self, who had survived ten years of the apocalypse, this body still felt a little weaker. She would need to train soon. After she stored the toilet, more notifications came in. Ding! [Sink detected, worth 139 dollars.] Ding! [Range hood detected, worth 519.80 dollars.] Ding! [Stove detected, worth 97.80 dollars.] Ding! [Security door detected, worth 317.80 dollars.] She was taking everything she could, not leaving even a single screw for them. Ding! [Windows detected, worth 80 dollars.] Ding! [Flooring detected, worth 30 dollars.] Within an hour, Hayley had stripped the house clean. Anything movable was gone. The floors were lifted, the windows and doors removed, and even unmovable tiles were smashed and taken. Ding! [Three seconds remaining!] Hayley thought fast—she dashed to the front door, stepped on the railing, and snagged a tiny hallway bulb. Ding! [Ten-watt bulb detected, worth 1 dollar. [Time's up! Total space gained: 3,110 cubic feet.] Hayley finally relaxed and said to Summer, "Summer! Let's go!" Not long after, Philip's family brought the pregnant Sue Norman to the new house. "Babe, here's our new place! It's in the city center and a school district, with over 1,000 square feet. It has two units per floor. We don't have a neighbor yet, so the hallway is all ours. The lighting's great, and it has the best layout in the complex. Plus, it's just 100 yards from your work. If you want, you can move in now. Furniture and appliances are ready!" The group marched up to the east-side unit—and froze. The house wasn't just empty; it didn't even have doors or windows. Even a hallway light bulb was gone. Sue turned on her heel. "Hmph! You expect me to renovate this dump? Well, I'm not getting married until you fix this house. And my name has to go on the deed!" Eleanor was fuming. She wanted to call Hayley to demand what that girl had done. But the bad news was, they couldn't reach Hayley. Meanwhile, Hayley was at a tunnel-style fallout shelter on the outskirts of Andersville. It was originally meant for a mountain road, but construction stopped due to insufficient funding and government rerouting. It had been abandoned and repurposed as a fallout shelter. "What are you renting a fallout shelter for?" the agent asked routinely. "Starting a business. I'm gonna grow mushrooms," Hayley said casually. From her previous life, she knew there were three types of shelters. The first were city-center shelters, built under malls, residential buildings, or hospitals. They were convenient, well-equipped, and fast to evacuate—but useless in a zombie apocalypse. Holding a high population meant it was the fastest to fall. The other two types were tunnel-style shelters and professional defense installations. Professional ones were critical in the late apocalypse and formed the backbone of stable bases, but Hayley couldn't rent one. So, tunnel shelters like these were perfect for her: they were secluded, far from people, and big, with a solid ventilation system and a heavy iron gate—exactly what she needed. Plus, they were cheap. Hayley's new shelter cost 400 a year to rent, for a minimum of 20 years. She paid three years upfront—1,200 dollars for a space the size of five basketball courts. The agent grinned, thinking she was an easy mark. Sure, the rent was cheap, but the location was extremely inconvenient and transportation was a headache. He figured that nine and a half out of ten entrepreneurs were idiots, but he wouldn't warn her. After collecting the money, signing the contract, and taking the 100-dollar service fee, he left. Hayley watched him leave without a word. She wouldn't reveal her true purpose. After ten years surviving the apocalypse, she learned one thing: never explain disaster plans to fools, because idiots like them were disasters themselves. After sending the agent off, Hayley entered the shelter with Summer. She checked everything. The ventilation system was intact, and she found a well left by a previous tenant, plus an electrical wire. The well's water tasted like mountain spring—totally separate from city water. Later, when treatment plants were contaminated, tap water would be useless. With this well, Hayley now had a safe water source. The wire wasn't connected, but that meant power could be set up. If she got a generator, the shelter could have electricity. Chapter 3 If she repaired the fence and added electricity, her fallout shelter's defenses would get a huge boost. She decided to get started. Just then, the voice from the system popped into her head. Ding! [Super Lord System activated! Please reinforce the original base. Rewards will be given based on the level of reinforcement. Countdown: 15 days!] Hayley's eyes lit up. She was just starting to process the new mission when another notification came. Ding! [Base war dog detected. Reward: War dog's combat power increased 100x! Physical stats increased 100x!] Hayley watched in amazement as Summer's body started to change. Its muscles doubled in size, its claws grew longer and sharper, and all signs of aging disappeared. In its place was the fierce, commanding presence of a powerful beast. "Woof, woof!" Hayley was amazed. "Wow!" - Hayley had Cynthia's old car, so she could get around easily. It was now time to start reinforcing her base. Not long after, she returned to her base. She placed the generator in the innermost storage room of the fallout shelter. Ding! [One thousand-kW generator detected. Reward: Indestructible, lowest-energy-consumption generator!] Hayley's jaw dropped. She stared at the generator, now looking like it was coated in silver. Its strength and durability were immediately way beyond what they had been. And the best part? It was indestructible! Normally, generators needed maintenance to last long, and Hayley had only been hoping to make it last. However, the system had upgraded it automatically. Amazing! She moved on and installed the surveillance cameras on the wire fences she had set up yesterday. Her tunnel hideout was in a perfect spot. Trees circled it, the main road was about a mile away, and a side road wound into the forest after about 500 yards. No one would ever notice a tunnel covered in wire here. It wasn't noticeable at all. The cameras covered every corner inside. Once she connected them to the generator, she could monitor any intruder—human or otherwise. Immediately, the cameras and electrified fences powered up. Her computer screen filled with tiny surveillance feeds, one for every angle. Then, the system chimed. Ding! [Monitoring and electrical grid system detected. Reward: Monitoring system upgraded! Coverage of the surveillance cameras increased 10x and can automatically detect all living and non-living entities! Electrical grid system upgraded. Maximum shock output: 10 thousand volts!] Hayley stared at her screen, astonished. She zoomed in on one camera. The pixel clarity was ten times better than before. Her 300-foot range camera now stretched a full mile, letting her see the road through gaps in the trees. A bird tried to land on the fence. It hovered and chose a spot—and with a loud zap, dropped straight down. Hayley's eyes glinted. Perfect! This defense was lethal. Anyone trying to break in? Instant death. "Summer, stay away from the fences, okay?" she warned. "Woof!" Upgraded Summer had grown bigger and smarter, more intuitive than before. Hayley ruffled its head, then pulled out the stuff from her old fridge from her inventory. They ate together. After the meal, she got back to organizing her base. Even cleaning the fallout shelter earned rewards. She cleared the water well and trimmed overgrown weeds. Ding! [Water well upgraded. Reward: Independent mountain-range clean water source!] Ding! [Weed coverage reduced. Reward: High-quality soil! Crop yield increased 100x! Growth speed increased 10x!] Hayley grinned. She now had clean water and rich soil. Her base was getting stronger and better every day. Soon, she could grow her own fresh fruits and vegetables and be self-sufficient. She made a mental note to buy seeds next. Ten days passed. The apocalypse was less than three days away. Every inch she cleaned and every fence she reinforced improved the defenses of her base, making it stronger and stronger. Meanwhile, her deliveries kept coming. During the day, she worked in the shelter. At night, she went to the warehouse to pick up packages. She had installed massive cameras at the warehouse entrance, and Summer helped guard the place. It was peaceful now, so people wouldn't dare steal with a huge dog watching. The delivery guys always unloaded truck after truck, then left as soon as they were done. At night, Hayley would go over everything and pull them into her inventory, then carry them back to her base. Ding! [Warehouse full.] All 100 tons of pasta, 1,000 boxes of instant noodles, 200 boxes of sausage, 100 boxes of pickled vegetables, and over 20 thousand meal packs were neatly stored in the innermost warehouse. Ding! [Reward: Super warehouse! Food remains permanently fresh!] The massive metal doors now looked like something from a bank vault. Not even professional explosives could open them—only Hayley's iris could. Inside, all items were sorted and stored. And the best part? Permanent freshness and no spoilage! Chapter 4 In just ten days, Hayley's fallout shelter looked completely transformed, inside and out. Now, it was only three days before the apocalypse. After planting the last tree, Hayley thought about what else she needed. For a self-sufficient, hidden life, she needed some chickens, ducks, and fish. Even with all the meal packs she had, nothing beat fresh food. Hayley kept walking through the market, but many stalls were closing. In a corner, she spotted someone selling live baby goats. She bought the last two for 300 bucks. The seller told her that these goats had been specifically bred for producing goat's milk, but business had been so bad that he started selling them off. The big ones were already gone, and only a few kids were left. By chance, Hayley managed to snag the last two today. "You should go home after buying these! With the flu outbreak, don't stay out too long," the vendor warned. Hayley nodded. She always wore a professional medical-grade mask, anyway. The truth was, the flu had never been the source of the zombie virus. It simply spread so widely and so quickly, lowering people's immunity. When the real virus hit, those with the lowest resistance turned into zombies right away. That was why everyone blamed the flu, thinking it was the true cause. It took Hayley ten years of surviving in the apocalypse to figure that much out. Yet, she still had no idea regarding the real origin of the zombie virus. Some people used to say it was nothing more than a game for the gods, like the Hunger Games. After all, the virus didn't just create zombies. It also changed people in other, stranger ways. Once Hayley had the vendor deliver her goods to the warehouse, she left the farmer's market without hanging around. Finding a hidden spot with no cameras, she placed the two goats into her inventory and drove off with Summer. On the way, she stopped at a farm supply store and bought a full set of tools, plus 20 shovels. Most people didn't realize shovels were serious weapons in survival situations. During conflicts, farmers used them as deadly tools. Even modern military spades evolved from shovels. In an apocalypse, a melee weapon like this could be more reliable than firearms. After stocking up on enough shovels, Hayley realized she needed to get baseball bats—another surprisingly effective weapon. Chapter 5 With that in mind, Hayley walked into a sports equipment store. After picking up a few of the best, sturdiest baseball bats, she grabbed a bunch of adventure gear—flashlights, helmets, armor, pads, tents, protective suits, tactical jackets…all of it. Everything she needed for the outdoors. This alone cost her over 4,000. The store also carried emergency kit accessories—tweezers, pliers, bandages, thermometers, and stuff like that. It reminded Hayley that she still needed to stop by the pharmacy. She left the outdoor store and went to stock up on common medicines—cold medicine, bandages, fever reducers, vitamins, alcohol, iodine, and other essentials. By the time she left the pharmacy, it was almost evening. The city lights sparkled, neon glowing all around. Hayley had pretty much gathered everything she could—food, drink, shelter, tools—all the basics covered. Now, she could focus on upgrading daily necessities and a few extra comforts. She figured it was time to go on a shopping spree. Before the apocalypse hit, she was going to enjoy the world one last time. First stop: a Michelin-star hotel she had never treated herself to before. She ordered a full-on feast—mushroom soup, barbecued ribs, pan-seared cod, roasted chicken, and garlic butter prawns—everything she had never been able to afford before. She even had the kitchen prepare ten extra orders of her favorite garlic butter prawns and filet mignon to take home for Summer. After that, she booked a suite and headed down to the mall. The mall was packed with goods, from general stores to tempting food stands. Hayley, used to hard times, hit the food section first—sausages, mini corn dogs, sponge cakes, meat pies, fried skewers, fried chicken, pork cutlets, stew, ice cream, milkshakes, assorted pastries…everything. She wanted it all, but there wasn't enough time or money to buy everything. Most of it was just luxury for a peaceful world—things that wouldn't matter after the apocalypse. But right now, she could buy and eat without worry. Hayley went store by store, quietly and extravagantly telling each clerk, "I want all your snacks." She paid and had everything delivered to her hotel room upstairs. At the first bakery, everything went into bags—fresh bread, cheesecake, cream puffs, petit fours, marshmallows, Swiss rolls, custard slices, custard tarts, waffles, palmiers—all packed and sent up. At a fried chicken shop, she bought every flavor—sweet chili, barbecue, garlic, honey mustard—and every type of chicken: boneless, drumsticks, wings, whole chickens. She then hit up the smoothie bars and ordered every flavor she could—berry blends, tropical fruit mixes, creamy yogurt smoothies, protein shakes, even frozen slushies—everything on the list! She basically just paid and gave them a delivery address before leaving, not wanting to attract too much attention. Just buying these snacks cost over 40 thousand. Each shop's stock usually totaled about 3,000 dollars. Hayley only spent around a few hundred dollars on smaller stalls, like the sausage stall and corn dog stand, ordering one of each flavor. Still, she basically cleared the snack stores in one sweep. Next, she went to the basement supermarket. Now, supermarkets were essential. She pushed two huge carts through the warehouse-style store. At checkout, her carts were filled with single units of all kinds—one bag of each flavored chips, one pack of every cookie or candy, one bottle of each drink, and every cooked food item she could get—roast turkey slices, rotisserie chicken, baked salmon, deli wraps, stuffed pita pockets, and microwavable pasta meals. Even partially prepared foods—marinated chicken, pork chops, fish fillets, and steak—were included. Household necessities like toiletries, face cream, sanitary pads, disposable towels, wipes—everything she could need. And now that she had money, she even bought appliances—a washing machine, a robot vacuum, and a fridge. She wouldn't have considered this before, but now she could. After checking out her two carts, she spoke to the store manager. She wanted the store's entire stock of everything in her carts, except for appliances. However, she had underestimated the cost and inventory. By the time she had selected just a third of what she wanted, her account was empty—220 thousand, gone in a flash! She found herself in an awkward position. Basic staples had been cheap, but processed goods were several times more expensive. Looking at her account balance hitting zero, Hayley decided this was enough. Chapter 6 As Hayley kept walking through the mall, she suddenly caught sight of two familiar figures. A young man was walking with a heavily pregnant woman just ahead of her. Philip and his wife—the same couple Hayley had just "pranked" a little while back. "Babe, calm down. Whatever you want today, just buy it. Forgive me, okay? Don't get mad… You don't want to stress the baby!" "No! You've been lying to me this whole time, haven't you? Your family doesn't even own that apartment! You tricked me on purpose!" "It's really ours." "Then what was all that earlier? Debt collectors at your door claiming the apartment was theirs, sending your grandma to the hospital!" "I don't know what happened. I swear, my mom paid 400 thousand to buy it from Hayley. We just have to find her and transfer the deed!" "Wait, didn't your mom say the apartment was a gift from Hayley, so I couldn't be on the deed? How is it suddenly bought by your family and transferable?" "Uh… A-Anyway! Just know that the apartment's ours now. I'm my family's only son, so I'm bound to get everything. And whatever's mine is yours! Just trust me!" Sue wouldn't buy it. "How am I supposed to trust you? First, you said it was move-in ready with renovations done, now it's a shell. You said it was your property, and now debt collectors show up. I've finally seen the truth—you guys are messing with me! I won't keep this baby! I'm gonna get rid of it now!" "Babe! Babe!" Hayley leaned against a corner, listening to their argument, a small smirk tugging at her lips. Wow. Just ten days, and things were already a mess at the Reids'. Eleanor even ended up in the hospital. Still, it could get even more entertaining. Hayley watched Philip, hands on the escalator railing, chasing after Sue. Mischievously, she whistled at him. Philip, already flustered, turned and spotted her leaning on the glass railing, casually watching them. "Hayley?" He froze, wanting to chase her, but Sue had already gotten to the floor below. "Babe! Babe!" One was his wife, about to get an abortion, and the other was Hayley. He wished he could split himself in two. After weighing his options, he decided to chase Hayley. He figured he would just grab her and make her explain everything to Sue—simple. He ran up the escalator that was heading down, trying to reach her. Meanwhile, Hayley walked at a calm, steady pace. By the time Philip caught up, she had already circled to the opposite escalator, making him chase her through the entire mall. They ended up in the underground parking lot. "Damn it! You little wench! Where do you think you're going?" Philip, panting, cornered Hayley. "How dare you mess with me behind my back! I swear I'll—" "Perfect," Hayley said cheerfully, shutting the car trunk with a click. "I was thinking the same thing." She swung a baseball bat in her hands. Philip's eyes went wide, alarm bells ringing. "What the… You're gonna hit me?" Before he could react, Hayley swung. She immediately overpowered him, dislocating his jaw so he couldn't talk, and dragged him to the corner of the parking lot, beating him mercilessly. Ten years surviving the apocalypse meant she had learned every kind of fighting technique. She could take down a grown man in seconds. But she was merciful with Philip. For half an hour, she smashed him in the arms and legs, striking only the most painful spots that wouldn't kill him. After 30 minutes, Philip lay on the ground, barely conscious. Hayley leaned against the car and kicked him lightly before bending down to grab his phone. She dialed 911 while pressing his head against the floor with her foot. "See? I'm nice. I even called 911 for you. You're welcome." Philip nearly passed out from anger. If her foot weren't on his face, he would've admitted she was "nice". "Damn you…" She took care of the scene and wiped his ID from the phone, not wanting the hospital to identify him that quickly. Then she transferred all the money in his digital bank to hers, using his fingerprint to authorize the payments. Afterward, she moved him to a bar street outside the parking lot, the same place she had called 911 from. Soon, EMTs arrived. Hayley watched them take Philip away, blending in like any bystander. Calmly, she sent messages to Bernard and Lucy with his phone, telling them he had been hurt and to check the hospital. After all that, she sold his phone to a small roadside store. Even if Lucy reported it, they wouldn't trace it back to Hayley in three days. By then, any investigation into Philip would be useless because it would be the apocalypse. Knocking Philip out added 6,000 dollars to her account. She used the money to stock up again, emptying several convenience store shelves into her car. As she prepared to leave, her car door slammed—someone had collapsed on it. Hayley's eyes darkened. Several stylishly dressed men and women helped lift the man. One tattooed guy waved. "Sorry, miss. My friend's drunk!" They laughed and carried him away. "Damn, he went down after two drinks! I remember him saying he could drink anyone under the table." "Yeah, he used to hold his liquor a lot better." "Maybe getting married weakened him!" "Hahaha!" Hayley leaned on her car, watching them leave. Her gaze fell on the young man in the middle—head down, stiff, pale hands hanging awkwardly. Soon, he came to. "What happened to me?" "You drank too much, that's what!" "You're useless! You didn't even drink that much!" "Work stress, I guess. I'm heading back." "Heading back? No way! Keep drinking! Let's get wasted tonight!" The group laughed as they walked off. Hayley's eyes darkened as she watched the scene. She checked her phone and noted that today was the 9th. In her last life, the zombie outbreak started on the 11th. The apocalypse…might have started early. As Hayley grabbed her car keys, a piercing scream cut through the air. "Ahhh!" That familiar sound. The zombie virus had broken out early!

Hayley Reid was reborn two weeks before the apocalypse began. In her last life, she survived ten years of hell—only to die at the hands of the people she trusted most. But this time, she returned with every memory intact… and awakened the Super Base System. While the world fell into chaos, Hayley sipped wine and held her beloved puppy inside the world’s strongest steel fortress. - Chapter 1 "Flu cases are on the rise. Please take precautions, avoid crowded areas, don't gather unnecessarily, and keep warm…" "Hayley, are you even listening to me?!" Hayley Reid jolted, staring at everything in front of her in disbelief. In the middle of the old, 300-square-foot living room with worn-out renovations was a couch, packed with middle-aged men and women. In the center was a plump, 70-ish woman with graying hair. She was Eleanor Reid, Hayley's grandmother. Eleanor glared at Hayley, her jowls bouncing with every movement. Hayley froze. This was the exact scene from two weeks before the apocalypse, when her "beloved" grandmother, father, and stepmother forced her to give up her house for her brother and his soon-to-be wife. The last thing she remembered was being stuck in a zombie siege at the eastern base a moment ago. "Ever since your mom passed, Lucy treated you like her own. Everyone says she's wonderful! Now, Philip is getting married and wants to borrow your house. Why won't you let him? You're so ungrateful!" Eleanor hissed. "Mom, Hayley's not ungrateful. I'm sure she'll come to her senses," said a plump woman next to Eleanor, pretending to mediate. This was Lucy Reid, Hayley's stepmother. "Hmph!" Eleanor snorted. "Clear out the house immediately. Philip said the place has been rented for too long, and the furniture is too worn. He needs new furniture before he gets married. You'll pay for it. After all, he's your brother. You should help out a little!" Hayley, standing in the middle, suddenly laughed out loud. They wanted her house and expected her to buy new furniture on top of that? Ridiculous. Even more ridiculous was the fact that she actually went along with it last time! Hayley's mother, Cynthia, died in a car accident when she was 14. Soon after, Lucy moved in with her son, Philip. On the surface, Lucy seemed perfect—she was attentive and caring. Hayley, going through her rebellious phase, was prickly with everyone but secretly craved warmth and family. Lucy's gentle, understanding ways fooled her. She supported Hayley in everything, no matter what, and Hayley almost genuinely saw her as a mother. She gave them everything, even the only house Cynthia had left her. She hesitated for only a moment before agreeing. The apocalypse soon hit, and Hayley was abandoned repeatedly. When it came time to escape on a rescue vehicle, they shoved her aside to save their skins. That was when Hayley truly understood how fake their love was. True family didn't exist for her. She had been nothing but a tool in their eyes, and they had squeezed her dry. Once she was useless, they kicked her aside. Not a single person there had ever seen her as family. She wanted to slap her past, foolish self so hard. Bang! Hayley tossed a few bags of cheap fruit from the old coffee table straight into the trash, then plopped herself down in front of them. A young man, who had been glued to his phone on the armchair, immediately dropped it and yelled righteously, "Hayley, what the hell are you doing? These are imported apples Mom got especially for you! She said they're your favorite. How could you just throw them away?" Hayley sneered. Her favorite? Since when? She gave Philip a cold glance. "You think you have the right to talk to me about my house?" Facing her icy gaze, Philip felt a shiver run through him and didn't dare to look at her. Hayley's eyes carried a murderous energy—the kind she had honed over ten years of surviving the apocalypse alone after they abandoned her. Philip instantly backed down. Lucy quickly tried to smooth things over. "What's wrong, Hayley? Are you not feeling well? If that's the case, we can come back another day. I know you're not happy with this request, but Philip is your brother. Sue's family wants a house in the city center, and you know how impossible that is now. Even with money, you might not get one. They're even doing lotteries for them. So, I'm begging you… Help your brother out. Later, when you get married, we'll try to make it up to you—" "Why should we make it up to her?" Bernard Reid, who had been quiet, finally spoke. He glared at Hayley. "You really think this house is yours? You should step aside and let Philip have it! When you get married, your husband can buy you one. Stop fighting Philip for it!" Hayley didn't even bother getting angry this time. In her past life, she had wondered why Bernard treated her, his biological daughter, so badly, while spoiling his stepson. As it turned out, Philip was his real son—his own flesh and blood! Before he married Cynthia, he had already married Lucy in his hometown and had a son. To him, Hayley was nothing. And after the apocalypse, he treated her even worse. Hayley held up four fingers. "Four hundred thousand." Everyone froze. "What are you talking about?" "This house was Mom's premarital property. She legally gave it to me later, so I own this house. You want it? Pay up. Four hundred thousand is already a bargain." "You're selling the house to us? You must be joking! We don't have that kind of money!" Hayley lifted her smartwatch. "I'm giving you five seconds to decide. If you don't agree, I'll sell it to someone else. Five…" "We're your elders! How could you talk money with us?!" Eleanor snapped. "Four." "You ungrateful little…! I'm gonna teach you a lesson!" Hayley ignored Eleanor, speeding up. "Three…two…" "Don't you dare!" Bernard jumped to hit her. Hayley kicked his chair out from under him. He landed hard, looking like an idiot. She looked down coldly at him and went on, "One." "You've lost it! How dare you hit your father!" Hayley didn't care about their rage. She grabbed her phone and dialed a number. "Mr. Cruz, I'm selling the house. Put it up for 400 thousand…" The house had been rented out through an agent until Hayley turned 18, which was why it hadn't been sold earlier. "You want it, huh?" Hayley smiled, glancing their way. "Sure. I'll—" "Don't say another word! We agree!" Lucy jumped in, panic in her voice. "Sell it to us!" Lucy knew that the house was actually worth 600 thousand, so getting it for 400 grand was already a steal. Plus, city-center houses were limited now, with all the residency and lottery rules. Hayley's house was hot property. Even if things didn't go exactly as they expected, the most important thing was getting it for themselves instead of letting an outsider have it. Even if they had to pay 400 thousand to get it, they would make a quick 200 grand reselling it. Hayley watched Lucy's reaction and smirked before hanging up. She had decided to sell the house to them. She was losing a bit, but that was the quickest option. Time was money, and she needed both. Most importantly, once the house was sold, they wouldn't have extra cash. She knew they only had 400 grand on hand. In her past life, the government had warned them to stockpile supplies three days before the apocalypse. Hayley was curious to see what they would be able to afford by then. - Ding! [You have received 400 thousand in your account.] Half an hour later at the bank, Hayley saw the money hit her account. Lucy and the others weren't thrilled but paid up. The real estate agent kept calling Hayley's phone; afraid she'd sell the house to him, the family didn't dare complain. "The property office is closed for a few days. I'll handle the transfer when they open," Hayley told them. "No worries. We trust you!" Lucy said, squinting and smiling sweetly. "The transfer can wait. We'll arrange a time later." Lucy acted generous, but Hayley knew better. The woman was just guarding against her future daughter-in-law, scared that her name would be on the house's deed. Right now, the deed still carried Hayley's name, which gave her room to stall. Hayley grinned. This was great! Philip suddenly said to her, "Since we've bought the house, pack your stuff and get out! And toss out all of your junk. I'll get new furniture with Sue." Right after paying, their attitude changed. "Give Hayley a few more days. She's a responsible girl; she'll probably pay you a bit for storage and even replace some furniture. You should be more understanding of your sister," Lucy said. "Mom, why do you still care about her? This little money-grubber doesn't deserve your kindness! I want her out! And Hayley, get your stupid dog out of the house! If I see it again, I'll chop it to pieces!" Hayley froze when she heard Philip mention the "stupid dog". Summer was still alive! She didn't waste another second with them and ran home. As soon as she opened her bedroom door, the quiet German Shepherd that was pacing nervously jumped into her arms. "Woof, woof!" "Summer!" Hayley almost cried, hugging it. Summer was a retired military dog, a gift from Hayley's mother on Hayley's tenth birthday. After Cynthia died, Summer had been her comfort through the hardest times. Lucy's family hated the intuitive dog and had tried several times to get rid of it, but Summer always came back. They wanted to give Summer away, but Hayley had insisted on keeping it, even getting into fights with them over it. To stay the "kind stepmother", Lucy let Hayley keep Summer but insisted that it be kept locked up in Hayley's room. After Hayley moved into Cynthia's old house, Summer finally had room to roam, though Lucy's family still locked it up when they came over. During the apocalypse in Hayley's past life, Lucy's family ate the old dog while Hayley was out scavenging. She had blamed herself for not protecting it. "Summer," Hayley whispered. "Woof, woof!" Summer licked her hand. "This time, I swear, I'll never let you get hurt again!" "Woof, woof!" Summer barked happily. Once Summer was settled, Hayley began packing. The house, rented out for years, had become old and worn. However, the furniture Cynthia had bought back then was expensive. Hayley had been living with her when she was still alive. The furniture was practically useless now, but it still carried a lot of memories. Being back, Hayley felt a little nostalgic. Then, a voice rang in her head. Ding! [Super Lord System activated! Within one hour, for every 200-dollars' worth of item you carry, gain 35 cubic feet of inventory!] Hayley froze. Here came the perks! [Countdown: 59 minutes and 59 seconds!] Skeptical, Hayley picked up her phone from the table to test it. Ding! [Phone detected, worth 1,000 dollars. Reward: 175 cubic feet!] With that, a 175-cubic-feet space appeared in her mind. Her phone vanished from her hand and reappeared there. She now had an inventory! Chapter 2 She had read plenty of novels before—this was a so-called system. Hayley quickly accepted the perk and started sucking in everything she could. She soon figured out the pricing rules. The system valued items at their original purchase price, even if they were used or disassembled. She jumped straight into moving, dismantling, and collecting everything. Ding! [Gold jewelry detected, worth 11,600 dollars. Reward: 2,030 cubic feet!] Ding! [Cup detected, worth 7.80 dollars.] Ding! [Calendar detected, worth 2 dollars.] The notifications kept coming. Ding! [Small desk detected, worth 73.80 dollars. Reward: 35 cubic feet!] Ding! [Rosewood table and chair set detected, worth 5,000 dollars. Reward: 875 cubic feet!] Ding! [Trash can detected, worth 3 dollars.] In about ten minutes, Hayley grabbed everything from shoes, hats, and clothes to pots, pans, pens, cups, trash bins, storage boxes, photo albums, nail clippers, and even larger stuff like tables, chairs, beds, and cabinets. Even the rotten apples Lucy had brought today got tossed into the pile. Ding! [Five pounds of rotten apples detected, worth 0.50 dollars.] Hayley spat. What disgusting liars! They wanted her to give them a 600-thousand-dollar house while offering her cheap, rotten apples they claimed to be imported. What a family! But she didn't mind. Every little bit counted, so she collected them all. Soon, the house was emptied of everything movable. Her sights turned to the big stuff she couldn't normally carry. Ding! [Toilet detected, worth 400 dollars.] Hayley yanked the toilet down with force. She had always been strong, but compared to her old self, who had survived ten years of the apocalypse, this body still felt a little weaker. She would need to train soon. After she stored the toilet, more notifications came in. Ding! [Sink detected, worth 139 dollars.] Ding! [Range hood detected, worth 519.80 dollars.] Ding! [Stove detected, worth 97.80 dollars.] Ding! [Security door detected, worth 317.80 dollars.] She was taking everything she could, not leaving even a single screw for them. Ding! [Windows detected, worth 80 dollars.] Ding! [Flooring detected, worth 30 dollars.] Within an hour, Hayley had stripped the house clean. Anything movable was gone. The floors were lifted, the windows and doors removed, and even unmovable tiles were smashed and taken. Ding! [Three seconds remaining!] Hayley thought fast—she dashed to the front door, stepped on the railing, and snagged a tiny hallway bulb. Ding! [Ten-watt bulb detected, worth 1 dollar. [Time's up! Total space gained: 3,110 cubic feet.] Hayley finally relaxed and said to Summer, "Summer! Let's go!" Not long after, Philip's family brought the pregnant Sue Norman to the new house. "Babe, here's our new place! It's in the city center and a school district, with over 1,000 square feet. It has two units per floor. We don't have a neighbor yet, so the hallway is all ours. The lighting's great, and it has the best layout in the complex. Plus, it's just 100 yards from your work. If you want, you can move in now. Furniture and appliances are ready!" The group marched up to the east-side unit—and froze. The house wasn't just empty; it didn't even have doors or windows. Even a hallway light bulb was gone. Sue turned on her heel. "Hmph! You expect me to renovate this dump? Well, I'm not getting married until you fix this house. And my name has to go on the deed!" Eleanor was fuming. She wanted to call Hayley to demand what that girl had done. But the bad news was, they couldn't reach Hayley. Meanwhile, Hayley was at a tunnel-style fallout shelter on the outskirts of Andersville. It was originally meant for a mountain road, but construction stopped due to insufficient funding and government rerouting. It had been abandoned and repurposed as a fallout shelter. "What are you renting a fallout shelter for?" the agent asked routinely. "Starting a business. I'm gonna grow mushrooms," Hayley said casually. From her previous life, she knew there were three types of shelters. The first were city-center shelters, built under malls, residential buildings, or hospitals. They were convenient, well-equipped, and fast to evacuate—but useless in a zombie apocalypse. Holding a high population meant it was the fastest to fall. The other two types were tunnel-style shelters and professional defense installations. Professional ones were critical in the late apocalypse and formed the backbone of stable bases, but Hayley couldn't rent one. So, tunnel shelters like these were perfect for her: they were secluded, far from people, and big, with a solid ventilation system and a heavy iron gate—exactly what she needed. Plus, they were cheap. Hayley's new shelter cost 400 a year to rent, for a minimum of 20 years. She paid three years upfront—1,200 dollars for a space the size of five basketball courts. The agent grinned, thinking she was an easy mark. Sure, the rent was cheap, but the location was extremely inconvenient and transportation was a headache. He figured that nine and a half out of ten entrepreneurs were idiots, but he wouldn't warn her. After collecting the money, signing the contract, and taking the 100-dollar service fee, he left. Hayley watched him leave without a word. She wouldn't reveal her true purpose. After ten years surviving the apocalypse, she learned one thing: never explain disaster plans to fools, because idiots like them were disasters themselves. After sending the agent off, Hayley entered the shelter with Summer. She checked everything. The ventilation system was intact, and she found a well left by a previous tenant, plus an electrical wire. The well's water tasted like mountain spring—totally separate from city water. Later, when treatment plants were contaminated, tap water would be useless. With this well, Hayley now had a safe water source. The wire wasn't connected, but that meant power could be set up. If she got a generator, the shelter could have electricity. Chapter 3 If she repaired the fence and added electricity, her fallout shelter's defenses would get a huge boost. She decided to get started. Just then, the voice from the system popped into her head. Ding! [Super Lord System activated! Please reinforce the original base. Rewards will be given based on the level of reinforcement. Countdown: 15 days!] Hayley's eyes lit up. She was just starting to process the new mission when another notification came. Ding! [Base war dog detected. Reward: War dog's combat power increased 100x! Physical stats increased 100x!] Hayley watched in amazement as Summer's body started to change. Its muscles doubled in size, its claws grew longer and sharper, and all signs of aging disappeared. In its place was the fierce, commanding presence of a powerful beast. "Woof, woof!" Hayley was amazed. "Wow!" - Hayley had Cynthia's old car, so she could get around easily. It was now time to start reinforcing her base. Not long after, she returned to her base. She placed the generator in the innermost storage room of the fallout shelter. Ding! [One thousand-kW generator detected. Reward: Indestructible, lowest-energy-consumption generator!] Hayley's jaw dropped. She stared at the generator, now looking like it was coated in silver. Its strength and durability were immediately way beyond what they had been. And the best part? It was indestructible! Normally, generators needed maintenance to last long, and Hayley had only been hoping to make it last. However, the system had upgraded it automatically. Amazing! She moved on and installed the surveillance cameras on the wire fences she had set up yesterday. Her tunnel hideout was in a perfect spot. Trees circled it, the main road was about a mile away, and a side road wound into the forest after about 500 yards. No one would ever notice a tunnel covered in wire here. It wasn't noticeable at all. The cameras covered every corner inside. Once she connected them to the generator, she could monitor any intruder—human or otherwise. Immediately, the cameras and electrified fences powered up. Her computer screen filled with tiny surveillance feeds, one for every angle. Then, the system chimed. Ding! [Monitoring and electrical grid system detected. Reward: Monitoring system upgraded! Coverage of the surveillance cameras increased 10x and can automatically detect all living and non-living entities! Electrical grid system upgraded. Maximum shock output: 10 thousand volts!] Hayley stared at her screen, astonished. She zoomed in on one camera. The pixel clarity was ten times better than before. Her 300-foot range camera now stretched a full mile, letting her see the road through gaps in the trees. A bird tried to land on the fence. It hovered and chose a spot—and with a loud zap, dropped straight down. Hayley's eyes glinted. Perfect! This defense was lethal. Anyone trying to break in? Instant death. "Summer, stay away from the fences, okay?" she warned. "Woof!" Upgraded Summer had grown bigger and smarter, more intuitive than before. Hayley ruffled its head, then pulled out the stuff from her old fridge from her inventory. They ate together. After the meal, she got back to organizing her base. Even cleaning the fallout shelter earned rewards. She cleared the water well and trimmed overgrown weeds. Ding! [Water well upgraded. Reward: Independent mountain-range clean water source!] Ding! [Weed coverage reduced. Reward: High-quality soil! Crop yield increased 100x! Growth speed increased 10x!] Hayley grinned. She now had clean water and rich soil. Her base was getting stronger and better every day. Soon, she could grow her own fresh fruits and vegetables and be self-sufficient. She made a mental note to buy seeds next. Ten days passed. The apocalypse was less than three days away. Every inch she cleaned and every fence she reinforced improved the defenses of her base, making it stronger and stronger. Meanwhile, her deliveries kept coming. During the day, she worked in the shelter. At night, she went to the warehouse to pick up packages. She had installed massive cameras at the warehouse entrance, and Summer helped guard the place. It was peaceful now, so people wouldn't dare steal with a huge dog watching. The delivery guys always unloaded truck after truck, then left as soon as they were done. At night, Hayley would go over everything and pull them into her inventory, then carry them back to her base. Ding! [Warehouse full.] All 100 tons of pasta, 1,000 boxes of instant noodles, 200 boxes of sausage, 100 boxes of pickled vegetables, and over 20 thousand meal packs were neatly stored in the innermost warehouse. Ding! [Reward: Super warehouse! Food remains permanently fresh!] The massive metal doors now looked like something from a bank vault. Not even professional explosives could open them—only Hayley's iris could. Inside, all items were sorted and stored. And the best part? Permanent freshness and no spoilage! Chapter 4 In just ten days, Hayley's fallout shelter looked completely transformed, inside and out. Now, it was only three days before the apocalypse. After planting the last tree, Hayley thought about what else she needed. For a self-sufficient, hidden life, she needed some chickens, ducks, and fish. Even with all the meal packs she had, nothing beat fresh food. Hayley kept walking through the market, but many stalls were closing. In a corner, she spotted someone selling live baby goats. She bought the last two for 300 bucks. The seller told her that these goats had been specifically bred for producing goat's milk, but business had been so bad that he started selling them off. The big ones were already gone, and only a few kids were left. By chance, Hayley managed to snag the last two today. "You should go home after buying these! With the flu outbreak, don't stay out too long," the vendor warned. Hayley nodded. She always wore a professional medical-grade mask, anyway. The truth was, the flu had never been the source of the zombie virus. It simply spread so widely and so quickly, lowering people's immunity. When the real virus hit, those with the lowest resistance turned into zombies right away. That was why everyone blamed the flu, thinking it was the true cause. It took Hayley ten years of surviving in the apocalypse to figure that much out. Yet, she still had no idea regarding the real origin of the zombie virus. Some people used to say it was nothing more than a game for the gods, like the Hunger Games. After all, the virus didn't just create zombies. It also changed people in other, stranger ways. Once Hayley had the vendor deliver her goods to the warehouse, she left the farmer's market without hanging around. Finding a hidden spot with no cameras, she placed the two goats into her inventory and drove off with Summer. On the way, she stopped at a farm supply store and bought a full set of tools, plus 20 shovels. Most people didn't realize shovels were serious weapons in survival situations. During conflicts, farmers used them as deadly tools. Even modern military spades evolved from shovels. In an apocalypse, a melee weapon like this could be more reliable than firearms. After stocking up on enough shovels, Hayley realized she needed to get baseball bats—another surprisingly effective weapon. Chapter 5 With that in mind, Hayley walked into a sports equipment store. After picking up a few of the best, sturdiest baseball bats, she grabbed a bunch of adventure gear—flashlights, helmets, armor, pads, tents, protective suits, tactical jackets…all of it. Everything she needed for the outdoors. This alone cost her over 4,000. The store also carried emergency kit accessories—tweezers, pliers, bandages, thermometers, and stuff like that. It reminded Hayley that she still needed to stop by the pharmacy. She left the outdoor store and went to stock up on common medicines—cold medicine, bandages, fever reducers, vitamins, alcohol, iodine, and other essentials. By the time she left the pharmacy, it was almost evening. The city lights sparkled, neon glowing all around. Hayley had pretty much gathered everything she could—food, drink, shelter, tools—all the basics covered. Now, she could focus on upgrading daily necessities and a few extra comforts. She figured it was time to go on a shopping spree. Before the apocalypse hit, she was going to enjoy the world one last time. First stop: a Michelin-star hotel she had never treated herself to before. She ordered a full-on feast—mushroom soup, barbecued ribs, pan-seared cod, roasted chicken, and garlic butter prawns—everything she had never been able to afford before. She even had the kitchen prepare ten extra orders of her favorite garlic butter prawns and filet mignon to take home for Summer. After that, she booked a suite and headed down to the mall. The mall was packed with goods, from general stores to tempting food stands. Hayley, used to hard times, hit the food section first—sausages, mini corn dogs, sponge cakes, meat pies, fried skewers, fried chicken, pork cutlets, stew, ice cream, milkshakes, assorted pastries…everything. She wanted it all, but there wasn't enough time or money to buy everything. Most of it was just luxury for a peaceful world—things that wouldn't matter after the apocalypse. But right now, she could buy and eat without worry. Hayley went store by store, quietly and extravagantly telling each clerk, "I want all your snacks." She paid and had everything delivered to her hotel room upstairs. At the first bakery, everything went into bags—fresh bread, cheesecake, cream puffs, petit fours, marshmallows, Swiss rolls, custard slices, custard tarts, waffles, palmiers—all packed and sent up. At a fried chicken shop, she bought every flavor—sweet chili, barbecue, garlic, honey mustard—and every type of chicken: boneless, drumsticks, wings, whole chickens. She then hit up the smoothie bars and ordered every flavor she could—berry blends, tropical fruit mixes, creamy yogurt smoothies, protein shakes, even frozen slushies—everything on the list! She basically just paid and gave them a delivery address before leaving, not wanting to attract too much attention. Just buying these snacks cost over 40 thousand. Each shop's stock usually totaled about 3,000 dollars. Hayley only spent around a few hundred dollars on smaller stalls, like the sausage stall and corn dog stand, ordering one of each flavor. Still, she basically cleared the snack stores in one sweep. Next, she went to the basement supermarket. Now, supermarkets were essential. She pushed two huge carts through the warehouse-style store. At checkout, her carts were filled with single units of all kinds—one bag of each flavored chips, one pack of every cookie or candy, one bottle of each drink, and every cooked food item she could get—roast turkey slices, rotisserie chicken, baked salmon, deli wraps, stuffed pita pockets, and microwavable pasta meals. Even partially prepared foods—marinated chicken, pork chops, fish fillets, and steak—were included. Household necessities like toiletries, face cream, sanitary pads, disposable towels, wipes—everything she could need. And now that she had money, she even bought appliances—a washing machine, a robot vacuum, and a fridge. She wouldn't have considered this before, but now she could. After checking out her two carts, she spoke to the store manager. She wanted the store's entire stock of everything in her carts, except for appliances. However, she had underestimated the cost and inventory. By the time she had selected just a third of what she wanted, her account was empty—220 thousand, gone in a flash! She found herself in an awkward position. Basic staples had been cheap, but processed goods were several times more expensive. Looking at her account balance hitting zero, Hayley decided this was enough. Chapter 6 As Hayley kept walking through the mall, she suddenly caught sight of two familiar figures. A young man was walking with a heavily pregnant woman just ahead of her. Philip and his wife—the same couple Hayley had just "pranked" a little while back. "Babe, calm down. Whatever you want today, just buy it. Forgive me, okay? Don't get mad… You don't want to stress the baby!" "No! You've been lying to me this whole time, haven't you? Your family doesn't even own that apartment! You tricked me on purpose!" "It's really ours." "Then what was all that earlier? Debt collectors at your door claiming the apartment was theirs, sending your grandma to the hospital!" "I don't know what happened. I swear, my mom paid 400 thousand to buy it from Hayley. We just have to find her and transfer the deed!" "Wait, didn't your mom say the apartment was a gift from Hayley, so I couldn't be on the deed? How is it suddenly bought by your family and transferable?" "Uh… A-Anyway! Just know that the apartment's ours now. I'm my family's only son, so I'm bound to get everything. And whatever's mine is yours! Just trust me!" Sue wouldn't buy it. "How am I supposed to trust you? First, you said it was move-in ready with renovations done, now it's a shell. You said it was your property, and now debt collectors show up. I've finally seen the truth—you guys are messing with me! I won't keep this baby! I'm gonna get rid of it now!" "Babe! Babe!" Hayley leaned against a corner, listening to their argument, a small smirk tugging at her lips. Wow. Just ten days, and things were already a mess at the Reids'. Eleanor even ended up in the hospital. Still, it could get even more entertaining. Hayley watched Philip, hands on the escalator railing, chasing after Sue. Mischievously, she whistled at him. Philip, already flustered, turned and spotted her leaning on the glass railing, casually watching them. "Hayley?" He froze, wanting to chase her, but Sue had already gotten to the floor below. "Babe! Babe!" One was his wife, about to get an abortion, and the other was Hayley. He wished he could split himself in two. After weighing his options, he decided to chase Hayley. He figured he would just grab her and make her explain everything to Sue—simple. He ran up the escalator that was heading down, trying to reach her. Meanwhile, Hayley walked at a calm, steady pace. By the time Philip caught up, she had already circled to the opposite escalator, making him chase her through the entire mall. They ended up in the underground parking lot. "Damn it! You little wench! Where do you think you're going?" Philip, panting, cornered Hayley. "How dare you mess with me behind my back! I swear I'll—" "Perfect," Hayley said cheerfully, shutting the car trunk with a click. "I was thinking the same thing." She swung a baseball bat in her hands. Philip's eyes went wide, alarm bells ringing. "What the… You're gonna hit me?" Before he could react, Hayley swung. She immediately overpowered him, dislocating his jaw so he couldn't talk, and dragged him to the corner of the parking lot, beating him mercilessly. Ten years surviving the apocalypse meant she had learned every kind of fighting technique. She could take down a grown man in seconds. But she was merciful with Philip. For half an hour, she smashed him in the arms and legs, striking only the most painful spots that wouldn't kill him. After 30 minutes, Philip lay on the ground, barely conscious. Hayley leaned against the car and kicked him lightly before bending down to grab his phone. She dialed 911 while pressing his head against the floor with her foot. "See? I'm nice. I even called 911 for you. You're welcome." Philip nearly passed out from anger. If her foot weren't on his face, he would've admitted she was "nice". "Damn you…" She took care of the scene and wiped his ID from the phone, not wanting the hospital to identify him that quickly. Then she transferred all the money in his digital bank to hers, using his fingerprint to authorize the payments. Afterward, she moved him to a bar street outside the parking lot, the same place she had called 911 from. Soon, EMTs arrived. Hayley watched them take Philip away, blending in like any bystander. Calmly, she sent messages to Bernard and Lucy with his phone, telling them he had been hurt and to check the hospital. After all that, she sold his phone to a small roadside store. Even if Lucy reported it, they wouldn't trace it back to Hayley in three days. By then, any investigation into Philip would be useless because it would be the apocalypse. Knocking Philip out added 6,000 dollars to her account. She used the money to stock up again, emptying several convenience store shelves into her car. As she prepared to leave, her car door slammed—someone had collapsed on it. Hayley's eyes darkened. Several stylishly dressed men and women helped lift the man. One tattooed guy waved. "Sorry, miss. My friend's drunk!" They laughed and carried him away. "Damn, he went down after two drinks! I remember him saying he could drink anyone under the table." "Yeah, he used to hold his liquor a lot better." "Maybe getting married weakened him!" "Hahaha!" Hayley leaned on her car, watching them leave. Her gaze fell on the young man in the middle—head down, stiff, pale hands hanging awkwardly. Soon, he came to. "What happened to me?" "You drank too much, that's what!" "You're useless! You didn't even drink that much!" "Work stress, I guess. I'm heading back." "Heading back? No way! Keep drinking! Let's get wasted tonight!" The group laughed as they walked off. Hayley's eyes darkened as she watched the scene. She checked her phone and noted that today was the 9th. In her last life, the zombie outbreak started on the 11th. The apocalypse…might have started early. As Hayley grabbed her car keys, a piercing scream cut through the air. "Ahhh!" That familiar sound. The zombie virus had broken out early!

Hayley Reid was reborn two weeks before the apocalypse began. In her last life, she survived ten years of hell—only to die at the hands of the people she trusted most. But this time, she returned with every memory intact… and awakened the Super Base System. While the world fell into chaos, Hayley sipped wine and held her beloved puppy inside the world’s strongest steel fortress. - Chapter 1 "Flu cases are on the rise. Please take precautions, avoid crowded areas, don't gather unnecessarily, and keep warm…" "Hayley, are you even listening to me?!" Hayley Reid jolted, staring at everything in front of her in disbelief. In the middle of the old, 300-square-foot living room with worn-out renovations was a couch, packed with middle-aged men and women. In the center was a plump, 70-ish woman with graying hair. She was Eleanor Reid, Hayley's grandmother. Eleanor glared at Hayley, her jowls bouncing with every movement. Hayley froze. This was the exact scene from two weeks before the apocalypse, when her "beloved" grandmother, father, and stepmother forced her to give up her house for her brother and his soon-to-be wife. The last thing she remembered was being stuck in a zombie siege at the eastern base a moment ago. "Ever since your mom passed, Lucy treated you like her own. Everyone says she's wonderful! Now, Philip is getting married and wants to borrow your house. Why won't you let him? You're so ungrateful!" Eleanor hissed. "Mom, Hayley's not ungrateful. I'm sure she'll come to her senses," said a plump woman next to Eleanor, pretending to mediate. This was Lucy Reid, Hayley's stepmother. "Hmph!" Eleanor snorted. "Clear out the house immediately. Philip said the place has been rented for too long, and the furniture is too worn. He needs new furniture before he gets married. You'll pay for it. After all, he's your brother. You should help out a little!" Hayley, standing in the middle, suddenly laughed out loud. They wanted her house and expected her to buy new furniture on top of that? Ridiculous. Even more ridiculous was the fact that she actually went along with it last time! Hayley's mother, Cynthia, died in a car accident when she was 14. Soon after, Lucy moved in with her son, Philip. On the surface, Lucy seemed perfect—she was attentive and caring. Hayley, going through her rebellious phase, was prickly with everyone but secretly craved warmth and family. Lucy's gentle, understanding ways fooled her. She supported Hayley in everything, no matter what, and Hayley almost genuinely saw her as a mother. She gave them everything, even the only house Cynthia had left her. She hesitated for only a moment before agreeing. The apocalypse soon hit, and Hayley was abandoned repeatedly. When it came time to escape on a rescue vehicle, they shoved her aside to save their skins. That was when Hayley truly understood how fake their love was. True family didn't exist for her. She had been nothing but a tool in their eyes, and they had squeezed her dry. Once she was useless, they kicked her aside. Not a single person there had ever seen her as family. She wanted to slap her past, foolish self so hard. Bang! Hayley tossed a few bags of cheap fruit from the old coffee table straight into the trash, then plopped herself down in front of them. A young man, who had been glued to his phone on the armchair, immediately dropped it and yelled righteously, "Hayley, what the hell are you doing? These are imported apples Mom got especially for you! She said they're your favorite. How could you just throw them away?" Hayley sneered. Her favorite? Since when? She gave Philip a cold glance. "You think you have the right to talk to me about my house?" Facing her icy gaze, Philip felt a shiver run through him and didn't dare to look at her. Hayley's eyes carried a murderous energy—the kind she had honed over ten years of surviving the apocalypse alone after they abandoned her. Philip instantly backed down. Lucy quickly tried to smooth things over. "What's wrong, Hayley? Are you not feeling well? If that's the case, we can come back another day. I know you're not happy with this request, but Philip is your brother. Sue's family wants a house in the city center, and you know how impossible that is now. Even with money, you might not get one. They're even doing lotteries for them. So, I'm begging you… Help your brother out. Later, when you get married, we'll try to make it up to you—" "Why should we make it up to her?" Bernard Reid, who had been quiet, finally spoke. He glared at Hayley. "You really think this house is yours? You should step aside and let Philip have it! When you get married, your husband can buy you one. Stop fighting Philip for it!" Hayley didn't even bother getting angry this time. In her past life, she had wondered why Bernard treated her, his biological daughter, so badly, while spoiling his stepson. As it turned out, Philip was his real son—his own flesh and blood! Before he married Cynthia, he had already married Lucy in his hometown and had a son. To him, Hayley was nothing. And after the apocalypse, he treated her even worse. Hayley held up four fingers. "Four hundred thousand." Everyone froze. "What are you talking about?" "This house was Mom's premarital property. She legally gave it to me later, so I own this house. You want it? Pay up. Four hundred thousand is already a bargain." "You're selling the house to us? You must be joking! We don't have that kind of money!" Hayley lifted her smartwatch. "I'm giving you five seconds to decide. If you don't agree, I'll sell it to someone else. Five…" "We're your elders! How could you talk money with us?!" Eleanor snapped. "Four." "You ungrateful little…! I'm gonna teach you a lesson!" Hayley ignored Eleanor, speeding up. "Three…two…" "Don't you dare!" Bernard jumped to hit her. Hayley kicked his chair out from under him. He landed hard, looking like an idiot. She looked down coldly at him and went on, "One." "You've lost it! How dare you hit your father!" Hayley didn't care about their rage. She grabbed her phone and dialed a number. "Mr. Cruz, I'm selling the house. Put it up for 400 thousand…" The house had been rented out through an agent until Hayley turned 18, which was why it hadn't been sold earlier. "You want it, huh?" Hayley smiled, glancing their way. "Sure. I'll—" "Don't say another word! We agree!" Lucy jumped in, panic in her voice. "Sell it to us!" Lucy knew that the house was actually worth 600 thousand, so getting it for 400 grand was already a steal. Plus, city-center houses were limited now, with all the residency and lottery rules. Hayley's house was hot property. Even if things didn't go exactly as they expected, the most important thing was getting it for themselves instead of letting an outsider have it. Even if they had to pay 400 thousand to get it, they would make a quick 200 grand reselling it. Hayley watched Lucy's reaction and smirked before hanging up. She had decided to sell the house to them. She was losing a bit, but that was the quickest option. Time was money, and she needed both. Most importantly, once the house was sold, they wouldn't have extra cash. She knew they only had 400 grand on hand. In her past life, the government had warned them to stockpile supplies three days before the apocalypse. Hayley was curious to see what they would be able to afford by then. - Ding! [You have received 400 thousand in your account.] Half an hour later at the bank, Hayley saw the money hit her account. Lucy and the others weren't thrilled but paid up. The real estate agent kept calling Hayley's phone; afraid she'd sell the house to him, the family didn't dare complain. "The property office is closed for a few days. I'll handle the transfer when they open," Hayley told them. "No worries. We trust you!" Lucy said, squinting and smiling sweetly. "The transfer can wait. We'll arrange a time later." Lucy acted generous, but Hayley knew better. The woman was just guarding against her future daughter-in-law, scared that her name would be on the house's deed. Right now, the deed still carried Hayley's name, which gave her room to stall. Hayley grinned. This was great! Philip suddenly said to her, "Since we've bought the house, pack your stuff and get out! And toss out all of your junk. I'll get new furniture with Sue." Right after paying, their attitude changed. "Give Hayley a few more days. She's a responsible girl; she'll probably pay you a bit for storage and even replace some furniture. You should be more understanding of your sister," Lucy said. "Mom, why do you still care about her? This little money-grubber doesn't deserve your kindness! I want her out! And Hayley, get your stupid dog out of the house! If I see it again, I'll chop it to pieces!" Hayley froze when she heard Philip mention the "stupid dog". Summer was still alive! She didn't waste another second with them and ran home. As soon as she opened her bedroom door, the quiet German Shepherd that was pacing nervously jumped into her arms. "Woof, woof!" "Summer!" Hayley almost cried, hugging it. Summer was a retired military dog, a gift from Hayley's mother on Hayley's tenth birthday. After Cynthia died, Summer had been her comfort through the hardest times. Lucy's family hated the intuitive dog and had tried several times to get rid of it, but Summer always came back. They wanted to give Summer away, but Hayley had insisted on keeping it, even getting into fights with them over it. To stay the "kind stepmother", Lucy let Hayley keep Summer but insisted that it be kept locked up in Hayley's room. After Hayley moved into Cynthia's old house, Summer finally had room to roam, though Lucy's family still locked it up when they came over. During the apocalypse in Hayley's past life, Lucy's family ate the old dog while Hayley was out scavenging. She had blamed herself for not protecting it. "Summer," Hayley whispered. "Woof, woof!" Summer licked her hand. "This time, I swear, I'll never let you get hurt again!" "Woof, woof!" Summer barked happily. Once Summer was settled, Hayley began packing. The house, rented out for years, had become old and worn. However, the furniture Cynthia had bought back then was expensive. Hayley had been living with her when she was still alive. The furniture was practically useless now, but it still carried a lot of memories. Being back, Hayley felt a little nostalgic. Then, a voice rang in her head. Ding! [Super Lord System activated! Within one hour, for every 200-dollars' worth of item you carry, gain 35 cubic feet of inventory!] Hayley froze. Here came the perks! [Countdown: 59 minutes and 59 seconds!] Skeptical, Hayley picked up her phone from the table to test it. Ding! [Phone detected, worth 1,000 dollars. Reward: 175 cubic feet!] With that, a 175-cubic-feet space appeared in her mind. Her phone vanished from her hand and reappeared there. She now had an inventory! Chapter 2 She had read plenty of novels before—this was a so-called system. Hayley quickly accepted the perk and started sucking in everything she could. She soon figured out the pricing rules. The system valued items at their original purchase price, even if they were used or disassembled. She jumped straight into moving, dismantling, and collecting everything. Ding! [Gold jewelry detected, worth 11,600 dollars. Reward: 2,030 cubic feet!] Ding! [Cup detected, worth 7.80 dollars.] Ding! [Calendar detected, worth 2 dollars.] The notifications kept coming. Ding! [Small desk detected, worth 73.80 dollars. Reward: 35 cubic feet!] Ding! [Rosewood table and chair set detected, worth 5,000 dollars. Reward: 875 cubic feet!] Ding! [Trash can detected, worth 3 dollars.] In about ten minutes, Hayley grabbed everything from shoes, hats, and clothes to pots, pans, pens, cups, trash bins, storage boxes, photo albums, nail clippers, and even larger stuff like tables, chairs, beds, and cabinets. Even the rotten apples Lucy had brought today got tossed into the pile. Ding! [Five pounds of rotten apples detected, worth 0.50 dollars.] Hayley spat. What disgusting liars! They wanted her to give them a 600-thousand-dollar house while offering her cheap, rotten apples they claimed to be imported. What a family! But she didn't mind. Every little bit counted, so she collected them all. Soon, the house was emptied of everything movable. Her sights turned to the big stuff she couldn't normally carry. Ding! [Toilet detected, worth 400 dollars.] Hayley yanked the toilet down with force. She had always been strong, but compared to her old self, who had survived ten years of the apocalypse, this body still felt a little weaker. She would need to train soon. After she stored the toilet, more notifications came in. Ding! [Sink detected, worth 139 dollars.] Ding! [Range hood detected, worth 519.80 dollars.] Ding! [Stove detected, worth 97.80 dollars.] Ding! [Security door detected, worth 317.80 dollars.] She was taking everything she could, not leaving even a single screw for them. Ding! [Windows detected, worth 80 dollars.] Ding! [Flooring detected, worth 30 dollars.] Within an hour, Hayley had stripped the house clean. Anything movable was gone. The floors were lifted, the windows and doors removed, and even unmovable tiles were smashed and taken. Ding! [Three seconds remaining!] Hayley thought fast—she dashed to the front door, stepped on the railing, and snagged a tiny hallway bulb. Ding! [Ten-watt bulb detected, worth 1 dollar. [Time's up! Total space gained: 3,110 cubic feet.] Hayley finally relaxed and said to Summer, "Summer! Let's go!" Not long after, Philip's family brought the pregnant Sue Norman to the new house. "Babe, here's our new place! It's in the city center and a school district, with over 1,000 square feet. It has two units per floor. We don't have a neighbor yet, so the hallway is all ours. The lighting's great, and it has the best layout in the complex. Plus, it's just 100 yards from your work. If you want, you can move in now. Furniture and appliances are ready!" The group marched up to the east-side unit—and froze. The house wasn't just empty; it didn't even have doors or windows. Even a hallway light bulb was gone. Sue turned on her heel. "Hmph! You expect me to renovate this dump? Well, I'm not getting married until you fix this house. And my name has to go on the deed!" Eleanor was fuming. She wanted to call Hayley to demand what that girl had done. But the bad news was, they couldn't reach Hayley. Meanwhile, Hayley was at a tunnel-style fallout shelter on the outskirts of Andersville. It was originally meant for a mountain road, but construction stopped due to insufficient funding and government rerouting. It had been abandoned and repurposed as a fallout shelter. "What are you renting a fallout shelter for?" the agent asked routinely. "Starting a business. I'm gonna grow mushrooms," Hayley said casually. From her previous life, she knew there were three types of shelters. The first were city-center shelters, built under malls, residential buildings, or hospitals. They were convenient, well-equipped, and fast to evacuate—but useless in a zombie apocalypse. Holding a high population meant it was the fastest to fall. The other two types were tunnel-style shelters and professional defense installations. Professional ones were critical in the late apocalypse and formed the backbone of stable bases, but Hayley couldn't rent one. So, tunnel shelters like these were perfect for her: they were secluded, far from people, and big, with a solid ventilation system and a heavy iron gate—exactly what she needed. Plus, they were cheap. Hayley's new shelter cost 400 a year to rent, for a minimum of 20 years. She paid three years upfront—1,200 dollars for a space the size of five basketball courts. The agent grinned, thinking she was an easy mark. Sure, the rent was cheap, but the location was extremely inconvenient and transportation was a headache. He figured that nine and a half out of ten entrepreneurs were idiots, but he wouldn't warn her. After collecting the money, signing the contract, and taking the 100-dollar service fee, he left. Hayley watched him leave without a word. She wouldn't reveal her true purpose. After ten years surviving the apocalypse, she learned one thing: never explain disaster plans to fools, because idiots like them were disasters themselves. After sending the agent off, Hayley entered the shelter with Summer. She checked everything. The ventilation system was intact, and she found a well left by a previous tenant, plus an electrical wire. The well's water tasted like mountain spring—totally separate from city water. Later, when treatment plants were contaminated, tap water would be useless. With this well, Hayley now had a safe water source. The wire wasn't connected, but that meant power could be set up. If she got a generator, the shelter could have electricity. Chapter 3 If she repaired the fence and added electricity, her fallout shelter's defenses would get a huge boost. She decided to get started. Just then, the voice from the system popped into her head. Ding! [Super Lord System activated! Please reinforce the original base. Rewards will be given based on the level of reinforcement. Countdown: 15 days!] Hayley's eyes lit up. She was just starting to process the new mission when another notification came. Ding! [Base war dog detected. Reward: War dog's combat power increased 100x! Physical stats increased 100x!] Hayley watched in amazement as Summer's body started to change. Its muscles doubled in size, its claws grew longer and sharper, and all signs of aging disappeared. In its place was the fierce, commanding presence of a powerful beast. "Woof, woof!" Hayley was amazed. "Wow!" - Hayley had Cynthia's old car, so she could get around easily. It was now time to start reinforcing her base. Not long after, she returned to her base. She placed the generator in the innermost storage room of the fallout shelter. Ding! [One thousand-kW generator detected. Reward: Indestructible, lowest-energy-consumption generator!] Hayley's jaw dropped. She stared at the generator, now looking like it was coated in silver. Its strength and durability were immediately way beyond what they had been. And the best part? It was indestructible! Normally, generators needed maintenance to last long, and Hayley had only been hoping to make it last. However, the system had upgraded it automatically. Amazing! She moved on and installed the surveillance cameras on the wire fences she had set up yesterday. Her tunnel hideout was in a perfect spot. Trees circled it, the main road was about a mile away, and a side road wound into the forest after about 500 yards. No one would ever notice a tunnel covered in wire here. It wasn't noticeable at all. The cameras covered every corner inside. Once she connected them to the generator, she could monitor any intruder—human or otherwise. Immediately, the cameras and electrified fences powered up. Her computer screen filled with tiny surveillance feeds, one for every angle. Then, the system chimed. Ding! [Monitoring and electrical grid system detected. Reward: Monitoring system upgraded! Coverage of the surveillance cameras increased 10x and can automatically detect all living and non-living entities! Electrical grid system upgraded. Maximum shock output: 10 thousand volts!] Hayley stared at her screen, astonished. She zoomed in on one camera. The pixel clarity was ten times better than before. Her 300-foot range camera now stretched a full mile, letting her see the road through gaps in the trees. A bird tried to land on the fence. It hovered and chose a spot—and with a loud zap, dropped straight down. Hayley's eyes glinted. Perfect! This defense was lethal. Anyone trying to break in? Instant death. "Summer, stay away from the fences, okay?" she warned. "Woof!" Upgraded Summer had grown bigger and smarter, more intuitive than before. Hayley ruffled its head, then pulled out the stuff from her old fridge from her inventory. They ate together. After the meal, she got back to organizing her base. Even cleaning the fallout shelter earned rewards. She cleared the water well and trimmed overgrown weeds. Ding! [Water well upgraded. Reward: Independent mountain-range clean water source!] Ding! [Weed coverage reduced. Reward: High-quality soil! Crop yield increased 100x! Growth speed increased 10x!] Hayley grinned. She now had clean water and rich soil. Her base was getting stronger and better every day. Soon, she could grow her own fresh fruits and vegetables and be self-sufficient. She made a mental note to buy seeds next. Ten days passed. The apocalypse was less than three days away. Every inch she cleaned and every fence she reinforced improved the defenses of her base, making it stronger and stronger. Meanwhile, her deliveries kept coming. During the day, she worked in the shelter. At night, she went to the warehouse to pick up packages. She had installed massive cameras at the warehouse entrance, and Summer helped guard the place. It was peaceful now, so people wouldn't dare steal with a huge dog watching. The delivery guys always unloaded truck after truck, then left as soon as they were done. At night, Hayley would go over everything and pull them into her inventory, then carry them back to her base. Ding! [Warehouse full.] All 100 tons of pasta, 1,000 boxes of instant noodles, 200 boxes of sausage, 100 boxes of pickled vegetables, and over 20 thousand meal packs were neatly stored in the innermost warehouse. Ding! [Reward: Super warehouse! Food remains permanently fresh!] The massive metal doors now looked like something from a bank vault. Not even professional explosives could open them—only Hayley's iris could. Inside, all items were sorted and stored. And the best part? Permanent freshness and no spoilage! Chapter 4 In just ten days, Hayley's fallout shelter looked completely transformed, inside and out. Now, it was only three days before the apocalypse. After planting the last tree, Hayley thought about what else she needed. For a self-sufficient, hidden life, she needed some chickens, ducks, and fish. Even with all the meal packs she had, nothing beat fresh food. Hayley kept walking through the market, but many stalls were closing. In a corner, she spotted someone selling live baby goats. She bought the last two for 300 bucks. The seller told her that these goats had been specifically bred for producing goat's milk, but business had been so bad that he started selling them off. The big ones were already gone, and only a few kids were left. By chance, Hayley managed to snag the last two today. "You should go home after buying these! With the flu outbreak, don't stay out too long," the vendor warned. Hayley nodded. She always wore a professional medical-grade mask, anyway. The truth was, the flu had never been the source of the zombie virus. It simply spread so widely and so quickly, lowering people's immunity. When the real virus hit, those with the lowest resistance turned into zombies right away. That was why everyone blamed the flu, thinking it was the true cause. It took Hayley ten years of surviving in the apocalypse to figure that much out. Yet, she still had no idea regarding the real origin of the zombie virus. Some people used to say it was nothing more than a game for the gods, like the Hunger Games. After all, the virus didn't just create zombies. It also changed people in other, stranger ways. Once Hayley had the vendor deliver her goods to the warehouse, she left the farmer's market without hanging around. Finding a hidden spot with no cameras, she placed the two goats into her inventory and drove off with Summer. On the way, she stopped at a farm supply store and bought a full set of tools, plus 20 shovels. Most people didn't realize shovels were serious weapons in survival situations. During conflicts, farmers used them as deadly tools. Even modern military spades evolved from shovels. In an apocalypse, a melee weapon like this could be more reliable than firearms. After stocking up on enough shovels, Hayley realized she needed to get baseball bats—another surprisingly effective weapon. Chapter 5 With that in mind, Hayley walked into a sports equipment store. After picking up a few of the best, sturdiest baseball bats, she grabbed a bunch of adventure gear—flashlights, helmets, armor, pads, tents, protective suits, tactical jackets…all of it. Everything she needed for the outdoors. This alone cost her over 4,000. The store also carried emergency kit accessories—tweezers, pliers, bandages, thermometers, and stuff like that. It reminded Hayley that she still needed to stop by the pharmacy. She left the outdoor store and went to stock up on common medicines—cold medicine, bandages, fever reducers, vitamins, alcohol, iodine, and other essentials. By the time she left the pharmacy, it was almost evening. The city lights sparkled, neon glowing all around. Hayley had pretty much gathered everything she could—food, drink, shelter, tools—all the basics covered. Now, she could focus on upgrading daily necessities and a few extra comforts. She figured it was time to go on a shopping spree. Before the apocalypse hit, she was going to enjoy the world one last time. First stop: a Michelin-star hotel she had never treated herself to before. She ordered a full-on feast—mushroom soup, barbecued ribs, pan-seared cod, roasted chicken, and garlic butter prawns—everything she had never been able to afford before. She even had the kitchen prepare ten extra orders of her favorite garlic butter prawns and filet mignon to take home for Summer. After that, she booked a suite and headed down to the mall. The mall was packed with goods, from general stores to tempting food stands. Hayley, used to hard times, hit the food section first—sausages, mini corn dogs, sponge cakes, meat pies, fried skewers, fried chicken, pork cutlets, stew, ice cream, milkshakes, assorted pastries…everything. She wanted it all, but there wasn't enough time or money to buy everything. Most of it was just luxury for a peaceful world—things that wouldn't matter after the apocalypse. But right now, she could buy and eat without worry. Hayley went store by store, quietly and extravagantly telling each clerk, "I want all your snacks." She paid and had everything delivered to her hotel room upstairs. At the first bakery, everything went into bags—fresh bread, cheesecake, cream puffs, petit fours, marshmallows, Swiss rolls, custard slices, custard tarts, waffles, palmiers—all packed and sent up. At a fried chicken shop, she bought every flavor—sweet chili, barbecue, garlic, honey mustard—and every type of chicken: boneless, drumsticks, wings, whole chickens. She then hit up the smoothie bars and ordered every flavor she could—berry blends, tropical fruit mixes, creamy yogurt smoothies, protein shakes, even frozen slushies—everything on the list! She basically just paid and gave them a delivery address before leaving, not wanting to attract too much attention. Just buying these snacks cost over 40 thousand. Each shop's stock usually totaled about 3,000 dollars. Hayley only spent around a few hundred dollars on smaller stalls, like the sausage stall and corn dog stand, ordering one of each flavor. Still, she basically cleared the snack stores in one sweep. Next, she went to the basement supermarket. Now, supermarkets were essential. She pushed two huge carts through the warehouse-style store. At checkout, her carts were filled with single units of all kinds—one bag of each flavored chips, one pack of every cookie or candy, one bottle of each drink, and every cooked food item she could get—roast turkey slices, rotisserie chicken, baked salmon, deli wraps, stuffed pita pockets, and microwavable pasta meals. Even partially prepared foods—marinated chicken, pork chops, fish fillets, and steak—were included. Household necessities like toiletries, face cream, sanitary pads, disposable towels, wipes—everything she could need. And now that she had money, she even bought appliances—a washing machine, a robot vacuum, and a fridge. She wouldn't have considered this before, but now she could. After checking out her two carts, she spoke to the store manager. She wanted the store's entire stock of everything in her carts, except for appliances. However, she had underestimated the cost and inventory. By the time she had selected just a third of what she wanted, her account was empty—220 thousand, gone in a flash! She found herself in an awkward position. Basic staples had been cheap, but processed goods were several times more expensive. Looking at her account balance hitting zero, Hayley decided this was enough. Chapter 6 As Hayley kept walking through the mall, she suddenly caught sight of two familiar figures. A young man was walking with a heavily pregnant woman just ahead of her. Philip and his wife—the same couple Hayley had just "pranked" a little while back. "Babe, calm down. Whatever you want today, just buy it. Forgive me, okay? Don't get mad… You don't want to stress the baby!" "No! You've been lying to me this whole time, haven't you? Your family doesn't even own that apartment! You tricked me on purpose!" "It's really ours." "Then what was all that earlier? Debt collectors at your door claiming the apartment was theirs, sending your grandma to the hospital!" "I don't know what happened. I swear, my mom paid 400 thousand to buy it from Hayley. We just have to find her and transfer the deed!" "Wait, didn't your mom say the apartment was a gift from Hayley, so I couldn't be on the deed? How is it suddenly bought by your family and transferable?" "Uh… A-Anyway! Just know that the apartment's ours now. I'm my family's only son, so I'm bound to get everything. And whatever's mine is yours! Just trust me!" Sue wouldn't buy it. "How am I supposed to trust you? First, you said it was move-in ready with renovations done, now it's a shell. You said it was your property, and now debt collectors show up. I've finally seen the truth—you guys are messing with me! I won't keep this baby! I'm gonna get rid of it now!" "Babe! Babe!" Hayley leaned against a corner, listening to their argument, a small smirk tugging at her lips. Wow. Just ten days, and things were already a mess at the Reids'. Eleanor even ended up in the hospital. Still, it could get even more entertaining. Hayley watched Philip, hands on the escalator railing, chasing after Sue. Mischievously, she whistled at him. Philip, already flustered, turned and spotted her leaning on the glass railing, casually watching them. "Hayley?" He froze, wanting to chase her, but Sue had already gotten to the floor below. "Babe! Babe!" One was his wife, about to get an abortion, and the other was Hayley. He wished he could split himself in two. After weighing his options, he decided to chase Hayley. He figured he would just grab her and make her explain everything to Sue—simple. He ran up the escalator that was heading down, trying to reach her. Meanwhile, Hayley walked at a calm, steady pace. By the time Philip caught up, she had already circled to the opposite escalator, making him chase her through the entire mall. They ended up in the underground parking lot. "Damn it! You little wench! Where do you think you're going?" Philip, panting, cornered Hayley. "How dare you mess with me behind my back! I swear I'll—" "Perfect," Hayley said cheerfully, shutting the car trunk with a click. "I was thinking the same thing." She swung a baseball bat in her hands. Philip's eyes went wide, alarm bells ringing. "What the… You're gonna hit me?" Before he could react, Hayley swung. She immediately overpowered him, dislocating his jaw so he couldn't talk, and dragged him to the corner of the parking lot, beating him mercilessly. Ten years surviving the apocalypse meant she had learned every kind of fighting technique. She could take down a grown man in seconds. But she was merciful with Philip. For half an hour, she smashed him in the arms and legs, striking only the most painful spots that wouldn't kill him. After 30 minutes, Philip lay on the ground, barely conscious. Hayley leaned against the car and kicked him lightly before bending down to grab his phone. She dialed 911 while pressing his head against the floor with her foot. "See? I'm nice. I even called 911 for you. You're welcome." Philip nearly passed out from anger. If her foot weren't on his face, he would've admitted she was "nice". "Damn you…" She took care of the scene and wiped his ID from the phone, not wanting the hospital to identify him that quickly. Then she transferred all the money in his digital bank to hers, using his fingerprint to authorize the payments. Afterward, she moved him to a bar street outside the parking lot, the same place she had called 911 from. Soon, EMTs arrived. Hayley watched them take Philip away, blending in like any bystander. Calmly, she sent messages to Bernard and Lucy with his phone, telling them he had been hurt and to check the hospital. After all that, she sold his phone to a small roadside store. Even if Lucy reported it, they wouldn't trace it back to Hayley in three days. By then, any investigation into Philip would be useless because it would be the apocalypse. Knocking Philip out added 6,000 dollars to her account. She used the money to stock up again, emptying several convenience store shelves into her car. As she prepared to leave, her car door slammed—someone had collapsed on it. Hayley's eyes darkened. Several stylishly dressed men and women helped lift the man. One tattooed guy waved. "Sorry, miss. My friend's drunk!" They laughed and carried him away. "Damn, he went down after two drinks! I remember him saying he could drink anyone under the table." "Yeah, he used to hold his liquor a lot better." "Maybe getting married weakened him!" "Hahaha!" Hayley leaned on her car, watching them leave. Her gaze fell on the young man in the middle—head down, stiff, pale hands hanging awkwardly. Soon, he came to. "What happened to me?" "You drank too much, that's what!" "You're useless! You didn't even drink that much!" "Work stress, I guess. I'm heading back." "Heading back? No way! Keep drinking! Let's get wasted tonight!" The group laughed as they walked off. Hayley's eyes darkened as she watched the scene. She checked her phone and noted that today was the 9th. In her last life, the zombie outbreak started on the 11th. The apocalypse…might have started early. As Hayley grabbed her car keys, a piercing scream cut through the air. "Ahhh!" That familiar sound. The zombie virus had broken out early!

Hayley Reid was reborn two weeks before the apocalypse began. In her last life, she survived ten years of hell—only to die at the hands of the people she trusted most. But this time, she returned with every memory intact… and awakened the Super Base System. While the world fell into chaos, Hayley sipped wine and held her beloved puppy inside the world’s strongest steel fortress. - Chapter 1 "Flu cases are on the rise. Please take precautions, avoid crowded areas, don't gather unnecessarily, and keep warm…" "Hayley, are you even listening to me?!" Hayley Reid jolted, staring at everything in front of her in disbelief. In the middle of the old, 300-square-foot living room with worn-out renovations was a couch, packed with middle-aged men and women. In the center was a plump, 70-ish woman with graying hair. She was Eleanor Reid, Hayley's grandmother. Eleanor glared at Hayley, her jowls bouncing with every movement. Hayley froze. This was the exact scene from two weeks before the apocalypse, when her "beloved" grandmother, father, and stepmother forced her to give up her house for her brother and his soon-to-be wife. The last thing she remembered was being stuck in a zombie siege at the eastern base a moment ago. "Ever since your mom passed, Lucy treated you like her own. Everyone says she's wonderful! Now, Philip is getting married and wants to borrow your house. Why won't you let him? You're so ungrateful!" Eleanor hissed. "Mom, Hayley's not ungrateful. I'm sure she'll come to her senses," said a plump woman next to Eleanor, pretending to mediate. This was Lucy Reid, Hayley's stepmother. "Hmph!" Eleanor snorted. "Clear out the house immediately. Philip said the place has been rented for too long, and the furniture is too worn. He needs new furniture before he gets married. You'll pay for it. After all, he's your brother. You should help out a little!" Hayley, standing in the middle, suddenly laughed out loud. They wanted her house and expected her to buy new furniture on top of that? Ridiculous. Even more ridiculous was the fact that she actually went along with it last time! Hayley's mother, Cynthia, died in a car accident when she was 14. Soon after, Lucy moved in with her son, Philip. On the surface, Lucy seemed perfect—she was attentive and caring. Hayley, going through her rebellious phase, was prickly with everyone but secretly craved warmth and family. Lucy's gentle, understanding ways fooled her. She supported Hayley in everything, no matter what, and Hayley almost genuinely saw her as a mother. She gave them everything, even the only house Cynthia had left her. She hesitated for only a moment before agreeing. The apocalypse soon hit, and Hayley was abandoned repeatedly. When it came time to escape on a rescue vehicle, they shoved her aside to save their skins. That was when Hayley truly understood how fake their love was. True family didn't exist for her. She had been nothing but a tool in their eyes, and they had squeezed her dry. Once she was useless, they kicked her aside. Not a single person there had ever seen her as family. She wanted to slap her past, foolish self so hard. Bang! Hayley tossed a few bags of cheap fruit from the old coffee table straight into the trash, then plopped herself down in front of them. A young man, who had been glued to his phone on the armchair, immediately dropped it and yelled righteously, "Hayley, what the hell are you doing? These are imported apples Mom got especially for you! She said they're your favorite. How could you just throw them away?" Hayley sneered. Her favorite? Since when? She gave Philip a cold glance. "You think you have the right to talk to me about my house?" Facing her icy gaze, Philip felt a shiver run through him and didn't dare to look at her. Hayley's eyes carried a murderous energy—the kind she had honed over ten years of surviving the apocalypse alone after they abandoned her. Philip instantly backed down. Lucy quickly tried to smooth things over. "What's wrong, Hayley? Are you not feeling well? If that's the case, we can come back another day. I know you're not happy with this request, but Philip is your brother. Sue's family wants a house in the city center, and you know how impossible that is now. Even with money, you might not get one. They're even doing lotteries for them. So, I'm begging you… Help your brother out. Later, when you get married, we'll try to make it up to you—" "Why should we make it up to her?" Bernard Reid, who had been quiet, finally spoke. He glared at Hayley. "You really think this house is yours? You should step aside and let Philip have it! When you get married, your husband can buy you one. Stop fighting Philip for it!" Hayley didn't even bother getting angry this time. In her past life, she had wondered why Bernard treated her, his biological daughter, so badly, while spoiling his stepson. As it turned out, Philip was his real son—his own flesh and blood! Before he married Cynthia, he had already married Lucy in his hometown and had a son. To him, Hayley was nothing. And after the apocalypse, he treated her even worse. Hayley held up four fingers. "Four hundred thousand." Everyone froze. "What are you talking about?" "This house was Mom's premarital property. She legally gave it to me later, so I own this house. You want it? Pay up. Four hundred thousand is already a bargain." "You're selling the house to us? You must be joking! We don't have that kind of money!" Hayley lifted her smartwatch. "I'm giving you five seconds to decide. If you don't agree, I'll sell it to someone else. Five…" "We're your elders! How could you talk money with us?!" Eleanor snapped. "Four." "You ungrateful little…! I'm gonna teach you a lesson!" Hayley ignored Eleanor, speeding up. "Three…two…" "Don't you dare!" Bernard jumped to hit her. Hayley kicked his chair out from under him. He landed hard, looking like an idiot. She looked down coldly at him and went on, "One." "You've lost it! How dare you hit your father!" Hayley didn't care about their rage. She grabbed her phone and dialed a number. "Mr. Cruz, I'm selling the house. Put it up for 400 thousand…" The house had been rented out through an agent until Hayley turned 18, which was why it hadn't been sold earlier. "You want it, huh?" Hayley smiled, glancing their way. "Sure. I'll—" "Don't say another word! We agree!" Lucy jumped in, panic in her voice. "Sell it to us!" Lucy knew that the house was actually worth 600 thousand, so getting it for 400 grand was already a steal. Plus, city-center houses were limited now, with all the residency and lottery rules. Hayley's house was hot property. Even if things didn't go exactly as they expected, the most important thing was getting it for themselves instead of letting an outsider have it. Even if they had to pay 400 thousand to get it, they would make a quick 200 grand reselling it. Hayley watched Lucy's reaction and smirked before hanging up. She had decided to sell the house to them. She was losing a bit, but that was the quickest option. Time was money, and she needed both. Most importantly, once the house was sold, they wouldn't have extra cash. She knew they only had 400 grand on hand. In her past life, the government had warned them to stockpile supplies three days before the apocalypse. Hayley was curious to see what they would be able to afford by then. - Ding! [You have received 400 thousand in your account.] Half an hour later at the bank, Hayley saw the money hit her account. Lucy and the others weren't thrilled but paid up. The real estate agent kept calling Hayley's phone; afraid she'd sell the house to him, the family didn't dare complain. "The property office is closed for a few days. I'll handle the transfer when they open," Hayley told them. "No worries. We trust you!" Lucy said, squinting and smiling sweetly. "The transfer can wait. We'll arrange a time later." Lucy acted generous, but Hayley knew better. The woman was just guarding against her future daughter-in-law, scared that her name would be on the house's deed. Right now, the deed still carried Hayley's name, which gave her room to stall. Hayley grinned. This was great! Philip suddenly said to her, "Since we've bought the house, pack your stuff and get out! And toss out all of your junk. I'll get new furniture with Sue." Right after paying, their attitude changed. "Give Hayley a few more days. She's a responsible girl; she'll probably pay you a bit for storage and even replace some furniture. You should be more understanding of your sister," Lucy said. "Mom, why do you still care about her? This little money-grubber doesn't deserve your kindness! I want her out! And Hayley, get your stupid dog out of the house! If I see it again, I'll chop it to pieces!" Hayley froze when she heard Philip mention the "stupid dog". Summer was still alive! She didn't waste another second with them and ran home. As soon as she opened her bedroom door, the quiet German Shepherd that was pacing nervously jumped into her arms. "Woof, woof!" "Summer!" Hayley almost cried, hugging it. Summer was a retired military dog, a gift from Hayley's mother on Hayley's tenth birthday. After Cynthia died, Summer had been her comfort through the hardest times. Lucy's family hated the intuitive dog and had tried several times to get rid of it, but Summer always came back. They wanted to give Summer away, but Hayley had insisted on keeping it, even getting into fights with them over it. To stay the "kind stepmother", Lucy let Hayley keep Summer but insisted that it be kept locked up in Hayley's room. After Hayley moved into Cynthia's old house, Summer finally had room to roam, though Lucy's family still locked it up when they came over. During the apocalypse in Hayley's past life, Lucy's family ate the old dog while Hayley was out scavenging. She had blamed herself for not protecting it. "Summer," Hayley whispered. "Woof, woof!" Summer licked her hand. "This time, I swear, I'll never let you get hurt again!" "Woof, woof!" Summer barked happily. Once Summer was settled, Hayley began packing. The house, rented out for years, had become old and worn. However, the furniture Cynthia had bought back then was expensive. Hayley had been living with her when she was still alive. The furniture was practically useless now, but it still carried a lot of memories. Being back, Hayley felt a little nostalgic. Then, a voice rang in her head. Ding! [Super Lord System activated! Within one hour, for every 200-dollars' worth of item you carry, gain 35 cubic feet of inventory!] Hayley froze. Here came the perks! [Countdown: 59 minutes and 59 seconds!] Skeptical, Hayley picked up her phone from the table to test it. Ding! [Phone detected, worth 1,000 dollars. Reward: 175 cubic feet!] With that, a 175-cubic-feet space appeared in her mind. Her phone vanished from her hand and reappeared there. She now had an inventory! Chapter 2 She had read plenty of novels before—this was a so-called system. Hayley quickly accepted the perk and started sucking in everything she could. She soon figured out the pricing rules. The system valued items at their original purchase price, even if they were used or disassembled. She jumped straight into moving, dismantling, and collecting everything. Ding! [Gold jewelry detected, worth 11,600 dollars. Reward: 2,030 cubic feet!] Ding! [Cup detected, worth 7.80 dollars.] Ding! [Calendar detected, worth 2 dollars.] The notifications kept coming. Ding! [Small desk detected, worth 73.80 dollars. Reward: 35 cubic feet!] Ding! [Rosewood table and chair set detected, worth 5,000 dollars. Reward: 875 cubic feet!] Ding! [Trash can detected, worth 3 dollars.] In about ten minutes, Hayley grabbed everything from shoes, hats, and clothes to pots, pans, pens, cups, trash bins, storage boxes, photo albums, nail clippers, and even larger stuff like tables, chairs, beds, and cabinets. Even the rotten apples Lucy had brought today got tossed into the pile. Ding! [Five pounds of rotten apples detected, worth 0.50 dollars.] Hayley spat. What disgusting liars! They wanted her to give them a 600-thousand-dollar house while offering her cheap, rotten apples they claimed to be imported. What a family! But she didn't mind. Every little bit counted, so she collected them all. Soon, the house was emptied of everything movable. Her sights turned to the big stuff she couldn't normally carry. Ding! [Toilet detected, worth 400 dollars.] Hayley yanked the toilet down with force. She had always been strong, but compared to her old self, who had survived ten years of the apocalypse, this body still felt a little weaker. She would need to train soon. After she stored the toilet, more notifications came in. Ding! [Sink detected, worth 139 dollars.] Ding! [Range hood detected, worth 519.80 dollars.] Ding! [Stove detected, worth 97.80 dollars.] Ding! [Security door detected, worth 317.80 dollars.] She was taking everything she could, not leaving even a single screw for them. Ding! [Windows detected, worth 80 dollars.] Ding! [Flooring detected, worth 30 dollars.] Within an hour, Hayley had stripped the house clean. Anything movable was gone. The floors were lifted, the windows and doors removed, and even unmovable tiles were smashed and taken. Ding! [Three seconds remaining!] Hayley thought fast—she dashed to the front door, stepped on the railing, and snagged a tiny hallway bulb. Ding! [Ten-watt bulb detected, worth 1 dollar. [Time's up! Total space gained: 3,110 cubic feet.] Hayley finally relaxed and said to Summer, "Summer! Let's go!" Not long after, Philip's family brought the pregnant Sue Norman to the new house. "Babe, here's our new place! It's in the city center and a school district, with over 1,000 square feet. It has two units per floor. We don't have a neighbor yet, so the hallway is all ours. The lighting's great, and it has the best layout in the complex. Plus, it's just 100 yards from your work. If you want, you can move in now. Furniture and appliances are ready!" The group marched up to the east-side unit—and froze. The house wasn't just empty; it didn't even have doors or windows. Even a hallway light bulb was gone. Sue turned on her heel. "Hmph! You expect me to renovate this dump? Well, I'm not getting married until you fix this house. And my name has to go on the deed!" Eleanor was fuming. She wanted to call Hayley to demand what that girl had done. But the bad news was, they couldn't reach Hayley. Meanwhile, Hayley was at a tunnel-style fallout shelter on the outskirts of Andersville. It was originally meant for a mountain road, but construction stopped due to insufficient funding and government rerouting. It had been abandoned and repurposed as a fallout shelter. "What are you renting a fallout shelter for?" the agent asked routinely. "Starting a business. I'm gonna grow mushrooms," Hayley said casually. From her previous life, she knew there were three types of shelters. The first were city-center shelters, built under malls, residential buildings, or hospitals. They were convenient, well-equipped, and fast to evacuate—but useless in a zombie apocalypse. Holding a high population meant it was the fastest to fall. The other two types were tunnel-style shelters and professional defense installations. Professional ones were critical in the late apocalypse and formed the backbone of stable bases, but Hayley couldn't rent one. So, tunnel shelters like these were perfect for her: they were secluded, far from people, and big, with a solid ventilation system and a heavy iron gate—exactly what she needed. Plus, they were cheap. Hayley's new shelter cost 400 a year to rent, for a minimum of 20 years. She paid three years upfront—1,200 dollars for a space the size of five basketball courts. The agent grinned, thinking she was an easy mark. Sure, the rent was cheap, but the location was extremely inconvenient and transportation was a headache. He figured that nine and a half out of ten entrepreneurs were idiots, but he wouldn't warn her. After collecting the money, signing the contract, and taking the 100-dollar service fee, he left. Hayley watched him leave without a word. She wouldn't reveal her true purpose. After ten years surviving the apocalypse, she learned one thing: never explain disaster plans to fools, because idiots like them were disasters themselves. After sending the agent off, Hayley entered the shelter with Summer. She checked everything. The ventilation system was intact, and she found a well left by a previous tenant, plus an electrical wire. The well's water tasted like mountain spring—totally separate from city water. Later, when treatment plants were contaminated, tap water would be useless. With this well, Hayley now had a safe water source. The wire wasn't connected, but that meant power could be set up. If she got a generator, the shelter could have electricity. Chapter 3 If she repaired the fence and added electricity, her fallout shelter's defenses would get a huge boost. She decided to get started. Just then, the voice from the system popped into her head. Ding! [Super Lord System activated! Please reinforce the original base. Rewards will be given based on the level of reinforcement. Countdown: 15 days!] Hayley's eyes lit up. She was just starting to process the new mission when another notification came. Ding! [Base war dog detected. Reward: War dog's combat power increased 100x! Physical stats increased 100x!] Hayley watched in amazement as Summer's body started to change. Its muscles doubled in size, its claws grew longer and sharper, and all signs of aging disappeared. In its place was the fierce, commanding presence of a powerful beast. "Woof, woof!" Hayley was amazed. "Wow!" - Hayley had Cynthia's old car, so she could get around easily. It was now time to start reinforcing her base. Not long after, she returned to her base. She placed the generator in the innermost storage room of the fallout shelter. Ding! [One thousand-kW generator detected. Reward: Indestructible, lowest-energy-consumption generator!] Hayley's jaw dropped. She stared at the generator, now looking like it was coated in silver. Its strength and durability were immediately way beyond what they had been. And the best part? It was indestructible! Normally, generators needed maintenance to last long, and Hayley had only been hoping to make it last. However, the system had upgraded it automatically. Amazing! She moved on and installed the surveillance cameras on the wire fences she had set up yesterday. Her tunnel hideout was in a perfect spot. Trees circled it, the main road was about a mile away, and a side road wound into the forest after about 500 yards. No one would ever notice a tunnel covered in wire here. It wasn't noticeable at all. The cameras covered every corner inside. Once she connected them to the generator, she could monitor any intruder—human or otherwise. Immediately, the cameras and electrified fences powered up. Her computer screen filled with tiny surveillance feeds, one for every angle. Then, the system chimed. Ding! [Monitoring and electrical grid system detected. Reward: Monitoring system upgraded! Coverage of the surveillance cameras increased 10x and can automatically detect all living and non-living entities! Electrical grid system upgraded. Maximum shock output: 10 thousand volts!] Hayley stared at her screen, astonished. She zoomed in on one camera. The pixel clarity was ten times better than before. Her 300-foot range camera now stretched a full mile, letting her see the road through gaps in the trees. A bird tried to land on the fence. It hovered and chose a spot—and with a loud zap, dropped straight down. Hayley's eyes glinted. Perfect! This defense was lethal. Anyone trying to break in? Instant death. "Summer, stay away from the fences, okay?" she warned. "Woof!" Upgraded Summer had grown bigger and smarter, more intuitive than before. Hayley ruffled its head, then pulled out the stuff from her old fridge from her inventory. They ate together. After the meal, she got back to organizing her base. Even cleaning the fallout shelter earned rewards. She cleared the water well and trimmed overgrown weeds. Ding! [Water well upgraded. Reward: Independent mountain-range clean water source!] Ding! [Weed coverage reduced. Reward: High-quality soil! Crop yield increased 100x! Growth speed increased 10x!] Hayley grinned. She now had clean water and rich soil. Her base was getting stronger and better every day. Soon, she could grow her own fresh fruits and vegetables and be self-sufficient. She made a mental note to buy seeds next. Ten days passed. The apocalypse was less than three days away. Every inch she cleaned and every fence she reinforced improved the defenses of her base, making it stronger and stronger. Meanwhile, her deliveries kept coming. During the day, she worked in the shelter. At night, she went to the warehouse to pick up packages. She had installed massive cameras at the warehouse entrance, and Summer helped guard the place. It was peaceful now, so people wouldn't dare steal with a huge dog watching. The delivery guys always unloaded truck after truck, then left as soon as they were done. At night, Hayley would go over everything and pull them into her inventory, then carry them back to her base. Ding! [Warehouse full.] All 100 tons of pasta, 1,000 boxes of instant noodles, 200 boxes of sausage, 100 boxes of pickled vegetables, and over 20 thousand meal packs were neatly stored in the innermost warehouse. Ding! [Reward: Super warehouse! Food remains permanently fresh!] The massive metal doors now looked like something from a bank vault. Not even professional explosives could open them—only Hayley's iris could. Inside, all items were sorted and stored. And the best part? Permanent freshness and no spoilage! Chapter 4 In just ten days, Hayley's fallout shelter looked completely transformed, inside and out. Now, it was only three days before the apocalypse. After planting the last tree, Hayley thought about what else she needed. For a self-sufficient, hidden life, she needed some chickens, ducks, and fish. Even with all the meal packs she had, nothing beat fresh food. Hayley kept walking through the market, but many stalls were closing. In a corner, she spotted someone selling live baby goats. She bought the last two for 300 bucks. The seller told her that these goats had been specifically bred for producing goat's milk, but business had been so bad that he started selling them off. The big ones were already gone, and only a few kids were left. By chance, Hayley managed to snag the last two today. "You should go home after buying these! With the flu outbreak, don't stay out too long," the vendor warned. Hayley nodded. She always wore a professional medical-grade mask, anyway. The truth was, the flu had never been the source of the zombie virus. It simply spread so widely and so quickly, lowering people's immunity. When the real virus hit, those with the lowest resistance turned into zombies right away. That was why everyone blamed the flu, thinking it was the true cause. It took Hayley ten years of surviving in the apocalypse to figure that much out. Yet, she still had no idea regarding the real origin of the zombie virus. Some people used to say it was nothing more than a game for the gods, like the Hunger Games. After all, the virus didn't just create zombies. It also changed people in other, stranger ways. Once Hayley had the vendor deliver her goods to the warehouse, she left the farmer's market without hanging around. Finding a hidden spot with no cameras, she placed the two goats into her inventory and drove off with Summer. On the way, she stopped at a farm supply store and bought a full set of tools, plus 20 shovels. Most people didn't realize shovels were serious weapons in survival situations. During conflicts, farmers used them as deadly tools. Even modern military spades evolved from shovels. In an apocalypse, a melee weapon like this could be more reliable than firearms. After stocking up on enough shovels, Hayley realized she needed to get baseball bats—another surprisingly effective weapon. Chapter 5 With that in mind, Hayley walked into a sports equipment store. After picking up a few of the best, sturdiest baseball bats, she grabbed a bunch of adventure gear—flashlights, helmets, armor, pads, tents, protective suits, tactical jackets…all of it. Everything she needed for the outdoors. This alone cost her over 4,000. The store also carried emergency kit accessories—tweezers, pliers, bandages, thermometers, and stuff like that. It reminded Hayley that she still needed to stop by the pharmacy. She left the outdoor store and went to stock up on common medicines—cold medicine, bandages, fever reducers, vitamins, alcohol, iodine, and other essentials. By the time she left the pharmacy, it was almost evening. The city lights sparkled, neon glowing all around. Hayley had pretty much gathered everything she could—food, drink, shelter, tools—all the basics covered. Now, she could focus on upgrading daily necessities and a few extra comforts. She figured it was time to go on a shopping spree. Before the apocalypse hit, she was going to enjoy the world one last time. First stop: a Michelin-star hotel she had never treated herself to before. She ordered a full-on feast—mushroom soup, barbecued ribs, pan-seared cod, roasted chicken, and garlic butter prawns—everything she had never been able to afford before. She even had the kitchen prepare ten extra orders of her favorite garlic butter prawns and filet mignon to take home for Summer. After that, she booked a suite and headed down to the mall. The mall was packed with goods, from general stores to tempting food stands. Hayley, used to hard times, hit the food section first—sausages, mini corn dogs, sponge cakes, meat pies, fried skewers, fried chicken, pork cutlets, stew, ice cream, milkshakes, assorted pastries…everything. She wanted it all, but there wasn't enough time or money to buy everything. Most of it was just luxury for a peaceful world—things that wouldn't matter after the apocalypse. But right now, she could buy and eat without worry. Hayley went store by store, quietly and extravagantly telling each clerk, "I want all your snacks." She paid and had everything delivered to her hotel room upstairs. At the first bakery, everything went into bags—fresh bread, cheesecake, cream puffs, petit fours, marshmallows, Swiss rolls, custard slices, custard tarts, waffles, palmiers—all packed and sent up. At a fried chicken shop, she bought every flavor—sweet chili, barbecue, garlic, honey mustard—and every type of chicken: boneless, drumsticks, wings, whole chickens. She then hit up the smoothie bars and ordered every flavor she could—berry blends, tropical fruit mixes, creamy yogurt smoothies, protein shakes, even frozen slushies—everything on the list! She basically just paid and gave them a delivery address before leaving, not wanting to attract too much attention. Just buying these snacks cost over 40 thousand. Each shop's stock usually totaled about 3,000 dollars. Hayley only spent around a few hundred dollars on smaller stalls, like the sausage stall and corn dog stand, ordering one of each flavor. Still, she basically cleared the snack stores in one sweep. Next, she went to the basement supermarket. Now, supermarkets were essential. She pushed two huge carts through the warehouse-style store. At checkout, her carts were filled with single units of all kinds—one bag of each flavored chips, one pack of every cookie or candy, one bottle of each drink, and every cooked food item she could get—roast turkey slices, rotisserie chicken, baked salmon, deli wraps, stuffed pita pockets, and microwavable pasta meals. Even partially prepared foods—marinated chicken, pork chops, fish fillets, and steak—were included. Household necessities like toiletries, face cream, sanitary pads, disposable towels, wipes—everything she could need. And now that she had money, she even bought appliances—a washing machine, a robot vacuum, and a fridge. She wouldn't have considered this before, but now she could. After checking out her two carts, she spoke to the store manager. She wanted the store's entire stock of everything in her carts, except for appliances. However, she had underestimated the cost and inventory. By the time she had selected just a third of what she wanted, her account was empty—220 thousand, gone in a flash! She found herself in an awkward position. Basic staples had been cheap, but processed goods were several times more expensive. Looking at her account balance hitting zero, Hayley decided this was enough. Chapter 6 As Hayley kept walking through the mall, she suddenly caught sight of two familiar figures. A young man was walking with a heavily pregnant woman just ahead of her. Philip and his wife—the same couple Hayley had just "pranked" a little while back. "Babe, calm down. Whatever you want today, just buy it. Forgive me, okay? Don't get mad… You don't want to stress the baby!" "No! You've been lying to me this whole time, haven't you? Your family doesn't even own that apartment! You tricked me on purpose!" "It's really ours." "Then what was all that earlier? Debt collectors at your door claiming the apartment was theirs, sending your grandma to the hospital!" "I don't know what happened. I swear, my mom paid 400 thousand to buy it from Hayley. We just have to find her and transfer the deed!" "Wait, didn't your mom say the apartment was a gift from Hayley, so I couldn't be on the deed? How is it suddenly bought by your family and transferable?" "Uh… A-Anyway! Just know that the apartment's ours now. I'm my family's only son, so I'm bound to get everything. And whatever's mine is yours! Just trust me!" Sue wouldn't buy it. "How am I supposed to trust you? First, you said it was move-in ready with renovations done, now it's a shell. You said it was your property, and now debt collectors show up. I've finally seen the truth—you guys are messing with me! I won't keep this baby! I'm gonna get rid of it now!" "Babe! Babe!" Hayley leaned against a corner, listening to their argument, a small smirk tugging at her lips. Wow. Just ten days, and things were already a mess at the Reids'. Eleanor even ended up in the hospital. Still, it could get even more entertaining. Hayley watched Philip, hands on the escalator railing, chasing after Sue. Mischievously, she whistled at him. Philip, already flustered, turned and spotted her leaning on the glass railing, casually watching them. "Hayley?" He froze, wanting to chase her, but Sue had already gotten to the floor below. "Babe! Babe!" One was his wife, about to get an abortion, and the other was Hayley. He wished he could split himself in two. After weighing his options, he decided to chase Hayley. He figured he would just grab her and make her explain everything to Sue—simple. He ran up the escalator that was heading down, trying to reach her. Meanwhile, Hayley walked at a calm, steady pace. By the time Philip caught up, she had already circled to the opposite escalator, making him chase her through the entire mall. They ended up in the underground parking lot. "Damn it! You little wench! Where do you think you're going?" Philip, panting, cornered Hayley. "How dare you mess with me behind my back! I swear I'll—" "Perfect," Hayley said cheerfully, shutting the car trunk with a click. "I was thinking the same thing." She swung a baseball bat in her hands. Philip's eyes went wide, alarm bells ringing. "What the… You're gonna hit me?" Before he could react, Hayley swung. She immediately overpowered him, dislocating his jaw so he couldn't talk, and dragged him to the corner of the parking lot, beating him mercilessly. Ten years surviving the apocalypse meant she had learned every kind of fighting technique. She could take down a grown man in seconds. But she was merciful with Philip. For half an hour, she smashed him in the arms and legs, striking only the most painful spots that wouldn't kill him. After 30 minutes, Philip lay on the ground, barely conscious. Hayley leaned against the car and kicked him lightly before bending down to grab his phone. She dialed 911 while pressing his head against the floor with her foot. "See? I'm nice. I even called 911 for you. You're welcome." Philip nearly passed out from anger. If her foot weren't on his face, he would've admitted she was "nice". "Damn you…" She took care of the scene and wiped his ID from the phone, not wanting the hospital to identify him that quickly. Then she transferred all the money in his digital bank to hers, using his fingerprint to authorize the payments. Afterward, she moved him to a bar street outside the parking lot, the same place she had called 911 from. Soon, EMTs arrived. Hayley watched them take Philip away, blending in like any bystander. Calmly, she sent messages to Bernard and Lucy with his phone, telling them he had been hurt and to check the hospital. After all that, she sold his phone to a small roadside store. Even if Lucy reported it, they wouldn't trace it back to Hayley in three days. By then, any investigation into Philip would be useless because it would be the apocalypse. Knocking Philip out added 6,000 dollars to her account. She used the money to stock up again, emptying several convenience store shelves into her car. As she prepared to leave, her car door slammed—someone had collapsed on it. Hayley's eyes darkened. Several stylishly dressed men and women helped lift the man. One tattooed guy waved. "Sorry, miss. My friend's drunk!" They laughed and carried him away. "Damn, he went down after two drinks! I remember him saying he could drink anyone under the table." "Yeah, he used to hold his liquor a lot better." "Maybe getting married weakened him!" "Hahaha!" Hayley leaned on her car, watching them leave. Her gaze fell on the young man in the middle—head down, stiff, pale hands hanging awkwardly. Soon, he came to. "What happened to me?" "You drank too much, that's what!" "You're useless! You didn't even drink that much!" "Work stress, I guess. I'm heading back." "Heading back? No way! Keep drinking! Let's get wasted tonight!" The group laughed as they walked off. Hayley's eyes darkened as she watched the scene. She checked her phone and noted that today was the 9th. In her last life, the zombie outbreak started on the 11th. The apocalypse…might have started early. As Hayley grabbed her car keys, a piercing scream cut through the air. "Ahhh!" That familiar sound. The zombie virus had broken out early!

Hayley Reid was reborn two weeks before the apocalypse began. In her last life, she survived ten years of hell—only to die at the hands of the people she trusted most. But this time, she returned with every memory intact… and awakened the Super Base System. While the world fell into chaos, Hayley sipped wine and held her beloved puppy inside the world’s strongest steel fortress. - Chapter 1 "Flu cases are on the rise. Please take precautions, avoid crowded areas, don't gather unnecessarily, and keep warm…" "Hayley, are you even listening to me?!" Hayley Reid jolted, staring at everything in front of her in disbelief. In the middle of the old, 300-square-foot living room with worn-out renovations was a couch, packed with middle-aged men and women. In the center was a plump, 70-ish woman with graying hair. She was Eleanor Reid, Hayley's grandmother. Eleanor glared at Hayley, her jowls bouncing with every movement. Hayley froze. This was the exact scene from two weeks before the apocalypse, when her "beloved" grandmother, father, and stepmother forced her to give up her house for her brother and his soon-to-be wife. The last thing she remembered was being stuck in a zombie siege at the eastern base a moment ago. "Ever since your mom passed, Lucy treated you like her own. Everyone says she's wonderful! Now, Philip is getting married and wants to borrow your house. Why won't you let him? You're so ungrateful!" Eleanor hissed. "Mom, Hayley's not ungrateful. I'm sure she'll come to her senses," said a plump woman next to Eleanor, pretending to mediate. This was Lucy Reid, Hayley's stepmother. "Hmph!" Eleanor snorted. "Clear out the house immediately. Philip said the place has been rented for too long, and the furniture is too worn. He needs new furniture before he gets married. You'll pay for it. After all, he's your brother. You should help out a little!" Hayley, standing in the middle, suddenly laughed out loud. They wanted her house and expected her to buy new furniture on top of that? Ridiculous. Even more ridiculous was the fact that she actually went along with it last time! Hayley's mother, Cynthia, died in a car accident when she was 14. Soon after, Lucy moved in with her son, Philip. On the surface, Lucy seemed perfect—she was attentive and caring. Hayley, going through her rebellious phase, was prickly with everyone but secretly craved warmth and family. Lucy's gentle, understanding ways fooled her. She supported Hayley in everything, no matter what, and Hayley almost genuinely saw her as a mother. She gave them everything, even the only house Cynthia had left her. She hesitated for only a moment before agreeing. The apocalypse soon hit, and Hayley was abandoned repeatedly. When it came time to escape on a rescue vehicle, they shoved her aside to save their skins. That was when Hayley truly understood how fake their love was. True family didn't exist for her. She had been nothing but a tool in their eyes, and they had squeezed her dry. Once she was useless, they kicked her aside. Not a single person there had ever seen her as family. She wanted to slap her past, foolish self so hard. Bang! Hayley tossed a few bags of cheap fruit from the old coffee table straight into the trash, then plopped herself down in front of them. A young man, who had been glued to his phone on the armchair, immediately dropped it and yelled righteously, "Hayley, what the hell are you doing? These are imported apples Mom got especially for you! She said they're your favorite. How could you just throw them away?" Hayley sneered. Her favorite? Since when? She gave Philip a cold glance. "You think you have the right to talk to me about my house?" Facing her icy gaze, Philip felt a shiver run through him and didn't dare to look at her. Hayley's eyes carried a murderous energy—the kind she had honed over ten years of surviving the apocalypse alone after they abandoned her. Philip instantly backed down. Lucy quickly tried to smooth things over. "What's wrong, Hayley? Are you not feeling well? If that's the case, we can come back another day. I know you're not happy with this request, but Philip is your brother. Sue's family wants a house in the city center, and you know how impossible that is now. Even with money, you might not get one. They're even doing lotteries for them. So, I'm begging you… Help your brother out. Later, when you get married, we'll try to make it up to you—" "Why should we make it up to her?" Bernard Reid, who had been quiet, finally spoke. He glared at Hayley. "You really think this house is yours? You should step aside and let Philip have it! When you get married, your husband can buy you one. Stop fighting Philip for it!" Hayley didn't even bother getting angry this time. In her past life, she had wondered why Bernard treated her, his biological daughter, so badly, while spoiling his stepson. As it turned out, Philip was his real son—his own flesh and blood! Before he married Cynthia, he had already married Lucy in his hometown and had a son. To him, Hayley was nothing. And after the apocalypse, he treated her even worse. Hayley held up four fingers. "Four hundred thousand." Everyone froze. "What are you talking about?" "This house was Mom's premarital property. She legally gave it to me later, so I own this house. You want it? Pay up. Four hundred thousand is already a bargain." "You're selling the house to us? You must be joking! We don't have that kind of money!" Hayley lifted her smartwatch. "I'm giving you five seconds to decide. If you don't agree, I'll sell it to someone else. Five…" "We're your elders! How could you talk money with us?!" Eleanor snapped. "Four." "You ungrateful little…! I'm gonna teach you a lesson!" Hayley ignored Eleanor, speeding up. "Three…two…" "Don't you dare!" Bernard jumped to hit her. Hayley kicked his chair out from under him. He landed hard, looking like an idiot. She looked down coldly at him and went on, "One." "You've lost it! How dare you hit your father!" Hayley didn't care about their rage. She grabbed her phone and dialed a number. "Mr. Cruz, I'm selling the house. Put it up for 400 thousand…" The house had been rented out through an agent until Hayley turned 18, which was why it hadn't been sold earlier. "You want it, huh?" Hayley smiled, glancing their way. "Sure. I'll—" "Don't say another word! We agree!" Lucy jumped in, panic in her voice. "Sell it to us!" Lucy knew that the house was actually worth 600 thousand, so getting it for 400 grand was already a steal. Plus, city-center houses were limited now, with all the residency and lottery rules. Hayley's house was hot property. Even if things didn't go exactly as they expected, the most important thing was getting it for themselves instead of letting an outsider have it. Even if they had to pay 400 thousand to get it, they would make a quick 200 grand reselling it. Hayley watched Lucy's reaction and smirked before hanging up. She had decided to sell the house to them. She was losing a bit, but that was the quickest option. Time was money, and she needed both. Most importantly, once the house was sold, they wouldn't have extra cash. She knew they only had 400 grand on hand. In her past life, the government had warned them to stockpile supplies three days before the apocalypse. Hayley was curious to see what they would be able to afford by then. - Ding! [You have received 400 thousand in your account.] Half an hour later at the bank, Hayley saw the money hit her account. Lucy and the others weren't thrilled but paid up. The real estate agent kept calling Hayley's phone; afraid she'd sell the house to him, the family didn't dare complain. "The property office is closed for a few days. I'll handle the transfer when they open," Hayley told them. "No worries. We trust you!" Lucy said, squinting and smiling sweetly. "The transfer can wait. We'll arrange a time later." Lucy acted generous, but Hayley knew better. The woman was just guarding against her future daughter-in-law, scared that her name would be on the house's deed. Right now, the deed still carried Hayley's name, which gave her room to stall. Hayley grinned. This was great! Philip suddenly said to her, "Since we've bought the house, pack your stuff and get out! And toss out all of your junk. I'll get new furniture with Sue." Right after paying, their attitude changed. "Give Hayley a few more days. She's a responsible girl; she'll probably pay you a bit for storage and even replace some furniture. You should be more understanding of your sister," Lucy said. "Mom, why do you still care about her? This little money-grubber doesn't deserve your kindness! I want her out! And Hayley, get your stupid dog out of the house! If I see it again, I'll chop it to pieces!" Hayley froze when she heard Philip mention the "stupid dog". Summer was still alive! She didn't waste another second with them and ran home. As soon as she opened her bedroom door, the quiet German Shepherd that was pacing nervously jumped into her arms. "Woof, woof!" "Summer!" Hayley almost cried, hugging it. Summer was a retired military dog, a gift from Hayley's mother on Hayley's tenth birthday. After Cynthia died, Summer had been her comfort through the hardest times. Lucy's family hated the intuitive dog and had tried several times to get rid of it, but Summer always came back. They wanted to give Summer away, but Hayley had insisted on keeping it, even getting into fights with them over it. To stay the "kind stepmother", Lucy let Hayley keep Summer but insisted that it be kept locked up in Hayley's room. After Hayley moved into Cynthia's old house, Summer finally had room to roam, though Lucy's family still locked it up when they came over. During the apocalypse in Hayley's past life, Lucy's family ate the old dog while Hayley was out scavenging. She had blamed herself for not protecting it. "Summer," Hayley whispered. "Woof, woof!" Summer licked her hand. "This time, I swear, I'll never let you get hurt again!" "Woof, woof!" Summer barked happily. Once Summer was settled, Hayley began packing. The house, rented out for years, had become old and worn. However, the furniture Cynthia had bought back then was expensive. Hayley had been living with her when she was still alive. The furniture was practically useless now, but it still carried a lot of memories. Being back, Hayley felt a little nostalgic. Then, a voice rang in her head. Ding! [Super Lord System activated! Within one hour, for every 200-dollars' worth of item you carry, gain 35 cubic feet of inventory!] Hayley froze. Here came the perks! [Countdown: 59 minutes and 59 seconds!] Skeptical, Hayley picked up her phone from the table to test it. Ding! [Phone detected, worth 1,000 dollars. Reward: 175 cubic feet!] With that, a 175-cubic-feet space appeared in her mind. Her phone vanished from her hand and reappeared there. She now had an inventory! Chapter 2 She had read plenty of novels before—this was a so-called system. Hayley quickly accepted the perk and started sucking in everything she could. She soon figured out the pricing rules. The system valued items at their original purchase price, even if they were used or disassembled. She jumped straight into moving, dismantling, and collecting everything. Ding! [Gold jewelry detected, worth 11,600 dollars. Reward: 2,030 cubic feet!] Ding! [Cup detected, worth 7.80 dollars.] Ding! [Calendar detected, worth 2 dollars.] The notifications kept coming. Ding! [Small desk detected, worth 73.80 dollars. Reward: 35 cubic feet!] Ding! [Rosewood table and chair set detected, worth 5,000 dollars. Reward: 875 cubic feet!] Ding! [Trash can detected, worth 3 dollars.] In about ten minutes, Hayley grabbed everything from shoes, hats, and clothes to pots, pans, pens, cups, trash bins, storage boxes, photo albums, nail clippers, and even larger stuff like tables, chairs, beds, and cabinets. Even the rotten apples Lucy had brought today got tossed into the pile. Ding! [Five pounds of rotten apples detected, worth 0.50 dollars.] Hayley spat. What disgusting liars! They wanted her to give them a 600-thousand-dollar house while offering her cheap, rotten apples they claimed to be imported. What a family! But she didn't mind. Every little bit counted, so she collected them all. Soon, the house was emptied of everything movable. Her sights turned to the big stuff she couldn't normally carry. Ding! [Toilet detected, worth 400 dollars.] Hayley yanked the toilet down with force. She had always been strong, but compared to her old self, who had survived ten years of the apocalypse, this body still felt a little weaker. She would need to train soon. After she stored the toilet, more notifications came in. Ding! [Sink detected, worth 139 dollars.] Ding! [Range hood detected, worth 519.80 dollars.] Ding! [Stove detected, worth 97.80 dollars.] Ding! [Security door detected, worth 317.80 dollars.] She was taking everything she could, not leaving even a single screw for them. Ding! [Windows detected, worth 80 dollars.] Ding! [Flooring detected, worth 30 dollars.] Within an hour, Hayley had stripped the house clean. Anything movable was gone. The floors were lifted, the windows and doors removed, and even unmovable tiles were smashed and taken. Ding! [Three seconds remaining!] Hayley thought fast—she dashed to the front door, stepped on the railing, and snagged a tiny hallway bulb. Ding! [Ten-watt bulb detected, worth 1 dollar. [Time's up! Total space gained: 3,110 cubic feet.] Hayley finally relaxed and said to Summer, "Summer! Let's go!" Not long after, Philip's family brought the pregnant Sue Norman to the new house. "Babe, here's our new place! It's in the city center and a school district, with over 1,000 square feet. It has two units per floor. We don't have a neighbor yet, so the hallway is all ours. The lighting's great, and it has the best layout in the complex. Plus, it's just 100 yards from your work. If you want, you can move in now. Furniture and appliances are ready!" The group marched up to the east-side unit—and froze. The house wasn't just empty; it didn't even have doors or windows. Even a hallway light bulb was gone. Sue turned on her heel. "Hmph! You expect me to renovate this dump? Well, I'm not getting married until you fix this house. And my name has to go on the deed!" Eleanor was fuming. She wanted to call Hayley to demand what that girl had done. But the bad news was, they couldn't reach Hayley. Meanwhile, Hayley was at a tunnel-style fallout shelter on the outskirts of Andersville. It was originally meant for a mountain road, but construction stopped due to insufficient funding and government rerouting. It had been abandoned and repurposed as a fallout shelter. "What are you renting a fallout shelter for?" the agent asked routinely. "Starting a business. I'm gonna grow mushrooms," Hayley said casually. From her previous life, she knew there were three types of shelters. The first were city-center shelters, built under malls, residential buildings, or hospitals. They were convenient, well-equipped, and fast to evacuate—but useless in a zombie apocalypse. Holding a high population meant it was the fastest to fall. The other two types were tunnel-style shelters and professional defense installations. Professional ones were critical in the late apocalypse and formed the backbone of stable bases, but Hayley couldn't rent one. So, tunnel shelters like these were perfect for her: they were secluded, far from people, and big, with a solid ventilation system and a heavy iron gate—exactly what she needed. Plus, they were cheap. Hayley's new shelter cost 400 a year to rent, for a minimum of 20 years. She paid three years upfront—1,200 dollars for a space the size of five basketball courts. The agent grinned, thinking she was an easy mark. Sure, the rent was cheap, but the location was extremely inconvenient and transportation was a headache. He figured that nine and a half out of ten entrepreneurs were idiots, but he wouldn't warn her. After collecting the money, signing the contract, and taking the 100-dollar service fee, he left. Hayley watched him leave without a word. She wouldn't reveal her true purpose. After ten years surviving the apocalypse, she learned one thing: never explain disaster plans to fools, because idiots like them were disasters themselves. After sending the agent off, Hayley entered the shelter with Summer. She checked everything. The ventilation system was intact, and she found a well left by a previous tenant, plus an electrical wire. The well's water tasted like mountain spring—totally separate from city water. Later, when treatment plants were contaminated, tap water would be useless. With this well, Hayley now had a safe water source. The wire wasn't connected, but that meant power could be set up. If she got a generator, the shelter could have electricity. Chapter 3 If she repaired the fence and added electricity, her fallout shelter's defenses would get a huge boost. She decided to get started. Just then, the voice from the system popped into her head. Ding! [Super Lord System activated! Please reinforce the original base. Rewards will be given based on the level of reinforcement. Countdown: 15 days!] Hayley's eyes lit up. She was just starting to process the new mission when another notification came. Ding! [Base war dog detected. Reward: War dog's combat power increased 100x! Physical stats increased 100x!] Hayley watched in amazement as Summer's body started to change. Its muscles doubled in size, its claws grew longer and sharper, and all signs of aging disappeared. In its place was the fierce, commanding presence of a powerful beast. "Woof, woof!" Hayley was amazed. "Wow!" - Hayley had Cynthia's old car, so she could get around easily. It was now time to start reinforcing her base. Not long after, she returned to her base. She placed the generator in the innermost storage room of the fallout shelter. Ding! [One thousand-kW generator detected. Reward: Indestructible, lowest-energy-consumption generator!] Hayley's jaw dropped. She stared at the generator, now looking like it was coated in silver. Its strength and durability were immediately way beyond what they had been. And the best part? It was indestructible! Normally, generators needed maintenance to last long, and Hayley had only been hoping to make it last. However, the system had upgraded it automatically. Amazing! She moved on and installed the surveillance cameras on the wire fences she had set up yesterday. Her tunnel hideout was in a perfect spot. Trees circled it, the main road was about a mile away, and a side road wound into the forest after about 500 yards. No one would ever notice a tunnel covered in wire here. It wasn't noticeable at all. The cameras covered every corner inside. Once she connected them to the generator, she could monitor any intruder—human or otherwise. Immediately, the cameras and electrified fences powered up. Her computer screen filled with tiny surveillance feeds, one for every angle. Then, the system chimed. Ding! [Monitoring and electrical grid system detected. Reward: Monitoring system upgraded! Coverage of the surveillance cameras increased 10x and can automatically detect all living and non-living entities! Electrical grid system upgraded. Maximum shock output: 10 thousand volts!] Hayley stared at her screen, astonished. She zoomed in on one camera. The pixel clarity was ten times better than before. Her 300-foot range camera now stretched a full mile, letting her see the road through gaps in the trees. A bird tried to land on the fence. It hovered and chose a spot—and with a loud zap, dropped straight down. Hayley's eyes glinted. Perfect! This defense was lethal. Anyone trying to break in? Instant death. "Summer, stay away from the fences, okay?" she warned. "Woof!" Upgraded Summer had grown bigger and smarter, more intuitive than before. Hayley ruffled its head, then pulled out the stuff from her old fridge from her inventory. They ate together. After the meal, she got back to organizing her base. Even cleaning the fallout shelter earned rewards. She cleared the water well and trimmed overgrown weeds. Ding! [Water well upgraded. Reward: Independent mountain-range clean water source!] Ding! [Weed coverage reduced. Reward: High-quality soil! Crop yield increased 100x! Growth speed increased 10x!] Hayley grinned. She now had clean water and rich soil. Her base was getting stronger and better every day. Soon, she could grow her own fresh fruits and vegetables and be self-sufficient. She made a mental note to buy seeds next. Ten days passed. The apocalypse was less than three days away. Every inch she cleaned and every fence she reinforced improved the defenses of her base, making it stronger and stronger. Meanwhile, her deliveries kept coming. During the day, she worked in the shelter. At night, she went to the warehouse to pick up packages. She had installed massive cameras at the warehouse entrance, and Summer helped guard the place. It was peaceful now, so people wouldn't dare steal with a huge dog watching. The delivery guys always unloaded truck after truck, then left as soon as they were done. At night, Hayley would go over everything and pull them into her inventory, then carry them back to her base. Ding! [Warehouse full.] All 100 tons of pasta, 1,000 boxes of instant noodles, 200 boxes of sausage, 100 boxes of pickled vegetables, and over 20 thousand meal packs were neatly stored in the innermost warehouse. Ding! [Reward: Super warehouse! Food remains permanently fresh!] The massive metal doors now looked like something from a bank vault. Not even professional explosives could open them—only Hayley's iris could. Inside, all items were sorted and stored. And the best part? Permanent freshness and no spoilage! Chapter 4 In just ten days, Hayley's fallout shelter looked completely transformed, inside and out. Now, it was only three days before the apocalypse. After planting the last tree, Hayley thought about what else she needed. For a self-sufficient, hidden life, she needed some chickens, ducks, and fish. Even with all the meal packs she had, nothing beat fresh food. Hayley kept walking through the market, but many stalls were closing. In a corner, she spotted someone selling live baby goats. She bought the last two for 300 bucks. The seller told her that these goats had been specifically bred for producing goat's milk, but business had been so bad that he started selling them off. The big ones were already gone, and only a few kids were left. By chance, Hayley managed to snag the last two today. "You should go home after buying these! With the flu outbreak, don't stay out too long," the vendor warned. Hayley nodded. She always wore a professional medical-grade mask, anyway. The truth was, the flu had never been the source of the zombie virus. It simply spread so widely and so quickly, lowering people's immunity. When the real virus hit, those with the lowest resistance turned into zombies right away. That was why everyone blamed the flu, thinking it was the true cause. It took Hayley ten years of surviving in the apocalypse to figure that much out. Yet, she still had no idea regarding the real origin of the zombie virus. Some people used to say it was nothing more than a game for the gods, like the Hunger Games. After all, the virus didn't just create zombies. It also changed people in other, stranger ways. Once Hayley had the vendor deliver her goods to the warehouse, she left the farmer's market without hanging around. Finding a hidden spot with no cameras, she placed the two goats into her inventory and drove off with Summer. On the way, she stopped at a farm supply store and bought a full set of tools, plus 20 shovels. Most people didn't realize shovels were serious weapons in survival situations. During conflicts, farmers used them as deadly tools. Even modern military spades evolved from shovels. In an apocalypse, a melee weapon like this could be more reliable than firearms. After stocking up on enough shovels, Hayley realized she needed to get baseball bats—another surprisingly effective weapon. Chapter 5 With that in mind, Hayley walked into a sports equipment store. After picking up a few of the best, sturdiest baseball bats, she grabbed a bunch of adventure gear—flashlights, helmets, armor, pads, tents, protective suits, tactical jackets…all of it. Everything she needed for the outdoors. This alone cost her over 4,000. The store also carried emergency kit accessories—tweezers, pliers, bandages, thermometers, and stuff like that. It reminded Hayley that she still needed to stop by the pharmacy. She left the outdoor store and went to stock up on common medicines—cold medicine, bandages, fever reducers, vitamins, alcohol, iodine, and other essentials. By the time she left the pharmacy, it was almost evening. The city lights sparkled, neon glowing all around. Hayley had pretty much gathered everything she could—food, drink, shelter, tools—all the basics covered. Now, she could focus on upgrading daily necessities and a few extra comforts. She figured it was time to go on a shopping spree. Before the apocalypse hit, she was going to enjoy the world one last time. First stop: a Michelin-star hotel she had never treated herself to before. She ordered a full-on feast—mushroom soup, barbecued ribs, pan-seared cod, roasted chicken, and garlic butter prawns—everything she had never been able to afford before. She even had the kitchen prepare ten extra orders of her favorite garlic butter prawns and filet mignon to take home for Summer. After that, she booked a suite and headed down to the mall. The mall was packed with goods, from general stores to tempting food stands. Hayley, used to hard times, hit the food section first—sausages, mini corn dogs, sponge cakes, meat pies, fried skewers, fried chicken, pork cutlets, stew, ice cream, milkshakes, assorted pastries…everything. She wanted it all, but there wasn't enough time or money to buy everything. Most of it was just luxury for a peaceful world—things that wouldn't matter after the apocalypse. But right now, she could buy and eat without worry. Hayley went store by store, quietly and extravagantly telling each clerk, "I want all your snacks." She paid and had everything delivered to her hotel room upstairs. At the first bakery, everything went into bags—fresh bread, cheesecake, cream puffs, petit fours, marshmallows, Swiss rolls, custard slices, custard tarts, waffles, palmiers—all packed and sent up. At a fried chicken shop, she bought every flavor—sweet chili, barbecue, garlic, honey mustard—and every type of chicken: boneless, drumsticks, wings, whole chickens. She then hit up the smoothie bars and ordered every flavor she could—berry blends, tropical fruit mixes, creamy yogurt smoothies, protein shakes, even frozen slushies—everything on the list! She basically just paid and gave them a delivery address before leaving, not wanting to attract too much attention. Just buying these snacks cost over 40 thousand. Each shop's stock usually totaled about 3,000 dollars. Hayley only spent around a few hundred dollars on smaller stalls, like the sausage stall and corn dog stand, ordering one of each flavor. Still, she basically cleared the snack stores in one sweep. Next, she went to the basement supermarket. Now, supermarkets were essential. She pushed two huge carts through the warehouse-style store. At checkout, her carts were filled with single units of all kinds—one bag of each flavored chips, one pack of every cookie or candy, one bottle of each drink, and every cooked food item she could get—roast turkey slices, rotisserie chicken, baked salmon, deli wraps, stuffed pita pockets, and microwavable pasta meals. Even partially prepared foods—marinated chicken, pork chops, fish fillets, and steak—were included. Household necessities like toiletries, face cream, sanitary pads, disposable towels, wipes—everything she could need. And now that she had money, she even bought appliances—a washing machine, a robot vacuum, and a fridge. She wouldn't have considered this before, but now she could. After checking out her two carts, she spoke to the store manager. She wanted the store's entire stock of everything in her carts, except for appliances. However, she had underestimated the cost and inventory. By the time she had selected just a third of what she wanted, her account was empty—220 thousand, gone in a flash! She found herself in an awkward position. Basic staples had been cheap, but processed goods were several times more expensive. Looking at her account balance hitting zero, Hayley decided this was enough. Chapter 6 As Hayley kept walking through the mall, she suddenly caught sight of two familiar figures. A young man was walking with a heavily pregnant woman just ahead of her. Philip and his wife—the same couple Hayley had just "pranked" a little while back. "Babe, calm down. Whatever you want today, just buy it. Forgive me, okay? Don't get mad… You don't want to stress the baby!" "No! You've been lying to me this whole time, haven't you? Your family doesn't even own that apartment! You tricked me on purpose!" "It's really ours." "Then what was all that earlier? Debt collectors at your door claiming the apartment was theirs, sending your grandma to the hospital!" "I don't know what happened. I swear, my mom paid 400 thousand to buy it from Hayley. We just have to find her and transfer the deed!" "Wait, didn't your mom say the apartment was a gift from Hayley, so I couldn't be on the deed? How is it suddenly bought by your family and transferable?" "Uh… A-Anyway! Just know that the apartment's ours now. I'm my family's only son, so I'm bound to get everything. And whatever's mine is yours! Just trust me!" Sue wouldn't buy it. "How am I supposed to trust you? First, you said it was move-in ready with renovations done, now it's a shell. You said it was your property, and now debt collectors show up. I've finally seen the truth—you guys are messing with me! I won't keep this baby! I'm gonna get rid of it now!" "Babe! Babe!" Hayley leaned against a corner, listening to their argument, a small smirk tugging at her lips. Wow. Just ten days, and things were already a mess at the Reids'. Eleanor even ended up in the hospital. Still, it could get even more entertaining. Hayley watched Philip, hands on the escalator railing, chasing after Sue. Mischievously, she whistled at him. Philip, already flustered, turned and spotted her leaning on the glass railing, casually watching them. "Hayley?" He froze, wanting to chase her, but Sue had already gotten to the floor below. "Babe! Babe!" One was his wife, about to get an abortion, and the other was Hayley. He wished he could split himself in two. After weighing his options, he decided to chase Hayley. He figured he would just grab her and make her explain everything to Sue—simple. He ran up the escalator that was heading down, trying to reach her. Meanwhile, Hayley walked at a calm, steady pace. By the time Philip caught up, she had already circled to the opposite escalator, making him chase her through the entire mall. They ended up in the underground parking lot. "Damn it! You little wench! Where do you think you're going?" Philip, panting, cornered Hayley. "How dare you mess with me behind my back! I swear I'll—" "Perfect," Hayley said cheerfully, shutting the car trunk with a click. "I was thinking the same thing." She swung a baseball bat in her hands. Philip's eyes went wide, alarm bells ringing. "What the… You're gonna hit me?" Before he could react, Hayley swung. She immediately overpowered him, dislocating his jaw so he couldn't talk, and dragged him to the corner of the parking lot, beating him mercilessly. Ten years surviving the apocalypse meant she had learned every kind of fighting technique. She could take down a grown man in seconds. But she was merciful with Philip. For half an hour, she smashed him in the arms and legs, striking only the most painful spots that wouldn't kill him. After 30 minutes, Philip lay on the ground, barely conscious. Hayley leaned against the car and kicked him lightly before bending down to grab his phone. She dialed 911 while pressing his head against the floor with her foot. "See? I'm nice. I even called 911 for you. You're welcome." Philip nearly passed out from anger. If her foot weren't on his face, he would've admitted she was "nice". "Damn you…" She took care of the scene and wiped his ID from the phone, not wanting the hospital to identify him that quickly. Then she transferred all the money in his digital bank to hers, using his fingerprint to authorize the payments. Afterward, she moved him to a bar street outside the parking lot, the same place she had called 911 from. Soon, EMTs arrived. Hayley watched them take Philip away, blending in like any bystander. Calmly, she sent messages to Bernard and Lucy with his phone, telling them he had been hurt and to check the hospital. After all that, she sold his phone to a small roadside store. Even if Lucy reported it, they wouldn't trace it back to Hayley in three days. By then, any investigation into Philip would be useless because it would be the apocalypse. Knocking Philip out added 6,000 dollars to her account. She used the money to stock up again, emptying several convenience store shelves into her car. As she prepared to leave, her car door slammed—someone had collapsed on it. Hayley's eyes darkened. Several stylishly dressed men and women helped lift the man. One tattooed guy waved. "Sorry, miss. My friend's drunk!" They laughed and carried him away. "Damn, he went down after two drinks! I remember him saying he could drink anyone under the table." "Yeah, he used to hold his liquor a lot better." "Maybe getting married weakened him!" "Hahaha!" Hayley leaned on her car, watching them leave. Her gaze fell on the young man in the middle—head down, stiff, pale hands hanging awkwardly. Soon, he came to. "What happened to me?" "You drank too much, that's what!" "You're useless! You didn't even drink that much!" "Work stress, I guess. I'm heading back." "Heading back? No way! Keep drinking! Let's get wasted tonight!" The group laughed as they walked off. Hayley's eyes darkened as she watched the scene. She checked her phone and noted that today was the 9th. In her last life, the zombie outbreak started on the 11th. The apocalypse…might have started early. As Hayley grabbed her car keys, a piercing scream cut through the air. "Ahhh!" That familiar sound. The zombie virus had broken out early!

Hayley Reid was reborn two weeks before the apocalypse began. In her last life, she survived ten years of hell—only to die at the hands of the people she trusted most. But this time, she returned with every memory intact… and awakened the Super Base System. While the world fell into chaos, Hayley sipped wine and held her beloved puppy inside the world’s strongest steel fortress. - Chapter 1 "Flu cases are on the rise. Please take precautions, avoid crowded areas, don't gather unnecessarily, and keep warm…" "Hayley, are you even listening to me?!" Hayley Reid jolted, staring at everything in front of her in disbelief. In the middle of the old, 300-square-foot living room with worn-out renovations was a couch, packed with middle-aged men and women. In the center was a plump, 70-ish woman with graying hair. She was Eleanor Reid, Hayley's grandmother. Eleanor glared at Hayley, her jowls bouncing with every movement. Hayley froze. This was the exact scene from two weeks before the apocalypse, when her "beloved" grandmother, father, and stepmother forced her to give up her house for her brother and his soon-to-be wife. The last thing she remembered was being stuck in a zombie siege at the eastern base a moment ago. "Ever since your mom passed, Lucy treated you like her own. Everyone says she's wonderful! Now, Philip is getting married and wants to borrow your house. Why won't you let him? You're so ungrateful!" Eleanor hissed. "Mom, Hayley's not ungrateful. I'm sure she'll come to her senses," said a plump woman next to Eleanor, pretending to mediate. This was Lucy Reid, Hayley's stepmother. "Hmph!" Eleanor snorted. "Clear out the house immediately. Philip said the place has been rented for too long, and the furniture is too worn. He needs new furniture before he gets married. You'll pay for it. After all, he's your brother. You should help out a little!" Hayley, standing in the middle, suddenly laughed out loud. They wanted her house and expected her to buy new furniture on top of that? Ridiculous. Even more ridiculous was the fact that she actually went along with it last time! Hayley's mother, Cynthia, died in a car accident when she was 14. Soon after, Lucy moved in with her son, Philip. On the surface, Lucy seemed perfect—she was attentive and caring. Hayley, going through her rebellious phase, was prickly with everyone but secretly craved warmth and family. Lucy's gentle, understanding ways fooled her. She supported Hayley in everything, no matter what, and Hayley almost genuinely saw her as a mother. She gave them everything, even the only house Cynthia had left her. She hesitated for only a moment before agreeing. The apocalypse soon hit, and Hayley was abandoned repeatedly. When it came time to escape on a rescue vehicle, they shoved her aside to save their skins. That was when Hayley truly understood how fake their love was. True family didn't exist for her. She had been nothing but a tool in their eyes, and they had squeezed her dry. Once she was useless, they kicked her aside. Not a single person there had ever seen her as family. She wanted to slap her past, foolish self so hard. Bang! Hayley tossed a few bags of cheap fruit from the old coffee table straight into the trash, then plopped herself down in front of them. A young man, who had been glued to his phone on the armchair, immediately dropped it and yelled righteously, "Hayley, what the hell are you doing? These are imported apples Mom got especially for you! She said they're your favorite. How could you just throw them away?" Hayley sneered. Her favorite? Since when? She gave Philip a cold glance. "You think you have the right to talk to me about my house?" Facing her icy gaze, Philip felt a shiver run through him and didn't dare to look at her. Hayley's eyes carried a murderous energy—the kind she had honed over ten years of surviving the apocalypse alone after they abandoned her. Philip instantly backed down. Lucy quickly tried to smooth things over. "What's wrong, Hayley? Are you not feeling well? If that's the case, we can come back another day. I know you're not happy with this request, but Philip is your brother. Sue's family wants a house in the city center, and you know how impossible that is now. Even with money, you might not get one. They're even doing lotteries for them. So, I'm begging you… Help your brother out. Later, when you get married, we'll try to make it up to you—" "Why should we make it up to her?" Bernard Reid, who had been quiet, finally spoke. He glared at Hayley. "You really think this house is yours? You should step aside and let Philip have it! When you get married, your husband can buy you one. Stop fighting Philip for it!" Hayley didn't even bother getting angry this time. In her past life, she had wondered why Bernard treated her, his biological daughter, so badly, while spoiling his stepson. As it turned out, Philip was his real son—his own flesh and blood! Before he married Cynthia, he had already married Lucy in his hometown and had a son. To him, Hayley was nothing. And after the apocalypse, he treated her even worse. Hayley held up four fingers. "Four hundred thousand." Everyone froze. "What are you talking about?" "This house was Mom's premarital property. She legally gave it to me later, so I own this house. You want it? Pay up. Four hundred thousand is already a bargain." "You're selling the house to us? You must be joking! We don't have that kind of money!" Hayley lifted her smartwatch. "I'm giving you five seconds to decide. If you don't agree, I'll sell it to someone else. Five…" "We're your elders! How could you talk money with us?!" Eleanor snapped. "Four." "You ungrateful little…! I'm gonna teach you a lesson!" Hayley ignored Eleanor, speeding up. "Three…two…" "Don't you dare!" Bernard jumped to hit her. Hayley kicked his chair out from under him. He landed hard, looking like an idiot. She looked down coldly at him and went on, "One." "You've lost it! How dare you hit your father!" Hayley didn't care about their rage. She grabbed her phone and dialed a number. "Mr. Cruz, I'm selling the house. Put it up for 400 thousand…" The house had been rented out through an agent until Hayley turned 18, which was why it hadn't been sold earlier. "You want it, huh?" Hayley smiled, glancing their way. "Sure. I'll—" "Don't say another word! We agree!" Lucy jumped in, panic in her voice. "Sell it to us!" Lucy knew that the house was actually worth 600 thousand, so getting it for 400 grand was already a steal. Plus, city-center houses were limited now, with all the residency and lottery rules. Hayley's house was hot property. Even if things didn't go exactly as they expected, the most important thing was getting it for themselves instead of letting an outsider have it. Even if they had to pay 400 thousand to get it, they would make a quick 200 grand reselling it. Hayley watched Lucy's reaction and smirked before hanging up. She had decided to sell the house to them. She was losing a bit, but that was the quickest option. Time was money, and she needed both. Most importantly, once the house was sold, they wouldn't have extra cash. She knew they only had 400 grand on hand. In her past life, the government had warned them to stockpile supplies three days before the apocalypse. Hayley was curious to see what they would be able to afford by then. - Ding! [You have received 400 thousand in your account.] Half an hour later at the bank, Hayley saw the money hit her account. Lucy and the others weren't thrilled but paid up. The real estate agent kept calling Hayley's phone; afraid she'd sell the house to him, the family didn't dare complain. "The property office is closed for a few days. I'll handle the transfer when they open," Hayley told them. "No worries. We trust you!" Lucy said, squinting and smiling sweetly. "The transfer can wait. We'll arrange a time later." Lucy acted generous, but Hayley knew better. The woman was just guarding against her future daughter-in-law, scared that her name would be on the house's deed. Right now, the deed still carried Hayley's name, which gave her room to stall. Hayley grinned. This was great! Philip suddenly said to her, "Since we've bought the house, pack your stuff and get out! And toss out all of your junk. I'll get new furniture with Sue." Right after paying, their attitude changed. "Give Hayley a few more days. She's a responsible girl; she'll probably pay you a bit for storage and even replace some furniture. You should be more understanding of your sister," Lucy said. "Mom, why do you still care about her? This little money-grubber doesn't deserve your kindness! I want her out! And Hayley, get your stupid dog out of the house! If I see it again, I'll chop it to pieces!" Hayley froze when she heard Philip mention the "stupid dog". Summer was still alive! She didn't waste another second with them and ran home. As soon as she opened her bedroom door, the quiet German Shepherd that was pacing nervously jumped into her arms. "Woof, woof!" "Summer!" Hayley almost cried, hugging it. Summer was a retired military dog, a gift from Hayley's mother on Hayley's tenth birthday. After Cynthia died, Summer had been her comfort through the hardest times. Lucy's family hated the intuitive dog and had tried several times to get rid of it, but Summer always came back. They wanted to give Summer away, but Hayley had insisted on keeping it, even getting into fights with them over it. To stay the "kind stepmother", Lucy let Hayley keep Summer but insisted that it be kept locked up in Hayley's room. After Hayley moved into Cynthia's old house, Summer finally had room to roam, though Lucy's family still locked it up when they came over. During the apocalypse in Hayley's past life, Lucy's family ate the old dog while Hayley was out scavenging. She had blamed herself for not protecting it. "Summer," Hayley whispered. "Woof, woof!" Summer licked her hand. "This time, I swear, I'll never let you get hurt again!" "Woof, woof!" Summer barked happily. Once Summer was settled, Hayley began packing. The house, rented out for years, had become old and worn. However, the furniture Cynthia had bought back then was expensive. Hayley had been living with her when she was still alive. The furniture was practically useless now, but it still carried a lot of memories. Being back, Hayley felt a little nostalgic. Then, a voice rang in her head. Ding! [Super Lord System activated! Within one hour, for every 200-dollars' worth of item you carry, gain 35 cubic feet of inventory!] Hayley froze. Here came the perks! [Countdown: 59 minutes and 59 seconds!] Skeptical, Hayley picked up her phone from the table to test it. Ding! [Phone detected, worth 1,000 dollars. Reward: 175 cubic feet!] With that, a 175-cubic-feet space appeared in her mind. Her phone vanished from her hand and reappeared there. She now had an inventory! Chapter 2 She had read plenty of novels before—this was a so-called system. Hayley quickly accepted the perk and started sucking in everything she could. She soon figured out the pricing rules. The system valued items at their original purchase price, even if they were used or disassembled. She jumped straight into moving, dismantling, and collecting everything. Ding! [Gold jewelry detected, worth 11,600 dollars. Reward: 2,030 cubic feet!] Ding! [Cup detected, worth 7.80 dollars.] Ding! [Calendar detected, worth 2 dollars.] The notifications kept coming. Ding! [Small desk detected, worth 73.80 dollars. Reward: 35 cubic feet!] Ding! [Rosewood table and chair set detected, worth 5,000 dollars. Reward: 875 cubic feet!] Ding! [Trash can detected, worth 3 dollars.] In about ten minutes, Hayley grabbed everything from shoes, hats, and clothes to pots, pans, pens, cups, trash bins, storage boxes, photo albums, nail clippers, and even larger stuff like tables, chairs, beds, and cabinets. Even the rotten apples Lucy had brought today got tossed into the pile. Ding! [Five pounds of rotten apples detected, worth 0.50 dollars.] Hayley spat. What disgusting liars! They wanted her to give them a 600-thousand-dollar house while offering her cheap, rotten apples they claimed to be imported. What a family! But she didn't mind. Every little bit counted, so she collected them all. Soon, the house was emptied of everything movable. Her sights turned to the big stuff she couldn't normally carry. Ding! [Toilet detected, worth 400 dollars.] Hayley yanked the toilet down with force. She had always been strong, but compared to her old self, who had survived ten years of the apocalypse, this body still felt a little weaker. She would need to train soon. After she stored the toilet, more notifications came in. Ding! [Sink detected, worth 139 dollars.] Ding! [Range hood detected, worth 519.80 dollars.] Ding! [Stove detected, worth 97.80 dollars.] Ding! [Security door detected, worth 317.80 dollars.] She was taking everything she could, not leaving even a single screw for them. Ding! [Windows detected, worth 80 dollars.] Ding! [Flooring detected, worth 30 dollars.] Within an hour, Hayley had stripped the house clean. Anything movable was gone. The floors were lifted, the windows and doors removed, and even unmovable tiles were smashed and taken. Ding! [Three seconds remaining!] Hayley thought fast—she dashed to the front door, stepped on the railing, and snagged a tiny hallway bulb. Ding! [Ten-watt bulb detected, worth 1 dollar. [Time's up! Total space gained: 3,110 cubic feet.] Hayley finally relaxed and said to Summer, "Summer! Let's go!" Not long after, Philip's family brought the pregnant Sue Norman to the new house. "Babe, here's our new place! It's in the city center and a school district, with over 1,000 square feet. It has two units per floor. We don't have a neighbor yet, so the hallway is all ours. The lighting's great, and it has the best layout in the complex. Plus, it's just 100 yards from your work. If you want, you can move in now. Furniture and appliances are ready!" The group marched up to the east-side unit—and froze. The house wasn't just empty; it didn't even have doors or windows. Even a hallway light bulb was gone. Sue turned on her heel. "Hmph! You expect me to renovate this dump? Well, I'm not getting married until you fix this house. And my name has to go on the deed!" Eleanor was fuming. She wanted to call Hayley to demand what that girl had done. But the bad news was, they couldn't reach Hayley. Meanwhile, Hayley was at a tunnel-style fallout shelter on the outskirts of Andersville. It was originally meant for a mountain road, but construction stopped due to insufficient funding and government rerouting. It had been abandoned and repurposed as a fallout shelter. "What are you renting a fallout shelter for?" the agent asked routinely. "Starting a business. I'm gonna grow mushrooms," Hayley said casually. From her previous life, she knew there were three types of shelters. The first were city-center shelters, built under malls, residential buildings, or hospitals. They were convenient, well-equipped, and fast to evacuate—but useless in a zombie apocalypse. Holding a high population meant it was the fastest to fall. The other two types were tunnel-style shelters and professional defense installations. Professional ones were critical in the late apocalypse and formed the backbone of stable bases, but Hayley couldn't rent one. So, tunnel shelters like these were perfect for her: they were secluded, far from people, and big, with a solid ventilation system and a heavy iron gate—exactly what she needed. Plus, they were cheap. Hayley's new shelter cost 400 a year to rent, for a minimum of 20 years. She paid three years upfront—1,200 dollars for a space the size of five basketball courts. The agent grinned, thinking she was an easy mark. Sure, the rent was cheap, but the location was extremely inconvenient and transportation was a headache. He figured that nine and a half out of ten entrepreneurs were idiots, but he wouldn't warn her. After collecting the money, signing the contract, and taking the 100-dollar service fee, he left. Hayley watched him leave without a word. She wouldn't reveal her true purpose. After ten years surviving the apocalypse, she learned one thing: never explain disaster plans to fools, because idiots like them were disasters themselves. After sending the agent off, Hayley entered the shelter with Summer. She checked everything. The ventilation system was intact, and she found a well left by a previous tenant, plus an electrical wire. The well's water tasted like mountain spring—totally separate from city water. Later, when treatment plants were contaminated, tap water would be useless. With this well, Hayley now had a safe water source. The wire wasn't connected, but that meant power could be set up. If she got a generator, the shelter could have electricity. Chapter 3 If she repaired the fence and added electricity, her fallout shelter's defenses would get a huge boost. She decided to get started. Just then, the voice from the system popped into her head. Ding! [Super Lord System activated! Please reinforce the original base. Rewards will be given based on the level of reinforcement. Countdown: 15 days!] Hayley's eyes lit up. She was just starting to process the new mission when another notification came. Ding! [Base war dog detected. Reward: War dog's combat power increased 100x! Physical stats increased 100x!] Hayley watched in amazement as Summer's body started to change. Its muscles doubled in size, its claws grew longer and sharper, and all signs of aging disappeared. In its place was the fierce, commanding presence of a powerful beast. "Woof, woof!" Hayley was amazed. "Wow!" - Hayley had Cynthia's old car, so she could get around easily. It was now time to start reinforcing her base. Not long after, she returned to her base. She placed the generator in the innermost storage room of the fallout shelter. Ding! [One thousand-kW generator detected. Reward: Indestructible, lowest-energy-consumption generator!] Hayley's jaw dropped. She stared at the generator, now looking like it was coated in silver. Its strength and durability were immediately way beyond what they had been. And the best part? It was indestructible! Normally, generators needed maintenance to last long, and Hayley had only been hoping to make it last. However, the system had upgraded it automatically. Amazing! She moved on and installed the surveillance cameras on the wire fences she had set up yesterday. Her tunnel hideout was in a perfect spot. Trees circled it, the main road was about a mile away, and a side road wound into the forest after about 500 yards. No one would ever notice a tunnel covered in wire here. It wasn't noticeable at all. The cameras covered every corner inside. Once she connected them to the generator, she could monitor any intruder—human or otherwise. Immediately, the cameras and electrified fences powered up. Her computer screen filled with tiny surveillance feeds, one for every angle. Then, the system chimed. Ding! [Monitoring and electrical grid system detected. Reward: Monitoring system upgraded! Coverage of the surveillance cameras increased 10x and can automatically detect all living and non-living entities! Electrical grid system upgraded. Maximum shock output: 10 thousand volts!] Hayley stared at her screen, astonished. She zoomed in on one camera. The pixel clarity was ten times better than before. Her 300-foot range camera now stretched a full mile, letting her see the road through gaps in the trees. A bird tried to land on the fence. It hovered and chose a spot—and with a loud zap, dropped straight down. Hayley's eyes glinted. Perfect! This defense was lethal. Anyone trying to break in? Instant death. "Summer, stay away from the fences, okay?" she warned. "Woof!" Upgraded Summer had grown bigger and smarter, more intuitive than before. Hayley ruffled its head, then pulled out the stuff from her old fridge from her inventory. They ate together. After the meal, she got back to organizing her base. Even cleaning the fallout shelter earned rewards. She cleared the water well and trimmed overgrown weeds. Ding! [Water well upgraded. Reward: Independent mountain-range clean water source!] Ding! [Weed coverage reduced. Reward: High-quality soil! Crop yield increased 100x! Growth speed increased 10x!] Hayley grinned. She now had clean water and rich soil. Her base was getting stronger and better every day. Soon, she could grow her own fresh fruits and vegetables and be self-sufficient. She made a mental note to buy seeds next. Ten days passed. The apocalypse was less than three days away. Every inch she cleaned and every fence she reinforced improved the defenses of her base, making it stronger and stronger. Meanwhile, her deliveries kept coming. During the day, she worked in the shelter. At night, she went to the warehouse to pick up packages. She had installed massive cameras at the warehouse entrance, and Summer helped guard the place. It was peaceful now, so people wouldn't dare steal with a huge dog watching. The delivery guys always unloaded truck after truck, then left as soon as they were done. At night, Hayley would go over everything and pull them into her inventory, then carry them back to her base. Ding! [Warehouse full.] All 100 tons of pasta, 1,000 boxes of instant noodles, 200 boxes of sausage, 100 boxes of pickled vegetables, and over 20 thousand meal packs were neatly stored in the innermost warehouse. Ding! [Reward: Super warehouse! Food remains permanently fresh!] The massive metal doors now looked like something from a bank vault. Not even professional explosives could open them—only Hayley's iris could. Inside, all items were sorted and stored. And the best part? Permanent freshness and no spoilage! Chapter 4 In just ten days, Hayley's fallout shelter looked completely transformed, inside and out. Now, it was only three days before the apocalypse. After planting the last tree, Hayley thought about what else she needed. For a self-sufficient, hidden life, she needed some chickens, ducks, and fish. Even with all the meal packs she had, nothing beat fresh food. Hayley kept walking through the market, but many stalls were closing. In a corner, she spotted someone selling live baby goats. She bought the last two for 300 bucks. The seller told her that these goats had been specifically bred for producing goat's milk, but business had been so bad that he started selling them off. The big ones were already gone, and only a few kids were left. By chance, Hayley managed to snag the last two today. "You should go home after buying these! With the flu outbreak, don't stay out too long," the vendor warned. Hayley nodded. She always wore a professional medical-grade mask, anyway. The truth was, the flu had never been the source of the zombie virus. It simply spread so widely and so quickly, lowering people's immunity. When the real virus hit, those with the lowest resistance turned into zombies right away. That was why everyone blamed the flu, thinking it was the true cause. It took Hayley ten years of surviving in the apocalypse to figure that much out. Yet, she still had no idea regarding the real origin of the zombie virus. Some people used to say it was nothing more than a game for the gods, like the Hunger Games. After all, the virus didn't just create zombies. It also changed people in other, stranger ways. Once Hayley had the vendor deliver her goods to the warehouse, she left the farmer's market without hanging around. Finding a hidden spot with no cameras, she placed the two goats into her inventory and drove off with Summer. On the way, she stopped at a farm supply store and bought a full set of tools, plus 20 shovels. Most people didn't realize shovels were serious weapons in survival situations. During conflicts, farmers used them as deadly tools. Even modern military spades evolved from shovels. In an apocalypse, a melee weapon like this could be more reliable than firearms. After stocking up on enough shovels, Hayley realized she needed to get baseball bats—another surprisingly effective weapon. Chapter 5 With that in mind, Hayley walked into a sports equipment store. After picking up a few of the best, sturdiest baseball bats, she grabbed a bunch of adventure gear—flashlights, helmets, armor, pads, tents, protective suits, tactical jackets…all of it. Everything she needed for the outdoors. This alone cost her over 4,000. The store also carried emergency kit accessories—tweezers, pliers, bandages, thermometers, and stuff like that. It reminded Hayley that she still needed to stop by the pharmacy. She left the outdoor store and went to stock up on common medicines—cold medicine, bandages, fever reducers, vitamins, alcohol, iodine, and other essentials. By the time she left the pharmacy, it was almost evening. The city lights sparkled, neon glowing all around. Hayley had pretty much gathered everything she could—food, drink, shelter, tools—all the basics covered. Now, she could focus on upgrading daily necessities and a few extra comforts. She figured it was time to go on a shopping spree. Before the apocalypse hit, she was going to enjoy the world one last time. First stop: a Michelin-star hotel she had never treated herself to before. She ordered a full-on feast—mushroom soup, barbecued ribs, pan-seared cod, roasted chicken, and garlic butter prawns—everything she had never been able to afford before. She even had the kitchen prepare ten extra orders of her favorite garlic butter prawns and filet mignon to take home for Summer. After that, she booked a suite and headed down to the mall. The mall was packed with goods, from general stores to tempting food stands. Hayley, used to hard times, hit the food section first—sausages, mini corn dogs, sponge cakes, meat pies, fried skewers, fried chicken, pork cutlets, stew, ice cream, milkshakes, assorted pastries…everything. She wanted it all, but there wasn't enough time or money to buy everything. Most of it was just luxury for a peaceful world—things that wouldn't matter after the apocalypse. But right now, she could buy and eat without worry. Hayley went store by store, quietly and extravagantly telling each clerk, "I want all your snacks." She paid and had everything delivered to her hotel room upstairs. At the first bakery, everything went into bags—fresh bread, cheesecake, cream puffs, petit fours, marshmallows, Swiss rolls, custard slices, custard tarts, waffles, palmiers—all packed and sent up. At a fried chicken shop, she bought every flavor—sweet chili, barbecue, garlic, honey mustard—and every type of chicken: boneless, drumsticks, wings, whole chickens. She then hit up the smoothie bars and ordered every flavor she could—berry blends, tropical fruit mixes, creamy yogurt smoothies, protein shakes, even frozen slushies—everything on the list! She basically just paid and gave them a delivery address before leaving, not wanting to attract too much attention. Just buying these snacks cost over 40 thousand. Each shop's stock usually totaled about 3,000 dollars. Hayley only spent around a few hundred dollars on smaller stalls, like the sausage stall and corn dog stand, ordering one of each flavor. Still, she basically cleared the snack stores in one sweep. Next, she went to the basement supermarket. Now, supermarkets were essential. She pushed two huge carts through the warehouse-style store. At checkout, her carts were filled with single units of all kinds—one bag of each flavored chips, one pack of every cookie or candy, one bottle of each drink, and every cooked food item she could get—roast turkey slices, rotisserie chicken, baked salmon, deli wraps, stuffed pita pockets, and microwavable pasta meals. Even partially prepared foods—marinated chicken, pork chops, fish fillets, and steak—were included. Household necessities like toiletries, face cream, sanitary pads, disposable towels, wipes—everything she could need. And now that she had money, she even bought appliances—a washing machine, a robot vacuum, and a fridge. She wouldn't have considered this before, but now she could. After checking out her two carts, she spoke to the store manager. She wanted the store's entire stock of everything in her carts, except for appliances. However, she had underestimated the cost and inventory. By the time she had selected just a third of what she wanted, her account was empty—220 thousand, gone in a flash! She found herself in an awkward position. Basic staples had been cheap, but processed goods were several times more expensive. Looking at her account balance hitting zero, Hayley decided this was enough. Chapter 6 As Hayley kept walking through the mall, she suddenly caught sight of two familiar figures. A young man was walking with a heavily pregnant woman just ahead of her. Philip and his wife—the same couple Hayley had just "pranked" a little while back. "Babe, calm down. Whatever you want today, just buy it. Forgive me, okay? Don't get mad… You don't want to stress the baby!" "No! You've been lying to me this whole time, haven't you? Your family doesn't even own that apartment! You tricked me on purpose!" "It's really ours." "Then what was all that earlier? Debt collectors at your door claiming the apartment was theirs, sending your grandma to the hospital!" "I don't know what happened. I swear, my mom paid 400 thousand to buy it from Hayley. We just have to find her and transfer the deed!" "Wait, didn't your mom say the apartment was a gift from Hayley, so I couldn't be on the deed? How is it suddenly bought by your family and transferable?" "Uh… A-Anyway! Just know that the apartment's ours now. I'm my family's only son, so I'm bound to get everything. And whatever's mine is yours! Just trust me!" Sue wouldn't buy it. "How am I supposed to trust you? First, you said it was move-in ready with renovations done, now it's a shell. You said it was your property, and now debt collectors show up. I've finally seen the truth—you guys are messing with me! I won't keep this baby! I'm gonna get rid of it now!" "Babe! Babe!" Hayley leaned against a corner, listening to their argument, a small smirk tugging at her lips. Wow. Just ten days, and things were already a mess at the Reids'. Eleanor even ended up in the hospital. Still, it could get even more entertaining. Hayley watched Philip, hands on the escalator railing, chasing after Sue. Mischievously, she whistled at him. Philip, already flustered, turned and spotted her leaning on the glass railing, casually watching them. "Hayley?" He froze, wanting to chase her, but Sue had already gotten to the floor below. "Babe! Babe!" One was his wife, about to get an abortion, and the other was Hayley. He wished he could split himself in two. After weighing his options, he decided to chase Hayley. He figured he would just grab her and make her explain everything to Sue—simple. He ran up the escalator that was heading down, trying to reach her. Meanwhile, Hayley walked at a calm, steady pace. By the time Philip caught up, she had already circled to the opposite escalator, making him chase her through the entire mall. They ended up in the underground parking lot. "Damn it! You little wench! Where do you think you're going?" Philip, panting, cornered Hayley. "How dare you mess with me behind my back! I swear I'll—" "Perfect," Hayley said cheerfully, shutting the car trunk with a click. "I was thinking the same thing." She swung a baseball bat in her hands. Philip's eyes went wide, alarm bells ringing. "What the… You're gonna hit me?" Before he could react, Hayley swung. She immediately overpowered him, dislocating his jaw so he couldn't talk, and dragged him to the corner of the parking lot, beating him mercilessly. Ten years surviving the apocalypse meant she had learned every kind of fighting technique. She could take down a grown man in seconds. But she was merciful with Philip. For half an hour, she smashed him in the arms and legs, striking only the most painful spots that wouldn't kill him. After 30 minutes, Philip lay on the ground, barely conscious. Hayley leaned against the car and kicked him lightly before bending down to grab his phone. She dialed 911 while pressing his head against the floor with her foot. "See? I'm nice. I even called 911 for you. You're welcome." Philip nearly passed out from anger. If her foot weren't on his face, he would've admitted she was "nice". "Damn you…" She took care of the scene and wiped his ID from the phone, not wanting the hospital to identify him that quickly. Then she transferred all the money in his digital bank to hers, using his fingerprint to authorize the payments. Afterward, she moved him to a bar street outside the parking lot, the same place she had called 911 from. Soon, EMTs arrived. Hayley watched them take Philip away, blending in like any bystander. Calmly, she sent messages to Bernard and Lucy with his phone, telling them he had been hurt and to check the hospital. After all that, she sold his phone to a small roadside store. Even if Lucy reported it, they wouldn't trace it back to Hayley in three days. By then, any investigation into Philip would be useless because it would be the apocalypse. Knocking Philip out added 6,000 dollars to her account. She used the money to stock up again, emptying several convenience store shelves into her car. As she prepared to leave, her car door slammed—someone had collapsed on it. Hayley's eyes darkened. Several stylishly dressed men and women helped lift the man. One tattooed guy waved. "Sorry, miss. My friend's drunk!" They laughed and carried him away. "Damn, he went down after two drinks! I remember him saying he could drink anyone under the table." "Yeah, he used to hold his liquor a lot better." "Maybe getting married weakened him!" "Hahaha!" Hayley leaned on her car, watching them leave. Her gaze fell on the young man in the middle—head down, stiff, pale hands hanging awkwardly. Soon, he came to. "What happened to me?" "You drank too much, that's what!" "You're useless! You didn't even drink that much!" "Work stress, I guess. I'm heading back." "Heading back? No way! Keep drinking! Let's get wasted tonight!" The group laughed as they walked off. Hayley's eyes darkened as she watched the scene. She checked her phone and noted that today was the 9th. In her last life, the zombie outbreak started on the 11th. The apocalypse…might have started early. As Hayley grabbed her car keys, a piercing scream cut through the air. "Ahhh!" That familiar sound. The zombie virus had broken out early!

Hayley Reid was reborn two weeks before the apocalypse began. In her last life, she survived ten years of hell—only to die at the hands of the people she trusted most. But this time, she returned with every memory intact… and awakened the Super Base System. While the world fell into chaos, Hayley sipped wine and held her beloved puppy inside the world’s strongest steel fortress. - Chapter 1 "Flu cases are on the rise. Please take precautions, avoid crowded areas, don't gather unnecessarily, and keep warm…" "Hayley, are you even listening to me?!" Hayley Reid jolted, staring at everything in front of her in disbelief. In the middle of the old, 300-square-foot living room with worn-out renovations was a couch, packed with middle-aged men and women. In the center was a plump, 70-ish woman with graying hair. She was Eleanor Reid, Hayley's grandmother. Eleanor glared at Hayley, her jowls bouncing with every movement. Hayley froze. This was the exact scene from two weeks before the apocalypse, when her "beloved" grandmother, father, and stepmother forced her to give up her house for her brother and his soon-to-be wife. The last thing she remembered was being stuck in a zombie siege at the eastern base a moment ago. "Ever since your mom passed, Lucy treated you like her own. Everyone says she's wonderful! Now, Philip is getting married and wants to borrow your house. Why won't you let him? You're so ungrateful!" Eleanor hissed. "Mom, Hayley's not ungrateful. I'm sure she'll come to her senses," said a plump woman next to Eleanor, pretending to mediate. This was Lucy Reid, Hayley's stepmother. "Hmph!" Eleanor snorted. "Clear out the house immediately. Philip said the place has been rented for too long, and the furniture is too worn. He needs new furniture before he gets married. You'll pay for it. After all, he's your brother. You should help out a little!" Hayley, standing in the middle, suddenly laughed out loud. They wanted her house and expected her to buy new furniture on top of that? Ridiculous. Even more ridiculous was the fact that she actually went along with it last time! Hayley's mother, Cynthia, died in a car accident when she was 14. Soon after, Lucy moved in with her son, Philip. On the surface, Lucy seemed perfect—she was attentive and caring. Hayley, going through her rebellious phase, was prickly with everyone but secretly craved warmth and family. Lucy's gentle, understanding ways fooled her. She supported Hayley in everything, no matter what, and Hayley almost genuinely saw her as a mother. She gave them everything, even the only house Cynthia had left her. She hesitated for only a moment before agreeing. The apocalypse soon hit, and Hayley was abandoned repeatedly. When it came time to escape on a rescue vehicle, they shoved her aside to save their skins. That was when Hayley truly understood how fake their love was. True family didn't exist for her. She had been nothing but a tool in their eyes, and they had squeezed her dry. Once she was useless, they kicked her aside. Not a single person there had ever seen her as family. She wanted to slap her past, foolish self so hard. Bang! Hayley tossed a few bags of cheap fruit from the old coffee table straight into the trash, then plopped herself down in front of them. A young man, who had been glued to his phone on the armchair, immediately dropped it and yelled righteously, "Hayley, what the hell are you doing? These are imported apples Mom got especially for you! She said they're your favorite. How could you just throw them away?" Hayley sneered. Her favorite? Since when? She gave Philip a cold glance. "You think you have the right to talk to me about my house?" Facing her icy gaze, Philip felt a shiver run through him and didn't dare to look at her. Hayley's eyes carried a murderous energy—the kind she had honed over ten years of surviving the apocalypse alone after they abandoned her. Philip instantly backed down. Lucy quickly tried to smooth things over. "What's wrong, Hayley? Are you not feeling well? If that's the case, we can come back another day. I know you're not happy with this request, but Philip is your brother. Sue's family wants a house in the city center, and you know how impossible that is now. Even with money, you might not get one. They're even doing lotteries for them. So, I'm begging you… Help your brother out. Later, when you get married, we'll try to make it up to you—" "Why should we make it up to her?" Bernard Reid, who had been quiet, finally spoke. He glared at Hayley. "You really think this house is yours? You should step aside and let Philip have it! When you get married, your husband can buy you one. Stop fighting Philip for it!" Hayley didn't even bother getting angry this time. In her past life, she had wondered why Bernard treated her, his biological daughter, so badly, while spoiling his stepson. As it turned out, Philip was his real son—his own flesh and blood! Before he married Cynthia, he had already married Lucy in his hometown and had a son. To him, Hayley was nothing. And after the apocalypse, he treated her even worse. Hayley held up four fingers. "Four hundred thousand." Everyone froze. "What are you talking about?" "This house was Mom's premarital property. She legally gave it to me later, so I own this house. You want it? Pay up. Four hundred thousand is already a bargain." "You're selling the house to us? You must be joking! We don't have that kind of money!" Hayley lifted her smartwatch. "I'm giving you five seconds to decide. If you don't agree, I'll sell it to someone else. Five…" "We're your elders! How could you talk money with us?!" Eleanor snapped. "Four." "You ungrateful little…! I'm gonna teach you a lesson!" Hayley ignored Eleanor, speeding up. "Three…two…" "Don't you dare!" Bernard jumped to hit her. Hayley kicked his chair out from under him. He landed hard, looking like an idiot. She looked down coldly at him and went on, "One." "You've lost it! How dare you hit your father!" Hayley didn't care about their rage. She grabbed her phone and dialed a number. "Mr. Cruz, I'm selling the house. Put it up for 400 thousand…" The house had been rented out through an agent until Hayley turned 18, which was why it hadn't been sold earlier. "You want it, huh?" Hayley smiled, glancing their way. "Sure. I'll—" "Don't say another word! We agree!" Lucy jumped in, panic in her voice. "Sell it to us!" Lucy knew that the house was actually worth 600 thousand, so getting it for 400 grand was already a steal. Plus, city-center houses were limited now, with all the residency and lottery rules. Hayley's house was hot property. Even if things didn't go exactly as they expected, the most important thing was getting it for themselves instead of letting an outsider have it. Even if they had to pay 400 thousand to get it, they would make a quick 200 grand reselling it. Hayley watched Lucy's reaction and smirked before hanging up. She had decided to sell the house to them. She was losing a bit, but that was the quickest option. Time was money, and she needed both. Most importantly, once the house was sold, they wouldn't have extra cash. She knew they only had 400 grand on hand. In her past life, the government had warned them to stockpile supplies three days before the apocalypse. Hayley was curious to see what they would be able to afford by then. - Ding! [You have received 400 thousand in your account.] Half an hour later at the bank, Hayley saw the money hit her account. Lucy and the others weren't thrilled but paid up. The real estate agent kept calling Hayley's phone; afraid she'd sell the house to him, the family didn't dare complain. "The property office is closed for a few days. I'll handle the transfer when they open," Hayley told them. "No worries. We trust you!" Lucy said, squinting and smiling sweetly. "The transfer can wait. We'll arrange a time later." Lucy acted generous, but Hayley knew better. The woman was just guarding against her future daughter-in-law, scared that her name would be on the house's deed. Right now, the deed still carried Hayley's name, which gave her room to stall. Hayley grinned. This was great! Philip suddenly said to her, "Since we've bought the house, pack your stuff and get out! And toss out all of your junk. I'll get new furniture with Sue." Right after paying, their attitude changed. "Give Hayley a few more days. She's a responsible girl; she'll probably pay you a bit for storage and even replace some furniture. You should be more understanding of your sister," Lucy said. "Mom, why do you still care about her? This little money-grubber doesn't deserve your kindness! I want her out! And Hayley, get your stupid dog out of the house! If I see it again, I'll chop it to pieces!" Hayley froze when she heard Philip mention the "stupid dog". Summer was still alive! She didn't waste another second with them and ran home. As soon as she opened her bedroom door, the quiet German Shepherd that was pacing nervously jumped into her arms. "Woof, woof!" "Summer!" Hayley almost cried, hugging it. Summer was a retired military dog, a gift from Hayley's mother on Hayley's tenth birthday. After Cynthia died, Summer had been her comfort through the hardest times. Lucy's family hated the intuitive dog and had tried several times to get rid of it, but Summer always came back. They wanted to give Summer away, but Hayley had insisted on keeping it, even getting into fights with them over it. To stay the "kind stepmother", Lucy let Hayley keep Summer but insisted that it be kept locked up in Hayley's room. After Hayley moved into Cynthia's old house, Summer finally had room to roam, though Lucy's family still locked it up when they came over. During the apocalypse in Hayley's past life, Lucy's family ate the old dog while Hayley was out scavenging. She had blamed herself for not protecting it. "Summer," Hayley whispered. "Woof, woof!" Summer licked her hand. "This time, I swear, I'll never let you get hurt again!" "Woof, woof!" Summer barked happily. Once Summer was settled, Hayley began packing. The house, rented out for years, had become old and worn. However, the furniture Cynthia had bought back then was expensive. Hayley had been living with her when she was still alive. The furniture was practically useless now, but it still carried a lot of memories. Being back, Hayley felt a little nostalgic. Then, a voice rang in her head. Ding! [Super Lord System activated! Within one hour, for every 200-dollars' worth of item you carry, gain 35 cubic feet of inventory!] Hayley froze. Here came the perks! [Countdown: 59 minutes and 59 seconds!] Skeptical, Hayley picked up her phone from the table to test it. Ding! [Phone detected, worth 1,000 dollars. Reward: 175 cubic feet!] With that, a 175-cubic-feet space appeared in her mind. Her phone vanished from her hand and reappeared there. She now had an inventory! Chapter 2 She had read plenty of novels before—this was a so-called system. Hayley quickly accepted the perk and started sucking in everything she could. She soon figured out the pricing rules. The system valued items at their original purchase price, even if they were used or disassembled. She jumped straight into moving, dismantling, and collecting everything. Ding! [Gold jewelry detected, worth 11,600 dollars. Reward: 2,030 cubic feet!] Ding! [Cup detected, worth 7.80 dollars.] Ding! [Calendar detected, worth 2 dollars.] The notifications kept coming. Ding! [Small desk detected, worth 73.80 dollars. Reward: 35 cubic feet!] Ding! [Rosewood table and chair set detected, worth 5,000 dollars. Reward: 875 cubic feet!] Ding! [Trash can detected, worth 3 dollars.] In about ten minutes, Hayley grabbed everything from shoes, hats, and clothes to pots, pans, pens, cups, trash bins, storage boxes, photo albums, nail clippers, and even larger stuff like tables, chairs, beds, and cabinets. Even the rotten apples Lucy had brought today got tossed into the pile. Ding! [Five pounds of rotten apples detected, worth 0.50 dollars.] Hayley spat. What disgusting liars! They wanted her to give them a 600-thousand-dollar house while offering her cheap, rotten apples they claimed to be imported. What a family! But she didn't mind. Every little bit counted, so she collected them all. Soon, the house was emptied of everything movable. Her sights turned to the big stuff she couldn't normally carry. Ding! [Toilet detected, worth 400 dollars.] Hayley yanked the toilet down with force. She had always been strong, but compared to her old self, who had survived ten years of the apocalypse, this body still felt a little weaker. She would need to train soon. After she stored the toilet, more notifications came in. Ding! [Sink detected, worth 139 dollars.] Ding! [Range hood detected, worth 519.80 dollars.] Ding! [Stove detected, worth 97.80 dollars.] Ding! [Security door detected, worth 317.80 dollars.] She was taking everything she could, not leaving even a single screw for them. Ding! [Windows detected, worth 80 dollars.] Ding! [Flooring detected, worth 30 dollars.] Within an hour, Hayley had stripped the house clean. Anything movable was gone. The floors were lifted, the windows and doors removed, and even unmovable tiles were smashed and taken. Ding! [Three seconds remaining!] Hayley thought fast—she dashed to the front door, stepped on the railing, and snagged a tiny hallway bulb. Ding! [Ten-watt bulb detected, worth 1 dollar. [Time's up! Total space gained: 3,110 cubic feet.] Hayley finally relaxed and said to Summer, "Summer! Let's go!" Not long after, Philip's family brought the pregnant Sue Norman to the new house. "Babe, here's our new place! It's in the city center and a school district, with over 1,000 square feet. It has two units per floor. We don't have a neighbor yet, so the hallway is all ours. The lighting's great, and it has the best layout in the complex. Plus, it's just 100 yards from your work. If you want, you can move in now. Furniture and appliances are ready!" The group marched up to the east-side unit—and froze. The house wasn't just empty; it didn't even have doors or windows. Even a hallway light bulb was gone. Sue turned on her heel. "Hmph! You expect me to renovate this dump? Well, I'm not getting married until you fix this house. And my name has to go on the deed!" Eleanor was fuming. She wanted to call Hayley to demand what that girl had done. But the bad news was, they couldn't reach Hayley. Meanwhile, Hayley was at a tunnel-style fallout shelter on the outskirts of Andersville. It was originally meant for a mountain road, but construction stopped due to insufficient funding and government rerouting. It had been abandoned and repurposed as a fallout shelter. "What are you renting a fallout shelter for?" the agent asked routinely. "Starting a business. I'm gonna grow mushrooms," Hayley said casually. From her previous life, she knew there were three types of shelters. The first were city-center shelters, built under malls, residential buildings, or hospitals. They were convenient, well-equipped, and fast to evacuate—but useless in a zombie apocalypse. Holding a high population meant it was the fastest to fall. The other two types were tunnel-style shelters and professional defense installations. Professional ones were critical in the late apocalypse and formed the backbone of stable bases, but Hayley couldn't rent one. So, tunnel shelters like these were perfect for her: they were secluded, far from people, and big, with a solid ventilation system and a heavy iron gate—exactly what she needed. Plus, they were cheap. Hayley's new shelter cost 400 a year to rent, for a minimum of 20 years. She paid three years upfront—1,200 dollars for a space the size of five basketball courts. The agent grinned, thinking she was an easy mark. Sure, the rent was cheap, but the location was extremely inconvenient and transportation was a headache. He figured that nine and a half out of ten entrepreneurs were idiots, but he wouldn't warn her. After collecting the money, signing the contract, and taking the 100-dollar service fee, he left. Hayley watched him leave without a word. She wouldn't reveal her true purpose. After ten years surviving the apocalypse, she learned one thing: never explain disaster plans to fools, because idiots like them were disasters themselves. After sending the agent off, Hayley entered the shelter with Summer. She checked everything. The ventilation system was intact, and she found a well left by a previous tenant, plus an electrical wire. The well's water tasted like mountain spring—totally separate from city water. Later, when treatment plants were contaminated, tap water would be useless. With this well, Hayley now had a safe water source. The wire wasn't connected, but that meant power could be set up. If she got a generator, the shelter could have electricity. Chapter 3 If she repaired the fence and added electricity, her fallout shelter's defenses would get a huge boost. She decided to get started. Just then, the voice from the system popped into her head. Ding! [Super Lord System activated! Please reinforce the original base. Rewards will be given based on the level of reinforcement. Countdown: 15 days!] Hayley's eyes lit up. She was just starting to process the new mission when another notification came. Ding! [Base war dog detected. Reward: War dog's combat power increased 100x! Physical stats increased 100x!] Hayley watched in amazement as Summer's body started to change. Its muscles doubled in size, its claws grew longer and sharper, and all signs of aging disappeared. In its place was the fierce, commanding presence of a powerful beast. "Woof, woof!" Hayley was amazed. "Wow!" - Hayley had Cynthia's old car, so she could get around easily. It was now time to start reinforcing her base. Not long after, she returned to her base. She placed the generator in the innermost storage room of the fallout shelter. Ding! [One thousand-kW generator detected. Reward: Indestructible, lowest-energy-consumption generator!] Hayley's jaw dropped. She stared at the generator, now looking like it was coated in silver. Its strength and durability were immediately way beyond what they had been. And the best part? It was indestructible! Normally, generators needed maintenance to last long, and Hayley had only been hoping to make it last. However, the system had upgraded it automatically. Amazing! She moved on and installed the surveillance cameras on the wire fences she had set up yesterday. Her tunnel hideout was in a perfect spot. Trees circled it, the main road was about a mile away, and a side road wound into the forest after about 500 yards. No one would ever notice a tunnel covered in wire here. It wasn't noticeable at all. The cameras covered every corner inside. Once she connected them to the generator, she could monitor any intruder—human or otherwise. Immediately, the cameras and electrified fences powered up. Her computer screen filled with tiny surveillance feeds, one for every angle. Then, the system chimed. Ding! [Monitoring and electrical grid system detected. Reward: Monitoring system upgraded! Coverage of the surveillance cameras increased 10x and can automatically detect all living and non-living entities! Electrical grid system upgraded. Maximum shock output: 10 thousand volts!] Hayley stared at her screen, astonished. She zoomed in on one camera. The pixel clarity was ten times better than before. Her 300-foot range camera now stretched a full mile, letting her see the road through gaps in the trees. A bird tried to land on the fence. It hovered and chose a spot—and with a loud zap, dropped straight down. Hayley's eyes glinted. Perfect! This defense was lethal. Anyone trying to break in? Instant death. "Summer, stay away from the fences, okay?" she warned. "Woof!" Upgraded Summer had grown bigger and smarter, more intuitive than before. Hayley ruffled its head, then pulled out the stuff from her old fridge from her inventory. They ate together. After the meal, she got back to organizing her base. Even cleaning the fallout shelter earned rewards. She cleared the water well and trimmed overgrown weeds. Ding! [Water well upgraded. Reward: Independent mountain-range clean water source!] Ding! [Weed coverage reduced. Reward: High-quality soil! Crop yield increased 100x! Growth speed increased 10x!] Hayley grinned. She now had clean water and rich soil. Her base was getting stronger and better every day. Soon, she could grow her own fresh fruits and vegetables and be self-sufficient. She made a mental note to buy seeds next. Ten days passed. The apocalypse was less than three days away. Every inch she cleaned and every fence she reinforced improved the defenses of her base, making it stronger and stronger. Meanwhile, her deliveries kept coming. During the day, she worked in the shelter. At night, she went to the warehouse to pick up packages. She had installed massive cameras at the warehouse entrance, and Summer helped guard the place. It was peaceful now, so people wouldn't dare steal with a huge dog watching. The delivery guys always unloaded truck after truck, then left as soon as they were done. At night, Hayley would go over everything and pull them into her inventory, then carry them back to her base. Ding! [Warehouse full.] All 100 tons of pasta, 1,000 boxes of instant noodles, 200 boxes of sausage, 100 boxes of pickled vegetables, and over 20 thousand meal packs were neatly stored in the innermost warehouse. Ding! [Reward: Super warehouse! Food remains permanently fresh!] The massive metal doors now looked like something from a bank vault. Not even professional explosives could open them—only Hayley's iris could. Inside, all items were sorted and stored. And the best part? Permanent freshness and no spoilage! Chapter 4 In just ten days, Hayley's fallout shelter looked completely transformed, inside and out. Now, it was only three days before the apocalypse. After planting the last tree, Hayley thought about what else she needed. For a self-sufficient, hidden life, she needed some chickens, ducks, and fish. Even with all the meal packs she had, nothing beat fresh food. Hayley kept walking through the market, but many stalls were closing. In a corner, she spotted someone selling live baby goats. She bought the last two for 300 bucks. The seller told her that these goats had been specifically bred for producing goat's milk, but business had been so bad that he started selling them off. The big ones were already gone, and only a few kids were left. By chance, Hayley managed to snag the last two today. "You should go home after buying these! With the flu outbreak, don't stay out too long," the vendor warned. Hayley nodded. She always wore a professional medical-grade mask, anyway. The truth was, the flu had never been the source of the zombie virus. It simply spread so widely and so quickly, lowering people's immunity. When the real virus hit, those with the lowest resistance turned into zombies right away. That was why everyone blamed the flu, thinking it was the true cause. It took Hayley ten years of surviving in the apocalypse to figure that much out. Yet, she still had no idea regarding the real origin of the zombie virus. Some people used to say it was nothing more than a game for the gods, like the Hunger Games. After all, the virus didn't just create zombies. It also changed people in other, stranger ways. Once Hayley had the vendor deliver her goods to the warehouse, she left the farmer's market without hanging around. Finding a hidden spot with no cameras, she placed the two goats into her inventory and drove off with Summer. On the way, she stopped at a farm supply store and bought a full set of tools, plus 20 shovels. Most people didn't realize shovels were serious weapons in survival situations. During conflicts, farmers used them as deadly tools. Even modern military spades evolved from shovels. In an apocalypse, a melee weapon like this could be more reliable than firearms. After stocking up on enough shovels, Hayley realized she needed to get baseball bats—another surprisingly effective weapon. Chapter 5 With that in mind, Hayley walked into a sports equipment store. After picking up a few of the best, sturdiest baseball bats, she grabbed a bunch of adventure gear—flashlights, helmets, armor, pads, tents, protective suits, tactical jackets…all of it. Everything she needed for the outdoors. This alone cost her over 4,000. The store also carried emergency kit accessories—tweezers, pliers, bandages, thermometers, and stuff like that. It reminded Hayley that she still needed to stop by the pharmacy. She left the outdoor store and went to stock up on common medicines—cold medicine, bandages, fever reducers, vitamins, alcohol, iodine, and other essentials. By the time she left the pharmacy, it was almost evening. The city lights sparkled, neon glowing all around. Hayley had pretty much gathered everything she could—food, drink, shelter, tools—all the basics covered. Now, she could focus on upgrading daily necessities and a few extra comforts. She figured it was time to go on a shopping spree. Before the apocalypse hit, she was going to enjoy the world one last time. First stop: a Michelin-star hotel she had never treated herself to before. She ordered a full-on feast—mushroom soup, barbecued ribs, pan-seared cod, roasted chicken, and garlic butter prawns—everything she had never been able to afford before. She even had the kitchen prepare ten extra orders of her favorite garlic butter prawns and filet mignon to take home for Summer. After that, she booked a suite and headed down to the mall. The mall was packed with goods, from general stores to tempting food stands. Hayley, used to hard times, hit the food section first—sausages, mini corn dogs, sponge cakes, meat pies, fried skewers, fried chicken, pork cutlets, stew, ice cream, milkshakes, assorted pastries…everything. She wanted it all, but there wasn't enough time or money to buy everything. Most of it was just luxury for a peaceful world—things that wouldn't matter after the apocalypse. But right now, she could buy and eat without worry. Hayley went store by store, quietly and extravagantly telling each clerk, "I want all your snacks." She paid and had everything delivered to her hotel room upstairs. At the first bakery, everything went into bags—fresh bread, cheesecake, cream puffs, petit fours, marshmallows, Swiss rolls, custard slices, custard tarts, waffles, palmiers—all packed and sent up. At a fried chicken shop, she bought every flavor—sweet chili, barbecue, garlic, honey mustard—and every type of chicken: boneless, drumsticks, wings, whole chickens. She then hit up the smoothie bars and ordered every flavor she could—berry blends, tropical fruit mixes, creamy yogurt smoothies, protein shakes, even frozen slushies—everything on the list! She basically just paid and gave them a delivery address before leaving, not wanting to attract too much attention. Just buying these snacks cost over 40 thousand. Each shop's stock usually totaled about 3,000 dollars. Hayley only spent around a few hundred dollars on smaller stalls, like the sausage stall and corn dog stand, ordering one of each flavor. Still, she basically cleared the snack stores in one sweep. Next, she went to the basement supermarket. Now, supermarkets were essential. She pushed two huge carts through the warehouse-style store. At checkout, her carts were filled with single units of all kinds—one bag of each flavored chips, one pack of every cookie or candy, one bottle of each drink, and every cooked food item she could get—roast turkey slices, rotisserie chicken, baked salmon, deli wraps, stuffed pita pockets, and microwavable pasta meals. Even partially prepared foods—marinated chicken, pork chops, fish fillets, and steak—were included. Household necessities like toiletries, face cream, sanitary pads, disposable towels, wipes—everything she could need. And now that she had money, she even bought appliances—a washing machine, a robot vacuum, and a fridge. She wouldn't have considered this before, but now she could. After checking out her two carts, she spoke to the store manager. She wanted the store's entire stock of everything in her carts, except for appliances. However, she had underestimated the cost and inventory. By the time she had selected just a third of what she wanted, her account was empty—220 thousand, gone in a flash! She found herself in an awkward position. Basic staples had been cheap, but processed goods were several times more expensive. Looking at her account balance hitting zero, Hayley decided this was enough. Chapter 6 As Hayley kept walking through the mall, she suddenly caught sight of two familiar figures. A young man was walking with a heavily pregnant woman just ahead of her. Philip and his wife—the same couple Hayley had just "pranked" a little while back. "Babe, calm down. Whatever you want today, just buy it. Forgive me, okay? Don't get mad… You don't want to stress the baby!" "No! You've been lying to me this whole time, haven't you? Your family doesn't even own that apartment! You tricked me on purpose!" "It's really ours." "Then what was all that earlier? Debt collectors at your door claiming the apartment was theirs, sending your grandma to the hospital!" "I don't know what happened. I swear, my mom paid 400 thousand to buy it from Hayley. We just have to find her and transfer the deed!" "Wait, didn't your mom say the apartment was a gift from Hayley, so I couldn't be on the deed? How is it suddenly bought by your family and transferable?" "Uh… A-Anyway! Just know that the apartment's ours now. I'm my family's only son, so I'm bound to get everything. And whatever's mine is yours! Just trust me!" Sue wouldn't buy it. "How am I supposed to trust you? First, you said it was move-in ready with renovations done, now it's a shell. You said it was your property, and now debt collectors show up. I've finally seen the truth—you guys are messing with me! I won't keep this baby! I'm gonna get rid of it now!" "Babe! Babe!" Hayley leaned against a corner, listening to their argument, a small smirk tugging at her lips. Wow. Just ten days, and things were already a mess at the Reids'. Eleanor even ended up in the hospital. Still, it could get even more entertaining. Hayley watched Philip, hands on the escalator railing, chasing after Sue. Mischievously, she whistled at him. Philip, already flustered, turned and spotted her leaning on the glass railing, casually watching them. "Hayley?" He froze, wanting to chase her, but Sue had already gotten to the floor below. "Babe! Babe!" One was his wife, about to get an abortion, and the other was Hayley. He wished he could split himself in two. After weighing his options, he decided to chase Hayley. He figured he would just grab her and make her explain everything to Sue—simple. He ran up the escalator that was heading down, trying to reach her. Meanwhile, Hayley walked at a calm, steady pace. By the time Philip caught up, she had already circled to the opposite escalator, making him chase her through the entire mall. They ended up in the underground parking lot. "Damn it! You little wench! Where do you think you're going?" Philip, panting, cornered Hayley. "How dare you mess with me behind my back! I swear I'll—" "Perfect," Hayley said cheerfully, shutting the car trunk with a click. "I was thinking the same thing." She swung a baseball bat in her hands. Philip's eyes went wide, alarm bells ringing. "What the… You're gonna hit me?" Before he could react, Hayley swung. She immediately overpowered him, dislocating his jaw so he couldn't talk, and dragged him to the corner of the parking lot, beating him mercilessly. Ten years surviving the apocalypse meant she had learned every kind of fighting technique. She could take down a grown man in seconds. But she was merciful with Philip. For half an hour, she smashed him in the arms and legs, striking only the most painful spots that wouldn't kill him. After 30 minutes, Philip lay on the ground, barely conscious. Hayley leaned against the car and kicked him lightly before bending down to grab his phone. She dialed 911 while pressing his head against the floor with her foot. "See? I'm nice. I even called 911 for you. You're welcome." Philip nearly passed out from anger. If her foot weren't on his face, he would've admitted she was "nice". "Damn you…" She took care of the scene and wiped his ID from the phone, not wanting the hospital to identify him that quickly. Then she transferred all the money in his digital bank to hers, using his fingerprint to authorize the payments. Afterward, she moved him to a bar street outside the parking lot, the same place she had called 911 from. Soon, EMTs arrived. Hayley watched them take Philip away, blending in like any bystander. Calmly, she sent messages to Bernard and Lucy with his phone, telling them he had been hurt and to check the hospital. After all that, she sold his phone to a small roadside store. Even if Lucy reported it, they wouldn't trace it back to Hayley in three days. By then, any investigation into Philip would be useless because it would be the apocalypse. Knocking Philip out added 6,000 dollars to her account. She used the money to stock up again, emptying several convenience store shelves into her car. As she prepared to leave, her car door slammed—someone had collapsed on it. Hayley's eyes darkened. Several stylishly dressed men and women helped lift the man. One tattooed guy waved. "Sorry, miss. My friend's drunk!" They laughed and carried him away. "Damn, he went down after two drinks! I remember him saying he could drink anyone under the table." "Yeah, he used to hold his liquor a lot better." "Maybe getting married weakened him!" "Hahaha!" Hayley leaned on her car, watching them leave. Her gaze fell on the young man in the middle—head down, stiff, pale hands hanging awkwardly. Soon, he came to. "What happened to me?" "You drank too much, that's what!" "You're useless! You didn't even drink that much!" "Work stress, I guess. I'm heading back." "Heading back? No way! Keep drinking! Let's get wasted tonight!" The group laughed as they walked off. Hayley's eyes darkened as she watched the scene. She checked her phone and noted that today was the 9th. In her last life, the zombie outbreak started on the 11th. The apocalypse…might have started early. As Hayley grabbed her car keys, a piercing scream cut through the air. "Ahhh!" That familiar sound. The zombie virus had broken out early!