Chapter 170 Beneath the Smile


    From the middle vehicle, Theresa spotted the ce immediately.


    s


    A half–abandoned factory sat halfway up the hill–two stories of crumbling concrete at the center, nked by long, skeletal production halls on each side.


    She recognized it at once.


    She had spent ten years there in herst life.


    Haven Camp. <i>Hello </i>again.


    “Theresa? What’s wrong?” Kyle, sitting beside her, had noticed her sudden change in expression.


    Theresa turned to him, eyes steady. She gestured out the window toward the factory. “Remember that ce,” she said quietly. “That’s where our enemies are.”


    Kyle hesitated, then nodded. “Got it.”


    Theresa needed Kyle to remember this, to feel it as deeply as she did.


    After all, in their past life, he’d lived there too.


    And it hadn’t been kind to him either.


    Their convoy merged with the one up ahead, closing the gap until only two vehicles remained in front of them. From the lead car, the door swung open, and a slim, neatly dressed man in his early thirties stepped out, gold–rimmed sses catching the light, his face lit with a bright, cager smile.


    “Wee! Oh, what a delight! I’m absolutely thrilled to see you all!” he called out with open arms.


    Lucas stepped out of his own vehicle, his gaze sharp. “You must be Wolfe Ledger of Haven Camp?”


    “That’s right! Mr. Keaton of K1 Camp–you’re as young and capable as they say!” Wolfe approached with enthusiastic energy, hand extended for a shake. “Your reputation precedes you, Mr. Keaton. Kl Camp is the -backbone we all rely on. Us smaller camps–we look up to you!”


    He continued, “I heard you recentlypleted a mission to locate a provision depot–must’ve been a huge sess! I don’t suppose you could spare some of those resources for us? Haven Camp’s been going through a rough timetely.”


    Lucas’s expression darkened. His brow furrowed, and he stared at the outstretched hand without making a move. “Mr. Ledger,” he said coolly, “if you can’t afford to feed your people, I’m more than happy to send someone over to collect them all.”


    Wolfe’s smile faltered, just a little


    Lucas wasn’t an idiot.


    The old world had copsed. The government was gone. Camps now ruled themselves, tiny kingdoms in awless world teeming with the undead.


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    Chapter 170 Beneath the Smile


    This was the age of survival. The age of camps.


    No one owed anyone anything anymore.


    * Free Coins


    Even Lucas, who once served in the government, had shifted his priorities after founding KJ Camp.


    His primary goal was now to preserve K1 Camp.


    Preserve it above all else.


    He could offer shelter to survivors. He could lend strength in battles, support smaller camps when it made sense. But everything–every favor, every risk–had to benefit K1 Camp first.


    He wasn’t about to let his people go cold and hungry just so someone else could y politician.


    Absolutely not.


    “My apologies,” Wolfe said quickly, readjusting his smile like a mask. “That was out of line. I meant no offense. It’s just… without national oversight, we’re all struggling. I thought maybe Kl Camp, being the strongest, could-”


    Lucas’s expression grew colder. “Mr. Ledger, are you still living in the past?”


    A crisp, clear voice rang out before Wolfe could answer.


    “Oh, he’s not living in the past. He’s trying to use the past to squeeze you.”


    A girl inbat gear jumped down from one of the center vehicles. She had a bright, mocking smile and the kind of healthy glow that looked almost out of ce in a world like this.


    Theresa.


    She strolled forward casually. “Mr. Ledger is clever. See, first, he tters you, calls you the ‘central authority. If you refuse to help, he gets to say you’re selfish and disloyal. But if you do help, well, it was your duty all along, wasn’t it? Either way, he wins.”


    Wolfe’s face tightened, the forced smile cracking. He looked at Theresa like she didn’t belong in this world -too radiant, too alive.


    “Miss, that’s not what I meant,” he said quickly.


    “Oh, it’s not?” Theresa took another step toward him, her voice still sugar–sweet. “That’s good. Then let’s make it simple.”


    She stopped, arms folded. “If you really want centralized leadership–someone to protect you, manage your resources, hand out supplies–then hand over control of your camp. Turn over every ounce of your supplies for redistribution. Put every one of your people under Kl Campmand, including yourself.”


    She tilted her head. “Sound fair? That way, we can send you supplies every day. Isn’t that what you wanted?”


    Wolfe’s expression twisted. “Miss… that’s not–I mean, I didn’t-”


    “Didn’t mean that either?” Theresa raised her brows. “So, you don’t want to give up control. You don’t want


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    15:02 Mon, 11 Aug


    Chapter 170 Beneath the Smile


    to turn over your resources. But you do want Lucas to give you everything for free?”


    45 Free Coins


    Sheughed once. “Wow. You’re not looking for a leader. You’re trying to make Lucas your sugar daddy<i>. </i>


    The silence that followed was brutal.


    Wolfe’s smile copsedpletely. His lips parted, but no words came out.


    Theresa hadnded her strike. And everyone knew it.