Chapter <b>231 </b>A Feast and a Reckoning
Chapter 231 A Feast and a Reckoning
To Theresa and her team, the meal was just another daily dinner, made with modest <b>ingredients </b>and he ir. But to the visiting representatives from the surrounding camps, it might as well have <b>been </b>a presidential banquet.
“This <b>is </b>delicious!”
“This is incredible!”
“This is the best thing I’ve eaten in months!”
The praise echoed like a chorus around the dining area.
Quentin hadn’t shown any measurable increase in loyalty–at least not by the metrics Theresa tracked- but she could tell he’d changed. Something had shifted in him.
While Theresa ate, Quentin quietly picked through the drinks Den had brought–Coke, Sprite, peach juice–and selected a bottle of peach juice. He handed it to her with a half–smile.
“Here, beautiful. Take a drink.”
Just then, Lucas approached, offering her a bottle of Coke.
Theresa nced at thebel of the bottle in Quentin’s hand, then took it and twisted the cap off. “<b>I </b><b>prefer </b>peach juice,” she said simply, taking a sip.
Lucas hesitated. Then, slowly, he pulled his hand back. “I see,” he said.
He’d always seen her with Coke. He’d never once guessed she preferred fruit juice.
Quentin watched the exchange and chuckled softly, lowering his gaze.
Halfway through her drink, Theresa suddenly/paused.
Even Lucas didn’t know she liked fruit juice more, so how did Quentin know to pick the peach juice first?
“You knew?” she asked, narrowing her eyes.
Quentin offered a subtle smile. “I noticed you lean toward sweeter, fresher foods. I took a guess. Looks like I was right.”
Theresa fell silent.
Now she understood why so many women fell for him.
He was too clever, too perceptive/ and unnervingly precise in reading people..
After the meal, the other camp leaders–who had gathered for a meeting–were still marveling over the food.
Even a simple meal spoke volumes about the power of the zing Sun Alliance.
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Chapter 231 A Feast and a Reckoning
<b>This </b>alliance wasn’t just strong–it inspired confidence. Trust.
“How many camps actually made it here this time?” Theresa asked, sitting at the head <b>of </b>the table.
“Twenty–one in total… well, twenty now,” Bennic answered.
“As far as I know, there are still twenty–nine active camps in our region. Six have gone dark<b>. </b><b>Five </b><b>are </b>too far away to make it.”
Theresa nodded. That lined up with her own expectations.
There were other smaller human settlements too, but they were so tiny and isted, they barely <b>counted </b>as camps. Many hadn’t even received word of this gathering.
“So,” she said, cutting straight to the point, “what did youe to ask us for?”
The ce fell silent. Faces turned toward one another, hesitant. Eventually<b>, </b><b>all </b>eyes settled on Bennie.
“Ms. Hall,” he said carefully, “we need your help.”
One by one, the others found their voices.
“Our camp’s in serious trouble. Since spring started, we haven’t had a single drop of rain. <b>We’re </b>out of food!”
“Our farnd was already limited. Now, there’s no hope at all!”
“Our supplies ran out days ago. We mightst one more week—if that.”
“We heard you’ve secured two full districts. You must have plenty of resources. Please–help us <b>get </b>through this!”
“We’re all human. In times of crisis, we have to support each other!”
Theresa’s gaze locked onto thest speaker. “And which
are you camp
from?”
“Prospera Camp. My name’s Derek Stone.”
“I really liked what you said. We’re all human, and we should help each other in a crisis. So, tell me how exactly has Prospera Camp been helping others<b>?</b><b>” </b>
Derek’s voice faltered. “W–We barely have anything ourselves. We haven’t been able to offer help…”
Theresa gave a dryugh. “Then what you’re asking for isn’t mutual support. It’s us helping you–nothing in return.”
Derek opened his mouth but hesitated. “B–But… you have so much. What’s the harm in sharing a little?”
Charlotte’s temper red. “Are you even listening to yourself? We bled for those supplies! Do you know how many people died fighting for them? Have you ever fought beside us? Faced the freezing nights in March or the zing heat now? While we were risking everything out there, you were hiding behind your camp walls–and now you just ask for a handout?”
Charlotte’s voice rose with each sentence. The ce fell tense with her fury.
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Chapter 231 A Feast and a Reckoning
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Theresa let her finish, then raised her hand calmly. “Charlotte, don’t waste your breath. Just toss him out”
Several people at the table stirred in rm.
“Come on, is that really necessary?”
“We get it, you’ve worked hard–but no need to throw people out!”
“He just said a few words…”
Theresa’s eyes turned cold. “Throw him out.”
Charlotte didn’t hesitate. She grabbed Derek by the arm, yanked him from his chair, and dragged him out through the main door, tossing him unceremoniously onto the sunbaked ground.
The remaining camp leaders froze. Expressions darkened with realization.
She wasn’t bluffing.
And when they remembered how she’d crushed Zenith Camp not long ago, any trace of contempt they’d brought with them vanishedpletely.