Reborn with Nothing but My Farm and Vengeance in the Apocalypse novel Chapter 85

Chapter 85: Chapter 85: The Ungrateful Son

Another customer chimed in with a hostile tone, "It’s not just that the selection is limited, the quality has gone down too. You should taste this yourself. Does this apple even have any apple flavor? It just tastes like chemicals. How long has it been soaked in some solution? Who knows if eating this stuff will shorten our lives!"

The restaurant manager hurried over, bowing repeatedly. "My sincerest apologies, everyone. All our fruits and vegetables are now supplied by Rhodes, so the quality is guaranteed. Unfortunately, our previous supplier has become difficult to order from. We ask for your understanding."

The customer who had just spoken frowned. "Rhodes? That explains it. To boost their output, they go all-in on technology for their indoor cultivation. I heard they even use a lot of growth hormones and other chemicals. The taste is terrible. You can tell the difference with a single bite."

Another customer nodded in agreement. "My family only ate organic vegetables before the disaster. We wouldn’t touch these ’high-tech’ agricultural products. Do you have any idea that this stuff could be carcinogenic? How can a hotel of your stature not even source pure, natural, organic vegetables that meet the European Union’s standards?"

The restaurant manager’s head throbbed. ’It’s a disaster year,’ he thought, ’and the crops have completely failed. It’s a miracle we can even get indoor-grown produce. Where am I supposed to find pure, natural, organic vegetables that meet EU standards? Are these rich people out of their minds? Do they really think money can buy anything?’

But he didn’t dare show a hint of displeasure in front of these VIPs. He could only continue bowing and apologizing. "I am truly sorry. At the moment, Rhodes Enterprises is the only company in the entire city that can provide a stable, large-scale supply of produce. We used to preorder all our fruits and vegetables from The Arcadia Store, but they aren’t taking new orders right now. Please rest assured, we are actively looking for new suppliers. We appreciate your patience during this time."

Melody Summers listened quietly from the side, mentally running the numbers. ’Lately, I’ve been so obsessed with mining that I haven’t paid much attention to The Arcadia Shop.’

’After all, the returns from mining are far greater than farming and selling produce. I remember how I used to grind every single day—planting, harvesting, slaughtering chickens, ducks, and rabbits—just to scrape together a hundred million. Now that I have the mine, I can make a hundred million just by selling a single Pink Diamond.’

’However, the fruit trees in The Arcadian Woods have started to yield a bountiful harvest recently. I’ll focus on running the shop once I get home in a few days.’

Just as Melody Summers was lost in thought, she suddenly heard a familiar voice from behind her.

"Melody Summers!"

Melody Summers turned around and saw Zane Simmons and Joanne White.

Zane Simmons strode over with a wide grin. "It really is you! I can’t believe you’re at The Nimbus Hotel too. What a coincidence! By the way, where are you staying? Want me to help you get a room upgrade?"

Melody Summers smiled. "No, thank you. I’m in Room 3602. My family and I think it’s pretty nice."

Zane Simmons was surprised. He hadn’t expected Melody Summers to have the money for a luxury suite. He remembered that a room on the 36th floor cost 500,000 a night. His perception of his deskmate shifted once again.

Meanwhile, Joanne White stood silently behind Zane Simmons. Cradling her stomach with her head bowed, she kept stealing glances at Melody Summers, her heart filling with unconcealable jealousy and an indescribable panic.

’I can’t believe I ran into Melody Summers here again,’ she thought. ’What rotten luck. And every time Zane sees her, he just has to run right over, all excited. I can’t even get away if I want to.’

She was nearly nine months pregnant and had been resting at their villa, preparing for the birth. But then, their luck ran out. A wildfire had broken out on the mountain behind their neighborhood today.

With the current drought, even the fire department was short on water. Combined with the scorching heat and the buildup of dry tinder in the woods, the fire spread too quickly to be contained. She had no choice but to evacuate The Metropolis Residences with Zane Simmons and move into The Nimbus Hotel.

The Nimbus Hotel had its own medical facility, so if Joanne White went into premature labor, she could receive immediate medical attention.

Melody glanced at Joanne White as well. She was wearing a long, champagne-colored silk dress, her long black hair cascading loosely over her shoulders. Despite being pregnant, her face was still done up with light makeup. With her head bowed, she had a pitiful, almost endearing look.

Compared to the destitute state of Austin Hale’s mother whom she had seen a few days ago, it was clear that Joanne White was now living a life of luxury.

Joanne White furtively glanced up at Melody, her eyes meeting Melody’s gaze. A jolt of panic went through her, and she quickly looked away.

Melody noticed Joanne’s discomfort, so after exchanging a few more pleasantries with Zane Simmons, she excused herself and left.

Melody carried two plates of dessert back to her family’s table. They all feasted together, eating to their hearts’ content.

Melody couldn’t tell the difference between so-called ’EU-standard pure, natural, organic vegetables’ and regular ones. She just thought the five-star hotel’s chefs were highly skilled. The dishes were delicious and perfectly seasoned; even her grandmother had two extra bowls of soup.

After eating and drinking their fill, the family chatted as they headed back to their rooms to rest.

While they were waiting for the elevator, Melody suddenly heard someone shout from behind them:

"Mom!?"

The Summers Family turned around in confusion. They saw a middle-aged man in a staff uniform wearing white rubber gloves and carrying a red plastic bucket. He was staring intently in their direction.

The color drained from Miss Lowell’s face. She recognized the man—it was her ungrateful son, Regan Sterling.

Before the disaster, Regan Sterling had been a manager at a media company. A few months ago, however, the company went bankrupt because of the heatwave, and he suddenly found himself unemployed.

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