The Apocalypse Survival Manual (Three Days Before Doomsday, I Stockpiled Billions) novel Chapter 160

Chapter 160

The police were human, too. They were already understaffed, and after the disasters and rescue efforts, even fewer were left alive.

Meanwhile, these criminal groups were multiplying fast, spreading everywhere. Crime was breaking out in every corner.

Plenty of public officials had already died at their hands.

These people moved like ghosts, covered head to toe with only their eyes showing. They were armed with guns and had planted informants inside residential buildings. Anyone who reported them or resisted ended up worse off.

Nicole’s group exchanged glances.

Beatrice was the first to snap. “Anyone who wants to pay can pay. I’m not giving them a damn thing!”

She had always been the one beating others down. There was no way she would let anyone push her

around.

Nicole stayed calm. “Gabrielle, we’re not paying.”

Gabrielle understood immediately. “Victor and his parents won’t start work for a few more days. When the time comes, we’ll face it together. I won’t hold you back.”

Back home, she gathered her family. “I agree with the 18th floor. We can’t pay. What do you all think?”

In their family, the elder was the pillar.

The Goodmans had always respected her judgment. Derek didn’t hesitate. “Mom, we’ll follow your lead.”

“Good, but just us isn’t enough.”

Gabrielle already had a plan.

“Listen carefully. Times like this, we have to stand together. If they break in, our floor will be the first to take the hit. We need to get the other two households on board, too. Everyone’s afraid of dying, but fear won’t save you. We’re already at a disadvantage. If we hide when trouble comes, people will lose faith in

“No one’s stupid. You might dodge it once, but not twice.

“If I’m gone one day, you still have to hold the line. Clinging to life without principles will only get you killed faster.”

After talking it through, Gabrielle went out and knocked on the neighbors’ doors.

The discussion went smoother than expected. The other two households agreed without hesitation.

Only then did she finally relax.

1/3

+15 Bonus

Another day began. On the 18th floor, people and dog alike were training, thuds and strikes echoing

nonstop.

Suddenly, loud shouting erupted downstairs, followed by sharp screams. Different voices overlapped, almost shaking the ceiling.

They looked at each other. The collectors had arrived.

No doubt about it. The whole building had been on edge, everyone terrified.

Oliver still had some credibility, so the survivors turned to him again. He stepped up, organizing everyone, trying to rally them to resist together.

The moment it started, Oliver was dragged into the next room and beaten until his face was bloodied and

bruised.

Not just him. The others who stood with him were beaten as well. One young woman nearly got assaulted right there.

The group resistance only made things worse.

“You think you’re tough?” one of the men sneered. “Other buildings pay three pounds per head a month. You wanna act tough, huh? Six pounds a month. Anyone who doesn’t wanna pay, step up. I’ll put a bullet in you!”

Oliver struggled through the pain. “We can’t… We really can’t afford six pounds. That’s asking for our

lives.”

“Oh, so you’re the tough one?”

They dragged him back into the room and beat him again, nearly to death, then tossed him out like a dead dog, his body soaked in blood.

Oliver could barely breathe, couldn’t even speak.

“This is what happens if you don’t pay.”

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