The Apocalypse Survival Manual (Three Days Before Doomsday, I Stockpiled Billions) novel Chapter 348

Chapter 348

It wasn’t unusual for a new development not to show up on the map yet.

Zeph pointed out the general direction based on what he remembered from the rescue, and Nicole got a rough sense of where to go. Southwest seemed about right.

That area was part of the city’s expansion, a newly developed zone with more open space and newer buildings

Zeph drove while Nicole sat beside him, guiding him along the way.

When they reached the development zone, they saw abandoned buildings everywhere, dried riverbeds, and cracked ground.

They drove up onto an overpass. Nicole took out a pair of binoculars and scanned the area, spotting a few buildings with signs of life while ruling out the older ones.

They circled around, and sure enough, it was Oakhaven Gardens.

It was a high-end riverside development, with a grand entrance that looked both upscale and thoughtfully designed. There were more than a dozen buildings inside, spaced far apart.

If the disasters hadn’t happened, homes here would’ve easily started at millions.

The complex was large, but from what they could see, not many people lived there. Still, it was clear there was more going on inside than met the eye.

There was a guard booth at the entrance, with six people on watch.

Calling them guards wasn’t quite right. From the way they dressed, they looked like residents. When they saw the Hummer pull up, they immediately grew cautious.

“What are you here for?”

Nicole leaned out the window with a friendly smile. “We’re looking for a place to stay. Do you have any units for rent?”

Hearing that they were renting, the group didn’t relax. “Where are you from? Why do you want to rent here?”

“We’re near the university district. Our building’s cracked. It’s not safe anymore.”

They gathered and spoke in low voices. “There are units available, but you’ll have to pay rent. You’ll need to pass an interview, too.”

An interview just to rent a place?

Nicole found it strange, but it made sense. In times like this, no one trusted easily. You never knew who you were letting in.

Still, Oakhaven Gardens seemed organized. They had residents guarding the entrance. It wasn’t like Crownview Residences, where anyone could just walk in.

Nicole felt her interest grow. “What’s the monthly rent?”

“Ten to twenty pounds of grain, depending on the situation.”

Nicole picked up on the detail. “Basic grain?”

1/2

+15 Benus

They nodded.

She asked again, “When’s the interview?”

“Wait here. I’ll go let them know.”

Before coming, Zeph had already driven around the perimeter. The entire complex was enclosed by a wall, with broken glass embedded along the top. Residents rotated shifts on guard duty. Their security awareness was clearly

strong.

Even sitting in the car, Nicole watched the people at the gate.

You couldn’t judge everything by appearances, but after surviving this long, you could still get a sense of things.

The windows were tinted. They were being watched just as closely, but Nicole felt caution, not hostility.

And beside her sat someone who could read lips.

Nicole found herself growing more and more interested in Oakhaven Gardens.

About half an hour later, the interviewer finally arrived.

He was a man in his forties, wearing a slightly worn but clean gray T-shirt. His thin, square face gave him a calm, educated look.

He walked out from inside the complex, and the two of them stepped out of the car.

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