The Apocalypse Survival Manual (Three Days Before Doomsday, I Stockpiled Billions) novel Chapter 492

Chapter 492

Several SUVS drove into the neighborhood, each carrying bodyguards in black suits and sunglasses. The guards stationed themselves every few yards along the road leading to the central villa, completely blocking off the side street.

A Unimog expedition vehicle came next, followed by an EleMMent Palazzo. More than 20 people stepped out, including men, women, children, and elderly relatives. Every one of thein looked polished and refined, without the slightest sign that they had been living through an apocalypse.

The wealthy residents put on their most charming smiles and rushed forward to greet them.

“Good afternoon, Mr. and Mrs. Robinson.”

Nicole hadn’t expected to see Westbridge’s richest family up close. She kept whispering gossip to Zeph.

“The man in the middle, the one who looks close to 60, is the head of Robinson Corporation.”

Before she could finish, another Maybach SUV pulled up. The door opened, and a pair of Hermès slides appeared, followed by cropped casual pants.

The moment the man stepped out, every unmarried socialite turned to stare.

As soon as Nicole saw his face, her expression changed. She grabbed Zeph and hurried away. “Go, go, go. We need to get out of here!”

Zeph looked confused. “What’s wrong?”

What was wrong? The owner of those three armored SUVs had just arrived!

Damn it. Couldn’t the richest family in Westbridge have stayed at a base? Why did they have to come back and settle here?

With Marcus around, she couldn’t even take the cars out and show them off anymore.

Zeph explained, “Before the natural disasters, people would’ve bent over backward for the Robinsons wherever they went.

“But in the apocalypse, influence belongs to whoever has the strength to back it up. The military bases aren’t going to cater to them, and the government-run bases are full of political power struggles.

“Plenty of powerful military and political families are already established there. The Robinsons can’t expect their money alone to put them on top.

“Besides, the tallest nail gets hammered down first. They’re better off coming back to Westbridge, where they can live on their own terms, than staying at a government-run base and making themselves a target.”

Nicole had to admit he had a point.

The natural disasters had temporarily eased, and the ultrawealthy families who had fled to the bases had spent three miserable years under someone else’s thumb. Now that the cities were being rebuilt, those families still had plenty of money and supplies, which was exactly what the local authorities desperately needed.

One side wanted influence, and the other was willing to give it to them. Naturally, they came to an understanding.

With the Robinsons here, there was no question who would have the most influence in the villa district.

None of that had anything to do with Nicole, though. As long as no one bothered her, she wouldn’t bother them.

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+15 8chus

All she wanted was to keep a low profile in her quiet corner.

They went home, locked the door, and took an afternoon nap.

That evening, Brandon called out to Poppy from his balcony.

Poppy kept playing with Cola as if she hadn’t heard him.

Nicole looked at her curiously. “Why aren’t you answering Brandon? Did he bully you?”

Poppy hesitated for a long moment before saying, “Brandon’s nice to me, but his friends asked me for food. They kept staring at Cola and drooling, too. I don’t like them anymore.”

She decided she wasn’t going to play with them again.

Nicole nodded, proud.

So those children had made Poppy feel threatened. The little girl might look sweet and harmless, but she was actually very cautious. All the lessons Nicole had taught her over the years hadn’t gone to waste.

The day they had arranged to pick up the gate from Tom finally arrived.

The truck didn’t have bulletproof windows, and Nicole was worried about their safety, so all four of them went together.

One person drove while the other kept watch.

It had been only a little over a month, but the old city was already almost deserted. The sunlight was still painfully bright, yet everything beneath it looked dead.

By the time they reached Oakhaven Gardens, Tom had finished the gate. The wooden panels were exceptionally sturdy, and the gate itself had five separate bolts. It wouldn’t be easy to break through by force.

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