The Apocalypse Survival Manual (Three Days Before Doomsday, I Stockpiled Billions) novel Chapter 533

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Beatrice’s eyes stung. She turned away and looked out the window.

Of course, they wanted the medicine, but after thinking it over, Jeremy pushed it back toward Nicole.

“We gave these supplies to you and Zeph. We only said you were keeping them for us because we knew you wouldn’t accept them otherwise. We may be struggling now, but we’re not going back on our word.”

Jeremy could be ruthless when survival demanded it. He could even rob someone at knifepoint if he had no other

choice.

But he wouldn’t betray Nicole’s trust. That was one line he refused to cross.

Hughie wanted the medicine as well, especially since it could help Beatrice. But when he remembered everything Nicole and Zeph had done for them, he forced himself to stay quiet.

“We’re practically family,” Nicole said.

She hadn’t brought the supplies over just for show.

“Zeph and I were there when we collected that medicine, and we’re doing fine without what you left behind. Use what you need for treatment, then trade the rest for whatever will make your lives easier. Stop making this so complicated, guys.”

The two exchanged a look before Jeremy finally said, “Alright. We’ll accept it. Once we’re back on our feet, you’ll get your share.” 1

Nicole continued unpacking her bag, taking out medicinal herbs for Beatrice and electronic devices for both households to use for entertainment.

Beatrice picked up a box of fever reducers and passed it to Nicole. “Take these in exchange for the medicinal herbs. If they’re not enough, I’ll owe you the difference.”

The two households might have fallen on hard times, but they still held on to their principles.

“Alright, I won’t argue with you.” Nicole accepted the medicine. “Go through the ledger and let me know ahead of time if there’s anything you need. I’ll find a way to get it.”

They might have been so poor that they barely had clothes on their backs, but public security patrol work still paid reasonably well.

The only drawback was that they regularly dealt with criminals and bandits, making the job extremely dangerous.

Once Beatrice recovered, neither household was likely to become wealthy, but they should have no trouble keeping themselves fed and warm.

That was also why they refused to join the police and chose to remain public security patrolmen instead.

With their skills, they were more than qualified to become police officers. But being an officer wasn’t just a job. It came with responsibilities they weren’t willing to take on.

Once they put on a police uniform, they would feel obligated to turn in any unclaimed supplies they found. As patrolmen, they didn’t have that same responsibility.

Nicole gave Beatrice another needle therapy treatment. While they waited, she chatted with Jeremy and Hughie, occasionally glancing at Diana.

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+15 Bonus

Diana reminded her of a lone wolf, cold and self-contained. She sat silently off to the side, seeming completely out of place yet perfectly at ease.

Nicole could tell that Diana was a strong, independent woman. To her, Jeremy was probably still someone passing through her life, or perhaps a temporary place to rest.

Winning her heart wouldn’t be easy.

She might seem unapproachable, but she probably wasn’t the type to keep score over every little thing. Otherwise she never would’ve agreed to use their supplies to trade for Beatrice’s medicine.

That alone showed she got along well enough with the three of them.

Once the treatment was finished, Hughie invited Nicole to stay for lunch, but she declined.

“Cooking here is too much trouble. You can’t even make a pot of oatmeal without worrying that someone will smell it. Come over to my place when you’re all free. We’ll have a proper get-together, just like old times.”

Nicole stood to leave, then suddenly remembered something.

“Do you still have your radios?”

The three of them lost the radios Zeph gave them when they ran into highway robbers while scavenging.

Diana, however, still had one.

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