The Apocalypse Survival Manual (Three Days Before Doomsday, I Stockpiled Billions) novel Chapter 534

Chapter 534

The past two years held few good memories for any of them, and for Beatrice, they were nothing short of a nightmare. Nicole tactfully decided not to ask any more questions.

After saying goodbye, she went downstairs and found Zeph waiting at the end of the street.

On the way home, Nicole told him, “Jeremy seems to be doing alright. Beatrice has been hit hard by depression, though. And Hughie may act cheerful and carefree, but he keeps everything bottled up. I think he’s close to breaking down, too.”

If Jeremy hadn’t been there to talk him through things, Hughie might have ended up just like Beatrice.

2 In a world shaped by natural disasters, brutal realities, and constant emotional strain, how many people could truly remain mentally healthy?

When they returned to the neighborhood, a new notice had been posted at the security booth.

The HOA would be holding its first homeowners’ meeting to discuss collecting HOA fees and working together to improve the neighborhood landscaping. The meeting would begin promptly at 8 p.m. that day.

Apparently, people only learned after being taught a painful lesson. This time, no one dared leave Villa 50 out.

After dinner, Nicole and Zeph arrived at the meeting on time.

Almost every household was represented. Everyone complimented and flattered one another, creating such a pleasant atmosphere that anyone unfamiliar with the situation might have mistaken it for a cocktail party.

Neither of them cared much for socializing, so they found a quiet corner and sat down.

As Nicole casually scanned the room, she spotted a familiar face.

Irene walked in wearing a fitted silk dress, her arm linked through that of a middle-aged man. He wore a suit and tie with polished black shoes and had a slight paunch. He greeted nearly everyone he passed.

This was probably Camila’s father.

“Hey, Zeph.” Sven arrived shortly afterward and immediately sat beside them.

As a middleman, Sven had always loved gossip. It was his favorite way to quickly warm up to people. After hearing that Nicole had shoved the pool party hostess into a pile of filth, he found the whole thing especially entertaining.

He glanced toward the crowd, lowered his voice, and began sharing what he knew.

“Nicole, see that man in the suit and glasses? That’s the head of the family with the alpaca. He may look respectable, but he’s a complete scumbag. He keeps his wife at home while sleeping around, and he even brought his illegitimate son home for her to raise.”

Nicole frowned. “How do you know all that?”

“Please. In my line of work, I hear everything.”

Sven continued to speak.

“Mrs. Clark’s actually had a pretty miserable life. I heard she came from a wealthy family, but they later lost everything. She agreed to marry Mr. Clark to save the family business. Complications from childbirth left her unable to have any more kids, so she had no choice but to look the other way while her husband slept around.”

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That was how wealthy couples often lived. They acted devoted in public while doing whatever they wanted behind closed doors.

Nicole smiled but said nothing.

Once most of the homeowners had arrived, Marcus made a grand entrance to the sound of music, wearing an outfit so outrageous that everyone immediately turned to stare.

He wore a floral shirt, cropped pants, and slippers, with a military coat draped over his shoulders.

He looked like he had gotten dressed during a psychotic break.

Even dressed like that, he still had every young socialite in the room swooning. They stared at him with lovestruck expressions, practically ready to throw themselves at him.

Nicole had to admit that being heir to the richest family made up for a lot.

Marcus could’ve been a literal pile of garbage, and those women still would’ve sworn he was irresistible.

Marcus swept his gaze across the room, then shuffled decisively toward the corner in his slippers. He dropped into the seat directly in front of Nicole, turned around, and greeted her with a grin.

“Hey.”

Seriously, he needed to get a grip. She really didn’t want anyone smearing filth on her gate again.

People said you shouldn’t be rude to someone who greeted you with a smile, but Nicole wasn’t feeling generous.

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