The Apocalypse Survival Manual (Three Days Before Doomsday, I Stockpiled Billions) novel Chapter 603

Chapter 603

The polar night threw everything into chaos, and the authorities already had their hands full trying to keep order. No one had the time or resources to worry about abandoned houses.

Besides, Westbridge was overcrowded. No neighborhood or commercial complex was going to volunteer information about an empty property.

The moment a place was abandoned, whoever got there first moved in.

Nicole was serious. Jeremy and Hughie might have enough supplies for now, but they were packed into a cramped space and couldn’t even cook meat without worrying about the smell drawing attention.

They gave up their share of the helicopter and fuel, so Nicole didn’t mind helping them out as long as it didn’t cost her anything.

“Don’t shoot it down yet. The security guards already turned on us, the bodyguards betrayed their employers, and after that, everyone got scared and sent half their staff packing.

“Now, most of the people left here have never had to fight for anything in their lives. Do you really expect them to defend the neighborhood?

“The polar night is dangerous enough as it is. Even if the staff and bodyguards who stayed are loyal, this still isn’t their home and none of these supplies belong to them.

“If raiders show up again, do you really think they’ll risk their lives for someone else’s property? They’ll be gone the second things turn bad.

“We need people who actually have something at stake here. Give them a home, let them settle in, and they’ll have a reason to protect this place when trouble comes.”

Marcus studied Nicole. She never went out of her way unless there was something in it for her.

Most days, she could barely be bothered to talk to him, yet here she was, giving him a whole sales pitch. Either hell had frozen

over, or she was doing this for someone.

He narrowed his eyes. “Who are you trying to get a house for?”.

“Dumbo practically lives at my place now. You seriously don’t know who I’m talking about?”

Marcus dropped the act. “Those four?”

“Yeah. They’ve fought alongside us before, and they’ve spent years doing security work. One of them was even a competitive kickboxer. All four of them know how to handle themselves. Pick any one of them, and they could probably take down one of your family’s bodyguards.

Nicole didn’t need to convince Marcus. Eric already looked into them, and their skills were the real deal.

Eric knew perfectly well that Villa 50 couldn’t have taken down the raiders’ hideout and rescued Marcus without help.

Plus, Nicole had a point. Bringing in a few capable residents would strengthen the neighborhood in the long run. It would also be a way of returning the favor to Villa 50.

But Eric thought it through more carefully.

They still had to follow some kind of process, or people would accuse the Robinsons of making every decision for the entire neighborhood.

He told his still-swollen son to call a homeowners’ meeting and put the idea to a vote.

The empty villas could be rented out, but anyone who wanted to move in would have to pass an interview and be vouched for by a current resident. The rent would then be divided among the homeowners.

Marcus was especially motivated when it came to helping Nicole. He put the proposal together quickly and gave an enthusiastic pitch at the meeting.

“Look, leaving those houses empty doesn’t help anyone. We’ve also been taking turns on patrol for the past year, and everyone’s worn out. If we bring in a few capable tenants, we can spread the workload around, finally run three proper shifts, and make a little extra income at the same time. Everybody wins.”

When he finished, he looked around the room with a smile.

“Alright. Who’s for it, and who’s against it?”