The Apocalypse Survival Manual (Three Days Before Doomsday, I Stockpiled Billions) novel Chapter 766

Cola lunged at Irene and Camila again, snarling and blocking their escape.

Soldiers regularly patrolled the administrative building, but the confrontation unfolded so quickly that a crowd filled the trading hall before they arrived.

They ordered the onlookers to move back and approached with their weapons ready. "What's going on here?"

Camila was still reeling from the beating, but seeing the soldiers brought her back to her senses.

Nicole knew about the hit. Even without proof, her accusation would be enough to get the military asking questions.

The Cyclone Crew was useless. Those men would crack the moment the soldiers started questioning them. And if Arthur learned Nicole was his daughter, he could have Camila dealt with on a single order.

Nicole's ruthlessness finally scared some sense into her. Hiring those idiots in a fit of anger was a terrible mistake. Just imagining Arthur staring her down made her shiver.

She couldn't let him hear Nicole's side. Nicole had to die before that happened.

Camila suddenly ran at the soldiers, screaming, "Help! That crazy woman is trying to kill us!"

She dragged her hands across her bloody face as she cried, deliberately making the injuries look worse.

Then she reached for one of the soldiers' rifles.

If Nicole died, Camila believed the truth would die with her. And if Arthur investigated, she could say she acted in self-defense after Nicole attacked her.

Irene didn't expect Camila to go this far, but she saw no other way out. If they waited, Nicole would destroy them.

Nicole didn't care that Irene was her mother. She seemed determined to ruin her life.

Whatever affection Irene still felt for Nicole disappeared. She no longer thought of Nicole as her daughter.

"I'm Commander Hunt's wife! This is his daughter! That woman attacked us for no reason. She almost killed Camila. Arrest her!"

Nicole didn't move. She watched Irene, her expression hardening.

The soldiers kept their voices level. "Step back. Both of you."

With her mother backing her up, Camila grabbed for the rifle again.

Nicole's refusal to react infuriated her. She clearly knew what Camila was trying to do. Camila needed another way to make her react.

If she could make the rifle discharge, Zeph and Cola would think Nicole was being shot at and rush to defend her. The soldiers would turn their weapons on them.

Nicole and Zeph might both die in the confusion, then Camila could claim the whole thing was an accident.