The Apocalypse Survival Manual (Three Days Before Doomsday, I Stockpiled Billions) novel Chapter 768

The soldier's voice boomed through the hall as he chambered a round.

Zeph frowned and instinctively stepped in front of Nicole.

Irene's eyes lit up when she recognized the man. "Ross!"

Ross Parker ran the base patrols and was responsible for keeping order. Irene came to the trading hall often and made a point of stopping to talk to him. He knew who she was and always treated her with respect.

If he had arrived a few minutes earlier, none of this would've happened. Now, he could put these soldiers in their place.

Pain throbbed through Irene's dislocated shoulder, making her voice sharp. "Tell them who I am."

Ross acknowledged her with a brief nod, then repeated, "Which one of you is Nicole?"

Nicole stepped forward. "I am."

As soon as he saw her clearly, his brow furrowed, as though something about her face struck him. He strode toward her, his weapon still in hand.

Camila couldn't hide her satisfaction. She was sure Nicole was done for.

Ross earned the nickname the Bull. He had a temper, demanded a lot from his men, and always stood up for Irene.

He once served under Arthur, who helped him advance through the ranks. Ross repaid that support by looking after his family.

One soldier offended Camila once, and Ross sent him on a 30-mile run. After that, the man went out of his way to avoid her.

With Ross there, Nicole only needed to say the wrong thing or make a sudden move, and he might shoot her.

Camila immediately turned on the tears. "Ross, be careful! That woman's out of control. She almost killed me and my mom!"

Ross frowned but paid her no attention. He stopped in front of Nicole, breathing hard.

"Are you alright?"

There was no question where his duty lay.

He had a temper, but keeping order at the administrative building took more than force. Ross dealt with difficult people every day. Without some judgment and tact, he wouldn't have lasted.

He knew who took priority.

He lowered his gun, accepted Nicole's recorder, and pressed play. The conversation came through clearly.

Camila's voice sounded different on the recording, especially since she deliberately disguised it. It wasn't easy to recognize her right away.

Camila was already angry at Ross for brushing her off. Now, she saw a chance to push back. "You heard it. That isn't me!

"Nicole attacked us, broke the base's rules, and now she's making false accusations against the commander's family.

"And her witnesses? She probably paid them to say whatever she wanted!"