A guard stepped in, Money. His boots clacked softly on the floor, carrying faint traces of outdoor dust. The mont he spotted Ivy, he bowed respectfully.
"A letter was handed to ... and it bears the signature of General Silas."
Ivy’s posture straightened instantly. "Show ."
Money walked forward and placed the letter in her hand. The paper still slled faintly of sunlight and sweat as if carried fast from the entrance.
The mont Ivy glanced at the signature, recognition sparked.
"My husband ntioned Bella to . This letter is genuine."
Money gave a crisp nod. "I’ll bring her inside imdiately."
"Place her in the special room," Ivy reminded him. "Follow the usual investigation procedure, but treat her with full respect. Don’t let anyone intimidate her."
Money was about to leave when Ivy lifted a hand. "I’ll co too."
He paused, curiosity flickering in his eyes, but he wisely held his tongue.
Everyone knew Ivy’s decisions were precise and intentional.
Only Ivy herself understood the real reason, she wanted to et the woman her father-in-law praised so highly.
If he holds soone in such regard, Ivy thought, she must be soone remarkable. A little... enviable, even.
She stepped out. Behind her, Amber, Felix, and Annie followed.
Felix’s eyes wandered repeatedly toward Annie. Each ti he saw her, sothing within him jolted: her aura, her features, her subtle expressions. They all tugged at an old mory.
For a brief mont, a strange premonition tightened in his chest, whispering that Annie was Gwen.
He clenched his jaw, forcing the thought down.
’This is nonsense. Stop assuming things.’
Trying to distract himself, his gaze landed on the guard walking ahead.
Money.
Felix smirked, mischief buzzing around him. He strode forward and clapped Money on the shoulder with dramatic familiarity.
"I heard your parents nad you Money because they thought you’d bring fortune to the family. But now, in the apocalypse, money’s useless. Should we change your na to Food instead?"
Money rolled his eyes, unoffended. "At least my parents cared enough to na after sothing important. What about you?"
Felix huffed. "I’d argue with you, but since your na is Money, I’ll spare you. It’s not your fault your parents didn’t take you seriously either."
Their banter echoed lightly in the corridor.
Annie glanced at them, inwardly groaning. This guy is unbelievably air-headed.
Ivy nearly buried her face in her hands. Felix’s terrible habit of dropping la jokes as if they were codic masterpieces never failed to embarrass her.
Amber, however, had zero patience. "Felix, shut up."
Felix cracked his knuckles in mock challenge. "Woman, are you itching for a beating?"
Amber gestured for him to try. "Co then. We’ll spar right here."
Their argunt grew louder, making Ivy pinch the bridge of her nose.
’I swear I feel like I’m babysitting children. Grim future warriors? In this life they’re playful maniacs.’
Yet beneath her exasperation, warmth blood. She was glad, really glad, to see this joyful side of them, sothing she never got to witness in her past life.
They soon reached the investigation area.
The mont Ivy stepped forward, she caught sight of the scene.... A middle-aged man’s hand raised high, ready to strike down at a girl seated in the chair.
Bella. Before Ivy even breathed, Felix moved.
His arm snapped forward like stretched rubber, hand locking around the man’s wrist with brutal force. His eyes darkened, almost predatory.
Felix never interfered in strangers’ affairs. But this... this was different.
His mother had drilled her principles deep into him: Violence against a woman was the lowest form of cowardice. If he ever witnessed such cruelty, he must not turn away. He must stop it.
His grip tightened.
Ivy exhaled a quiet breath of relief. Her brother had moved first, sparing her the need to unleash her own temper.
She stepped forward, her gaze sharpening like a blade.
"What," Ivy asked in a grim, ice-laced voice, "do you think you are doing?"
The middle-aged man turned toward her with irritation until his eyes landed on her hair.
Pink. Bright, unmistakable, cotton-candy pink.
His arrogance crumbled instantly. Everyone in the region knew... The representative of the base had pink hair.
Untouchable. Powerful. And absolutely unforgiving.
He swallowed and gestured accusingly toward Bella.
"It’s this woman who was ungrateful!"
He pointed to the black-haired girl beside him.
"This girl, her na is Hannah. She offended a very powerful person in the base. Now she can’t get back inside the base and was kicked out. She just wants to et the representative and clear up the misunderstanding! I was only doing what any kind person would do!"
Ivy slowly shifted her gaze toward Hannah... and a soft, humorless chuckle slipped from her lips.
Mocking. Knowing. Dangerously calm.
Hannah felt heat flare across her cheeks, but instead of rushing toward Ivy like she had earlier, wild and frantic like a stray dog, she abruptly dropped to her knees.
Dust puffed around her legs, clinging to her skin. She lowered her head, shoulders trembling with forced humility.
"I was wrong," she whispered loudly enough for the entire crowd to hear. "In the future, I won’t stop anyone from taking advantage of . I won’t interfere again."
A heavy silence fell.
Expressions shifted everywhere, confusion, disbelief, suspicion. No one understood why Hannah was spouting such bizarre words. Her tone wavered between victimized and rehearsed, like she was performing for an invisible audience.
Ivy stared down at her with a faint, intrigued smile. "What do you an by that, Hannah?"
Hannah imdiately lifted her head, eyes shimring with fake tears.
"I know you’re angry at ," she rushed out. "I didn’t let your teacher, Nora, take advantage of earlier. I didn’t let her cut the line. I blocked her way... so you must be punishing ."
A ripple of murmurs spread through the onlookers.
"What is she talking about?"
"Teacher Nora? Who?"
"Is the representative... letting people abuse their power?"
"Did we escape one hell only to walk into another?"
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