Nearby, the young girl, Tammy, looked at her mother anxiously. "Let us just find a corner to sit... even if they do not allow us to stay."
Her voice was soft, uncertain.
Her mother, Diana, shook her head imdiately, her expression tense. "No. If we stay outside or fall behind, we will die from the cold."
Tammy hesitated before speaking again, "But... the temperature here feels controlled..."
Diana paused, realizing it as well.
Her expression darkened further.
"If that is true... then it is even worse," she murmured. "Places like this always require sothing in return. We may not be able to afford it."
Just as their conversation grew heavier, Ivy approached them.
"What is going on here?" she asked calmly.
The mont Diana saw her, clean, composed, and carrying an air of authority, her instincts kicked in imdiately.
She pulled Tammy behind her protectively, her body tensing.
"It is like this," Diana began, her voice cautious but firm. "We are here seeking refuge."
Ivy, however, froze.
Her gaze lingered on Diana’s face, recognition dawning slowly.
’This... cannot be...’
Diana. A na she knew very well.
A woman who had once been a renowned philanthropist.
Soone Ivy had admired deeply in the past.
’I even wrote an assignnt about her...’
For a brief mont, Ivy forgot what she was about to say, her thoughts caught between the present and the mories of who Diana once was.
Diana had once been the wife of an incredibly wealthy man.
Together, they had built a company from the ground up, their nas once spoken with admiration and respect.
But in the end, that man had betrayed her, choosing a mistress over the life they had created together.
Yet Diana had not crumbled.
She had walked away with grace, dignity intact, taking only what was rightfully hers.
Instead of drowning in bitterness, she had turned toward charity, dedicating her wealth and ti to helping others.
Later, she found love again.
A quieter, gentler kind of happiness.
And through it all, there had been Tammy, her daughter from her first marriage.
Tammy had always stayed close to her, following in her footsteps.
Even after becoming a renowned singer, she chose to remain humble and charitable, just like her mother.
Both of them had kind hearts.
And Ivy knew this very well.
’I rember...’ she thought, her gaze softening slightly. ’I once emailed her... I was just a teenager back then...’
She could still recall how surprisingly warm and down-to-earth Diana had been, replying without arrogance, even engaging in small conversations.
Now, standing face to face with her...
Ivy could not help but smile.
"You are here for refuge, right?" she asked gently.
Diana nodded, though her expression remained cautious, almost guarded. "Yes."
From the very beginning of the apocalypse, she had learned one harsh truth...
Kindness was a luxury.
Unless one had the strength to protect themselves, kindness could beco a weakness.
Ivy noticed that guarded look but chose to ignore it, her tone remaining calm.
"You might not recognize , but we have spoken before... through emails."
Diana remained silent, her brows knitting slightly as she searched her mory.
Without pressing further, Ivy simply gestured ahead. "Co with . I will show you around."
She led them toward the tower.
Throughout the walk, both Diana and Tammy stayed tense, their eyes scanning their surroundings, as if expecting danger at any mont.
But the mont they stepped into one of the apartnts... they froze.
Warm air wrapped around them instantly, chasing away the cold that had seeped into their bones.
The room was clean and organized and carried a faint comforting scent of fresh linen.
On the table sat two neatly packed bento boxes.
Tammy’s eyes widened.
Diana’s breath caught slightly.
Ivy spoke softly. "You can stay here for now. I will arrange everything else shortly."
At that mont, the temporal storage’s voice echoed in her mind.
[If you receive their KB points... it will be a massive amount.]
Ivy frowned slightly. "What do you an?"
The reply ca imdiately.
[Both Diana and Tammy have lived kind lives. Their accumulated karma is imnse. Even the slightest kindness they show toward you will result in exponential returns. The points you gain will not be in tens or hundreds... but in millions.]
Ivy’s heart skipped.
’Millions...?’
For a brief second, her eyes nearly lit up with excitent.
But outwardly, she remained composed.
anwhile, Diana and Tammy, unable to ignore their hunger any longer, hesitated only briefly before opening the bento boxes.
The aroma of warm food filled the air instantly.
They began eating.
Ivy watched quietly, saying nothing.
But when she noticed that even after finishing, they still looked hungry, a small smile appeared on her lips.
With a simple wave of her hand, more food appeared.
Fresh bento boxes, steaming gently.
Tammy froze. Diana’s eyes widened, moisture gathering at the corners.
"We... we do not need so much," Diana said softly, her voice filled with restraint. "You should keep so for yourself."
Ivy shook her head lightly. "It is alright. I have more than enough."
’And sharing a little with soone like you... is hardly a loss,’ she thought.
After a mont of silence, Diana looked at her again. "When did we... communicate?"
Ivy smiled faintly. "During my school years. I wrote a paper about you once... and I emailed you."
A flicker of recognition crossed Diana’s face.
"I rember... there was a girl... very passionate about charity," she murmured, her expression softening completely now.
She looked at Ivy with warmth. "I am glad to et you here."
Ivy returned the smile. "I feel the sa."
Then she glanced at Tammy. "I will arrange warm clothes and more supplies for both of you."
Diana imdiately raised her hand, stopping her. "We do not have much to offer in return."
Her voice was steady, but there was a hint of discomfort.
Ivy tilted her head slightly. "Do you own any properties?"
Diana paused, thinking.
"Yes... several. Around ten hectares of land, so gold... and a few real estate properties. But all of them are currently inaccessible and useless..."
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