An Unlikely Alliance

There was no time to banter. From her brief research on Adrian Blackwood, Chloe had realized he was a tough nut to crack. Still, dealing with him was nothing compared to facing the impending apocalypse.

Her phone kept chiming, each notification warning her of the approaching apocalypse.

She had to act fast.

Adrian Blackwood wore a sneer, but Chloe could still detect a flicker of curiosity in his eyes.

“I know we've never met,” Chloe began, hoping she sounded convincing. “But I need you just as much as you need me.”

Adrian let out a loud chuckle, his sneer giving way to an incredulous expression. “Now, what could a peasant woman with an exhausted-looking toddler possibly offer someone like me?”

Chloe scoffed and pulled Rune protectively against her chest. “She's just a child!”

“A malnourished one,” Adrian retorted. “I know what a healthy child looks like, and this little girl clearly isn't getting enough nutrition.”

Chloe was beginning to dislike Mr. Blackwood. Just who did he think he was? Did being a billionaire with a massive, well-furnished shelter and an incredibly handsome face give him the right to speak to her like that?

“Hurry up, lady. I'm a very busy man,” Adrian Blackwood snapped.

“Well, in less than fourteen days, you won't have a company to run. Your only concern will be survival,” Chloe said. “An apocalypse is coming—one so catastrophic it could wipe out humanity. And for some reason, the system has paired me with you.”

She muttered the last part under her breath.

Adrian’s expression turned serious. “How do you know that?”

“Because I've already lived through the apocalypse. I didn't survive it, but I have valuable information that could help us.”

“First of all, lady, there is no ‘us.’” He made air quotes. “And secondly, if the universe miraculously sent me a helping hand during this disaster, I'd expect that person to be smart enough to survive it. Don't you think?”

Chloe felt heat rush to her face.

Rune glanced between the two adults, who seemed caught up in a heated argument.

‘Why did I even bother coming here?’ Chloe thought bitterly. ‘I should use the money the system gave me to secure a small shelter before the outbreak.’

However, based on what she'd learned in her previous life, she knew that was a long shot.

There were three main types of shelters.

The first type consisted of city-center shelters built beneath shopping malls, residential buildings, or hospitals. They were well-equipped, convenient, and easy to access during an evacuation, but they were practically useless in a zombie apocalypse. Because they accommodated large numbers of people, they were often the first to fall.

The other two types were tunnel-style shelters and professional defense installations.

Tunnel-style shelters were secluded, spacious, and equipped with solid ventilation systems. They were usually located far from populated areas and protected by heavy iron gates.

Professional defense installations became essential in the later stages of the apocalypse, forming the backbone of stable survivor bases. Chloe and the Bellamys had occupied one of these installations before her death. They were also incredibly expensive to rent, putting them far beyond what Chloe could afford.

From what she'd observed, Chloe knew exactly what kind of shelter Adrian Blackwood owned.

Adrian owned a massive, heavily fortified shelter equipped with powerful generators, an uninterrupted power supply, and every necessity for surviving the apocalypse. A facility of that scale would cost billions to build and maintain, making it an unattainable luxury for most survivors.

Chloe had to swallow her pride. As difficult as it was to admit, she needed Adrian Blackwood far more than he needed her.

Meanwhile, Rune was running around the luxurious lobby, leaving muddy footprints across the expensive Persian carpets. Adrian looked like he was about to explode.

“Look, I might only have my knowledge and whatever remains of my $32.5 million fortune, but the Genesis System thinks we're compatible.”

Adrian Blackwood's eyes widened in recognition—the first genuine reaction he'd shown so far. “The Genesis System?”

Before Adrian could respond, Chloe's phone buzzed, interrupting their conversation.

She stared at the name on the screen, irritation simmering beneath the surface.

What could Elena Bellamy possibly want now?

Her call log was flooded with missed calls from the Bellamys.

Zoe had called fourteen times, while Maya had left dozens of messages.

Hazel had sent her several links to social media posts exposing her affair with Ethan, along with a promise to make Chloe's life a living hell for causing the backlash.

Dominic and Elena had also left countless messages.

But the real shock was Ethan, who had called her 146 times since morning. She hadn't answered a single call.

“Who's that?” Adrian asked.

“My cheating ex-husband and his toxic family,” Chloe replied.

“What do they want?”

“There's only one way to find out.” Chloe answered the call. “Yes, Elena?”

“So, I've gone from being called Mrs. Bellamy or Mother-in-law to simply Elena?” she yelled into the phone. “Anyway, where the hell are you?”

“Somewhere you can't reach me,” Chloe replied.

“Have you heard the news?” Elena asked. “They're talking about a forty-eight-hour lockdown because of some kind of outbreak.”

If only it were merely a 48-hour lockdown.

A breaking-news bulletin flashed across the television.

Adrian turned up the volume on the television in the lobby, drawing Chloe's attention to the screen.

A red emergency-alert banner flashed across the screen, accompanied by an ear-splitting warning tone.

[CRITICAL EMERGENCY ALERT: CITYWIDE QUARANTINE]

[ALL RESIDENTS MUST SEEK IMMEDIATE INDOOR SHELTER.]

[UNCONFIRMED BIOLOGICAL OUTBREAK REPORTED ACROSS MULTIPLE DISTRICTS.]

[DO NOT APPROACH INDIVIDUALS DISPLAYING SEVERE AGGRESSION OR DISORIENTATION.]

Thick plumes of black smoke rose from several locations across the city, visible on the television screen.

The first stage of the apocalypse was truly here.

After the quarantine, the next stage would be the zombie outbreak.

Elena's voice snapped Chloe out of her thoughts. “I asked where exactly you are!”

“What business is it of yours where I am?” Chloe retorted. “I'm finalizing my divorce with Ethan Bellamy and claimed my share of the assets, so move on.”

Elena must have handed the phone to Ethan, because moments later, his harsh voice filled the speaker. “You conniving harlot! What are you doing at Blackwood International?”

Chloe went rigid. “How do you know where I am?”

“Have you forgotten so soon that I put a tracker on your cellphone?” Ethan yelled furiously. “We're coming for you, even if you hide under a rock! We'll get back everything you stole from us!”

“What?” Chloe gasped. Ethan and his family were coming here? How had she not realized he'd been tracking her all along?

“You'd better prepare yourself,” Hazel's cold voice came through the speaker after Ethan handed the phone over to her. “Because this time, I'm going to make your life a living hell.”