Chapter 3

The reason our phones buzzed was that the group admin had just tagged my mom and me.

That was when I knew the real drama was about to begin.

In the past, when the group admin asked everyone to list their supplies, Eleanor would immediately post a complete inventory of our stockpile.

She reported twenty bags of all-purpose flour, weighing about 22 pounds per bag, and over 110 pounds of potatoes and cabbage. She also mentioned that our refrigerator was fully stocked with various meats.

She also included canned goods and other ready-made foods. Our home was not only fully equipped but had enough supplies to sustain us for two or three months without having to go outside.

Her message sent the group chat into a frenzy. Everyone expressed their envy.

Eleanor, ever the generous soul, declared that her door was open to anyone who fell short on supplies.

In an instant, all 500 of our neighbors in the group chat praised her for her beauty and kindness.

Eleanor’s post was what prompted her to give our supplies away.

It was also what marked us as an easy target.

Later, when supplies ran low, our home was the first one the neighbors looted.

At the moment, Eleanor was slumped on the sofa as she was exhausted by the heat.

Her phone had automatically shut down due to the extreme outdoor temperatures. She was completely unaware of the admin’s message.

I, however, had not been exposed to the high temperatures for too long. My phone was functioning normally.

She could not be bothered with me. She snatched the towel my mother was using to wipe her sweat and headed for the bathroom. “I’m hopping in a cold shower. I can’t take this heat.”

Meanwhile, I took out my phone and began to fill out the supply list.

I listed that we had 20 bags of all-purpose flour, each bag weighing roughly 22 pounds, followed by 10 cartons of instant macaroni and cheese.

…

I followed what Eleanor did in the past and unreservedly posted a list of supplies we currently had at home.

Just then, Eleanor finished showering and stepped out of the bathroom.

She then turned on her phone. She immediately saw the lengthy message I had shared in the neighborhood group chat.

A lot of people responded to my message as well.

[Holy moly!]

[That’s amazing!]

[Unit 1304 truly is incredible!]

Seeing this, Eleanor’s expression darkened. She hurled her phone onto the couch and began to berate me.

“Brielle, are you out of your mind?”

I finished reading the messages with a smile, then looked at her with feigned confusion. “What’s the problem?”

Eleanor let out a bitter laugh in anger. “What’s the problem?! Don’t you dare play dumb with me! Here I thought you were clever, yet you go and do something this stupid!

“You just told the whole neighborhood what supplies we’ve stockpiled! Do you have any idea how dangerous that is?

“What happens when someone runs out of supplies and comes knocking? What if they don’t just ask but decide to break in and rob us?”

I asked her the very same thing in the past. But Eleanor only accused me of being selfish then.

She insisted the heatwave would not last much longer and even stated outright that she was okay with giving away our supplies for free.

She even convinced our mother, who then joined in to yell at me.

It turned out she was fully aware of all the risks. She only thought of them when someone else was the one making this stupid move.

I then threw her own words back at her and accused her of being selfish.

“Eleanor, weren’t you the one who always taught me to be helpful and honest? I’m just telling it like it is.

“Besides, everyone is good-natured. This heatwave won’t last much longer. You’re making it sound way more dangerous than it is.

“You always said only someone with a twisted mind assumes the worst in everyone. So, what does that say about you, Eleanor?”

Her face twisted in rage. She shot me a glare and muttered under her breath, “What I meant was it’s fine to be nice, but don’t be a complete pushover. Don’t take everything literally!”

She then joined the discussion in the group chat and ignored me.

By the end of the conversation, she had successfully taken credit for securing the supplies. She was showered with praises by the other neighbors in the group.