Apocalypse Queen: My Space, My Rules Chapter 127: The Food's Poisoned

The brightly lit residential neighborhood was just ahead—so close she could almost reach it—when Mariella suddenly felt a bad premonition.

Right then, Matthew called. His voice was tight with urgency. "Mariella, get back here. Something's wrong!"

...

At Celestine Ridge, every household was required to send either three bodyguards or three able-bodied men to report to the security office and follow the new captain's orders.

The former captain, Damian, had been demoted to deputy. The new captain had been handpicked by Wallace himself.

Between the bodyguards and security staff, there were over 400 people. Once the new captain gave the word, taking down No. 101 would be effortless.

Wallace wanted it done fast, which was why everything had been pulled together in such a hurry.

The new captain went over the operation plan, while Damian passed out food and water.

"Eat up. You'll need the strength," Damian urged. "Hurry and finish. We're moving soon."

Food had become hard to come by after the disaster, but not in Celestine Ridge.

The residents of Celestine Ridge were all wealthy. Supplies were never an issue, especially with their own private natural farm—Greenfield Organic Farm—up and running."

The bodyguards had never gone hungry, so they didn't react to food the way starving survivors outside did.

Only a few of the security guards reached for it.

They worked at Celestine Ridge, but their families didn't live there.

If they filled their own stomachs, that meant a little more food saved for their families.

Out there, people were on the verge of starving. Being able to keep this job made them feel insanely lucky.

Damian grew impatient. "Come on, at least take a bite. Think of it as sharing a meal before we act together."

That finally got people moving, and they began picking up the food.

But a few still flat-out refused to eat, like the three bodyguards from No. 98.

During training, Chandler had laid down one strict rule—never accept food or water from outsiders. It was something every team member had drilled into them.

Damian kept his eyes on the three of them, forcing a wide smile. "You three, eat up. No need to hold back."

They couldn't refuse outright, so the three of them took out their own supplies instead. Small packs of soda crackers, strips of beef jerky, and a few sips from their canteens.

Damian's expression turned sour. "What, you won't touch what we prepared? You think it's poisoned?"

Number Four spoke up for the group. "It's nothing like that. Don't take it the wrong way. It's our employer's rule. We've got no choice."

Number Seven chimed in, "If we eat random food outside, they dock our pay and bonuses."

Number Six stayed silent.

Damian tried to smile, but the muscles in his face twitched, making the smile look twisted and ugly.

Right then, the people who had eaten started reacting.

Their eyes went blank. Their movements slowed. One by one, they collapsed.

"The food's poisoned!" someone shouted.

Soon, everything fell into chaos.

Seeing things quickly going south, the new captain yanked the gun from his waist.

But before he could even aim, a bullet came from behind him and hit him.

He turned slowly, eyes wide, though not entirely surprised. "You... you're working with the traitors..."

Damian fired again without hesitation, his voice full of rage. "I've been running this security team for ten years. And you think you can take it from me with a single order? Who the hell do you think you are? You're just a Hancock lapdog, and you thought you can boss me around? Go to hell!"

...

At No. 98, the team was in the middle of dinner.

Suddenly, Number Six's voice burst through the shared radio channel, sharp and urgent. "We walked into a trap..."

Just then, the transmission cut off.

Matthew shot to his feet, grabbing the radio. "Number Six, what happened?"

There was no response.

Number One immediately tried again. "Number Four, Number Seven, what's going on?"

Still nothing.

They tried calling their phones. At first nobody picked up, and then the calls wouldn't even connect.

Matthew knew at once that something was wrong. He called Mariella immediately.

Something had definitely happened. And it was serious.

Number One led the team as they grabbed their weapons and went on high alert.

Lucky was already at the door, pacing and barking, jumping up as if ready to bolt outside at any second.

After the call, Matthew checked the Celestine Ridge homeowners' group chat to see what was going on.

But the chat was quiet, like nothing had happened at all.

Then the video doorbell rang, and someone called out, "Number Four and Number Seven are back!"

Matthew and Number One moved closer, watching the screen carefully.

The streetlights outside were bright, clearly lighting up Number Four and Number Seven's faces.

They looked terrified. They were slamming their fists against the iron gate, shouting straight at the camera, "Open the door! Hurry up, open it!"

Inside, Lucky barked like crazy and kept clawing at the iron gate, desperate to get out.