Apocalypse Queen: My Space, My Rules Chapter 130: He's Lying

Since Serena had already gotten the hang of the nail gun, handling a compact pistol came even more naturally to her.

Number One shot Mariella a look, slightly surprised.

He knew she had given Matthew a pistol and ammo, but he hadn't expected she'd also given Serena a compact pistol.

The rest of the bodyguards were just as shocked. So Chandler, Number One, Matthew, and even Serena all had firearms.

"Good. Keep practicing," Mariella gave Serena a quick word of praise before turning away.

Her gaze sharpened as it landed on Number Four and Number Seven.

Number Seven went quiet at once, swallowing back his groans despite the pain.

Number Four rolled over and dropped to his knees, tears streaming down his face as he rushed to confess, "We had no idea Damian was working with the traitors. He poisoned the food. The three of us didn't eat it, but most of the others did. And at least half the security team were Damian's people!

"About a third of the bodyguards were theirs, too. They were working with the traitors from No. 101. We were outnumbered and got taken down fast!

"They took all our weapons and forced us to come back and get the gate opened. We didn't want to do it, but we had no choice..."

If they refused, they would've been shot on the spot.

They had seen it happen. A few bodyguards who resisted were executed with a single shot to the head.

It was ruthless. Completely brutal.

Mariella raised a brow and went straight to the point. "Where's Number Six?"

The two hesitated. In the end, Number Four blurted out, "He got away during the chaos, I think. But a bunch of them chased after him, and we heard gunfire. We don't know if he made it..."

Matthew exchanged a look with Mariella. He had heard Number Six's warning over the radio earlier, which was why he had been on guard from the start.

Mariella stepped closer, a faint smile on her lips, but her eyes were cold.

Both Number Four and Number Seven had seen what she could do. She didn't hesitate to kill.

They shrank back instinctively, but there was nowhere to go.

Mariella stopped in front of them. Her voice was pleasant, with no obvious anger in it. "You were threatened, and you gave in to save your own lives. I get that. But once you made it back here, you still tried to run at the gate. That tells me there's more to it. Either they promised you something, or they've got leverage on you."

Number Four and Number Seven both shuddered. They hadn't expected her to see through them so easily.

Number One stepped forward and kicked each of them, his voice sharp as he barked, "Spill!"

Standing on the same team as people like this made his skin crawl.

The two exchanged a look before finally admitting the truth. "They took all the firearms. We were afraid you'd fire us, Ms. Townsend..."

They had been promised Number Four and Number Seven rewards—help them take No. 98, and they'd get priority access to supplies. They may even be made the new owners of the place.

Even if the mission failed, it didn't matter. If they escaped back in time, they could still join the thugs and become one of them.

If they didn't obey and got kicked out, it would be the same as a death sentence.

They both begged, pitiful and desperate.

"Ms. Townsend, we were just scared... We lost our firearms, and we were scared you'd fire us!

"Everything outside is a mess right now. If we leave Celestine Ridge, we won't survive!"

Mariella let out another soft laugh, though the curve of her eyes was sharp as a blade.

"Scared? And that's why you turned on your employer and sold out your teammates?"

Number Four was already on his knees. He shuffled forward and grabbed the hem of her pants.

"Ms. Townsend, please, just give me one more chance! I know I messed up! I'll do anything you ask. Please just let me live!"

Seeing him beg like that, Number Seven wanted to follow. Too bad his leg was hurt, and every movement sent stabbing pain through him.

Mariella slowly crouched down and lifted Number Four's chin. "I remember you. When you first got here, you were Number Two. You were the first one to take your shirt off and show off your chest, right?"

Number Four's eyes lit up, like he'd just seen a way out.

"So you remember me, Ms. Townsend! I'll do anything you want. I'm willing to work nights and serve you like Captain Zimmer does!"

Thinking he had a chance, he quickly let go of her pant leg.

He moved fast, shrugging off his ballistic vest and pulling off his shirt, showing off his muscular chest.

"Ms. Townsend, I've competed in bodybuilding before and even taken the podium. I promise I'm no worse than Captain Zimmer or Number One. I'll make sure you're satisfied!"

Everyone around them was stunned.

Matthew was speechless. He didn't even know what to say.

He turned and covered Serena's eyes, speaking gently, "Go inside and rest."

As they stepped onto the stairs, Serena's small voice rang out in protest.

"Number Four is lying! His training scores are worse than Captain Zimmer and Number One in every category. So why is he saying he's just as good as them?"