Apocalypse Queen: My Space, My Rules Chapter 142: The Convict Gang Arrives

The homeowners rallied, "Whatever you need us to do, Mr. Hancock, just say the word."

"We're not short on firepower. Every household is armed. Why should we be afraid of a bunch of thugs?"

"Give the order, Mr. Hancock!"

Kieran didn't give an attack order. A few minutes later, he dropped a bomb. "Just got word. The convict gang has entered Celestine Ridge."

...

Harvey's face was dark. He was not in a talking mood.

He pinned Connor with a stare. "Put your hand on your heart and tell me the Shepherds are really broke. Roxanna is your own daughter, and you chose your money over her life. You hoarded supplies and watched her get taken.

"I'm the one who sold assets and paid off Vere's debt to get her back. And now you're here sniffing around my stockpile again? Your greed is disgusting."

Connor's face cycled through colors.

Harvey turned on Fannie next. "I spent money and manpower trying to find Kingston, and all I got for it was blame. Now, you're back, asking for more. What am I, a miracle worker?"

Fannie had no words. Her face went white.

Roxanna flinched. How could he talk to my parents like that?

Before she could react, Damian burst in.

His face was pale, his voice shaking. "The convict gang is inside Celestine Ridge. They're coming straight for us. Mr. Graham—what do we do?"

Harvey felt the panic hit. "How many? How much firepower?"

"Three, four hundred. The convicts all have guns. The rank-and-file are carrying blades and clubs." Damian's forehead was slick with sweat. "They're heading straight for Imperial Crest Plaza and Greenfield Organic Farm."

The target was obvious: the two warehouses that fed Celestine Ridge.

Imperial Crest Plaza was a massive shopping complex. Forget the designer boutiques and the entertainment wings—the food court alone and the full-floor supermarket could sustain a small army.

And the organic farm? A real-life horn of plenty—fresh meat, fresh dairy, the works.

Take those two, and you had two granaries in your pocket.

Harvey didn't want a head-on clash with the convicts. But giving up two freshly seized enterprises was equally unbearable.

Sweat broke out on his temples.

"Mr. Graham, they're at the gates. We need a decision now!" Damian was wiping his face with his sleeve.

Roxanna's eyes moved. An idea was forming.

She shelved her anger at Harvey and sidled up to him, voice sweet. "Harvey..."

"Don't make things worse!" Harvey snapped.

Roxanna flinched so hard she nearly fell.

Fannie rushed to catch her daughter and turned on Harvey. "You know Roxanna's health is fragile. Do you have to shout?"

"She's not made of glass. A loud voice and she falls apart?" Harvey was being driven by anger and fear now, patience gone, even for Roxanna.

Roxanna bit her lip. She was beginning to see it. She didn't matter to him the way she used to.

Before, Harvey had treated her like porcelain. He never raised his voice. He held her like she might shatter. Now, he couldn't even wait for her to finish a sentence.

Was it because another man had touched her? Or because he'd started thinking about Mariella?

Harvey was already heading for the door. She swallowed her hurt and chased after him. "Harvey, just listen—"

He didn't look back. She dropped the coy act and shouted, "Send the convict gang after Mariella!"

Harvey stopped. He turned.

Roxanna caught up, grabbed his arm, and spoke fast. "Tell them No. 98 is loaded with supplies, and the woman who owns it is beautiful. If they take No. 98 down, you'll split the Imperial Crest Plaza and Greenfield Organic Farm stockpiles with them 50-50.

"Promise to help them take every villa in Celestine Ridge. That's nearly a hundred wealthy households. There's no way they say no."

"They'd believe that?" Harvey was hesitant.

"Have the No. 98 bodyguard tell them exactly how much Mariella has stockpiled. Exaggerate a little. They won't be able to resist." A vicious glint crossed Roxanna's eyes.

A borrowed blade to do the killing. Eliminate Mariella for good.

Harvey's eyes flickered. He was tempted.