Apocalypse Queen: My Space, My Rules Chapter 186: Midnight Spoils and Unspoken Loyalties

Too terrifying!

All he wanted was a quick death, anything but enduring more torture from that ruthless duo!

...

Chandler got the keys and successfully opened the armory.

Mariella went inside to collect supplies but frowned slightly. "Not many guns."

Chandler looked around and analyzed calmly. "They haven't been at this for long. Most of their targets were just ordinary survivors. They probably seized some firearms from that police unit and grabbed more when they took over Elmgrove Estates, but most of it was likely moved to Celestine Ridge."

It wasn't much, but it was still valuable.

Mariella stored more than a dozen rifles and handguns, along with several hundred rounds of ammunition, in her storage space.

When the two of them stepped back outside, all the women had already fled.

The villa stood empty, littered with bodies sprawled in every direction.

Mariella pulled out her phone and checked the time—it was already past midnight.

She glanced at the Celestine Ridge homeowners' group chat. Everyone was discussing the intense clash between Black Bear and Tigre.

Most residents had drones, and the footage of the battle was crystal clear.

They were shaken by how vicious both sides were. At the same time, they were worried that if those two groups joined forces against Celestine Ridge, how would they defend themselves?

Mariella, however, was certain. "Tigre's an arrogant brute. He'd never willingly team up with Black Bear."

And Black Bear was completely full of himself.

Those two animals would never see eye to eye.

If Harvey were still in charge, he might have swallowed his pride and carefully negotiated with Black Bear.

But Harvey was finished now.

Tigre had strength but no brains. He would cling stubbornly to his territory and never allow Black Bear to touch it.

Once conflict broke out between them, there was no chance of reconciliation.

The moment the group noticed Mariella speaking, they got excited and started greeting her.

"Mariella, you're still awake!"

"Who could sleep in a situation like this?"

"Mariella, you really called it. Black Bear and Tigre are going at it, and it's intense!"

"Mariella, what should we do next?"

Mariella thought for a moment, then gave instructions. "Set up shifts and keep watch. Monitor the battle between Black Bear and Tigre closely. If there's any sign of a truce—or if Black Bear turns his attention toward us—warn everyone in the chat immediately."

Kieran chimed in as well. "Do exactly as she said. If one household is attacked, nearby neighbors should provide immediate fire support."

"Got it!"

"Understood!"

"Copy that!"

...

After Mariella finished collecting all the supplies Black Bear had stored in Elmgrove Estates, she was ready to call it a night.

Chandler asked, "Should we head straight back to Celestine Ridge or pick up more supplies on the way?"

Mariella let out a soft laugh and shot back, "You're not tired? Not sleepy?"

Chandler glanced at her. "I'm fine."

"I'm not." Mariella waved her hand, no longer pretending otherwise. "I'm exhausted and starving. I need food and rest."

Chandler's expression remained alert. "Black Bear's men could return at any time. Whether we head back or keep scavenging, we should leave here as soon as possible."

"I have no energy to deal with anything else tonight. Tomorrow." With that, Mariella pulled him into her storage space.

...

Inside the villa within the space, the furniture was still what they had taken from the exhibition center.

They had picked and arranged everything themselves, so it matched their shared taste perfectly.

Mariella laid out a lavish late-night spread on the dining table.

She grabbed an ice-cold Coke for herself and handed Chandler a chilled beer.

After a full night of work, both exhausted and hungry, they skipped the pleasantries and dug in immediately.

They devoured the food like a storm sweeping through.

Mariella ate boldly—four years in the apocalypse had turned her craving for food into pure instinct.

Especially when she was hungry, she ate like someone reborn from starvation.

Chandler was clearly different. No matter how hungry he was, he maintained his composure—nothing like her feral intensity.

Once Mariella had her fill, she looked at him warmly and said, "As long as you stick with me, I'll make sure you always have food. You'll never starve."

She wanted him to keep that refined way of eating, unlike herself.

In her previous life, she had followed Harvey, that calculating boss, working herself to the bone while barely getting enough to eat or wear. She had truly suffered for nothing.

Now that she was the one in charge, she intended to treat her people better.

Chandler lifted his gaze to meet hers, noticing the warmth—and the faint pity—in her eyes. The corner of his lips curved slightly. "Stick with you?" he asked. "When you get married someday, won't I just be in the way?"