Apocalypse Queen: My Space, My Rules Chapter 39: Picking the Lesters Up

The liquor store owner quickly ran the numbers in his head and got excited. "I can do it, I can!"

An extra 3,000 per ton meant a full 600 grand for 200 tons!

He would go through hell and high water to land a deal this big.

Mariella hung up, then immediately called the owner of the outdoor water sports store and gave her name.

Hearing that the big spender had called, the owner instantly became respectful. "Ms. Townsend, what can I get for you this time?"

"I need 200 tons of high-grade smokeless coal and 1 ton of premium charcoal for personal use. I'll add 3,000 per ton. Can you get it for me today?" Mariella got straight to the point, laying out both the demand and the price.

The owner, clearly someone who had seen his share of big deals, didn't even question why she was buying coal in this kind of heat. He agreed immediately.

"I'll start making calls right away. I'll get back to you as soon as I have news."

Mariella hung up and then pulled up Matthew's contact, dialing his number.

The phone rang for a while before his somewhat weak voice finally came through. "Ms. Townsend?"

"Are you sick?" Mariella felt a bad feeling creeping in.

"I'm fine," Matthew explained. "It's just the heat. Serena got heatstroke. She just made it out of danger."

Mariella frowned. Just as she thought, things were getting bad. "Which hospital are you at?"

Matthew gave her the address, then added, "It's too hot outside. You shouldn't come out. It's dangerous."

"I'm coming to pick you up." Mariella hung up and called Lucky into the car.

The vehicle pulled away from the villa, heading toward the hospital where Matthew and Serena were.

...

Serena lay on the hospital bed, her small face pale. After taking the round puppy toy Mariella gave her, she smiled sweetly.

"Thank you, Mariella."

"You should call her Ms. Townsend," Matthew said awkwardly, pushing up his gold-rimmed glasses.

Mariella didn't mind at all. "She can call me whatever she likes."

The ward was crammed with three beds, and the air conditioning barely worked, making it unbearably stuffy.

The hospital was overflowing. Patients suffering from heatstroke kept being brought in, and there weren't even enough beds anymore.

Matthew had bought ice, wrapped it in a towel, and tucked it under Serena's arms to help cool her down physically.

"Serena's too weak. Staying here will only make her worse," Mariella said bluntly.

Matthew nodded. "I'll handle the discharge this afternoon and take her home after dark..."

"No need to wait for night." Mariella made the decision on the spot. "I'll take Serena now. You finish the discharge, then come straight to my place."

She sent him the address and building number for Celestine Ridge.

Matthew glanced at his phone, surprised. "You moved to Celestine Ridge?"

"I'm taking Serena now. Hurry up and get the discharge done," Mariella urged, too busy to explain.

Matthew's expression turned a bit awkward. "I-isn't that inappropriate?"

She was Harvey's fiancée, and he was a single father raising his daughter alone. Living together didn't sound right at all.

Seeing his fair face turn red, Mariella felt a little exasperated. "Harvey and I already broke up! Didn't you say you were quitting? Why are you still worried about your ex-boss's opinion?"

"Y-you already broke up with Mr. Graham?" Matthew looked stunned, his face turning even redder. "I did resign... but still, Serena and me staying at your place doesn't feel appropriate. How did you even afford a villa in Celestine Ridge?"

Could it be a breakup settlement from Harvey?

But no matter the reason, it still didn't feel right for him and his daughter to move in with her.

"Stop overthinking it." Mariella rolled her eyes.

She picked Serena up and smiled. "Serena, do you want to come with me?"

Serena shyly nodded. "I do!"

Mariella carried her out without hesitation.

After all, Serena was everything to Matthew. He wouldn't refuse.

Matthew opened his mouth, but in the end, he didn't stop her.

Fine. Once I finish the discharge, I'll go to Mariella's place and get a proper explanation.

Mariella brought Serena back to Celestine Ridge.

As soon as they got out of the car, the cool air instantly refreshed Serena.

"Mariella, your home is so big and pretty and cool!" the little girl exclaimed, bouncing with excitement.

She was like a wilted plant finally getting water, coming back to life right before their eyes.

Lucky was just as happy, running around.

It was scorching outside, but inside the villa, it was perfect.

Mariella carried Serena inside and took her up to the third floor, letting her choose any room she liked.

"Can I really pick my own room?" Serena blinked her long lashes, both excited and delighted.

"Yeah, any room on the third floor. Take your pick!" Mariella led her to the best main bedroom on the third floor.