Apocalypse Queen: My Space, My Rules Chapter 51: Wouldn't Leave

Mariella walked over, her gaze sweeping slowly across the group before she spoke in a low, steady voice, "I just received reliable intel from higher up. This flood is unlike anything we've ever seen. For the next six months, maybe longer, the entire city, the whole country, even the world could be trapped under relentless rain and rising floodwaters."

Everyone froze for a second, then broke into hushed, frantic whispers.

They all knew their boss had powerful connections, but none of them expected news this explosive, this terrifying.

No wonder she'd suddenly gone upstairs earlier. She'd taken a call like this.

"If you still have people you care about or things you can't walk away from, you're free to resign. I'll settle your pay in full and give each of you a kayak so you can leave," Mariella continued, her voice carrying clearly. "Take tonight to think it over. I want your answer by tomorrow morning at the latest."

The murmuring grew louder, some faces already pale with fear and uncertainty.

"I heard the headquarters of Flameshield Security got flooded too. They've moved operations up to the fifth floor and suspended all field assignments," Number Ten said quietly, sharing the latest update.

She was one of the two female bodyguards who had made it through the selection.

"Honestly, we've got it pretty good here with Ms. Townsend. She treats us well, and the villa sits on higher ground. It hasn't flooded at all. We got really lucky," Number Six said, his voice full of gratitude and relief.

"Staying here's the smart move. Only an idiot would leave," Number Nine said, the first to step forward and make his stance clear. "Ms. Townsend, I've got no family, no ties holding me back. I'm staying!"

With Number Nine taking the lead, the rest rushed to speak up, afraid that even a second's hesitation might get them pushed out.

Outside, the rain was still coming down in sheets, with typhoons rolling through from time to time. It looked like hell on earth. If they left, even with a kayak, there was no guarantee they wouldn't get flipped over halfway.

Who in their right mind would walk straight into that kind of death trap?

One after another, everyone made their decision on the spot. They were staying.

Mariella tilted her head slightly, a hint of surprise crossing her face. "You really don't need the night to think it over? You can give me your answer tomorrow morning."

"No need!" they replied in unison.

At a time like this, they had to show loyalty and resolve. Any hesitation might make the boss think they weren't committed, and if she decided to cut them loose in the morning, they'd be done for.

Mariella turned to Chandler and Matthew. "What about you two?"

Matthew's voice was quiet, but firm. "I've got nowhere else to go. Even if I did, I wouldn't leave."

His apartment was on the fourth floor. At this rate, it would be underwater soon.

If Mariella hadn't brought him and his daughter here, he didn't even want to think about what might've happened.

"And you?" Mariella asked Chandler last.

Her smiling eyes carried a sharp, hidden edge. If he dared to say no...

Everyone else had the right to refuse. But there was no chance she'd let him walk away.

Chandler met her gaze, his dark eyes unreadable, calm as still water.

"I'm staying," he said quietly, but loud enough for everyone to hear.

Mariella finally relaxed, nodding in satisfaction.

"Since everyone's staying, we need new rules. From this point on, we're not just employer and employees. We're a team. We live and die together. Chandler is still your captain, and Number One is second-in-command. You follow orders and work together to get through this.

"All the supplies we've stockpiled over the past two days belong to the team now. We manage and use them together. And going forward, we'll need to keep going out to find more. We have to be able to sustain ourselves.

"This flood isn't ending anytime soon, and no delivery trucks are coming in anymore. From now on, we cook for ourselves. Learning how to cook is the top priority."

Mariella looked around. Seeing no objections, she gave the order. "Split into three teams. Go to Storage Room No. 1, 2, and 4. Sort all the food and supplies, then log everything into a digital inventory. Dr. Lester will be in charge of tracking all incoming and outgoing supplies daily."

At her command, Chandler quickly divided everyone into three teams and sent them off to work.

Matthew was about to join them when Mariella stopped him.

"It's getting late. Take Serena to bed first."

...

After more than an hour of work, they finally finished organizing the 300 thousand dollars' worth of supplies, filling 30 large freezers and more than 20 refrigerated display units.

Grains, cooking oil, beans, pasta, instant noodles, and packaged self-heating meals were all stacked neatly in cabinets. Everything was sorted, categorized, and logged into a digital inventory.

After putting his daughter to sleep, Matthew came back to take over the records. He built a detailed spreadsheet and saved it on his laptop.

From now on, all supply movements in No. 98 would be tracked and recorded by him. He had effectively taken on the role of a part-time accountant.