Apocalypse Queen: My Space, My Rules Chapter 73: Unspoken Rules

"Ms. Townsend, rest assured, I'm a professional bodyguard. As long as you're not planning to silence me permanently, I'll guard my employer's secrets with my life. Not a single word will leak," Chandler said solemnly.

Mariella nodded in satisfaction and withdrew her hand from his shoulder.

His shoulder was really solid.

This man's physical ability, combat skills, marksmanship, and reflexes were all top-tier. In a one-on-one fight, she wasn't entirely sure she could beat him.

Chandler handed her a note with coordinates written on it. "While searching for supplies tonight, I came across a large transport helicopter on the rooftop of the Westside Exhibition Center. Unfortunately, I didn't dare make a move. And even if I did, I couldn't."

The moment Mariella heard "large transport helicopter," her eyes lit up. She rubbed her hands together excitedly.

"Explain. Why couldn't you make a move?"

Chandler remained calm, analyzing steadily. "I didn't dare because those kinds of helicopters have tracking systems. No matter where we took it, it could be traced. And the reason I couldn't act is... we had nowhere to store something that big."

But now, with Mariella's storage space, both problems had solutions.

The storage space existed parallel to the real world, so no signals could be transmitted out of it. And with roughly 10,000 cubic feet remaining, fitting a large transport helicopter might just be possible.

In his view, it was worth trying now.

Mariella didn't want to risk delays. She made a decision immediately. "How about you pull an extra shift tonight? Come with me to gather supplies. Tomorrow, I'll have Number One lead training, so you can get half a day off. Sleep in as long as you want."

"Works for me." Chandler nodded, his gaze steady.

Only then did Mariella loosen her grip on the compact handgun hidden in her pocket.

At the same time, Chandler quietly moved his finger off the trigger of the handgun at his waist.

Mariella gave an awkward but polite smile and led him out of the storage space.

About half an hour later, the bedroom door opened. Mariella and Chandler walked out one after the other.

Chandler locked the door, and the two of them headed downstairs together.

Not long after, the sound of a car engine starting echoed through the yard.

The bodyguards had been listening for any movement. Seeing the two come out together—and even start a car as if heading out—they couldn't suppress their curiosity. Doors that had been left slightly ajar swung open, and they gathered in the hallway.

"Captain Zimmer only lasted half an hour? That's... kinda fast, isn't it?" Number Four was the first to complain.

"Half an hour is not that fast. Barely a passing grade," Number Six commented objectively.

"Damn, don't tell me that's your time too!" Number Eight sneered.

"Hold on," Number Seven said seriously. "From the moment they went in to the moment they came out, it was only half an hour. They couldn't have started immediately... and there's still time needed afterward. If you think about it, Captain Zimmer's actual time might be even shorter."

"Tch. The ones laughing at him might not even measure up," Number Five shot back.

"Hey now, don't underestimate me. Want to test that theory?" Number Four grinned as he stepped closer.

Number Seven and Number Eight wanted to join in on the fun, but they both knew they couldn't beat Number Five, so they kept their distance.

"Oh, please! Try it and see if I don't smash your balls!" Number Five clenched her fist.

The group burst into laughter, not taking it seriously. Soon, the topic drifted right back to Mariella and Chandler. Speculation ran wild, and the gossip was impossible to suppress.

Someone leaned out the window and saw Mariella's pickup truck drive out of the villa.

The heavy iron gates closed behind it, cutting off any trace of the vehicle.

With the two gone, the discussion grew even more unrestrained.

Aside from Mariella and Chandler's room, nearly every bedroom door was open, but Number One's door was also shut.

"Huh? Why didn't Number One come out? What's he doing with the door closed?" someone asked, glancing curiously at Number Two.

Number Two shared a room with Number One. Yet now, one was inside while the other was outside, and it felt off.

"Number Two, why's your door closed? Where's Number One?" Number Five asked.

Number Two wore a complicated expression. He made a shushing gesture and lowered his voice. "Number One's acting weird tonight. Don't mess with him."

The more he tried to dodge the topic, the more curious everyone became. They grabbed him and pressed for answers.

Finally, unable to resist, Number Two gave in. "After getting a text from Ms. Townsend, he started acting strange. First, he just sat there blushing and spacing out for a while, then he went to take a shower."

"After he came out, he said Ms. Townsend might want to talk to him tonight. Said it wouldn't be convenient if I stayed in the room. Then he kicked me out and told me to crash with Number Three and Number Four."