Who knew, back when Elena teamed up with Owen to torment his first wife, that she would end up like this? Once the three of them were sure every last thug was dead, they turned their eyes to the mountain of supplies. Olivia and Harold both looked to Natalie. "So, what about all this stuff?" Since it was her gun that made the victory possible, it was only natural that they waited on her call. Natalie did not hesitate. "We take them home. As much as we can carry." These supplies were bought with bullets—leaving them behind would be stupid. She was not anyone's selfless hero, chasing villains away just to hand food back to the neighbors. She knew damn well those same neighbors had been hiding in their homes, secretly hoping she would die out there. Harold and Olivia grinned. "Sure. Let's haul." Natalie stayed downstairs with the gun while Olivia and Harold ferried things upstairs. Ghania came down to help, sorting the good food from the spoiled. Water and medicine first, then unspoiled grains and sealed goods, then candles, alcohol, and other survival gear. Rotten meat and cockroach cakes? Left behind. From above, the residents watched them move supplies piece by piece, fuming. That was the food Owen had stolen from them! And now these three were just carrying it all into their own home? They had thought the girls would be kinder than the thugs, but no—they were just as greedy! Curses echoed behind closed doors, but no one dared come down and confront Natalie, who stood guard with a rifle. Before long, a third of the stash was gone, and finally, a few braver souls crept down. A couple from the opposite building came out first, bowing low over and over. "Thank you, merciful lady, for ridding us of the intruders! You're beautiful, kind, and righteous!" Natalie raised a brow. Starting with flattery, huh? She crossed her arms, silent, just watching their little show. The couple exchanged nervous glances, then went on with more praise. "That Owen was a monster. Not only stealing our food, but trying to drag you down too! Luckily, evil couldn't beat justice—you're the very embodiment of it!" When they said our food, they put extra weight on the words, sneaking glances at her face. Natalie stayed stone-faced, her look saying clear as day. Are you done? Don't waste my time. Finally, they dropped the act. "Um ... merciful lady, could we maybe just take back what Owen stole from us? Not much, just three cans and two pounds of millet ... " "Yes, yes, we only want what was ours. Please, merciful lady, have pity." By then, others had gathered too. Though, notably, no one from Natalie's own building dared step forward. "Heroine, he stole ten pounds of snake meat and five cans from me!" "And he took a whole case of water from me!" "Please, merciful lady, let us reclaim our things!" Natalie looked at the growing crowd and let out a cold laugh. Behind closed doors, they had been calling her a psycho—now suddenly she was a merciful lady? She barked, "What mine, what yours? These are spoils from scum I killed. If you want supplies, go find your own." One man grumbled, "But he stole it from us first, then you took it from him. So, technically, it's really ours ... " Natalie rolled her eyes. "Right. So if I buy a bowl of beef noodles and bring it home, the butcher gets to knock on my door and take the beef back?" The man turned red with anger. "You ... You're being unreasonable! These supplies are ... "Natalie locked eyes with him. "Who are you calling unreasonable?" He instantly broke into a nervous smile. "Sorry! My mistake!" To prove his point, he smacked himself across the face a few times. Natalie swept her gaze over the crowd, her voice cutting cold. "Do I look like I'm easier to deal with than those bastards who taxed you with ‘protection foods'?" Silence fell. The corpses of those thugs still lay in piles nearby. Everyone could see plain as day that she was every bit as ruthless. They had only dared to test her because she was a young woman, and they were hoping to guilt her into charity. Natalie's lips curved into a sneer, as if reading their thoughts."So that's it, huh? Faced with Owen and his gang, you all stayed silent. But now, when it's just me—a ‘weak little girl'—you think you can push me around?" The crowd lowered their heads, swallowing their anger, looking like beaten dogs.