Natalie and Cassian just kept eating like Lottie wasn't even there. Time dragged on. Right when Lottie was about to give up and leave, Natalie set her fork down. "You clean up. I'm going to talk with Lottie for a bit." Lottie perked right up and slid back onto the couch. Cassian slowly cleared the table. From her seat, Lottie noticed there was still food left. They'd rather toss it than let her have any. She pouted, trying to look pitiful. "Cass ... " He turned back coldly. "What is it?" Lottie was totally lost. He wasn't like that yesterday. Why the sudden change? She could only whimper, "I haven't eaten yet." Cassian sounded impatient. "Yeah, I heard you. You've said it many times." Natalie was trying hard to hold back laughter. When acting pitiful didn't work, Lottie tried asking straight up. "Then can I at least have the leftovers?" Cassian scraped the food into a dog bowl. "Nope. This is for Lucky." Then, he asked bluntly, "Why are you trying to steal from a dog?" Lottie almost blew up right then. Cassian headed back to the kitchen like nothing had happened, washing the dishes with focus. Lottie slumped on the couch with an unwilling look and whined, "Natalie ... "Natalie raised an eyebrow. "Call me Nat." Lottie froze. "Huh?" Natalie gestured toward the kitchen. "We're a couple. If you won't call him Cassian, then you'll have to call me Nat." Lottie's lips moved, but no words came out. Her eyes flicked toward Cassian in the kitchen, then she blurted, "Natalie, how do you guys still have so much water?" Hardly anyone washed plates anymore. Even Olivia, who had plenty stored up, just wiped hers clean with a bread crust. No matter how rich Natalie and Cassian were, that didn't make sense. Natalie gave her a meaningful smile. "Curious, huh?" Lottie nodded. Natalie leaned in close. "Curiosity killed the cat." Her stare made Lottie shiver. Stories from neighbors about blood in the hallway and a psycho rushed through her mind. She turned her face away nervously. Watching the kitchen, she said, "Natalie, I'm starving. Can I eat something first?" Natalie noticed Lottie flinched and smirked. "You want food? Then ask your Cass." Lottie hesitated. "But Cass doesn't seem to like me today." Her stomach rumbled loudly. If she had known, she would've just eaten at home before coming over.She thought she'd be having breakfast with Cassian, but she ended up hungry and ignored instead. Natalie grinned wider. "What do you mean? We never liked you." Lottie didn't get it. "What?" Natalie was done playing nice. "What's your real name?" Lottie shuddered. "R-real name? I'm Lottie." Natalie rolled her eyes. "Quit pretending. What's your real age?" Lottie tensed up. "I'm nine." Natalie shook her head. "Stop lying." Tears welled in Lottie's eyes. "I'm not lying!" Natalie smiled. "Think you're clever? In this world, cleverness doesn't matter. Power does." She looked Lottie over from head to toe, like sizing up prey. A chill shot through Lottie's whole body. Cassian finally finished the dishes and walked back out, his face just as cold. With the two of them glaring at her, Lottie realized she was in trouble and tried to bolt. "I'm going home. If Mom wakes up and can't find me, she'll panic." Natalie's brow lifted. Trying to use Olivia as a shield? It's not gonna work. She grabbed Lottie. "I'd suggest you behave and answer my question." Lottie shrank back, trying to break free.Natalie pointed at the fridge. "Aren't you curious why we've got so much meat?" Her smile turned eerie. "Lots of stubborn folks are out there. I can stock up on all the meat I want." Her eyes raked over Lottie's small frame again. Lottie trembled all over, terrified. "W-what do you want? Mom will be here soon!" Natalie sneered. "Oh? Then maybe you won't see her again." She glanced at Cassian. "Kids go missing a lot lately, right?" He nodded casually. "It happens all the time." Realizing things were turning bad, Lottie tried to scream. But Cassian's fist slammed into her, leaving her dizzy. Natalie raised an eyebrow. "Pretty rough on a kid, huh?" Cassian shrugged. "I've got no manners."