Olivia said, "Yeah, cleaning a big house is exhausting. I'm wiped out today. I'll just clear one bedroom and crash there tonight. I'll deal with the rest tomorrow." She paused, then added, "Oh, right, tomorrow night you and Mr. Holland should come over. Harold and I talked it over—we want to invite you for dinner." Natalie knew they were trying to thank her for lending them the truck. She waved it off. "You don't need to be so formal. You paid for the gas yourselves. My truck was just sitting there. Lending it to you didn't cost me anything." But Olivia was firm. "Still, we just moved. We should celebrate. It's settled. If you're free, come by tomorrow night." Natalie didn't argue anymore. She nodded. "Alright, we'll come." Then she asked, "Do you want to come in for a bit? Cassian just finished cooking. Join us for dinner." Olivia waved her hand. "I'll pass. I just ate some crackers, and I've got a mountain of boxes waiting for me at home." Natalie didn't push it. After Olivia left, she walked back inside, handed Cassian the truck keys, and sat down at the table. Cassian took the keys and went back to his earlier question. "Nattie, you never finished telling me. What really happened?" Seeing how worried he was, Natalie hesitated, then explained what had gone on at the Bolton Residence. Cassian rubbed her head when she was done. "That's all you're worried about?" Natalie frowned. "You don't think that's serious?" She felt like she was losing her humanity, like she was turning into some kind of killer.Cassian handed her a bowl of soup. "Don't worry, Nattie. That's a normal shift in your mindset." Natalie took the soup. "Normal?" Cassian nodded. "Yeah. The environment changes how people think. Out there, some folks would kill just to steal a bite of food." Natalie thought for a moment. "But I always thought I was different from them." Cassian smirked. "You are. You're way prettier." Natalie couldn't help but laugh. "You're such a smooth talker." Once she smiled, Cassian went on. "The world flipped too fast. Everyone's going through the same mental shift. As long as you recognize it, it means your core hasn't changed." Natalie studied him. "So you've felt this way too?" Cassian nodded. "Yeah. Even earlier than you." Natalie's eyes widened. "When?" Cassian said calmly, "After I took over Holland Group." Natalie was shocked. That was way before the end of the world. He explained, "Business wars are just battles without blood. On the surface, everyone smiles at the table, but underneath it's all cutthroat competition." Natalie nodded. She'd seen that before, too—companies going public and celebrating, while others went bankrupt and their CEOs jumped off buildings. Cassian continued, "It wasn't as bloody as now, but it was still a fight where you had to crush someone to climb higher. "After a while, your heart hardens. You become ruthless."He paused, like he remembered something unpleasant, then finally said, "But once you realize your mindset is off, it's not hard to adjust. What matters is your core." Natalie understood. "Got it." Her core had never changed. All she wanted was to protect herself and survive this nightmare world. With Cassian's words, she felt much lighter. The violent thoughts weren't her true self. They were just a normal response to a brutal world. As long as she kept watch, she wouldn't lose control. With her heart settled, the two of them finished dinner in a relaxed mood, then went back to organizing supplies. By the time they wrapped up, it was bedtime. Cassian glanced at her. "So ... which room is mine?" Natalie raised a brow. "We're back at the hillside villas now. Shouldn't you sleep in your own house?" Cassian went quiet, then said, "Ungrateful, huh?" Natalie rolled her eyes. "Why do you always twist things?" Cassian deadpanned, "It's already a huge sacrifice for me not to sleep in your room." Natalie didn't reply. He added, "Staying in the same house is my bottom line." Then he corrected himself. "Same floor, actually." Natalie almost laughed. She teased, "Why don't you just sleep in the room next to mine?"Cassian answered instantly, "Deal." Natalie was speechless. In the end, they agreed Cassian would stay in the bedroom next to hers whenever he slept over. Since the top floor was too hot, Natalie had chosen a room on the second floor. It made going up and down the stairs easier, too. Now that the house was bigger, even Baron and Cash had their own rooms. Natalie had set up a pet room on the first floor just for them to sleep and play in.