In her previous life, there had indeed been "protection supplies." Each person had to provide three pounds of food weekly, and failure to comply had harsh consequences. Young men and women were often taken away for others' amusement, while the middle-aged and elderly were forced to scavenge for supplies. Of course, anyone who didn't like it was free to leave, but they'd either freeze or starve to death outside. This kind of criminal behavior wasn't limited to the SOHO Community; it was happening everywhere. The government sent in police to clear them out, but these gangs had reliable sources of information, turning the situation into a game of hide-and-seek. They'd hide in the homes of survivors or slip away until the police left, only to return soon after. Like weeds, they kept coming back, and in the end, it was the survivors who suffered the most. "Two families on the 17th floor didn't make it," Elizabeth said. "We're thinking of moving into Unit 1701, and there's another family planning to move into 1702. So, I came up to ask you about it." Nadia quickly caught on—the Hadids wanted to be closer to them for safety. The apartment wasn't hers, and she didn't mind who moved in or out, but she felt compelled to set realistic expectations. "You're free to live wherever you want, but think it through before you decide to move. It's not just people from this building—everyone from nearby complexes has their eyes on us. If they decide to storm in, those on the 17th floor will face the brunt of it. These days, everyone's struggling to survive. I can only look out for myself; I can't protect everyone else." The Hadids were indeed looking for protection, hoping that living near the 18th floor might give them a better chance, given how chaotic things had become outside. Understanding Nadia's blunt honesty, Elizabeth chuckled awkwardly. "We know it's all up to fate. I wouldn't dream of asking young folks like you to protect us. Moving to the 17th floor is just for our peace of mind. We won't be a burden." After their chat, Elizabeth got up to leave. Nadia opened the door to see her out and noticed a letter addressed to her on the steps. She scoffed. So, it's finally here. Nadia maintained a calm expression, picking up the letter and slipping it into her pocket. Without reading it, she went straight to Unit 1803 to gather everyone and relay Elizabeth's concerns. Hearing about Hunter's misdeeds, Jasmine hit the roof. "That sc*mbag! I'll kill him myself!" Jasmine was a tough character—fierce and no-nonsense. But in this ruthless apocalypse, killing one Hunter Thatcher wouldn't make a dent; there'd be countless more to take his place. Besides, he hadn't technically forced anyone to do anything. Those involved had made their own choices, twisted as they were. The real issue was what to do if these outside gangs did break in. Unlike the disorganized crowd downstairs, the gangs were armed, and even if they were taken down, more would come.Levi and Caleb's faces went pale, shocked at how dire things were outside. "Maybe we should just move?" Levi suggested. Nadia asked, "And go where?" Caleb thought for a moment. "The Hillside Villa?" Aside from the fact that the Hillside Villa was partially flooded, did it have shatterproof glass and reinforced steel doors? Even if it did, what was to stop others from breaking in? Jasmine clenched her fists. "We're not moving. I'll go down fighting if anyone comes for us." Moving would only make them easier targets. Nadia agreed—she wasn't going anywhere either. But she stayed quiet for now, watching Harrison's reaction. Harrison remained stoic. "Living on the 17th floor won't necessarily be safer. But if they insist on moving in, we can put up a few more barriers on the stairs. If anyone tries to storm up here, it won't be so easy." Caleb's eyes lit up. That's right! This is a fortress warfare. To get to the 18th floor, intruders will have to breach the 17th floor first, giving us extra layers of defense and more chances to fight back! No, we're not going anywhere! Nadia nodded in agreement. "It might not be enough, but if they come, we'll make sure they regret it." Her words carried an unmistakable edge, a hint of menace that made Caleb and Levi flinch. Was this really the Nadia Jean they knew? She was ice-cold, like someone who'd clawed her way out of a pile of corpses. Just looking at her gave them chills. Woof! Colby stood at Nadia's side, baring his teeth, exuding a fierce, unshakable stance that practically screamed, "Anyone who's scared is a coward—we're in this to win!" With a shared understanding, everyone went off to make their preparations. Once Nadia closed her door, she finally pulled out the envelope. 'I know your secret. If you want to keep it, meet at Metro Square at 3 p.m. Come alone, or I'll expose everything.'The handwriting was hasty and obviously disguised. Huh, you dare to threaten me, yet you don't have the courage to sign it. Nadia could guess who it was without even thinking too hard. Metro Square, about a mile from the SOHO Community, was once a bustling shopping center. Now, most of it was buried under ice. It was currently noon, so she had plenty of time to make it. The extreme cold outside required enough fuel to stay warm, so Nadia filled up on two bowls of creamy mashed potatoes, a serving of smoked ribs, and some country-style pork chops. Colby, uninterested in his dog food, sat there drooling at the ribs, giving her a pitiful, helpless look as if protesting against her for "blatant favoritism." Feeling guilty, Nadia gave in and prepared him a plate, swapping the pork chops for some crispy fried fish, which Colby devoured happily.Outside, the floodwaters had frozen solid, and while it was bitterly cold, more people were venturing out to scavenge for supplies—not just food, but also wood for warmth. As more survivors roamed the streets, crime had also surged. Some people were robbed before they even left the complex. Others found supplies but never made it back home. Nadia didn't want Colby taking any risks, but he clamped his teeth onto her pant leg and wouldn't let go, clearly determined not to let her leave without him. Oh, so you're making demands now? Nadia sighed and eventually yielded. She dressed him in thermal wear and then put on a stab-resistant, slash-proof suit. Any more, and he'd start making a fuss. The trainer hadn't been wrong—Malinois could adapt quickly to any harsh environment. In just a few days, Colby had adapted far better than she had. Nadia layered herself similarly—thermal wear, a bulletproof vest, and, finally, polar-grade outerwear. With the insulated clothing and the high-quality cold-weather gear, her hands and feet were the only parts still feeling the chill. Recalling the threat letter, she grabbed her backpack and tried to stuff Colby inside. Naturally, the canine, fiercely independent, resisted the confinement. So, she tried bargaining with him. "We're going out to catch a bad guy, but I have to go alone, or they'll expose our food stash. So, you'll have to sneak in undercover." Expose our food stash? They must be tired of living! Colby instantly puffed up, diving into the backpack willingly. Zip it up, human—today, someone's not walking away from this! Heavier than usual with Colby on her back, Nadia started down the stairs. The entire building felt eerily lifeless, with not a single sound or sign of life. When she reached Unit 1202, she slowed down, casting a meaningful glance at the door.