Apocalypse Villainess? Nah, I'm Nice

Maisie Joyce shook her head. "No, Paige Summers isn’t that ambitious."

Keith Preston gave a bitter smile. "Yes, she might not be, but I’ve heard she only holds the title of deputy base chief and isn’t really in charge. She’s handed the base over to Marcus Monroe. That man is not to be trifled with! Think about what happened with Leo Joyce. What did he do? He just stood by and watched! Not only is that man cold and cruel, he’s also extremely ambitious. Now that such a golden opportunity has presented itself, do you really think he’ll just sit still?"

Seeing Maisie Joyce fall into silent contemplation, he added, "Lucian is your husband, that’s true, but you need to think clearly—he’s still the Base Chief of Bloodfall! I don’t want to stir up trouble between you two, but there’s no guarantee others won’t get involved! You’re the City Lord of Southreach now. You have to be responsible for the million-plus citizens in this city!"

Hearing this, Maisie Joyce couldn’t help but rub her temples.

It wasn’t just Keith Preston. Even Colin Koenig was getting restless, though he voiced his concerns more tactfully.

"Marcus Monroe has excellent relationships with the smaller bases, and Bloodfall is well-established. If the merger and autonomy proposal really passes, it’s highly likely those bases will flock to Bloodfall. That would put us, Southreach, in a rather awkward position. Being in the same southern region, it’s impossible for us and Bloodfall to completely sever ties; interactions are unavoidable. This brings up the question of which side will take the lead, which, by extension, concerns the allocation of all sorts of resources." Colin Koenig analyzed carefully. "If this news is confirmed, I think it’s imperative that we have a serious talk with Bloodfall!"

Keith Preston and Colin Koenig were both influential figures in Southreach, so Maisie Joyce had to consider their words. Of course, as the City Lord, she herself had been pondering this very issue ever since she got the news.

Emotionally, she naturally didn’t want any conflict with Bloodfall.

But rationally, she understood very well that Bloodfall’s existence was indeed a threat to Southreach.

’How can one allow another to sleep soundly by one’s own bedside?’

Such a domineering thought had indeed crossed her mind.

But reality was cruel.

Southreach may be large, but if it truly came to war, whether they could defeat Bloodfall was anyone’s guess.

And yet, these were things she couldn’t bring herself to discuss with Lucian Chapman.

Her relationship with Lucian Chapman... ’How should I put it?’

Lucian Chapman had indeed said that he admired and respected her, and that those feelings had grown into affection, making him want to try and build a life with her.

And she believed him.

Hadn’t she also developed a deep admiration for him, which is why she’d agreed to turn their engagement of convenience into a real one?

But it was only now that she realized just how fragile the foundation of their marriage was. They still hadn’t placed their complete trust in each other.

She didn’t believe for a second that Lucian Chapman was unaware of the situation. He had even seen her anxiety, yet he remained silent.

She didn’t understand. ’What on earth does it mean?’

’Is he also unsure of what Marcus Monroe will decide? Or could it be... that he shares Marcus’s ambitions?’

Such speculation made her even more uneasy.

After all, Lucian Chapman currently commanded a considerable portion of The Power Corps within Southreach!

In this state of wavering uncertainty, she asked him over breakfast one morning, "Lucian, you work so hard training them every day. Aren’t you exhausted? Why don’t you take a couple of days off to rest?"

Lucian Chapman’s hand froze. He gently placed his chopsticks on the table and fixed his gaze on her.

A man as perceptive as him—how could he fail to hear the meaning behind her words?

A strange expression appeared on his face. "It is tiring, actually. Since you brought it up, I won’t be polite. As it happens, I was planning to make a trip back to Bloodfall. If I don’t go soon, I’m afraid they’ll forget all about me." After a pause, he added, "There’s no time like the present. I’ll go pack and leave in a bit. As for the Second Division, you can make the arrangements."

With that, he pushed back his chair, left the table, and walked toward the bedroom.

Staring at his unhesitating back, Maisie Joyce suddenly realized what she had just done.

’I was doubting him, pushing him away!’

And with his actions, he was telling her that he despised playing these games of probing and testing.

Maisie Joyce tossed her chopsticks down in frustration, groaning as she clutched her forehead.

’How could I be so stupid!’

’No, I can’t let him leave like this!’

She shot to her feet, about to rush into the bedroom, but Lucian Chapman was already walking out.

He gave a faint smile. "Take care of yourself. I might stay at Bloodfall for a while. After all, I haven’t seen Paige Summers in a long time. I kind of miss her."

The apology Maisie Joyce wanted to make caught in her throat. The casual tenderness in his eyes when he mentioned Paige Summers sent a wave of panic through her, and she involuntarily took two steps back.

Lucian Chapman gave her a nod and then strode out the door.

The heavy sound of the door closing seemed to slam right into Maisie Joyce’s heart. She slowly returned to the table and sank, drained of all strength, into her chair.

’How could this be?!’

’Lucian... and Paige Summers...’

Meanwhile, the moment Lucian Chapman stepped outside, the smile vanished from his face. He closed his eyes in disappointment, stood in place for another moment, and only when he was certain there was no movement from inside did he finally walk away.

He had done it on purpose. And, as expected, she had understood.

’She must be hurting right now...’

Lucian Chapman narrowed his eyes.

’She spent all those days thinking, and this was her conclusion? To doubt me?’

’How infuriating.’

’We were supposed to build a life together, but now... it seems that idea was far too naive.’

’If she couldn’t see my dedication in the way I’d trained the Second Division of The Power Corps, then there was nothing more to say. I had taken a unit that was a complete wreck and transformed it into the disciplined, orderly force it is today. The blood and sweat I poured into them was probably no less than what I spent building the Bloodfall Hunters from the ground up...’

’I thought I could help her secure her position as City Lord.’

’But I never expected it to end like this.’

’So... disappointing...’

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