Chapter 291

Chapter 291 What’s Worth Saving
“If he’d just come talk to me first, this could’ve been avoided.
Eva’s voice cut through the tense air, sharp and exhausted.
She wasn’t shouting at anyone in particular–just venting. However, the message hit exactly where it needed to.
“Got a problem with how we run things?” She turned to Malik. “Then, maybe Ridgefall Camp isn’t the place for you. We’re not some fortress with unlimited resources. The door is right there if you don’t like how we operate.”
Malik stared at her like he’d been slapped. “So that’s it? You’re protecting them now?”
He didn’t need to name names. They both knew who he meant–Theresa’s crew,
Eva’s jaw tightened. Her eyes didn’t flinch, but there was a storm behind them.
Was she protecting Theresa’s people? Not really.
She was protecting Ridgefall Camp.
Theresa’s group was massive–easily over 150 people, armed to the teeth. Meanwhile, Ridgefall Camp had what? Maybe ninety? A hundred on a good day. They only had three working guns. If things went sideways, they’d be wiped out in hours. That wasn’t paranoia. That was just math.
The worst part? Eva had no idea how many of them were ability users… or what else they were hiding. For all she knew, they could have a walking bomb in their ranks.
Plus, Mario was never worth the trouble, constantly stirring the pot and pushing boundaries. He had real loyalty and value, just a headache wrapped in a uniform.
Why should she put everything on the line for someone like that?
“Go back,” she stated firmly. “That’s an order. If you can’t do that, you’re done here. No exceptions.” For origınal chapters go to.net
She’d already drawn the line. If Malik didn’t fall in, that was it. Eva wasn’t about to plead, argue, or sugarcoat anything.
There was no universe where she’d throw her lot in with Malik against someone as dangerous as Theresa. That would be suicide. This wasn’t about loyalty or emotion–it was about survival
She wasn’t picking sides between the two of them.
She was choosing what mattered most.
Her people came first. Ridgefall Camp had to go first.
Malik heard it–the finality. The wall that couldn’t be climbed.
He stared at her for what felt like forever. Then he clenched his jaw, spat the words through gritted teeth. “You’re only saying that because you know I’ve always had a thing for you.”
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Chapter 291 What’s Worth Saving
He didn’t wait for a reply. Just turned and walked off, shoulders trint, pride cracked
Eva didn’t stop him. She just stood there
Everyone else started to drift away, one by one No one said anything.
When the last person left, Eva finally moved. Her feer shifted, but her thoulders wigged like the weight of everything had just caught up to her.
Then, out of nowhere, came Theresa’s voice. “Grabor seat,”
Eva turned, and there she was–young, sharp, standing in her sleek combat gear like she belonged on a battlefield. High ponytail, steady eyes, posture like she owned the room without needing to say it.
Yeah, Theresa was younger–no doubt about it.
Still, there was a sense of familiarity about her. The way she moved, the way she carried herself–calm grounded, like the world could fall apart and she’d barely flinch.
The realization hit Eva all at once, like staring into a cracked mirror: different paths, different scars, but the same weight carried on their shoulders.
Funny how that happens. You meet someone for the first time, and somehow, you see a piece of yourself staring back.
From the moment Eva saw Theresa, something just clicked. She couldn’t quite explain why–it was one of those gut feelings, seemingly illogical but persistently in her thoughts.
Eva had never been the trusting type; getting close to people didn’t come easily. Yet with Theresa, there was this strange pull–familiar, but unexpected. Though it defied explanation, it seemed as if she saw a part of herself in Theresa, which strangely made her feel as if she was coming home.
Eva didn’t say a word. She just walked over and joined them near the fire. Theresa’s crew had already set up camp–pol over flames, steam rising, dinner bubbling away. It smelled good and familiar.
Theresa sat on the windowsill, legs casually crossed.
She reached behind her and handed Eva a bottle. “Peach juice?
Eva raised an eyebrow but took it. Twisted the cap off, took a sip.
“You’re brave,” Theresa chuckled. “Not worried that I slipped something in there?”
Eva took another drink before answering, “If you really wanted me dead, you wouldn’t need to get fancy. A bullet would’ve done the job hours ago.”
That made Theresa grin.
Sharp Calm Calculated. I like that!
Right from the start, both of them had been studying each other. Not just posture or tone—everything. Numbers, weapons, power levels.
Theresa didn’t need to ask; her mental ability had told her all the answers. Only thirteen of Eva’s people
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Chapter 291 What’s Worth Saving
were ability users. The advantage was hers.
If she’d wanted to crush Ridgefall, she could’ve done it in a heartbeat.
Eva knew that, too.
That was why she didn’t retaliate over Mario. It wasn’t fear; it was strategy.
She understood when to hold the line and when to step back.
That wasn’t weakness. That was leadership.
Most people choke on that kind of pride. Eva swallowed it–for her people, and that made her dangerous in a different way–the smart kind:
“I’ll make it up to you,” Theresa offered, kicking a small rock off the sill. “100 pounds of rice and 10 boxes of instant noodles.”
That was more than just compensation. It was a peace offering
In times like these, everything’s transactional–food, safety, even people. Survivors followed the strongest. Leaders called the shots. Theresa owed her, in a way,
Eva paused, turning the bottle in her hands. “Don’t need it. Just pack up and leave in the morning. call it even.”
Theresa raised a brow. “Think Malik’s going to let that slide?”
Eva didn’t answer right away. Her mouth drew into a thin line.
“What’s the deal with him anyway?” Theresa leaned back. “You can’t control your own guy?”
Eva looked away. “It’s complicated.”
We’ll
Theresa pushed, “You sure it’s not something else? Let’s trade. You tell me something real about you, I’ll do
the same.”
Eva caught the seriousness in Theresa’s eyes, let out a dry chuckle, and finally eased up a little. “Didn’t I already say? I’m the chairman of Ridgefall Mall.”
“Right. You did.” Theresa replied.
“Malik’s family used to be our biggest partner, Eva added, the words coming slower now. “Our parents knew each other. Long history.
“Back before the apocalypse, my family got into a mess. Big one. Both my parents were in trouble, and I had to take over the business. Malik helped me keep it afloat.”
She paused again, staring into the flames.
“Just when I thought I’d pulled it off the world went to hell.”
She let out a slow breath.
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Chapter 291 What’s Worth Saving
“Fortunately, I lived at the office. Always working late. That’s the only reason I made in I was already indo when things started falling apart.”