Chapter 37: Chapter 37: What an Idiot You Are

A meeting with the Disaster Preparedness Office?

Sue furrowed her brow.

She’d never heard of anything like this in her past life. Or maybe it had happened, and she just didn’t know. Back then, all she cared about was fooling around with Jason Sterling, completely ignoring her family’s affairs.

"Okay, I’ll be right there." After hanging up, Sue started her car, only to immediately turn it off again.

’No, I can’t just go to city hall like this,’ she thought. ’If several major corporations are going, Jason Sterling is sure to be there too. I need to find someone to pose as a private investigator and keep sending him my location and photos.’

She thought for a moment. ’If Dad is going, my brother will definitely have to go too. That only leaves Mom.’

She immediately called Vivian Young. "Mom, I’m on Central First Street. Can you come over?"

"Sure, I’m nearby. I’ll head over now."

Vivian Young was at a nearby market replenishing their supplies—partly to keep up appearances for others. She had been "panic buying" groceries like everyone else and happened to be close, so she arrived quickly.

"Mom, there’s a meeting at city hall, and Jason Sterling will be there. I need you to pretend to be a private investigator, take pictures of me, and send him my location to keep him confused."

Vivian Young nodded. "Don’t worry, I know what to do. I even found time to watch some private investigator movies at home. Trust me, I’ve studied up!"

Sue wanted to laugh, but on second thought, she realized this was progress for her mother.

Her mother used to be a pampered socialite, sheltered in a greenhouse by her father, never having to deal with such schemes. The fact that she was now proactively learning and adapting was undoubtedly the best news she could hope for before the apocalypse.

She pulled the burner phone and GPS tracker used specifically for messaging Jason Sterling from her bag and pressed them into her mother’s hand. "You have an hour until the next photo needs to be sent. Just follow behind me."

Vivian Young clutched the phone. "Don’t you worry."

Soon, mother and daughter got into their separate cars, with Vivian Young pretending to trail her from behind.

Before long, Sue’s car drove steadily into the city hall compound. Vivian Young parked in the lot of the business district across the street and slipped into a streetside cafe.

She chose a corner table by the window, her finger quickly pressing the shutter. She captured the image of Sue’s back as she walked into the government building—a woman with an upright posture, walking with a steady and composed gait, without a hint of hesitation.

The city hall parking lot was just as orderly as she remembered, with cars lined up neatly. Even though it was full, it exuded a sense of solemn discipline.

But the moment she stepped through the main doors, Sue’s brow instantly knitted.

Inside, the place was a chaotic mess. A disorderly crowd was packed into every corner of the lobby, their low murmurs and unconcealed panic spreading through the air, creating a jarring contrast with the orderliness outside.

This was completely different from her previous visits. City hall had always been clean and spacious, so quiet you could barely hear footsteps. When had it ever been this noisy and chaotic?

"Sue, over here."

Hearing the familiar call, Sue looked over and saw Elliot Lawrence waving at her.

She hurried through the crowd, quickly scanning everyone with her [Eye of Barrier Breaking]. She didn’t find a single Superpower User; all she saw above their heads were personal Skills. But that wouldn’t stop her from shearing some sheep.

’Skill 2, activate! What’s yours is mine!’

[Acquired 1% Luck Value!]

[Acquired 10% Luck Value!]

[Acquired 3% Luck Value!]

[Acquired 5% Luck Value!]

’Just as I thought. You can only steal a tiny bit from strangers you don’t know, have no grudge against, and feel no emotional connection to. Still, it’s better than nothing.’

As she walked, Sue looked with satisfaction at the 55 points of Luck Value she had sheared.

"Dad, Bro, what’s going on?"

Vincent Lawrence’s gaze swept grimly over the chaotic crowd. He lowered his voice and said, "It’s most likely related to this extreme cold."

His words plunged the three of them into silence, and the anxious atmosphere in the lobby seemed to thicken.

Just then, another group pushed through the doors. Leading them was Wyatt Sterling of the Sterling Group, followed by the brothers Jason and Jayden Sterling.

Lately, life for the Sterling Group had been an absolute nightmare.

First, Jason Sterling had insisted on breaking up with Sue, causing the Lawrence Group to immediately tear up their contracts and aggressively demand repayment of debts. The Sterling Group’s stock plummeted, and hundreds of millions in capital vanished into thin air. Then, the mine where they were stockpiling supplies suddenly collapsed, burying everything they had spent so long preparing. To make matters worse, the woman with the Space Ability—who had been the Sterling Group’s last hope—had inexplicably jumped into the sea and disappeared without a trace.

Every single incident was another knife in the Sterling Group’s heart.

Now, they could only try to raise new funds to stockpile goods, but their previous investment was a total loss. What was even worse, ordinary people had started panic buying supplies as well, making it nearly impossible for them to purchase in large quantities.

Wyatt Sterling’s face was ashen. His eyes locked onto the family of three by the bay window, his voice filled with the exasperated scolding of a disappointed father. "Jason, you fool! Look at them! A father, daughter, and brother—they’re a family, through and through! The way Vincent Lawrence looks at Sue, that’s a love etched into his very bones. And look where Elliot Lawrence is standing—it’s obvious he’s protecting her! Only you were stupid enough to think a person’s heart could grow so cold as to sever the bonds of blood. Now you’re reaping what you sow. Are you satisfied?"

Jason Sterling’s heart sank. He followed his father’s gaze, and the three figures instantly filled his vision.

He hadn’t seen her for only a few days, but Sue looked like a completely different person.

Before, she had always been the first to arrive at the office and the last to leave. She handled a mountain of work during the day and had to care for their child alone on nights and weekends. The daily grind and anxiety had left her breathless, her face perpetually etched with a lingering gauntness, her eyes holding an exhaustion that never faded.

But now, back with the Lawrence Family, even though she was still busy with preparations for the apocalypse, she had Vivian Young to cook her delicious meals, Jenny Norris to lovingly care for her child, and her father and brother to shoulder the burdens of the Safe House and the company. All she had to do was focus on what she wanted to do.

In just over twenty days, they had nursed her back to how she looked six years ago—so beautiful and vibrant, her eyes shining with a calm radiance, as if she had never been worn down by life.

Jason Sterling’s Adam’s apple bobbed heavily. His heart felt as if it were being squeezed by an invisible hand, a dense ache spreading through his chest.

The woman by the bay window wore a tailored wool suit. The cinched waist accentuated her slender, graceful figure, and the perfectly straight trousers made her legs look even longer and leaner.

Draped over Elliot Lawrence’s arm were two coats, one of which was clearly hers. He stood quietly to the side, his gaze fixed on his sister, his expression full of indulgence.

At that moment, Sue had her head turned, speaking to Vincent Lawrence. Her dark eyes were clear and composed, and as she spoke with confidence, a faint smile played on her lips.

Vincent Lawrence’s expression was as stern and cold as usual, but his deep eyes openly flowed with affection and pride. It was the unique warmth of a father for his daughter, so thick it was almost tangible.

Jason Sterling’s gaze shifted to Elliot Lawrence, and his heart felt as if it had been viciously stabbed.

He remembered when Sue had brought Leo Lawrence home all those years ago. Elliot had been the most vehemently opposed, even threatening to "strangle that bastard" if Leo ever set foot in the Lawrence family home. But now, the man who had once made the loudest threats had become his sister’s staunchest protector. He nodded in agreement with every word Sue said, the affection and indulgence in his eyes nearly overflowing.

’So, the bonds of blood truly can’t be broken,’ he thought.

’So, "blood is thicker than water" was never just an empty phrase.’