Chapter 224 You Both Are Talented
The snowstorm was still going strong, but the flakes were smaller than last month, even though the wind was just as brutal.
The snowmobile made its way to Emerald Estate. It was freezing outside, but inside, it was warm and cozy.
Steven's face stayed neutral, but his eyes gave away a hint of something different.
He asked, "You're targeting me? What do you mean? I've never even met you before!"
Cindy replied softly, "I thought Nora was dead. With her brains and skills, she could only make it in the entertainment world. Expecting her to save me? It's enough if she can take care of herself. So, I didn't count on her for survival."
Steven asked, "And then?"
"Then, I got a message on my phone." Cindy pulled out a phone from under her clothes.
The phone was a strange, alien device, unlike anything Steven had ever seen before.
It looked custom-made. No wonder it had such a strong signal.
"It's as powerful as a supercomputer. With a bit of analysis, it can find all your info."
She tilted her head, studying Steven's handsome, determined face.
"I really admire you. As a regular warehouse manager, you've done so much in the apocalypse!"
Steven felt a chill. 'Damn, in this digital age, it's too easy for a top hacker to get your info,' he thought.
"How much do you know about me?" Steven asked, uneasy.
"Almost everything!" Cindy said confidently. "Anything online, I can get with a few keystrokes."
"Including your involvement in the Walmart south warehouse theft, your bank transfers, and the fact you killed so many neighbors in Sunshine Community!"
She suddenly covered her face, cheeks flushed, eyes filled with infatuation.
"After reading your story, I became obsessed!" she exclaimed.
Steven thought, 'So, she's a lunatic!'
Being targeted by a lunatic made him uneasy, unsure if it was good or bad.
Steven took a deep breath. "So you knew I was with Nora and Elinor. You used them to contact me, right?"
Cindy nodded. "Exactly! I didn't know if you'd come to save me, but if you didn't, I'd find you."
"But you really came to save me, I'm so happy!" She gently grabbed the corner of Steven's coat, blushing.
Steven was speechless.
He thought he had control, but he was in someone else's plan.
'This girl is too cunning! Better to have her as an ally than an enemy,' Steven thought.
"Cindy, I have a question. You have a good relationship with that mutated cat. Will it obey you completely?"
Cindy thought for a moment, then shook her head.
"Mr. Rogers! Have you never owned a cat? Cats can only be friends. They'll stick with you if you're nice, but trying to boss them around? Forget it, especially with strays!"
Steven rubbed his head. "I see, that makes things tricky!"
He had hoped to recruit a mutated animal for combat!
He glanced in the rearview mirror.
In the vast snow, something seemed to be following them.
He couldn't see it, but his gut told him it was that powerful mutated cat.
"Is it still attached to Cindy?" Steven muttered under his breath.
Cats were always tricky to figure out.
Domesticated ones were one thing, but wild cats kept their wild streak.
They didn't trust humans easily and were tough to tame.
"It's worth a shot. There's plenty of cat food, fish snacks, and treats in the warehouse. These must be better than human flesh, right?"
"I haven't tried yet, so I can't say. Anyway, it's worth a try!"
The group made it back to Emerald Estate.
To thank Earl, Steven handed him a bag of food and a limited edition Black Widow pillow.
Earl was over the moon, hugging the pillow like it was a treasure.
For Henry, Steven gave him two large barrels of refined oil.
Henry didn't refuse. Unlike Steven, he didn't have easy access to supplies, and gasoline was something he really needed.
"Thanks for your hard work today," Steven said with a smile.
Henry and Earl left with grins, saying they could be contacted anytime if needed.
This mission was a breeze for them, with no major dangers, and Steven's rewards made them very happy.
Steven was always generous to his own.
"See you later!" he said.
The group parted ways.
Steven took Cindy and Aubrey back to the shelter.
The two girls had been starving and freezing at Innovation Academy for over a month. Now, in this warm and luxurious shelter, they couldn't hide their excitement.
Even Cindy couldn't help but look around and exclaim, "My God, this place is like a dream paradise! I can't believe there's such a wonderful place in the apocalypse!"
Aubrey was so excited that tears streamed down her face. The usually strong girl rarely cried, but now she was wiping her tears.
Steven said, "As long as you help me and keep this place safe, you can live here happily forever."
Aubrey nodded repeatedly, pointing to the ceiling and swearing, "Mr. Rogers, I will follow you wholeheartedly from now on!"
Cindy shyly lowered her head, clutching her clothes, and said, "Does helping you include... specific physical needs?"
Steven was a bit speechless.
Aubrey, being straightforward, didn't get what Cindy meant.
Steven bent down in front of Cindy, patting her still-cold cheek.
He said, "You're so young, but you know a lot! But for me, your main task is to help keep this place safe! Got it?"
Although Cindy was very pretty, to Steven, her greatest value was as a top computer expert.
Steven wasn't the type to have improper thoughts just because he saw a pretty girl.
After hearing Steven's words, the trace of vigilance in Cindy's eyes disappeared, but for some reason, she felt a bit disappointed.
Cindy's gaze fell on her legs, thinking, 'Does he dislike me?'
Women were hard to understand.
If Steven had made a move on her, she would have been wary; but since he didn't, she felt he was rejecting her because of her disability.
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