Gradually, everyone realized the situation was not what they had hoped.

If relief supplies were being distributed, based on past experiences, the sound of a non-stop broadcast would have echoed long ago. But now, there was only silence.

With this realization, the hope in their eyes slowly dimmed, replaced by a deathly stillness. Even their cries for help grew fainter.

But many on the rooftops refused to give up. They continued to shout. Some who were closer to the ground floor ran downstairs to call for help. Others wrote a massive "SOS" in the snow or waved red clothes frantically.

Even if they weren’t official rescuers, anyone who could fly a helicopter in times like these was no ordinary person.

They just hoped the people above would be kind enough to spare them some food.

"Gordon, down there... it looks like a lot of people are calling for our help!"

Aboard the helicopter, the handsome, sunny-looking man sitting near the edge spoke as he watched the people below.

Gordon Ford glanced down. "Things are bad everywhere. People can’t get out, and transport can’t get through. Many families have run out of food. There’s nothing to be done."

The next moment, his eyes locked onto a familiar figure— 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

"AHHH! What are you doing?! Be careful—!"

The helicopter suddenly lurched, causing the man beside him to scream in terror.

Fortunately, Gordon Ford quickly stabilized it.

Owen Xavier looked at Gordon Ford, alarmed and confused. "Gordon, what happened? You’ve never made a mistake like that before!"

"I think... I saw someone I know," Gordon Ford said, though he wasn’t certain. When he looked again, the figure was gone.

That person shouldn’t be here. He had heard she was taken in by the Sterling Family, so she had no reason to be in a place like this.

"Someone you know? Who could it be that gets you this worked up?" Owen Xavier exclaimed, also peering down below.

Gordon Ford remained silent, not answering the question. His silence only made Owen Xavier more suspicious.

He had known Gordon Ford for so long and had never seen him lose his composure like this, nearly disregarding their safety. ’Could it be an old flame?’

Just as he was about to ask, Gordon Ford spoke up. "Since we’re here, we might as well help if we can. We still have some dry rations. Let’s drop them for the people below."

Owen Xavier gave him a skeptical look. ’Gordon isn’t usually this charitable!’

But in the end, he didn’t ask any more questions and did as he was told.

Small packets began to fall from the helicopter. The crowd cheered and surged forward. When they saw the packets contained dry rations, their excitement intensified.

The packets were dropped evenly, covering every area. Although each packet was small, there was just about enough for everyone to get one.

Those who managed to grab one had looks of joy on their faces.

At first, people picked up what was near them, but soon, they started fighting over the packets, and the scene descended into chaos.

Stella Sterling stood in a corner, watching the helicopter for a moment. Only then did she notice a packet of food had landed at her feet.

It would be strange not to pick up something that landed right in front of her.

But just then, someone shoved her roughly aside and went for the packet.

However, Stella Sterling, who had quickly regained her footing, kicked him to the ground. She picked up the packet, then stepped on the man’s hand, grinding her heel into it.

"Stella Sterling?" The man finally got a clear look at her face, and his eyes widened in terror.

He had been so focused on snatching the food that he hadn’t seen who he was pushing. Now that he saw her clearly, regret flooded him.

He had assumed she was just a woman and would be an easy target, which was why he had made a move.

’If I’d known it was the woman from the 28th floor, I wouldn’t have dared to touch her, not even if you gave me two more sets of guts!’

He immediately begged for mercy. "I’m sorry, I was wrong! Forgive me!"

Stella Sterling glanced down at him. She vaguely remembered this man.

He was usually a kind-hearted person in the building, always eager to help others. When she had first moved in, he had even helped her carry her luggage.

Stella Sterling removed her foot and looked down at him. "From now on, when you see me, stay far away. Don’t provoke me. Got it?"

"Yes, yes, yes!" The man nodded repeatedly, not daring to utter a single word of dissent.

Stella Sterling said nothing more and turned to head downstairs.

The man scrambled to his feet, glanced around, clutched the items in his arms, and ran.

He had already snatched two packets before this. After the lesson he’d just learned, he didn’t dare get any greedier.

He was just thankful that Stella Sterling had only taken that one packet and hadn’t robbed him of what he was already holding.

Meanwhile, others noticed the situation turning ugly. Some had started attacking those who had already gotten food. They didn’t dare linger; those who had found something retreated, rushing back home.

Before long, fights broke out everywhere. Some were beaten until they were bloody, but they refused to let go of the food in their hands.

Just then, someone from downstairs shouted, "Someone’s been killed! They’re killing people!"

Hearing this, the people who had been numbly fighting over the food finally reacted, pausing for a moment.

But it was only for a moment. As if nothing had happened, they went right back to fighting.

Some formed groups of two or three to target individuals. In this situation, being alone was a huge disadvantage.

"How dare you hit my husband! I’ll kill you!"

Just then, wives and children charged out to help, wielding kitchen knives and clubs, hacking at those who were attacking their loved ones.

They hacked away, one strike after another, their eyes bloodshot with rage, showing no mercy.

The man immediately broke free from his attackers, clutched the food to his chest, and grabbed his wife and child. "Go! Let’s go! Home!"

Elsewhere, similar scenes were playing out.

Upstairs

In Bell’s home

Bell looked at his older brother, confused. "Brother, aren’t we going to go snatch some? Wouldn’t it be better to have more food?"

He didn’t understand why his brother wouldn’t let them join the fray. An opportunity like this was rare.

Mr. Bell shot him a disdainful look. "Don’t forget, our status is different now. We don’t need to take such risks ourselves!"

"Our men are already down there. When they get their hands on something, do you think they’d dare not offer it up to us? We’ll get our share. It’s chaos down there. I can’t afford for anything to happen to you or Second Brother. It’s better to let others handle such dangerous work. So, tell me, is there really any need for us to go looting ourselves?"

Bell was stunned for a moment, then he grinned. "You’re brilliant, Brother!"

’How could I have forgotten? We have more than a dozen men under us now. Things are different. There’s really no need for us to personally get involved in such dangerous business.’

Mr. Bell continued, "Besides, so what if other people manage to grab something? In the end, it’ll all be ours anyway. HA HA HA—"