"We still have time. Let’s talk," Paige Summers said, twirling the Crossbow in her hands as she faced Samuel Hughes, who was tied to a chair. Her words broke the silence in the broadcast room.

Erin Quinn had already taken her place, laying the Short Sword across the man’s neck. Paige wasn’t worried that Erin couldn’t follow through; one look at her stance told Paige the girl was definitely used to bloodshed. Samuel Hughes, an experienced judge of character, was naturally aware of this as well, so he didn’t make any rash moves.

Howard Everett, on the other hand, shot her a glare, the meaning clear: ’Don’t say anything reckless!’

Paige Summers suppressed the urge to stick her tongue out. ’Sorry, but I’m not your subordinate. As long as I don’t compromise the mission, what I do is none of your business!’

She focused only on Samuel Hughes. He looked back at her thoughtfully and said, "I’m afraid I don’t have much of a choice, do I..."

Paige Summers smiled and gave a crisp nod. "That’s right!"

Samuel Hughes’s expression stiffened for a moment, but he quickly regained the initiative. "In that case, let’s talk about why you’re here."

Paige Summers said shamelessly, "We’re here to help you. But given your less-than-stellar reputation, we were originally planning to use force. Now that I’ve met you in person, though, I get the feeling you’re not an unreasonable man, so I decided to try persuading you instead."

Samuel Hughes was instantly speechless.

’The broadcast room... here to help him...’ A suspicion began to form in his mind. Though his expression remained placid, his heart was in turmoil.

Time was short. Paige Summers didn’t let him think for long before saying directly, "About the Beast Tide, I don’t believe you’re truly in denial anymore. So, make a broadcast and tell the people in the base the truth. They have a right to know. Also, immediately arrange for your people to lead the evacuation effort. That is your duty as Base Chief!"

Her tone was firm and left no room for argument. It wasn’t persuasion; it was a notification. The corner of Samuel Hughes’s eye twitched so much he could barely hide it.

’Rights? Duties? Do things like that even exist in the apocalypse?’

’He had built this base with his own two hands, starting from the first house, the first street, the first defensive wall!’

’These latecomers enjoy all of it, but when danger appears, they can just abandon it all? Is there anything so convenient in this world?!’

’Hah, how ridiculous!’

’Yes, what right did this woman have to make him do this?’

’No, no one had that right. Since they chose this place, they should stay here and prepare to live or die with Glimmerlake Base!’ 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

’Besides, he was the Base Chief, not some stray cat or dog. To have him lead a bunch of cowards to seek refuge at another base, to live at the mercy of others... He wouldn’t do it. He didn’t want to do it.’

’Even if he had to die, he would die on his own territory!’

Time ticked by, second by second, but Samuel Hughes kept his jaw clenched and refused to speak.

Instead, Howard Everett gestured with his eyes for her to come to the side. He had something to say.

Paige Summers shook her head decisively. ’I know what he wants to say—basically, for me to stop making things complicated. But since I’ve made this decision, I don’t want to give up until the very end!’

As they waited, the minute hand slowly crept toward the nine.

This was her deadline.

She stood up calmly and looked down at Samuel Hughes, her gaze colder than ever before.

"Boss Vance, do me a favor. Go take over for Evie. I think... she must be tired."

Howard Everett’s head was throbbing. If it weren’t such a critical moment, he would have marched right up, grabbed Paige Summers by the collar, and told her there was a limit to her nonsense!

Samuel Hughes’s intentions couldn’t be clearer: he didn’t want to abandon this base! Announcing the Beast Tide was one thing; at least some people might stay, whether willingly or by force. But to ask him to evacuate... there was no way he would agree to such a demand!

They had reached a point where a task that could have been simple was now thoroughly complicated. He could use hypnosis to make the man say what they wanted, but arranging personnel and other details required the man to actually think. And leading questions could easily jolt someone out of a hypnotic state!

He ground his teeth, tempted to ignore Paige Summers and just hypnotize Samuel Hughes directly.

But Paige Summers’s gaze, so cold it looked like ice chips could fall out of it at any moment, and the Crossbow clutched tightly in her hand, gave him pause.

He didn’t think he understood this woman, but there was one thing he was sure he saw clearly: when she decided to do something, she saw it through to the end. For example, saving that group of women earlier. For example, taking Erin Quinn along. And for example, single-handedly storming in just now to tie up Samuel Hughes...

He didn’t feel like getting knocked unconscious and left here, so despite his reluctance, he did as Paige Summers said.