The Summers Family all looked surprised. Robbers had actually made their way into The Metropolis Residences on New Year’s Eve!

Colin Summers asked in surprise, "A robbery? How did robbers get in here again? Were you the ones who got robbed?"

Resources were now severely scarce, and most ordinary people survived solely on sand vine cakes. To have your rations revoked for committing a crime was no different from being sentenced to death.

Winnie Summers frowned and asked, "Did they catch the robbers? Are you all okay?"

Shawn Lynch shook his head. "Don’t worry, Miss Winnie. We’re fine, and they’ve been caught. It wasn’t us who got robbed, it was some people from outside the complex. Apparently, they were here in the villa district to visit relatives and got robbed as soon as they arrived."

Finn Lynch continued, "The two robbers were also from outside the complex. It’s New Year’s Eve, so most of the security guards and the homeowners’ patrol team went home for the holiday, leaving just a few people on duty. The robbers took advantage of the smaller patrol and snuck in."

"According to their confession, they’d originally planned to rob the rich residents of the villa district. But they didn’t expect that the villas would either have electric fences or be protected by bodyguards, so they never found an opportunity to strike. Then they happened to run into the two people visiting relatives and decided to rob them instead."

At that moment, the three members of the Lynch family were just arriving in the villa district when they heard someone shout, "Robbery!" They immediately ran over to help.

Crystal Lynch continued, a little excitedly, "Melody, I happened to have that mini-crossbow you gave me. When I saw they were about to run, I just pulled it out and fired!"

Crystal Lynch had been practicing diligently for the past few days. At night, she’d stay up late, aiming at a steel plate. Her marksmanship was already starting to pay off.

She fired two quick shots, and both found their mark. One arrow hit a robber in the waist, and the other struck his accomplice in the thigh.

The power of the specially modified mini-crossbow was not to be underestimated. The two robbers thought they’d been shot and immediately collapsed to the ground, howling in pain.

"Officer Sean Pierce showed up right after I shot them. Since I was the one who took them down, he brought us to the emergency response office to give a brief statement," Crystal Lynch explained. "We were all sweaty and gross, so we went home to shower and change before coming here. That’s why we’re a bit late."

Seeing Crystal’s excited expression, Shawn Lynch shook his head in resignation. "Honestly, you... Aren’t you worried it’s bad luck to see blood on New Year’s Eve?"

Crystal Lynch retorted indignantly, "I helped the police catch two robbers on New Year’s Eve. Isn’t that a good thing? You’re so old-fashioned, big brother."

Winnie Summers smiled and patted Crystal’s hair, then grabbed a handful of pine nuts from a bowl. "It is a good thing. Our Crystal is so capable! Here, have some pine nuts."

Hearing Winnie’s praise, Crystal Lynch grinned and started eating the pine nuts.

Melody Summers smiled, stroking Albus in her lap as she refilled Crystal’s glass with orange juice. She was happy that Crystal had been so decisive.

’The natural disasters would continue for at least two more years, and order would continue to break down. The sooner one learned to take up arms and protect oneself, the better their chances of survival against the coming crises.’

*

Mr. and Mrs. White supported one another as they stumbled to the entrance of the Simmons Villa and rang the doorbell.

Joanne White had been waiting for them all morning. Seeing her parents’ faces on the security camera feed, she rushed to open the door.

"Mom, Dad, what took you so long? I was worried sick," Joanne White said as she welcomed them in, only to notice that their clothes were in disarray.

She asked urgently, "Mom, Dad, what happened? Why are your clothes such a mess? Did something happen to you?"

Mr. and Mrs. White were dazed from the heat outside, and only began to recover when the cool air of the living room hit them.

Still shaken, Mrs. White said to Joanne, "My dear daughter, we were attacked by robbers the moment we entered the villa district! They snatched my purse and ran! Your father and I were terrified!"

Mrs. White’s purse contained a lot of things. With the world in chaos, she and Mr. White didn’t dare leave all their valuables at home when they went out.

Visiting their daughter today, Mrs. White had packed half of their family’s wealth into her purse, along with two bars of Gold. If it had been stolen, the consequences would have been unimaginable!

Joanne White was shocked. She quickly helped them to a seat in the living room and pressed, "How could you run into robbers? You weren’t hurt, were you?"

Mr. White sighed and shook his head. "We’re fine. Luckily, three passersby helped us. They got the purse back and called the police for us."

Joanne White finally relaxed. "As long as you’re okay," she said, trying to comfort them. "Mom, Dad, you have to be more careful from now on. Hide your valuables in your underclothes, don’t carry them openly."

Just then, a maid brought Mr. and Mrs. White two glasses of iced tea. After a few sips, Mrs. White finally started to calm down.

Holding her tea, she looked around the villa and remarked, "My dear daughter, this villa is huge. Is it usually just you and Mr. Simmons living here?"

Joanne White froze for a moment, then nodded and gave a soft "Mm-hmm."

’Before she gave birth, Zane Simmons would sometimes bring other women back here. He stopped after the baby was born. Now, it was basically just Joanne and her child living here.’

Mrs. White’s thoughts returned to the robbery, and she sighed. "This villa is big, sure, but it doesn’t seem very safe."

Joanne White smiled reassuringly. "Don’t worry, Mom. The villa has plenty of bodyguards, so you don’t need to worry about security. Besides, I mostly stay inside and don’t go out much, so I won’t run into any danger."

Hearing this, her parents nodded, feeling more at ease.

Mr. White then asked, "Daughter, where’s our dear grandson? Take us to see him! It’s been months since you gave birth, and we still haven’t met him."

Mrs. White nodded excitedly. "Yes, Joanne, where is our little grandson? Is he still sleeping? Quick, take us to see him!"

With that, Mrs. White rummaged through her handbag and pulled out two gift boxes wrapped in red paper. "We brought him a longevity lock and a small gold bracelet. I want to put them on him myself!"

Joanne White’s smile stiffened. She lowered her head and said softly, "Zane took the baby to The Simmons Ancestral Home to celebrate the New Year. He’s not here. Mom, Dad, you can see him next time you visit."

’Today was New Year’s Eve. Zane Simmons had to go back to the ancestral home to celebrate with Simmons, and of course, the child had to be brought along for Simmons to see.’

’As for the child’s mother, Joanne White, she wasn’t qualified to go.’

’Zane Simmons, considering himself a connoisseur of women’s feelings, had noticed Joanne’s perpetual sadness and made an exception, allowing her to invite her parents to celebrate the New Year with her.’

Mr. and Mrs. White understood the implication. The excitement on their faces faded, and the atmosphere turned awkward.

Mrs. White asked tentatively, "Joanne, dear... you’ve given the Simmons Family a son. Haven’t you asked Mr. Simmons if he has any plans to make things official?"