Chapter 402: Chapter 402: Risk of Exposure

Ronan Rhodes nodded in agreement.

Sophie Thorne, who was standing nearby, saw Ronan’s reaction and silently rolled her eyes.

Ronan had been going on and on about the Arcadia Store for the past few days, and Sophie was sick of hearing about it.

’If he’s really so curious, why doesn’t he investigate what caused this apocalypse?’

Sophie was in the middle of texting with Melody Summers, so she took the opportunity to complain to her about it.

Vanassa: Ronan has been acting like he’s possessed for the last couple of days, constantly trying to investigate that online store called Arcadia.

Summertime: Huh???

Summertime: Is there a problem with that store?

Vanassa: Ronan keeps saying the store is super sketchy, like it’s run by aliens.

Vanassa: Maybe he’s afraid aliens will use the store as a staging ground to attack Terra :)

Summertime: Hahahahahahahahahaha.

Summertime: By the way, have they found anything?

Vanassa: Nope.

Vanassa: Ronan and his uncle have tried a bunch of things over the past few days, but they’ve come up with nothing.

Summertime: Oh, I see.

Summertime: Honestly, I don’t think it’s necessary to get so hung up on it. The store isn’t selling anything illegal, right? It’s just farm products.

Vanassa: I know, but that’s my hidden gem of a store. I’m honestly scared they’re going to mess with it until it disappears.

Summertime: What, they still haven’t given up on investigating it?

Vanassa: Nope.

Vanassa: They’re planning to find a chance to seize the drone used for deliveries. They want to check its brand, model, and purchase records to narrow down the search.

Summertime: Oh, I see.

Summertime: That’s pretty smart of them.

Vanassa: Ugh, let’s not talk about them. I’m stuck at the hotel every day and can’t go out. It’s so boring...

Vanassa: If only you were here too, you could keep me company.

Summertime: Once the blizzard is over, we can move back to the villa. Then we can see each other every day.

...

After putting down her phone, Melody Summers wiped the cold sweat from her forehead.

She had always known her store would be investigated sooner or later, but seeing Sophie’s messages firsthand still made her heart race.

’Roman and Ronan Rhodes are so infuriating!’

’The online marketplace is full of contraband—gasoline, diesel, Molotov cocktails, crossbows... They don’t go after any of that, but they’re relentlessly investigating me for selling farm products.’

’Is there any justice left in the world?!’

When she thought about the drone Sophie had mentioned, Melody broke out in another cold sweat.

She had bought the drone before the cataclysm. It was the latest model from a certain brand and had only been on the market for a few days when she purchased it.

If Roman and Ronan really managed to seize the drone, they could easily narrow down the purchase timeframe just by looking at the model and brand.

The police were very skilled at using big data to screen suspects now. If they really followed the trail... she could definitely become a prime suspect!

’Thank goodness Sophie gave me a heads-up. Otherwise, my cover might have actually been blown this time.’

’Looks like I can’t use that drone for deliveries anymore.’

Melody Summers put down her phone. As she considered her options, she took a plate of shrimp out of the steamer.

The seventeen freshly caught Blue Scale Prawns were steamed. Their color had changed from a vivid indigo to a beautiful orange-red, and they didn’t look much different from ordinary shrimp. A rich seafood aroma, however, filled the kitchen.

Grace Sutton came over to take a look and asked in surprise, "Where did this plate of shrimp come from?"

She didn’t remember steaming any shrimp for dinner.

Melody smiled and replied, "I just steamed them, Aunt Grace. I suddenly got a craving for shrimp."

Grace Sutton didn’t suspect a thing. She smiled, nodded, and replied, "Alright, I’ll whip up a dipping sauce then."

They also had some shrimp in the fish tank at home, about the same size as the Blue Scale Prawns, so Grace Sutton assumed Melody had simply taken them from there and didn’t give it a second thought.

At dinner, Melody eagerly divided the seventeen shrimp among her family, making sure everyone got some.

Grace Sutton peeled a shrimp and took a bite. Her eyes immediately lit up as she praised, "This shrimp is absolutely delicious!"

She wasn’t sure if it was just her imagination, but it tasted unlike any shrimp she had ever had before.

Melody wholeheartedly agreed. The Blue Scale Prawn was exceptionally delicious; the meat was tender, juicy, and springy, with a hint of sweetness that left a wonderful aftertaste.

’It’s not only nutritious, but it also tastes amazing! The Arcadian Space is an absolute treasure trove!’

Colin Summers swallowed his Blue Scale Prawn and sighed, "There’s a nationwide blackout. I just snuck a peek outside—it’s pitch-black out there, not a single light to be seen."

Hearing this, Grace Sutton frowned with displeasure. She looked up at Colin Summers and said, "Be careful! Don’t just pull back the curtains. It won’t be good if people find out we have a generator!"

Hearing her say that, Colin Summers quickly nodded and replied, "Don’t worry, honey. I only peeked through a tiny crack at the edge. No one outside could see."

Only then did Grace Sutton relax.

Then, as if suddenly remembering something, Grace Sutton spoke up. "I wonder how Cameron and his wife are doing now. When we sent them supplies, we only brought over some things for heating and some food. Now that their power is out too, I wonder if they’re facing any difficulties."

Grandma pursed her lips and snorted. "Why are you worrying about them? We already gave them rice and coal, that’s more than enough. If we give them anything else, our third son will just gamble it away again!"

After hearing what Grandma said, Grace Sutton felt too awkward to press the issue.

Grace Sutton didn’t have a good impression of her gambling brother-in-law herself. She just felt that his wife, Jade Rowan, had had it tough over the years. As a fellow woman and daughter-in-law of the family, she just wanted to help her out.

But since Grandma had spoken, Grace Sutton didn’t feel it was her place to say more.

Melody listened quietly from the side, not saying a word.

Melody also found it hard to believe that her third uncle, who had been addicted to gambling for so many years, had truly changed.

Fortunately, ever since moving into The Metropolis Residences, Cameron Summers, Jade Rowan, and their child had been keeping to themselves on the 11th floor. Melody just hoped that her uncle had truly changed this time and that they could finally live a peaceful, stable life.

...

That night, Melody had just come out of the Arcadian Space and was getting ready for bed when a sudden KNOCK KNOCK sounded at the door.

The sound was faint, but it rang out with exceptional clarity in the silent, cold night.

Melody hurried to check, only to see a familiar face in the night-vision peephole—it was Maisie Lynch.