Chapter 86: Chapter 86: No News Is the Best News

Charlotte Morgan nodded, her expression growing much more solemn. "Dad, I know! I’ll strengthen my Superpower as quickly as possible and do everything in my power to help solve the base’s food problem."

Hearing this, Kevin Everett’s face filled with gratification.

He had never been particularly fond of his second daughter-in-law.

Or his second son, for that matter.

’He’d always felt the two of them were unreliable.’

He never expected that, when push came to shove, his second daughter-in-law would be the first of the two to mature.

’It was a bit poignant, but a good thing nonetheless.’

"Good. It’s good that you’re so willing to help." As Kevin Everett spoke, a look of admiration appeared on his face. "Don’t worry about the Crystal Cores you’ll need to strengthen your Superpower. I’ll get them for you."

"Thank you, Dad!" Charlotte Morgan said, her face filled with gratitude.

As for the Crystal Core Sierra Sullivan had been holding, she didn’t dare think about it anymore.

Only after going through the ordeal of awakening a Superpower did she truly understand that the energy within Crystal Cores couldn’t be absorbed carelessly. It was genuinely life-threatening.

’I barely escaped with my life, and I finally have a Superpower. I have to cherish this!’

Kevin Everett got up and went to the study. A short while later, he returned with a bag of Crystal Cores and handed it to Charlotte Morgan.

"Alright, you must be tired. Go and get some rest."

Charlotte Morgan’s heart pounded with excitement as she looked at the Crystal Cores. She thanked him earnestly and, after promising repeatedly that she would work hard to strengthen her Superpower, took the bag and prepared to leave.

She paused halfway, then turned to look at Sierra Sullivan.

Sierra Sullivan handed her the bag of seeds from before. "Here, take these. They’ll be good for practicing your ability. If you want to strengthen your Superpower, you have to not only absorb energy but also use your power. I have plenty more seeds at my place. Either I or Jayce will drop by later to bring you some more."

Charlotte Morgan’s face flushed red again. "I wasn’t..."

She wanted to say that wasn’t what she meant.

But the words died on her lips.

After giving Sierra Sullivan a long, meaningful look, Charlotte Morgan thanked her with sincere gravity.

"Thank you, Sierra! And... I’m sorry."

Even though she had apologized before, Charlotte Morgan felt the need to say it again now.

At her words, Sierra Sullivan smiled at Charlotte. "You’re welcome. It’s alright."

As she watched Charlotte return to her room, Sierra Sullivan let out a slow breath.

One more Wood Ability User meant one more sliver of hope for the survivors.

’As for her past friction with Charlotte, it was too insignificant to even mention.’

Kevin Everett was pleased as well.

But his happiness didn’t make him forget the serious matters at hand.

"There are people in this base who have no regard for human life, using survivors for experiments as they please. We absolutely cannot tolerate this! We have to find out who’s behind it!"

Jayce raised an eyebrow. "I’m not saying I’m biased, but I’m sure the Cheney Family has something to do with it."

Hearing Jayce’s words, Sierra Sullivan had to stifle a laugh.

’After saying that, he still claims he’s not biased?’

’That’s the very definition of blatant prejudice, isn’t it?’

Sierra Sullivan nodded with a completely straight face. "What a coincidence. I was thinking the exact same thing."

Kevin Everett looked at the two of them, trying his best to suppress his laughter, but ultimately failed and broke out into a chuckle.

"You two..." he said, trailing off. "Actually, I think so too!"

At that, the three of them burst into hearty laughter together.

Yvonne Shelby and Candice Tate, who had been waiting inside the room, had been quite worried the whole time.

It wasn’t until she heard their laughter that Yvonne Shelby was sure everything was fine. Only then did she open the door and let Candice Tate come out.

When she didn’t see Charlotte, Yvonne Shelby’s heart sank.

"Where’s Charlotte?"

Seeing the look on her face, Kevin Everett knew Yvonne Shelby had jumped to the wrong conclusion. He quickly explained, "It’s fine! Don’t worry, she’s alright! She’s awakened her Superpower. Just like our Candice Tate, it’s a Wood Element Ability. I sent her to her room to get some rest."

Yvonne Shelby let out a long sigh of relief. "Oh, that’s good. That’s good. So is that what you all were laughing about?"

"Not entirely," Kevin Everett said, then recounted the conversation they just had.

After hearing the story, Yvonne Shelby nodded in firm agreement. "Actually... I feel the same way!"

She couldn’t help but start laughing before she even finished her sentence.

Candice Tate didn’t understand what they were saying, but she could sense their joy and started laughing along with them.

Once everyone had settled down, Kevin Everett said seriously, "I’ll have someone look into this matter carefully. You just wait for news."

Jayce wasn’t the type to just sit and wait. He immediately shook his head. "We can’t just wait around. Since we can’t leave the base for the time being anyway, let’s go check out that trading market in the underground parking garage this afternoon. We might find something."

Kevin Everett knew his son well.

The moment he heard those words, he knew Jayce was planning to stir things up.

And though he had faith in Jayce’s abilities, he couldn’t help but worry.

"You can go, but be careful. Don’t take any unnecessary risks," Kevin Everett warned seriously.

"Don’t worry," Jayce promised solemnly. "No one values their life more than we do."

Only those who have died once before can truly cherish life.

It was a feeling others could never understand.

Since they had decided to check out the underground garage in the afternoon, they didn’t leave at noon, simply staying for lunch instead.

While lunch was still being prepared, Sierra Sullivan handed the red Crystal Core to Jayce.

"Go absorb this while you still have time. That way, we’ll be better prepared for whatever we might run into this afternoon."

Jayce frowned, reluctant to take it. "Sierra, it would be the same if you absorbed it."

"So you don’t want to protect me? You want me to protect you?" Sierra retorted.

Although he knew Sierra was saying it on purpose, Jayce still took the Crystal Core without a moment’s hesitation.

’Of course he wanted to protect Sierra!’

’How could he ever bear the thought of her protecting him?’

"Wait for me."

Jayce took the Crystal Core into the study and bolted the door.

Although Sierra didn’t follow him in, she was still worried. Even while playing with Candice Tate, her gaze kept uncontrollably drifting toward the study. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

Sierra wasn’t the only one who was worried. Kevin Everett said nothing and managed to control his gaze, but his anxiety was still palpable.

Lunch was ready, but there was still no sound from the study.

Yvonne Shelby wiped her hands. "No sound is a good thing."

When you’re worried, no news is good news.

Just as Sierra was about to speak, she heard a CLICK.

It was the sound of the door’s lock being turned.

Sierra immediately looked toward the study, just in time to see Jayce walk out.

The Jayce who emerged was like a completely different person from the one who had gone in.

Before, Jayce had been powerful, but his aura was restrained.

But now, his Superpower was exceptionally immense, and his entire body seemed to be enveloped in a fine mist.