Amelia and Kain went completely still, their mouths fell open. They stared at the water pouring in behind the people outside the gate. Mysteriously, the water stopped at the gate.

There was no sign of it passing the gate at all. The frantic calls of the people behind the gate pulled Kain back from his revelry. They stepped closer, watching it in real time as water refused to cross the threshold.

Jaylin, Matthew, and Claire stood on the opposite side watching. They had still not gotten over the fact that they couldn’t go to any other floor.

When they heard Kain telling them they would live here, Matthew believed it to be a joke. A simple punishment for not respecting his rule of loyalty.

It wasn’t until he forcefully tried to break through the barrier and was electrocuted that he understood that things might not be so simple.

Now, the three of them stood looking at the people outside the gate and at the water threatening to cover them.

"Should we let them in?" Amelia asked, reaching for the control switch.

The water was already up to their waists. He could even see some people holding children on their shoulders.

"You choose," he said, wrapping an arm around her waist.

At the same time, he brushed the hair from her neck and gently bit it. Now that the trouble was over, he didn’t forget his main reason for rushing back. His hand found its way under her clothes, and he felt her shiver.

"Be serious. Didn’t you want to create Nightfall? These are all possible subordinates," she said as she swatted his arm.

He hummed noncommitally. "It doesn’t matter. Find people now or find them later, it’s all the same."

The water was now around their chest, and for some, it was up to their shoulders. Their despair as they saw the dry, unencumbered patch of safety and the gate that refused to budge made the people outside begin to rage.

Their curses filled Kain and Amelia’s home as they listened through the intercom.

Amelia leaned against Kain, humming softly. The man’s hands had already made their way to her supple breasts.

"You have three seconds before I drag you to bed. Whether they live or die is up to you."

"Why?" she whispered.

"Because you are my partner. We make decisions together." His husky voice filled her ear.

She was already half-naked when Kain leaned her forward, pulling her pants below her hips.

Without thinking, she pressed the control switch. The panicked people flooded in.

She turned around, glaring at Kain, "You tricked me."

"Trick? Why would I ever trick you?" His heavy gaze landed on her. His thumb stroked her hip.

He lifted her into his arms. His gaze fell on the people who had streamed into their living space. His eyes were stormy. Then he looked back at her, his gaze softened.

"You wanted them alive," he sighed. "I have no hope for anything now. My only concerns are you and the children. As long as you are happy, I am happy. Subordinates do not make good friends."

When Amelia heard this, she sighed. But the happiness in her heart was hard to disguise. This man she had longed for was finally hers and hers alone. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

As for Matthew and the others. Kain might have left them to their own devices, but she would not. They hurt him, and she would make them pay.

"They don’t make good friends, but they’re great cannon fodder." She smiled. "Don’t dwell on it."

"My wife is right, I won’t think about it," he turned off the TV and headed towards the bedroom.

Behind the closed door, Amelia’s exclamation could be heard, "What did you call me?" Then came the muffled sounds of pleasure.

Meanwhile, on Floor One, the people who had rushed into the corridor watched the security gate close and the water rise until they could not see the top.

One curious person tried to put a finger through the gate and realized they couldn’t.

Matthew, Jaylin, and Claire, who had watched them clamour outside, were thrown against the wall while the stampede occurred.

Finally, they had settled down, and he held Claire’s hand and gestured for Jaylin to follow him. With so many people here, the three of them would stay in the same room.

As they walked away, someone called out to them. It was Jon. Now that he was safe, he was disgruntled.

"Excuse me," he called out. He tried to be polite, but his face betrayed him. "Why didn’t you open the gate when you saw out there? You three stood there watching. Were you waiting to see us drown?"

Matthew didn’t take kindly to his attitude. He had no intention of saving them, even if he could, but he wouldn’t tell them that.

He pointed to the gate, "Go stand at the gate. Tell me if you see a way to open it."

He walked away, ignoring anything else Jon had to say. He needed to secure his room.

The slam of the door echoed. Someone from the survivor team actually went to the gate, tried to open it, and realized it wouldn’t budge.

They looked around the room. The living room was large, and the furniture was neat. Many of those in the room were used to the luxury. What made them curious was the gate.

Some had the idea of trying to take over the floor. If they could take control of this place, they wouldn’t need to fear the waters. No matter how high they got, they would be safe.

As for Jon, he was thinking about the food they agreed to exchange. He looked at the door through which the three people had entered. It was four in the afternoon. He was sure they would need to come out for food.

When they did, he could confirm with them. For now, he would have everyone spread out in the corridors and living room.