Chapter 446 - 323: Timing
"The Woods Family doesn’t know about this yet, do they?" Marcus Monroe smiled faintly at the girl. "As for you... are you planning to keep them in the dark and then run for the hills?"
Faye Webb didn’t feel the least bit of joy seeing that smile. Instead, it was like looking at an all-knowing demon, and her body began to tremble uncontrollably.
’Why?!’
’He’d guessed everything!’
"What... what do you... want?"
She stumbled through the short sentence, her composure completely gone.
Although she had suffered a great deal of bullying in the Woods Family, making her more calculating and braver than the average girl from a prominent family, she was ultimately too inexperienced. Now that the truth was out and her plan exposed, the self-satisfaction she’d felt just a short while ago, believing she had everything under control, was gone.
A profound sense of fear began to creep in.
If the Woods Family found out about all this, she feared she wouldn’t even be allowed a clean death. Yet, at a time like this, she realized more than ever: ’I want to live!’
Taking in her every reaction, Marcus Monroe’s smile deepened.
For him, if Elder Woods had been alive on this trip, the chances of success would have been fifty-fifty. But now, he could rest easy.
"If you really want to leave, it’s not impossible..."
After a moment of shock, Faye Webb snapped her head up, her gaze burning as she looked at him. "What do you want me to do?"
"It’s simple. Impersonate Elder Woods one more time," Marcus Monroe said nonchalantly.
The idea had come to him because Faye Webb’s impersonation was genuinely convincing.
Judging by the driver outside, it was clear the attendants didn’t know Elder Woods was gone. The fact that she could even fool those who served him closely showed that, one, Faye Webb was skilled with her superpower, and two, she must have lived with Elder Woods for a considerable amount of time.
And from what he had seen himself, setting aside appearance, her movements and voice were flawless.
If it weren’t for the details—the fallen leaves in the courtyard, the driver’s excessive avoidance, the dim lighting in this room—that had aroused his suspicions early on, he might have been completely fooled by her.
’That being the case, using Faye Webb as a blade to shatter the current stalemate is the best option!’
Having made this decision, Marcus Monroe naturally could no longer hide his identity.
After all, while Faye Webb’s impersonation was good, her actual strength was a far cry from Elder Woods’s. Even if they claimed he was injured, it would be hard to prevent the Woods Family from becoming suspicious without someone to back her up.
So, Marcus Monroe spent several days making frequent "visits" to Elder Woods’s residence.
When he was sure Keegan Woods had learned of this and, growing uneasy, came looking for "Elder Woods," Marcus appeared outside the house at just the right moment.
"...Father! You’re ill, you should be resting more. Why bother with those people?"
"Are you implying I’m meddling? Should I just watch as you ignore the Zombies outside to focus on your infighting, letting them slaughter humanity?"
"That... Your last lesson, I took it to heart. I’ve already sped things up, and it shouldn’t be long before we resolve the city’s internal affairs. If we send the Southern Army to annihilate the Zombies then, wouldn’t it be more legitimate?"
"Nonsense! My internal injuries worsened last time precisely because of your foolish actions, you unfilial son! I swear, you won’t be satisfied until you’ve angered me to death!"
"Father! That’s not what I meant."
After a long moment of silence, "Elder Woods" spoke with an authority that brooked no argument, "If that’s the case, then organize a mobilization meeting tomorrow. Urge The Government to dispatch troops!"
"But..."
Outside the door, Marcus Monroe smiled faintly, admiring how deeply Faye Webb had gotten into character.
’If I hadn’t known her identity, I probably never would have guessed that the person inside had long been replaced!’
’But, it’s about time I made my entrance.’
As soon as he entered, he immediately drew Keegan Woods’s attention, just as expected.
"And you are?"
"Marcus Monroe."
He nodded at the other man. He saw Keegan Woods’s expression shift from surprise to shock and understanding, before finally returning to calm.
Marcus Monroe wasn’t surprised that the man knew who he was.
He had been fairly well-known in Southreach a few years ago. Keegan Woods must have assumed that he was the one who had convinced his father to make this decision.
So it was only natural that his attitude toward Marcus Monroe wasn’t particularly friendly.
But it had to be said—whether due to needing a powerful backer or simply being unwilling to defy his father—Elder Woods still held considerable sway over his son. In the end, though reluctant, Keegan Woods finally agreed to the meeting.
Watching his retreating back as he walked out the door, Marcus Monroe scoffed. ’With me here, it won’t be so easy for him to just go through the motions.’
And so, at the mobilization meeting, just as Keegan Woods proposed sending people to annihilate the Zombies first and deciding on the City Lord selection later, Colin Koenig and Keith Preston both forcefully seconded the motion. This left Keegan Woods not only surprised but also thoroughly infuriated!
Of course, one meeting wasn’t enough to settle things.
But just then, news came from the south: the Zombie horde had already left Harborcrest Base and was advancing in their direction. It wouldn’t be long before they reached Solstice Base.
When this news broke, those who had been wavering during the first mobilization meeting were instantly terrified.
In the end, the motion to dispatch troops was passed.
In addition to two divisions of the Southern Army sending some of their Superpower Users, the other four major families also dispatched their own skilled fighters.
Departure was imminent!
While Marcus Monroe was busy making this happen, over at Bloodfall Base, Paige Summers was growing worried, completely unaware of the recent developments.
The struggle for the City Lord position was still at a standstill, and while she knew it wasn’t convenient for Marcus Monroe to send messages, she couldn’t help but worry.
One day, as she and Sean Raines were discussing base affairs, a team member suddenly rushed in and reported excitedly, "Deputy Base Chief! Boss Archer and Ms. Lee are here!"
Paige Summers lit up, but before she could speak, the person added, "And your mother is here too!"
"Huh?!" Paige Summers was stunned. "Who did you say is here?"
"It’s me!" a familiar voice called from outside the door.
Wendy Lowell walked in, smiling as she spoke.
"Mom! What are you doing here?!"
Paige Summers quickly stood up to greet her. She was truly shocked; she never would have imagined Wendy Lowell would come here!
Seeing her hurry, Wendy Lowell immediately stopped her. "Stay put! Don’t you move! I’ll come to you!" she said, striding over to support Paige Summers. "Look at you, being so careless. When you’re pregnant, the first three months are crucial! You absolutely can’t get excited or make any big movements, or you might affect the baby..."
Paige Summers’s eyes widened. "You know?"
Wendy Lowell carefully settled her onto the sofa before explaining, "I was already planning to come see you. As I got closer, I heard from some people from Jovitas that you were expecting..."
She was convinced it was a result of the special bond between mother and daughter.
Years ago, when she was pregnant with Paige Summers, the first three months had been terrible; she’d practically lived with her head in the toilet, throwing up constantly. The thought that Paige might be suffering from morning sickness these days, combined with seeing how much weight she had lost, was enough to shatter her heart into a million pieces.
To be fair, Paige Summers hadn’t been having an easy time lately.
The number of visitors to the base was increasing, and she couldn’t refuse to meet with some of the more influential ones.
Her lethargy had lessened as a result, but other discomforts had started to set in.
She was always hungry.
Sometimes she would even wake up in the middle of the night from hunger.
But when food was actually placed in front of her, she could only manage a few bites.
Her chest felt like it was stuffed with hay. It wasn’t an earth-shattering agony, but the prickly irritation and the feeling of wanting to vomit but being unable to were truly making her miserable.
Frankly, as surprised and shocked as she was that Wendy Lowell had come, deep down, she was mostly happy.
Especially when Wendy Lowell hugged her and said, "Paige, darling, don’t you worry. Mom will stay with you. I’m definitely not going back to Central City until after the baby is born, at least!"
Paige Summers rested her head gently on her mother’s shoulder and slowly hummed in agreement.
Having a loved one by her side at a time like this was the best thing she could ask for.
Wendy Lowell stayed, and the twenty-some Lowell Family disciples who had escorted her naturally stayed as well.
Though not numerous, every single one of them could be considered an elite.
They were a welcome addition of strength to the base.
Of course, compared to them, the migration of the entire original Bloodfall Hunters roster brought her even more joy.
She had extended the invitation last time, but she’d thought that some of them, with families in tow, might not be willing to make such a long and dangerous journey. But now, it was clear that not a single one had been left behind—they had all come! Nearly two hundred Superpower Users and dozens of their family members. For the base, this was truly its greatest fortune!
What they needed most right now were trustworthy people.
She wasn’t the only one who was happy.
Everyone was thrilled.
Everyone threw a welcoming party that night. The cafeteria was packed to the brim. Although Paige Summers didn’t stay long due to her condition and was escorted out by Wendy Lowell, the festive and joyous atmosphere was etched into her heart.
The night was quiet. Wendy Lowell supported her as the two of them walked slowly back toward the residential area.
"Sigh..."
"What’s wrong, Mom?"
Wendy Lowell looked at her with a complicated expression. "I heard you two were about to have your wedding, but then you discovered the Zombie horde?"
When she first heard about it, she couldn’t help but feel a little resentful.
’If they wanted to be together, why didn’t they hold the wedding sooner? Why wait until now?’
’Paige isn’t showing now, but who knows how long it will take for Marcus Monroe to return! What if she’s far along by then? Would she have to marry him with a big belly?’
"Yeah," Paige Summers said melancholically. "Neither he nor Lucian has sent any word. I have no idea how things are progressing!"
It was rare to see her like this, so Wendy Lowell pushed aside her own mixed feelings and quickly comforted her, "He’s so strong, he’ll be fine! You can’t let your imagination run wild!"
Paige Summers gave a slight, forced smile. "I know."
Saying it was one thing, but actually doing it was another.
Fortunately, perhaps because her worries had somehow summoned it, she finally received a letter from Marcus Monroe that very night.
After quickly reading the few lines of text, Paige Summers’s expression turned serious.
’Troops have already been dispatched to fight the Zombies. That’s definitely good news.’
’However, the implications of the other news are far more complex!’
Leo Joyce, who had been in a coma, finally died three days ago, and a monster had appeared again in Southreach!