Chapter 398: Chapter 408: Food Expenses

He opened his mouth, but the words of rebuttal wouldn’t come out.

He himself didn’t know what their relationship was anymore.

’We aren’t quite partners, but we don’t feel like friends either!’

Over this period, he had come to think of her as a friend. Stella Sterling had never explicitly defined their relationship, so he just went on assuming.

But hearing Stella Sterling say that now, a pang of sadness struck his heart.

He really wanted to ask her, ’Aren’t we good friends?’

But after some thought, he kept it to himself. ’Actually, her calling me her subordinate is probably her way of giving me face!’

After all, his situation was effectively that of her captive.

He was just a captive with better treatment, that’s all. Thinking this, he ultimately swallowed his rebuttal.

’If she says I’m a subordinate, then I’m a subordinate. Subordinate, partner... whatever. The way she treats me is pretty good, so what does the label matter!’

He lifted his small face and looked at the people before them. It seemed that aside from the big bald guy, no one else here really welcomed the two of them.

The man he had fought last night, in particular, kept shooting him glares.

’Are we really going to live here for a while?’

’He won’t try to get revenge for last night, will he? This is their turf. If they decide to mess with me, I’m no match for them!’

Worried, he lowered his head, his thoughts a mystery.

Upon hearing Stella Sterling’s words, Felix Lawrence immediately started waving his hands. "No, no! If you come to my place and still have to bring things, what kind of host would that make me!"

After a moment’s thought, he added, "Besides, you know you’ll be doing me a huge favor. I’ll be endlessly grateful to you. How could I possibly take your things on top of that!"

He hadn’t realized Stella Sterling had gone to get supplies. If he had known, he would have definitely stopped her.

The two men beside Felix Lawrence widened their eyes in astonishment when they heard his words.

’From the way Lawrence is talking, it sounds like this woman is here specifically to help us.’

’But we’re not in any trouble. What kind of help would we need from her?’

But then the two recalled hearing that Lawrence’s wife—their sister-in-law—had been murdered, and that Lawrence had an enemy he was after.

That same enemy was also constantly plotting to kill Lawrence, and this person had powerful backing.

’Could it be that this woman is here to help Lawrence solve this problem?’

The two men weren’t sure, but from Lawrence’s attitude, it was clear he held this woman in high esteem.

This, combined with his respectful manner toward her, made the two of them tone down their own hostility.

If this woman was truly that important to Lawrence, then no matter how displeased they were, they would have to bear with it.

After all, Lawrence had saved their lives. Lawrence’s business was their business.

They certainly couldn’t hold him back.

At this moment, even the man from last night looked at Stella Sterling with a much softer gaze.

Stella Sterling looked at Felix Lawrence calmly. "Take it. Even if you don’t think for yourself, you have to consider these brothers under your command. Besides, after I told you about my situation last night, you should know that this is nothing to me."

"If you refuse to accept, then I’ll feel awkward staying here. I might as well find somewhere else to live!"

Hearing Stella Sterling say this, Felix Lawrence grew anxious. "I’ll take it, I’ll take it! Thank you, Miss Sterling!"

He took the bag, his feelings a complicated mix.

’I was the one who invited Miss Sterling, yet she’s staying here for a while and I, an old friend, am taking provisions from her. How disloyal of me!’

But he knew Miss Sterling was right. Even if he didn’t care, his brothers would have their opinions.

He could keep them in line when he was around, but the problem was, he couldn’t watch them every second. If they gave Miss Sterling a hard time when he wasn’t there, things would really blow up.

So, Felix Lawrence could only accept the items. He felt both grateful and helpless.

’In the end, it’s because I’m not strong enough. If I were more powerful, I could secure more supplies for my brothers. With enough supplies, they naturally wouldn’t be like this!’

They were brothers who had been through life and death together. Felix Lawrence understood them. He knew they had been driven to this by the harsh realities of the apocalypse, so he didn’t really blame them.

Thinking this, he handed the bag to the man beside him. "Take this to our storeroom. And remember, Miss Sterling and her companion gave us a gift the moment they arrived. In the future, I don’t want to hear any of you gossiping behind their backs. Otherwise, I will not go easy on you!"

Although he hadn’t seen what was inside, he knew that since Miss Sterling had given it to them after saying all that, the things she had prepared were surely high-quality supplies essential for survival in this apocalypse.

While feeling grateful to Miss Sterling, he once again warned the men under his command.

The two men nodded and said nothing more.

But their eyes darted toward the bag, trying to sneak a peek at what was inside.

They hadn’t expected much, but when they saw the contents of the bag, shock flashed in both their eyes.

Food. It was all food! And it was all filling, ready-to-eat stuff that didn’t require any troublesome preparation.

The two men swallowed hard at the same time, then exchanged a look, seeing the same shock in each other’s eyes.

Then they turned to look at Stella Sterling in amazement.

’Isn’t this way too much? For just the two of them, this would be enough for one or two months!’

’There’s no way the two of them are staying here for one or two months, right?’

In that case, what she gave them was far beyond what was necessary.

Yet, she showed no sign of reluctance. After a moment’s thought, the two men understood.

’This Miss Sterling might have said it was to cover their food expenses, but it was probably a gift for all of us... a gift for Lawrence.’

At this realization, a flash of shame appeared in both their eyes.

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