Chapter 512: Chapter 521: Suspicion

"It’s been a few days, and Miss Sterling still isn’t back. Could something have happened to her? Brother Xavier, are you sure you don’t need to go look for her? If there’s anything we can do to help, just let us know. Don’t hesitate!"

Within the Three Tigers Corps camp, Hunter Night said to Zane Xavier, his voice laced with concern.

Miss Sterling had vanished after they brought back the supplies that day.

Previously, Brother Xavier had mentioned she had some business to attend to and would be back soon, so no one thought much of it.

They had then given Brother Xavier thirty percent of the supplies they’d acquired that day and told him to store it safely.

According to their original agreement, the supplies were supposed to be divided per person, so Zane and Stella shouldn’t have received nearly that much.

But Miss Sterling had been instrumental that day. If not for her, they never would have gotten such a large share of the supplies.

It was even uncertain if they would have made it out safely.

They all knew full well that the only reason the other two factions had been so generous, giving them such a large portion of the supplies, was because of Miss Sterling.

That was why, when dividing the supplies, Hunter Night had given them thirty percent, even though there were only two of them.

No one in the Three Tigers Corps objected.

Both parties were very satisfied with the outcome. Having received so many supplies, they decided to have a get-together that very evening to celebrate their new alliance and to thank Stella Sterling and her companion for their help.

Of course, Miss Sterling was so formidable that they were also eager to get on her good side. After all, they were now in the same camp, and they would surely have many dealings in the future. Building a good relationship would be mutually beneficial.

But to their surprise, Miss Sterling still hadn’t returned by the time they finished dinner.

Then one day passed, then two, then three. Miss Sterling seemed to have vanished without a trace, and there was no news of her whatsoever.

Hunter Night felt indebted to Miss Sterling and couldn’t just sit by and do nothing. But since her friend, this Mr. Xavier, showed no reaction, he could only hold back for the time being.

But with no news for three days, Hunter Night couldn’t resist coming to ask.

Regardless, if his help was needed, he would offer it without hesitation.

Zane Xavier was in the middle of a meal. He, who others saw as Stella Sterling’s friend but was in fact her subordinate, was far calmer than anyone else. He wasn’t the least bit anxious.

For the past few days, he had been eating, drinking, and going about his business as usual.

Hearing Hunter Night’s words, he smiled and clapped him on the shoulder. "It’s alright, Brother Night. Don’t worry. If I really need help, I’ll ask."

He, too, was a bit puzzled by Miss Sterling’s three-day absence, but he remained much calmer than the others.

That was because Miss Sterling *had* appeared. Three days ago, she had found him and told him she had other matters to handle, and that he should just wait here for her.

Since Miss Sterling had given him a heads-up, Zane Xavier was prepared and therefore not too worried.

Besides, for some unknown reason, he had a strange sense that allowed him to feel Miss Sterling’s presence, which made him even more certain she was unharmed.

So Zane Xavier wasn’t worried about her safety. He believed that with her capabilities, she would definitely be fine.

He was just a little curious.

’The people from Sanctyr Base are watching her. Instead of lying low, where did she go at a time like this?’

At the same time, he felt a little dejected. ’As Miss Sterling’s most loyal subordinate, I should be by my master’s side, serving her hand and foot.’

’But now my master is off doing something, and I’m stuck here waiting, not even knowing what she’s up to. This is a dereliction of my duty.’

Hunter Night was about to say something else, but he saw the man in front of him zone out right after speaking.

His eyes widened in disbelief. ’I’m an outsider, and even I’m worried that Miss Sterling has been gone for days. But as her friend, this Brother Xavier is so calm. Is he for real?’

’It couldn’t be...’

At this thought, he narrowed his eyes at Zane Xavier, his gaze filled with suspicion.

’In this apocalypse, even friends couldn’t be trusted.’

’Could it be that Brother Xavier used some trick to get rid of Miss Sterling? So he could take her share of the supplies for himself?’

’Otherwise, I really can’t understand why the man is so calm.’

He fell silent, doubt beginning to fester in his mind.

Zane Xavier turned and saw Hunter Night scrutinizing him. He paused. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

Hunter Night smiled faintly. "You don’t seem very worried that Miss Sterling has been gone for so long, Brother Xavier. Are you and her not on good terms?"

Zane Xavier realized the man had gotten the wrong idea. ’My reaction must seem strange to them,’ he thought.

He caught the flash of displeasure in Hunter Night’s eyes. ’He probably suspects me of having some ulterior motive!’

So he chuckled. "It’s not that I’m not worried, it’s just that worrying won’t do any good. Besides, Miss Sterling actually contacted me earlier. She said she had some business to take care of and would find me when she’s done. That’s why I’m so calm!"

After a brief pause, Zane Xavier continued, "Still, thank you for your concern for my boss, Brother Night. I appreciate it."

He didn’t feel any anger, despite the other man’s suspicion.

In fact, he was rather heartened.

When Miss Sterling left, she had told him to be generous to the Three Tigers Corps when distributing the supplies.

Now it seemed the people of the Three Tigers Corps were indeed worthy of that consideration.

They only had a temporary partnership with Miss Sterling, yet they were this concerned about her.

It showed that they were genuinely good people.

Therefore, not only was Zane Xavier not angry, he was actually quite pleased.

Hearing this, Hunter Night was taken aback for a moment, then scratched his head in embarrassment. So that was it.

’Right,’ he thought. ’They’re partners. Maybe they have some private business they couldn’t share with us. That’s why he didn’t say anything. Of course he’s calm if he already knew what was going on.’

But then he noticed something was slightly off. The way Brother Xavier had just referred to Miss Sterling wasn’t what he’d expected.

A man and a woman traveling together... at first, he had assumed they were a couple.

But then, when he saw they didn’t sleep together, he assumed they were friends.

But just now, Brother Xavier had called her his "boss." He never would have guessed they had a superior-subordinate relationship!

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.