Free Web NovelChapter 113: Chapter 113 You all have two choices.
"Seriously...” another muttered loudly with a scoff. “How does someone go from kind and caring to ruthless in just a second? Maybe she’s tired of us staying here and is looking for an excuse to chase us away.”
“Exactly! Calling us thieves is going too far.”
The murmuring instantly grew louder as frustration spread through the group.
Albert, the youngest among them and the most hot-headed, clenched his fists tightly. “This is ridiculous.”
Just then, Erick slowly raised his hand.
The murmuring ceased almost immediately.
Despite the exhaustion written all over his face, his voice remained calm and respectful when he spoke.
“Please, Mrs. Ivy... this is clearly just a misunderstanding.” He lowered his head slightly in apology. “We would never steal from anyone. We honestly thought the hot pot was prepared for us, but now that you’ve explained otherwise, we’re deeply sorry. We would never intentionally disrespect someone who saved our lives.”
The sincerity in his tone softened the atmosphere slightly.
“We’ll never do this again so forgive us.”
He gave a small bow afterward.
However, before he could say any more word, Ivy spoke again.
“You should go and rest.”
Erick blinked in surprise.
Ivy’s expression remained serious as she folded her arms once more. “Just because your injuries disappeared doesn’t mean your body isn’t still under strain. If you keep pushing yourself without resting, the medicine I gave you won’t work properly. And I won’t be happy about that.”
Her tone was stern, almost commanding.
“So go inside and rest. I’ll discuss things with your team.”
“But....”
“Just go, Captain,” Darren interrupted quickly, giving Erick a reassuring nod. “I’ll handle this.”
Erick hesitated for a moment before finally sighing in defeat.
“...Alright.”
Without another word, he slowly turned around and headed back into the shelter.
The moment he disappeared inside, Ivy turned toward the remaining men again.
Her sharp gaze swept across every single one of them.
“I need compensation,” she declared firmly.
The words instantly sent waves of shock and disbelief through the group.
“No one steals from me and walks away freely.”
“Compensation?!” Albert exploded immediately, taking a furious step forward. “For what exactly?! We already told you we didn’t steal anything! Stop falsely accusing us!”
His chest rose and fell violently with anger.
“What is wrong with women like this seriously?” he continued bitterly. “They help you at first and then suddenly turn against you, treating you like trash the moment they feel like it.”
“Fuck...” another team member cursed under his breath, dragging a frustrated hand through his messy hair. “I seriously regret stopping at this shelter now. What the hell is this?”
Everyone looked irritated except Darren.
Unlike the others, he remained calm, though the crease between his brows deepened slightly as he studied Ivy carefully.
“And what kind of compensation do you want, Mrs. Ivy?” he finally asked.
Albert whipped his head toward him in disbelief.
“What are you saying, Darren?!” he barked angrily. “The moment you ask her that, you’re basically admitting we’re thieves!”
He pointed furiously toward the shelter.
“Let’s just leave and go back to base already! We’re grateful she treated the captain, helped our injured teammates, and gave us food, but that doesn’t give her the right to humiliate us!”
“Can you shut up for one second and let me talk?!”
Darren’s voice thundered through the area so suddenly that everyone froze.
Even Albert looked stunned.
Darren rarely raised his voice.
“You want to go back to base?” Darren glared at him furiously. “Didn’t you hear what she said earlier? The captain needs proper rest. Just because his wounds disappeared doesn’t mean his body isn’t still suffering internally!”
He took a step closer.
“And if the medicine stops working because we forced him to travel too soon, then what? Are you willing to take responsibility for that?”
Albert immediately fell silent.
The others lowered their heads as well. ƒreewebηoveℓ.com
Only after the entire place became quiet again did Darren turn back toward Ivy.
His expression softened slightly.
“So,” he asked again, calmer this time, “what do you want us to do?”
Ding!
{You’re really doing all this just to keep these men inside your base, huh?}
The System’s teasing voice rang inside Ivy’s head.
{I’ll admit it though... that was pretty smart.}
Ivy resisted the urge to roll her eyes.
“I honestly don’t even know why I’m doing this,” she muttered quietly under her breath before releasing a heavy sigh.
Then she lifted her head and addressed the group once more.
“You all have two choices.”
The men instantly straightened.
“You can either stand guard overnight as compensation...” Ivy paused briefly, her gaze sharp and unwavering, “...or you’re free to leave right now.”
Silence fell once again.
Before anyone could even respond, Ivy turned around calmly and walked back into the shelter.
Leaving the entire team standing there in stunned silence.
