Free Web NovelChapter 330: Chapter 316: Biased Flora Bloom
Under the current conditions outside Morhaven, there was no way the superpower users from the botanical garden mountains, the ones who served the laboratory, could have survived.
This meant that any remaining people in Morhaven connected to the laboratory must now be inside the safe zone.
Flora Bloom had several superpower users, such as Yan Yan, who had originally served the laboratory. They knew other ability users, and with a clever trap, she successfully brought more than ten First-Level superpower users of the five elements under her command. From that point on, they answered only to Flora Bloom.
Sepherdine established rules and order within the base, winning over the hearts and minds of the people. It was at this time that Quinn and Seth Warren surprisingly merged their two teams into one.
Mark Sterling and Falkew, who had been dispatched by Flora Bloom to train the non-superpower users on Quinn’s team how to use guns, returned to Villa Area No. 3 with grim faces.
After Flora Bloom heard the full story from them, she shook her head in resignation. ’It looks like Quinn and Seth Warren are really planning to oppose Sepherdine. And even if they don’t fight him directly, they’re still unwilling to be under someone else’s thumb and want to vie for power in the base.’
Quinn and Seth Warren probably had no idea that Flora Bloom was on Sepherdine’s side. The day after their teams merged, Seth Warren brought Azure Leroy, and Quinn brought Yvonne Lynch to the entrance of Villa Area No. 3, requesting to see Flora Bloom.
They held several bags of Crystal Cores, stating their purpose the moment they saw Flora Bloom.
"We want to buy your food," Seth Warren said, his voice level, though his eyes betrayed a hint of anxiety as he looked at Flora Bloom.
Quinn remained silent, simply motioning for Yvonne Lynch to give all the Crystal Cores in her hands to Flora Bloom.
"Captain Flora Bloom," Azure Leroy began, "Sepherdine controls the entire base now, and his food supply surely comes from you. I imagine you wouldn’t mind selling some to us, right?"
When Flora Bloom first met this woman, she was only a Second-level Superpower User. In just a single month, she had become a Middle Level Water Ability User. Clearly, she was not just exceptionally powerful, but also remarkably cunning.
Flora Bloom smiled. "Of course, I don’t mind. I’m just not sure how much you need."
"We can’t go outside right now, and we’re running low on Crystal Cores. Here are three bags of Crystal Cores from Second Level zombies and five bags from First Level zombies. We’re not sure how much food that will get us."
Flora Bloom paused. "I’ll trade you the food, but there are conditions."
"Name them," Seth Warren said, watching Flora Bloom.
"I won’t get involved in your conflict with Sepherdine, but you should know my bottom line. If anyone from my Villa No. 3 is involved, don’t blame me for being merciless." At this, her cold gaze sent a chill down all four of their spines.
’It seems there’s no hiding their plans from this seemingly innocent woman.’
"Also, Captain Lawson, according to our verbal agreement, ownership of all the firearms your team is equipped with belongs to me. Now that you’re merging your team with another, our simple cooperative relationship is over." Seeing Quinn’s face turn livid, Flora Bloom quickly added, "Don’t worry, I won’t take back the guns I gave you. But I will no longer be providing you with ammunition and other more lethal weapons free of charge."
"You—!" Quinn managed to hold his tongue, but Yvonne Lynch couldn’t. "On what grounds?! Without ammunition, how are those ordinary people supposed to survive?"
Flora Bloom shrugged. "They’re your team members, not mine. Not my problem. Besides, didn’t you merge your teams? You can discuss it with Captain Warren. See if you can get some superpower users to spend time protecting these ordinary people."
Flora Bloom’s words struck Quinn and Yvonne Lynch like a bolt of lightning. How could they have forgotten their arrangement with her! They never thought that Flora Bloom, who had agreed to give them the confiscated guns without a second thought, would turn on them in the blink of an eye!
’Their plan had been perfect. If they didn’t bring it up, Flora Bloom would probably be too embarrassed to take the items back. Then, in a few days, they could come back and ask her for ammunition and other accessories, and she likely wouldn’t refuse.’
"As I said, it’s not my responsibility. Since you’ve positioned yourselves against Sepherdine, we have to be fair. Why should I trade you food and, at the same time, supply you with free guns and ammunition?"
Of course, while she said that, there was no way Flora Bloom would let them know she had been providing all of Sepherdine’s resources and food for the past month for free.
"Captain Flora Bloom, that’s not right, is it? After all, guns without bullets are useless. It’s like leaving these ordinary people with no way to protect themselves. What’s more, since you already gifted the firearms to Captain Lawson, they belong to him now. Taking them back... isn’t that wrong? In these apocalyptic times, to act so unscrupulously..." Azure Leroy’s voice was gentle, but her words skillfully painted Flora Bloom as the villain.
Flora Bloom scoffed and looked at Seth Warren. "Seth Warren, I advise you not to bring such a beautiful woman with you next time you come looking for me."
"What do you mean?" Seth Warren was baffled. Azure Leroy frowned, waiting for Flora Bloom to elaborate.
"No matter how beautiful she is, she’s no Shauna Wallace, wouldn’t you agree, Captain Warren?" Flora Bloom’s gaze flickered between Azure Leroy and Seth Warren, making him look awkward while Azure Leroy’s face turned deathly pale.
"I guess it’s your unlucky day. I’ve seen something that’s spoiled my appetite. The deal is off. Leave. And Quinn, have your men collect the guns and bring them to the gate of Villa No. 3 by nightfall. I’ve changed my mind. My property is my property; it doesn’t belong to someone just because they’ve been using it for a long time. Little Bee, see our guests out!"
The four were completely unprepared for Flora Bloom’s sudden reversal. As a massive swarm of bees, each larger than a human head, flew toward them with a deafening BUZZ, their faces changed in an instant. With a quick, "We’ll be going," they scrambled away from Villa Area No. 3.
Flora Bloom watched their retreating backs with disdain. ’Azure Leroy is a clever woman, no doubt. But for her to dare challenge me in this situation, it means one of two things: either she’s outsmarted herself, or someone’s paid her off to stop me from trading food to Seth Warren and Quinn.’
’It seems Sepherdine hasn’t let his current power cause him to lower his guard against smaller factions and individuals. He has a grasp of the big picture but also pays attention to the details. A man like that is a satisfying and worthy partner.’
「After leaving Villa Area No. 3」 Quinn clenched his fists in silence. He shot Azure Leroy a cold look before turning to Seth Warren. "It looks like our partnership is dead in the water for now."
Seth Warren was also furious, saying nothing after a glance at Azure Leroy. Yvonne Lynch, unable to hold back her anger, snorted. "Captain Warren, you don’t seem to take our partnership very seriously. You brought *that* woman along to negotiate with Flora Bloom, and this is what happens. You can’t even keep a woman in line, so how can we expect you to accomplish anything important? So what if you knew Flora Bloom before Sepherdine did? Did you see her give you any respect?"
Quinn left with Yvonne Lynch. They were heading back to gather up some of their team’s firearms before trying to talk with Flora Bloom again.
Without weapons, no matter how capable he was as a leader, the team would have no way to fend off external threats.
Seth Warren’s face was ashen as he glared at Azure Leroy. "You’re more of a hindrance than a help. What, did you really think you were in any position to negotiate with Flora Bloom?"
’Flora Bloom was right. He liked Shauna Wallace, and Azure Leroy was beautiful, with eyes that were strikingly similar to Shauna’s. The only difference was that Shauna Wallace’s eyes were filled with cold indifference, whereas this woman, Azure Leroy, looked at him with passion.’
’He might indulge in a moment of soft comfort, but when it came to matters of survival, what did one woman matter?’
