Several minutes passed.The laughter around the entrance gradually died down as more distinguished guests continued arriving. Luxury cars pulled up one after another, each more extravagant than the last. Valets hurried from vehicle to vehicle while hotel attendants respectfully opened doors and welcomed every important guest with deep bows.Then, all of a sudden, the atmosphere changed.A convoy of over a dozen identical black luxury SUVs slowly drove toward the hotel entrance in perfect formation.Every vehicle came to a synchronized stop. The engines fell silent.Dozens of bodyguards dressed in black suits immediately stepped out, their movements disciplined and precise. They quickly spread out, securing the surroundings before one of them respectfully opened the rear door of the lead vehicle.A tall, dignified middle-aged man stepped out. It was Mr. Lance.He adjusted his suit slightly before walking toward the hotel entrance, surrounded by several executives, assistants, and bodyg

Tina's face turned completely pale as her jaw slowly dropped open in disbelief. She stared at Gerald with wide eyes, unable to process what she had just heard. The same lowlife she had always mocked had somehow become one of NewTop's Board Directors. It simply didn't make any sense to her.Mr. Lance looked around the banquet hall before speaking again, his voice calm yet filled with authority. "There's one more thing all of you should know." He pointed toward Gerald before continuing, "He isn't only my guest and a VVIP. Starting today, Gerald is officially one of NewTop's Board Directors."The entire banquet hall fell into complete silence. Tina's jaw slowly dropped as she stared at Gerald with eyes full of disbelief. Her mind refused to accept what she had just heard. How could the same Gerald she had always looked down on suddenly become one of the Board Directors of NewTop?"N-No..." Tina muttered before looking at Mr. Lance. "Mr. Lance... is all this really true?" Her voice trembl

Henry sneered, crossing his arms tightly over his chest. "What are you now? A water factory manager? Unbelievable."Tina sighed, rolling her eyes in dramatic exasperation. "Remember that day you were acting all high and mighty? You even had the nerve to try and boss me around in public. And look at what happened! Mr. Lance died even before a proper introduction could be made. Now you're right back where you belong—at the very bottom."She stepped closer, pointing a finger at him. "This boils down to one simple truth: you will forever be poor, Gerald. You've got bad luck permanently attached to you."Henry puffed out his chest, stepping in front of Tina with a self-satisfied grin. "And now you're all alone. Even that little chick isn't following you around anymore. Look at you—pathetically standing here watching water trucks like some common laborer.""What chick?"A cool, sharp voice sliced through the tension.It was Janet. She strode out from the shade of the delivery bay, her heels

The next morning, Gerald slowly opened his eyes and sat up on the bed. He remained there for a few moments, quietly thinking about everything that had happened over the past few days. There was nothing left for him to prepare anymore. The underground bunker was completely finished, the mansion above it had also been completed, every supply had been delivered, and he had even secured enough water to last for years. On top of that, he had already become the chairman of NewTop.The only thing left now was to wait for the apocalypse.However, before that day arrived, there was still one thing he had to do. He had to convince Mrs. Alden and Erin to believe him. No matter what, he wanted them to prepare alongside him instead of facing the disaster unprepared.After freshening up, Gerald immediately drove toward Mrs. Alden's house.Half an hour later, he arrived. The moment he stepped out of the car, his expression immediately changed. The front gate had been smashed open, and the front door

Erena trembling fingers clutched the inhaler as Gerald carefully pressed it into her hand. She took one desperate puff, then another. For several agonizing seconds, nothing seemed to change. Her chest continued rising and falling violently as she fought for every breath. Then, little by little, the tightness in her lungs began to ease. The terrifying wheezing gradually subsided, and color slowly returned to her pale face. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she leaned weakly against the chair, finally able to breathe normally again.Gerald let out a long breath of relief before crouching beside her. His eyes were filled with worry as he gently held her shoulders. "Erena, are you okay? Can you breathe now?" he asked softly.Erena nodded weakly, forcing out a small smile despite her exhaustion. "Yes... I'm alright now. Thank you"Without wasting another second, Gerald quickly untied the ropes around her wrists and ankles. Once she was free, he carefully lifted her into his arms. She was