Reborn Before The Apocalypse: The Last Safe Hotel

Chapter 009 – The Opportunity He Almost Missed

*****

Ronan opened the door, still half-asleep. The moment he saw who was standing outside, however, every trace of drowsiness vanished, replaced by unmistakable displeasure.

“What?”

Selene stared at him with a complicated expression.

“They said you brought me here,” she said, still somewhat groggy from her hangover despite having already washed up.

After everything she'd put him through the previous night, Ronan wasn't particularly happy to see her.

“I did what I had to do.”

It was a polite way of telling her to leave.

Selene understood the message but didn't take offense. Instead, a grateful smile touched her lips.

She remembered only scattered fragments of the previous night, but they were enough. Ronan had saved her… and despite every opportunity, he hadn't taken advantage of her.

“Thank you.”

She bowed sincerely.

“I didn't do anything for you,” Ronan replied coldly.

Several people passing through the corridor glanced at them. ‘What kind of man speaks to such a beautiful woman like that?’

Ronan paid them no attention.

He turned to close the door, but Selene hurriedly caught it.

His brow twitched. “Anything else?”

She smiled apologetically, though sadness lingered in her eyes.

‘His impression of me must be horrible.’

“I'm terribly sorry for disturbing you,” she said. “But I really needed to thank you before I leave. Not only did you protect me, but you also preserved my dignity.”

Her smile faded slightly.

“I, Selene Evandor, will never forget what you did for me. No matter what happens from now on, I'll always be grateful.”

Her sincerity stirred something within his chest. But he quickly dismissed the feeling.

It had nothing to do with her.

He simply nodded, already reaching for the door.

Selene understood.

“Thank you.”

She turned away.

Ronan was about to shut the door when something suddenly clicked into place. ‘Wait.’

Why did that name sound so familiar?

‘Selene Evandor...’

Then it hit him. His pupils constricted.

“Wait!”

Selene stopped and looked back.

“Are you the Selene Evandor?”

She looked surprised that he knew her. Then her expression turned bitter. “Are you going to judge me too?”

Ronan was speechless.

‘Why would I judge you?’

He said nothing, but his gaze changed.

Selene Evandor… the CEO of Evandor Natural Food Preservation Company. A rising business that specialized in preserving food naturally without relying on excessive chemicals.

In his previous life, someone had accused the company of secretly using dangerous chemicals. They even produced what appeared to be irrefutable evidence.

The scandal destroyed the company almost overnight.

Her stakeholders abandoned her. Distributors and retailers returned their products, and the once-thriving business quickly spiraled into bankruptcy.

Unable to endure the pressure and condemnation, Selene eventually took her own life.

Experts later confirmed that her preservation technology could have saved countless lives during the apocalypse.

After the truth came out, countless people regretted condemning her.

By then, however, it was too late.

Ronan stared at Selene.

The woman before him wasn't merely the bankrupt CEO.

She was one of the greatest opportunities fate had handed him since his rebirth.

Yet, he had nearly let her leave to commit suicide as she had planned.

Selene mistook his silence for the same judgment and condemnation she had endured from everyone who knew her over the past few days.

“I should leave,” she murmured, her voice hoarse.

“Hold on!”

Ronan's sudden shout startled her.

“Could you come inside for a moment?” he asked hurriedly. “I think I have a proposal that could help your company escape bankruptcy.”

Selene froze.

"You..."

She almost laughed. Her company was already finished. What proposal could possibly revive it?

But then another thought surfaced. ‘He must be trying to help me.’

Her heart skipped at that realization.

Everyone else had abandoned her. Yet this stranger had protected her when she was vulnerable and was now offering assistance when she had nothing left.

A warmth spread through her chest.

She didn't believe he could save her company.

But she smiled and nodded anyway. After everything he had already done for her, she couldn't bring herself to reject his kindness.

Completely oblivious to her thoughts, Ronan ushered her inside, barely able to contain his excitement.

Food had always been one of Ronan’s greatest concerns since his return. Ordinary supplies would eventually spoil, but Selene’s naturally preserved products could last far longer.

They were healthier and far better than other processed foods, retaining their freshness and flavor no matter how much time passed.

His pulse quickened.

If he secured Selene now, most of the problems would disappear before the apocalypse even began.

….

He stared intently at Selene once they were seated, the gaze making her shift uneasily.

“So...” she began.

Ronan cleared his throat.

“With all the products returned by distributors and retailers, how many units do you currently have in your warehouses?”

The question brought Selene back to her company's painful reality.

She lowered her shoulders. “About one million units.”

Ronan smiled.

“I'll buy them all.”

Selene blinked. “...What?”

She pointed at him, utterly dumbfounded.

“I just said one… million units.”

“I heard you.” Ronan remained perfectly calm. “Since I'm purchasing in bulk, I hope you'll give me a discount.”

Selene's heart hammered against her ribs.

‘He's serious?’

For a moment, she wanted to laugh, cry, and celebrate all at once.

Someone was actually willing to buy her abandoned inventory.

But then reality returned. She couldn't deceive him.

Anyone else would have seized the opportunity, sold everything, used the money to settle their debts, and left Ronan to deal with whatever happened afterward.

Selene couldn't do that.

She explained the scandal honestly, including her suspicion about who might have orchestrated it.

Ronan barely reacted. “I'll still buy everything.”

Then another thought crossed his mind.

Selene completely misunderstood the pause. ‘At least he's finally thinking this through.’

But just then…

"Actually... I'm willing to buy your company too."

Selene's eyes widened.

“What?”

“You'll continue producing your natural preserved food exclusively for my other company.”

Her mouth fell open.

Ronan didn't seem to notice. “Wait here. I'll wash up quickly, and then we'll inspect the warehouse.”

He sprang to his feet before she could respond and hurried into the bathroom.

Selene remained frozen on the sofa.

‘He... can't be serious.’

Then everything clicked.

He had saved her, he was buying her company, and now, he'd asked her to wait while he went into the bathroom...

Surely there was only one explanation.

“But... I can't do that. I have dignity,” she whispered.

A second later, she looked down bitterly. ‘What will dignity do for me now?’

Her company was gone, her reputation was destroyed, and her life had fallen apart.

‘It's either this or suicide.’

A tear slipped down her cheek.

After a moment of hesitation, Selene stood and slowly removed her clothes, then she sat on the edge of the bed, trying to steady her trembling heart.

‘At least he's handsome... and he seems like a good man.’

Meanwhile, Ronan was completely oblivious to what was happening outside.

He showered quickly and hummed happily to himself as he changed back into his clothes.

He practically skipped out of the bathroom. “Let's go.”

But then he stopped.

His eyes widened.

Selene was sitting naked on the bed.

Her curves were impossible to ignore, her smooth skin pale and flawless like porcelain.

For several seconds, Ronan simply stared.

Then… a thin stream of blood trickled from his nose.

His body betrayed him almost immediately.

Ronan's face changed.

“You... what are you doing?” He spun around.

Selene was equally confused.

‘What's wrong with him?’

She stared at Ronan, who was fully dressed.

She had assumed he'd gone into the bathroom to prepare himself. Instead, he had returned looking ready to leave.

"Didn't you want my body in return?"

Ronan stared.

"...What?"

Seeing his confusion, Selene finally realized she had misunderstood everything.

Her face instantly turned scarlet.

“What ridiculous reasoning is this?” He rubbed his forehead. ‘Does she think I'd spend millions of dollars just to sleep with her?’

With a sigh, he returned to the bathroom.

“Put your clothes on.”

He didn't look back.

Unfortunately, the image refused to fade from his mind.

Selene sat frozen for several seconds before her entire face turned crimson.

‘So... I misunderstood him?’

She hurriedly dressed and knocked softly on the bathroom door. “I... I'm done.”

Ronan stepped out.

Neither of them looked at the other, but the atmosphere had become painfully awkward.

Without another word, they left for the warehouse.

....

Meanwhile, the Frost family villa was boiling with anger.

“He obviously didn't come back last night because he stole it!” Helene spat. “His guilty conscience kept him away!”

Celeste clenched her fists.

Part of her had still believed Ronan wasn't the culprit. That was why she had waited for him the previous night, hoping he would return and clear up the misunderstanding.

But he never came. ‘How did I never realize you were a thief?’

Beside her, Varek's eyes gleamed.

He was clearly enjoying the situation, though he hid it well.

“Auntie, the necklace isn't really that expensive. It only cost a hundred thousand dollars. I'll buy you another one.”

Silence swept through the room.

Then everyone turned toward him. Even Celeste was stunned.

“Did... you just say a hundred thousand?” Rael stammered.

Varek nodded casually.

“That bastard!” Joren exploded again. “If I ever see him, I'll break his legs!”

Celeste's fists tightened. “So he really was a gold digger all along?”

Varek smirked before sighing.

“He probably needed money and didn't know how else to get it.”

Although he sounded as if he were defending Ronan, his words only poured more oil onto the family's fury.

Rael slammed his fist against the table.

“Let's report him to the police!”

“No.” Joren's eyes turned cold. “The police won't punish him enough to satisfy me.”

Helene pulled out her phone, her expression twisted with rage.

“Then I’ll ask my contacts in the community to keep an eye out for him. He must pay for everything he’s done!”