Felix Fields hadn't appeared before Josie Quinn for two straight days.
She was riding on his reputation, so even though her looks drew a lot of attention, no one dared to cause her any trouble.
The shelter they were in had been converted from an abandoned warehouse.
The vast space was divided into different areas for growing crops and even raising livestock.
Josie Quinn hadn't expected that in just three short months, the small shelter would already be so well-established.
Even in the sunless basement, superpower users with plant-based abilities could make vegetables and fruits sprout.
"Cece, isn't it incredible? I thought it was so magical the first time I saw it, too!"
Jane Alden's face was full of envy. "Superpower users are so strong. They can't just kill zombies, they can even grow food. If only I could become a superpower user too!"
Josie Quinn patted her shoulder. "There's still a chance. Maybe you'll awaken your own powers someday."
"Really? Cece, you think I could?"
A hopeful look appeared on Jane Alden's timid face, making her rather ordinary features light up.
Not wanting to extinguish the light in her eyes, Josie Quinn smiled. "Yes, there's a chance."
Jane Alden was ecstatic. 'If I awakened superpowers, I could take care of my grandmother and wouldn't have to be a burden on Felix.'
"Cece, this is the place. Wait for me, I'm going to pick up the clothes."
In the shelter, everyone had to work. Superpower users and able-bodied men had to go out every day to fight zombies and search for supplies.
Everyone else had to work inside the shelter in exchange for supplies.
"Okay, go ahead. I'll wander around nearby while I wait for you."
In two days, her powers had only recovered by a third.
Compared to the recovery rates of other superpower users, hers was a snail's pace.
If she went out like this, she probably wouldn't last two hours.
Without Lucas Lockwood to recharge her, she could only keep toughing it out.
Marco Cross had just returned from outside with his men when he immediately spotted the most dazzling person in the crowd: Josie Quinn.
Even for a man who'd seen his share of women, the sight of this girl made his breath catch in his throat.
The so-called beauties he'd collected all looked like cheap paint and powder in comparison.
A single glance was enough to make his heart race with desire, every cell in his body humming with excitement.
"You all wait here."
He licked his lips, told his men to stay put, and approached Josie Quinn step by step.
By the time Josie Quinn sensed him, the man's hot breath was already on the back of her neck. She spun around, nearly crashing into his chest.
"New here?" Marco Cross's gaze was blatant and condescending, like he was sizing up a piece of merchandise he was about to own.
Josie Quinn took half a step back, her back pressing against the cold wall.
Marco Cross took the opportunity to reach out, his rough fingers about to touch her slender waist.
"SLAP!"
The sharp sound of a slap echoed through the vast warehouse.
A violent glint flashed in Marco Cross's eyes as his hand was slapped away, but his anger died the moment he saw her delicate face and flawless, creamy skin.
"Got a bit of a temper, don't you?" He rubbed the back of the hand she had slapped and, surprisingly, chuckled. "Do you know who I am?"
At first, Josie Quinn had just thought he was some random groper, but his words made her immediately put two and two together.
"The shelter's boss?"
"Smart."
Marco Cross circled her, growing more satisfied with every passing second. He immediately turned and waved to his men.
A moment later, someone brought over a pile of luxury items—chocolate, cookies, soft drinks, and even a few beautiful dresses.
"Be my woman, and all of this is yours." As he spoke, his hand reached for her waist again.
"I'm afraid I can't." A sly smile played on Josie Quinn's lips, like a rose revealing its thorns. "My man... he's very possessive."
Her demeanor only made Marco Cross desire her more. He sneered, "In this shelter, there's no woman I, Marco Cross, can't get. So tell me, who is he? I'll go have a 'chat' with him."
"Felix Fields." She breathed the name. "Why don't you go have that 'chat' with him right now?"
Marco Cross's expression instantly froze.
In the entire shelter, he could trade for any other superpower user's woman, but Felix Fields was the one exception.
Felix Fields had never had a woman by his side. If he had acknowledged her as his, he must value her immensely.
And he was trying to win Felix Fields over. Meddling now would only be counterproductive.
But looking at Josie Quinn's gorgeous face, he was once again tormented by desire.
Ultimately, his desire for power won out over his lust for the beauty before him.
In the blink of an eye, his expression shifted to a friendly smile.
"Ah, so you're with him! A misunderstanding, it was all a misunderstanding."
He made a show of magnanimity, waving his hand. "Please, take these as a welcome gift. You can forgive my little mistake, can't you?"
Josie Quinn smiled. "Of course. It was just a misunderstanding."
'It's not like I'm really Felix Fields's woman, anyway. Besides, I'll be leaving in a couple of days.'
Seeing her agree, Marco Cross immediately waved his hand magnanimously. "I was too forward just now. Please, consider these a welcome gift."
'No reason to turn down free stuff. Even if I can't take most of it with me, I can give it to Jane Alden and Granny Cameron.'
Seeing her accept the gifts, Marco Cross relaxed.
Before he left, he even told her to let him know if she needed anything, and he would have someone deliver it to her.
Josie Quinn sent him off with a beaming smile.
Thwarted, Marco Cross found himself even more fixated on her. Even after walking a fair distance, he turned back to stare.
'No need to rush. Felix is enjoying his new toy now, but he'll get tired of her eventually.'
'And when he does, I'll get a taste of that exquisite beauty for myself.'
From a distance, Jane Alden had seen Josie Quinn talking with Marco Cross.
As soon as Marco Cross left, she hurried over.
"Cece, he... he didn't do anything to you, did he?"
"No. I'm Felix Fields's woman. For now, he won't do anything to me."
Jane Alden breathed a sigh of relief. Having been here for a few months, she knew exactly what kind of man Marco Cross was. Someone as beautiful as Cece was bound to catch his eye.
When the two of them got back to their quarters with all the new things.
Rhona Cameron looked at the two in surprise. "Where did all this stuff come from?"
"The boss of the shelter is a kind man. He sent them to us personally."
Jane Alden stuck her tongue out. 'Cece really has some nerve.'
Of course, Rhona Cameron didn't believe a word of it. When Josie Quinn sat down, she grabbed her hand and warned worriedly, "Cece, you're new here, there's a lot you don't understand. Jane, you need to make sure you remind Cece that Marco Cross is not someone to be trifled with."
Rhona Cameron's face was tight with worry. "This won't do. Cece, Felix can't always be here to protect you. From now on, you need to rub some dirt on your face before you go out."
'The old woman didn't know the real story. She truly thought I was Felix Fields's girlfriend, which is why she was being so caring.'
'It had been a long time since Josie had felt the warmth of an elder's care.'
'Her mother had died young, and her father had quickly married his mistress, doting on the daughter born from his betrayal.'
'Her mother had a falling out with her own family for marrying down, so as far as Josie could remember, her maternal grandparents had never been in her life.'
"Okay, Granny. I'll listen to you." For once, a docile expression appeared on Josie Quinn's face.
Rhona Cameron affectionately stroked her hair, and Josie smiled back at her, her eyes curving into crescents.
And that was the scene Felix Fields walked in on when he pushed the door open.
"What's all the chatter about?" His voice held a warmth that even he didn't seem to notice.