The Endgame Chronicles (by Hugh White) novel Chapter 599

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Chapter 599

For a long time now, Hayley had been trading fruit to Nathaniel in exchange for crystal cores. Her fruit supply massive, cheap, and wildly popular among the Ark bases.

But only now did Nathaniel realize something.

All this time, Hayley had been sending them second-grade produce.

Here, crates of flawless fruit rolled out nonstop, every batch of premium quality.

Yet, the shipments they received always had minor flaws. Bruised skins. Imperfect shapes. Occasionally, bugs.

They had assumed that was just how wild fruit looked in the apocalypse.

Now, it was obvious.

Hayley had done it on purpose.

“Did I?” Hayley replied casually. “Everything we ship out meets export standards.”

Her export standard, of course, meant exporting whatever people in her league didn’t feel like eating.

The group fell silent, unsure how to respond.

The vehicle eventually drove into a residential villa district inside the city. When the convoy stopped, Liam was already waiting there.

Hayley nodded to him. “You’ll stay here for the next few days. If you need anything, talk to me. You all are guests after all.”

Constant and the others exchanged looks. After Nathaniel gave a small nod, they followed the escorts into the vill

Before entering, Nathaniel turned back toward Hayley.

“Are you really pregnant?”

“Yeah,” Hayley answered vaguely, brushing it off.

“Who’s the father?”

“That’s none of your business,” Liam cut in coldly. “Mr. Delgado, showing up unannounced in another base’s territory is extremely disrespectful. Under current circumstances, entering someone’s airspace without permission counts as an invasion.”

“I just heard Holly was pregnant,” Nathaniel said, eyes fixed on him. “I came to confirm it myself. I didn’t want to be lied to again.”

“We have no reason to lie to you.”

Nathaniel smiled faintly, though the expression didn’t reach his eyes. His gaze shifted from Liam back to Hayley.

Then, he turned and walked into the villa.

Constant and the others hurried after him.

Once they disappeared inside, Liam immediately looked at Hayley.

“So what’s the plan for them?”

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“I’ve confiscated their weapons and comms,” Hayley said thoughtfully. “Haven’t decided the next step yet. What do you think?”

“Ark One isn’t harmless. If we kill their managers outright, they’ll definitely send investigators.”

“I know, but we can’t just let them leave either.”

“Grandpa’s suggestion is to talk first,” Liam said. “Hear what they actually want.”

“Yeah.”

Hayley thought it over seriously.

For now, they would wait. First, observe their intentions before deciding whether they stayed alive or didn’t.

That evening, Hayley prepared a full dinner and went to meet Nathaniel’s group.

After an afternoon of shock, they seemed to have finally accepted the reality of this base’s existence.

They followed Hayley’s people to the dining area.

When they saw the food on the table, they collectively froze.

There were platters of grilled meat, a roast chicken, and fresh sautéed greens. At the center was a whole steamed fish.

The Ark bases could cultivate many things.

Fish, however, were nearly impossible to farm. They couldn’t even remember the last time they had eaten one.

The previous time had been at an auction, when Ark Two discovered a few fish in an oasis and sold them for outrageous prices.

Yet here, Hayley casually served an entire fish at dinner.

Their living standards were on an entirely different level.