Shirley opened the door, only to see James Lone returning with Lily.

Her heart sank slightly.

Lily's voluptuous figure and natural allure immediately put Shirley on high alert. However, she kept her composure, greeting them warmly:

"Master, you're back! And who is this lovely lady?"

Lily blushed faintly.

"Lily," James said nonchalantly.

Shirley knew she couldn't object. Putting on a dignified act as the "head wife," she stepped forward, took Lily's arm, and smiled.

"Welcome, Lily! We're sisters now!"

Lily was caught off guard, both flustered and surprised.

She had heard of Shirley lnr as the most prominent and privileged socialite in their neighborhood, yet here she was, playing the role of a submissive companion.

James Lon, pleased with Shirley's behavior, gave a small approving smile.

Shirley then introduced her:

"This is Monroe Anne, another one of our sisters."

Monroe Anne, however, wasn't as gracious. Her jealousy flared as she looked Lily over, and she decided to test James Lon's patience.

"Hmph! Men are all pigs!" she pouted.

Slap!

Before she could finish her sentence, James Lon struck her hard across the face.

The slap was so forceful that Monroe Anne's ears rang, and blood trickled from the corner of her mouth.

"How dare you test me?" James Lon sneered coldly.

"Do you think I'm like those weaklings who fall for your games? Have I been too lenient with you these past few days?"

Monroe Anne realized her mistake instantly. James Lon was nothing like Fatty Eric; he wasn't someone she could manipulate.

I've screwed up...

Tears welled up in her eyes, and she quickly shifted tactics, adopting a pitiful demeanor. Her snowy white skin turned flushed as tears streamed down her cheeks.

"Master, I... I'm sorry..." she stammered, her voice trembling.

Shirley looked on with a hint of schadenfreude.

Furious, Monroe Anne's mind raced as she tried to figure out how to salvage the situation.

James Lone, meanwhile, noted her glowing aura shifting from green back to yellow—neutral.

His eyes narrowed dangerously.

"You eat my food, drink my water, and yet your attitude remains neutral toward me? Get out!"

Monroe Anne's face turned pale with terror.

Without waiting for an explanation, James Lon grabbed her by the arm, opened the door, and threw her several meters into the hallway.

Bang!

The door slammed shut behind her.

Monroe Anne landed hard, momentarily dazed from the impact. But she quickly realized the severity of the situation—James Lon wasn't bluffing.

She had forgotten that he could perceive her emotions and intentions. The moment her attitude wavered, he had detected it.

Panic surged through her as she crawled back to the door, pounding on it desperately.

"No! Master! Don't abandon me! I was wrong! I'll never do it again! Please!" she cried, her voice breaking.

Inside, Shirley was shaken by what she had witnessed.

In a world as chaotic as this, having someone like James Lon to rely on was a stroke of luck she couldn't afford to squander.

James Lone, observing through the smart peephole, said sternly:

"Stop banging on the door. Kneel there and reflect on your actions. When I see your aura turn green, you can come back inside. Otherwise, you're on your own."

Lily, still adjusting to the situation, was completely baffled.

What did he mean by green aura? Neutral? What was all this about?

Outside, Monroe Anne stopped pounding on the door, terrified. Kneeling by the door, she sobbed quietly, wracking her brain for ways to win back James Lon's favor.

How do I change my attitude to friendly? she wondered.

Tears streaming, she began mentally conditioning herself:

Master is my man. I must obey him. Master is my man. I must obey him...

James Lone turned off the peephole display and cast a sharp glance at the two women inside.

"You two think I'm cruel, don't you?" he asked coldly.

Lily's heart pounded as she stammered,

"No, not at all."

Shirley quickly lowered her head.

"Of course not! Master, don't worry. I'd never be that foolish."

James Lone smirked.

"Good. Remember this: don't try to outsmart me, and don't test me with petty tricks!"

After a punishment, it was time for a reward.

He pulled out a Perception Fruit and handed it to Lily.

"This is for you. Eat it."

Lily was taken aback.

"This... is the black Nephelium I gave you? Is it safe to eat?"

James Lone smiled.

"It's called an Ability Fruit. Eating it will grant you powers."

He briefly explained the effects of the Perception ability, emphasizing how it could help avoid danger.

James Lone planned to give each of his companions the Perception ability, as it could save them in critical situations. However, more powerful fruits, like Phasing or Physical Enhancement, would be given out sparingly and only based on performance.

Lily was astonished.

This is the source of abilities?

She couldn't understand why James Lon would give her something so precious.

He had essentially traded one of these fruits for a black Nephelium from her, but now he was giving her a fruit in return—plus the food and medicine he'd provided.

Could he really be as cold-hearted as he seems? Maybe he's secretly kind and caring?

Lily's thoughts wandered, and she found herself agreeing that Monroe Anne had gone too far.

In this chaotic world, having a man willing to protect and provide for you, even granting you abilities, was more than anyone could ask for.

She ate the Perception Fruit.

[Ding! Lily consumed one Perception Fruit, returning 400! They have been stored in your spatial backpack.]

Monroe Anne knelt outside for 20 hours.

James Lon watched as her aura finally turned green, signaling friendliness. Even so, he didn't let her in immediately.

Eventually, hunger, thirst, and exhaustion caused her to faint. Only then did James Lon allow Shirley lnr and Lily to drag her back inside.

When Monroe Anne regained consciousness, she looked at James Lon with a mix of fear and guilt, her spirit subdued.

James Lone ignored her entirely, casually scrolling through his phone.

Several women had reached out to him in the group chat, offering themselves in exchange for protection, but none met the system's criteria.

Women of Shirley lnr Won, Lily, or Monroe Anne's caliber were one in a thousand. Having three of them in the Sunshine Garden complex was pure luck.

Boom!

The sound of helicopter rotors thundered overhead.

The group rushed to the balcony to look outside.

A low-flying armed helicopter passed by, broadcasting loudly:

"Attention, citizens! According to the plan, herbicide will be sprayed in 30 minutes. All citizens must remain indoors and avoid going outside for at least four hours after application."

"This herbicide is the latest research breakthrough from the National Academy of Sciences, developed at the New York Biological Research Institute. It has been rigorously tested and proven effective in killing large quantities of vegetation."

"The government is capable of ensuring the safety of every citizen. Please continue self-rescue efforts and do not lose hope."

"The Earth belongs to humanity. We will reclaim our place as its rightful masters!"

...