Teaming Up with My Enemy to Rule the Apocalypse

Dominic Crawford, however, looked exceptionally happy after hearing Joy Warren’s words.

"Joy, don’t worry. I’ll hurry and find a job too, and do my best to earn more Contribution Points. I’ll try not to let you carry the burden of the rent, especially since you have to take care of your mother."

Upon hearing this, Joy Warren’s expression finally softened. She gave Dominic Crawford a brilliant smile, and her voice softened as well.

"Mr. Crawford, thank you."

Dominic Crawford scratched his head. "No need to thank me. It’s what I should do."

Watching this scene unfold, Sierra Sullivan felt a complicated mix of emotions.

It wasn’t that she had never heard of such things before; she had even seen similar stories online.

But those always involved strangers.

Now, it was happening right before her eyes to Dominic Crawford—not just someone she knew, but a good friend.

If she could, Sierra really didn’t want to see Dominic Crawford get twisted around someone’s finger.

Sierra Sullivan hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Mr. Crawford, let the two of them go back and rest. We’re going to have a get-together. Nathan Thorne should be here soon."

Dominic Crawford instinctively glanced at Joy Warren.

Seeing her bite her lower lip and look at him with eyes full of expectation, Dominic Crawford felt conflicted.

Sierra Sullivan watched Dominic Crawford quietly, waiting to see what choice he would make.

After a few moments, Dominic Crawford spoke. "Joy, let me show you and your auntie inside first. The room is all tidied up, and it’s fully furnished. There’s food in the kitchen, so you and your auntie can make something if you’re hungry."

Disappointment instantly flashed across Joy Warren’s face.

’I thought Dominic Crawford would take me and my mom to the get-together at Sierra’s place.’

’Sierra is a Space Ability User; she must have lots of good things in her space.’

’And Jayce and Candice Tate both have the Wood Element Ability. With them around, there’s no shortage of fruits and vegetables. We could have eaten our fill.’

’It goes without saying that their meal is going to be amazing.’

’My mom hasn’t eaten anything good for the past month. She’s nothing but skin and bones.’

’If we could just eat one meal at Sierra’s, it would help her recover.’

’But Dominic Crawford didn’t even offer to take us!’

Joy Warren was fuming internally, but she knew this wasn’t the time to get angry.

’Besides Dominic Crawford, I have no one better to rely on right now.’

’If I have a falling out with him, my mom will have to go back to the collective dorms, and I won’t even have a place to stay.’

With this in mind, Joy Warren blinked, deliberately making her disappointment more obvious. But what she said was, "I understand. Don’t worry, Mr. Crawford. I’ll take good care of myself and my mother. You go have fun at the get-together with Captain Sullivan and the others. Make sure you eat something delicious!"

As she finished, Joy Warren even gave Dominic Crawford a little wink.

When a composed and calm person suddenly shows such a playful side, it always leaves a different kind of impression.

Dominic Crawford felt like he’d been struck by a tiny bolt of lightning, a tingle running through his whole body.

It was a feeling he had never experienced before.

He had already been hesitant, but now his heart softened even more.

"Sierra, you see—"

Before he could finish, he caught Sierra Sullivan’s expression and swallowed the rest of his words.

Seeing this, the last shred of hope in Joy Warren’s heart vanished completely.

"Mr. Crawford, don’t make things difficult for Captain Sullivan. This was supposed to be a get-together for you all anyway. If my mother and I went, we’d just be intruding. It’s better this way!"

Dominic Crawford breathed a sigh of relief. "Joy, come on. Let me show you and your auntie inside!"

Dominic Crawford quickly led the mother and daughter into the room.

Watching the door close, Sierra Sullivan and the others turned and went into their own room.

After closing the door and sitting down in the living room, Yvonne Shelby sighed. "Everyone has their own path to walk, their own fate. When it comes to matters of the heart, nothing others say will do much good. In fact, it might just damage your own relationship with him. It’s best if you don’t say anything at all."

Having lived for so many years, it was only natural that Yvonne Shelby could see this clearly.

"Mom," Jayce said, looking at Yvonne Shelby. "I know how to handle this. Don’t worry."

Yvonne Shelby had only meant it as a reminder. Hearing Jayce’s words, she nodded instinctively. "I know you all have good heads on your shoulders; I was just saying. Alright, I’ll go check on the soup."

Twenty minutes later, Dominic Crawford arrived with Nathan Thorne.

Nathan Thorne’s forehead was covered in sweat, and his cheeks were flushed. "I sprinted all the way back. I’m dead tired."

"You went home?" Sierra Sullivan asked, raising an eyebrow.

Nathan Thorne sat down, panting. After catching his breath for a moment, he replied, "Yeah! I went back to grab some clothes and stuff. Luckily, when my parents moved to Subterra, they remembered to bring my luggage. Otherwise, I would’ve had to spend Contribution Points to buy new things."

Even though clothes in Subterra weren’t that expensive, they still cost Contribution Points.

Nathan Thorne was unemployed right now; he didn’t want to spend a single point.

"Alright, let’s eat!"

Yvonne Shelby brought over the pot.

A layer of red oil floated on top, bubbling continuously.

As the broth roiled, the pork ribs underneath were clearly visible.

Nathan Thorne swallowed hard, unable to hold back any longer.

He had a bigger appetite than most people to begin with and got hungry faster.

He had also just used up a lot of energy, so now he was starving, his stomach practically clawing at him.

"Don’t mind if I do, I’m digging in!"

As he spoke, Nathan Thorne picked up his chopsticks and piled several pieces of pork ribs into his bowl.

He blew on them briefly before hastily shoving them into his mouth.

Watching Nathan Thorne wince and hiss as the hot food burned his mouth, Yvonne Shelby found it rather amusing. "Don’t be in such a rush. No one’s going to fight you for it. Just eat your fill, it’s all you can eat! There’s plenty more!"

Nathan Thorne gave Yvonne Shelby a brilliant smile. "Thanks, Aunt Shelby."

Sierra Sullivan and the others also sat down, picked up their chopsticks, and started to eat.

They were all close friends, so there was no need for pointless pleasantries. Everyone cooked whatever they wanted to eat.

Everyone else was eating heartily, except for Dominic Crawford. He barely touched his chopsticks, his brow furrowed in worry.

After finishing a bowl of ribs, Nathan Thorne was about to take a little break when he looked up and saw Dominic Crawford’s expression. He was immediately puzzled.

"Mr. Crawford, what’s wrong with you? This pork rib hot pot is amazing, so why the long face? Anyone who didn’t know better would think you were eating medicine!"

Nathan Thorne had just been teasing, but he watched as Dominic Crawford put down his chopsticks, his expression growing even more serious.

"Sierra, Jayce, do you two have a problem with Joy and her mother?"

Nathan Thorne looked utterly confused. "Joy? Which Joy? You mean the one from before, Joy Warren? Why would Sierra and Jayce have a problem with her and her mom? They’re not even here—wait a minute!"

Nathan Thorne’s eyes went wide. "Mr. Crawford, don’t tell me you moved that mother and daughter pair in with you?"