Chapter 303


    A parent''s love for their child involved profound nning. Starting from now, they intended to be like


    wolves, no longer indulging in spoiling their children. Even if it meant paying a significant price, they


    were determined to push them to grow up quickly.


    The once pampered elite, who used to flit between Chanel boutiques and tea parties with delicate


    pastries, now found themselves doing thebor work, donning ragged clothes and feeding quails.


    They were even tasked with collecting eggs sullied with bird droppings—a disgusting affair.


    Runningps, doing sit-ups, boxing, practicing martial arts—it was an intense regime that had the


    young heirs screaming in protest. Their parents, however, seemed invigorated by the change,


    urging them on with a fervor, "Train until you drop!"


    The privileged youth were no match for the tenacity of Bran. Despite his lofty status and heritage,


    he still patrolled the streets, a testament to his skills and dedication.


    No one improves without challenge, and the wealthy elite held Bran in high regard, eager for him to


    demonstrate his prowess to their coddled children.


    N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    Bran, never one to shy away from a challenge, threw down the gauntlet, "Who wants to try their luck


    against me?"


    A dolled-up socialite stepped forward, her hand raised high, "Bran, may I?"


    Hoping to hitch her star to the unmarried Bran and secure a life of luxury within the Porras family,


    she approached the stage with a flirtatious sway, "Please go easy on me, Bran."


    But Bran was unfazed by her charms. With a swift motion, he caught her arm and executed a


    wless judo throw, sending her crashing to the ground.


    Stunned and humiliated, the socialitey there, unable to even scream. "The nerve of him!" she


    thought, "He doesn''t even know how to treat ady!"


    The crowd, fully aware of her intentions, could barely contain theirughter, leaving her father


    mortified.


    Bran, often dismissed as the fool of the rich, proved his physical mettle time and time again.


    Wealthy folks often dabbled in diversions like sports cars, golf, tennis, y pigeon shooting, and


    more—Bran was no exception, especially surrounded by a bevy of beauties.


    The socialite, her pride wounded, burst into tears, "Bran, how could you..."


    Bran replied, "I''d be d to show you mercy, but I can''t say the same for the thugs out there."


    Embarrassed, she fled the scene.


    Ste, too, grew restless confined at home and refused to let Jasper carry all the weight of their


    survival. She decided to take turns patrolling, allowing Jasper some respite.


    The 12-hour shifts were grueling. After some negotiation, they agreed to split the duty—Jasper and


    Rosie for six hours, then Ste and Cooper taking over. This arrangement allowed both training and


    rest.


    But Bran, that pest, kept bothering them with his idle propositions, "Ste, it''s too cold for you to be


    out here. Let''s go inside for some hot stew and a game of poker?"


    Cooper, protective of Ste, bared his teeth. One step closer, and he''d bite.


    The never-ending night wore on, and the survivors endured, some resorting to robbery and


    violence, others to despair and suicide, but most clung to hope, knowing that after darknesses


    the dawn.


    Then, Bran was kidnapped!


    The ransom demands were outrageous: 10,000 pounds of grain, 5,000 pounds of meat, all of the


    Porras family''s medicine, and 50 firearms. Failure toply would mean his death.


    Ste was resting at home, and it was Austin who brought the news.


    "He was asking for it, driving out at times like this. Now only Bentley has returned."


    Ste discovered that Bran had left his post unexpectedly, driving off with Bentley without


    exnation. Bentley returned alone, severely injured, with a broken arm andcerations, carrying a


    threatening note that warned against involving the police.


    Shane, a shrewd businessman, knew that paying the ransom quietly would seal his son''s fate.


    The reason for their outing was unclear, but Evan and the police were already on the case.


    The news spread like wildfire.


    Bran had been an unwilling participant, dragged along by Bentley, who''d received a message from


    his lost love Lindsay. Blinded by love, Bentley had rushed out to find her, and Bran, loyal to his


    cousin, joined him to prevent him from facing the dangers alone. They had left without notifying their


    bodyguards to avoid Shane''s interference.


    Austin shook his head in disbelief, "Are these guys nuts? It''s the apocalypse, not a game. Do they


    think they''re invincible?"


    With the ongoing state of eternal night stretching into its first year, the survivors'' resources were


    dwindling. Most criminals had given up, but the ruthless ones targeted the wealthy, hoping to hit the


    jackpot with the Porras family.


    Ste was exasperated; it seemed the end of the world wouldn''te until Bentley met his demise.


    In the dead of night, with sleep eluding her, Ste''s curiosity got the better of her, "Who do you think


    kidnapped Bran?"


    Jasper, calm as ever, replied, "Probably it is an insider crime."


    An insider? Ste pondered, "You mean a mole in the Porras family?"


    Not likely someone from the family, but perhaps a bodyguard or a servant. Knowing Jasper was


    adept at unraveling such mysteries, Ste nudged him yfully, "Well, what''s your take?"


    "The grain and meat are manageable; the Porras family can handle that. The real question lies with


    the demand for 50 guns."


    In a country with strict gunws, acquiring firearms was near impossible for the average person.


    Even in a chaotic post-apocalyptic world, while the wealthy might find ways to procure weapons,


    they would never have such an abundance to spare.


    In the small town where the Porras family reigned as the wealthiest, having a couple of guns was


    impressive enough for most. But even for the Porras n, with their old money and sprawling


    estate, owning a dozen or two weapons was considered borderline miraculous in the eyes of the


    townsfolk.


    When the kidnappers demanded a ransom of 50 guns, it was clear there was something fishy going


    on.


    Ste pondered for a moment and said, "Maybe they''re just shooting for the moon, expecting the


    Porras family to haggle."


    "If they were really aiming high, they could have asked for tons of grain. I''m sure Shane could


    scrounge that up. But grain''s tough to move without drawing attention. Too much of it, and you risk


    getting caught. Guns, on the other hand, are a solid ask," Jasper responded.


    Then he continued with his analysis, "Don''t forget, Bentley''s been chasing the ghost of his lost love


    for five long years since the hurricane took her. Kidnapping is a serious crime, and only someone


    very close to him would know he still holds a candle for that woman."