Chapter 188: Chapter 188: Do We Have the Right to Refuse?
Yvonne Shelby looked at Sierra, her eyes blurry with tears. "Sierra, you don’t blame me?"
It was her fault she hadn’t protected Candice Tate. Even if Sierra blamed her, it would be justified.
But now Sierra was saying it wasn’t her fault...
Sierra Sullivan looked earnestly at Yvonne Shelby. "Aunt Shelby, what are you thinking? How could I possibly blame you? This was never your fault! If anyone’s to blame, it’s the people who took Candice Tate. How could it be you? It’s not just me—even Candice Tate wouldn’t blame you!"
’Candice Tate is such a sweet, considerate kid!’
She willingly went with those people to protect Kevin Everett and Yvonne Shelby.
’And yet, someone so sensible is being treated like this!’
’Those people are just too cruel!’
Hearing Sierra Sullivan’s firm reply, Yvonne Shelby didn’t feel any sense of relief.
On the contrary, she felt even more conflicted than before.
The less Sierra blamed her, the more she blamed herself.
’If only I were stronger, I could have protected Candice Tate!’
Seeing the look on Yvonne Shelby’s face, Kevin Everett knew exactly what she was thinking.
Kevin Everett gently patted Yvonne Shelby’s shoulder. "Yvonne, stop blaming yourself. If anyone is to blame, it should be me. I’m the one who wasn’t strong enough to protect Candice Tate."
Jayce looked at his parents, a headache brewing.
’Is this really the time to be pointing fingers?’
’Shouldn’t we be figuring out how to solve the problem?’
Before he saw his parents, he couldn’t stop worrying.
But now that he’d actually seen them, their words were giving him a headache.
’This is just...’
Jayce cleared his throat, schooling his emotions before speaking. "Dad, Mom, this isn’t the time to be assigning blame. Can you just take us to see where Candice Tate is first?"
Even if they couldn’t get Candice Tate out right away, they needed to at least see her, let her know they were back to put her mind at ease, and check on her condition.
Yvonne Shelby hastily wiped away her tears. "Yes, yes, you’re right! I’ll take you to see Candice Tate right now!"
With that, Yvonne Shelby shot to her feet and rushed toward the door.
Before Yvonne Shelby could reach it, a knock sounded on the metal door from outside.
Hearing the knock, Yvonne Shelby froze. "What’s going on? Why is someone else knocking? Why are so many people coming today?"
Normally, their door wouldn’t get a single knock all day. What was going on today?
Though puzzled, Yvonne Shelby was quick to open the door.
The moment she opened the door, Yvonne Shelby clearly saw the person standing outside.
"Captain Grant..."
Yvonne Shelby stammered, her face pale and her expression incredibly complex.
Yvonne Shelby’s feelings about Captain Grant were truly complicated.
The one who ordered Candice Tate to be taken away wasn’t Hector Grant.
Yet, Hector Grant had been the first to arrive at their base, and everything else had followed...
At the same time, Yvonne Shelby knew that Hector Grant had only come because he was following orders; it had little to do with him personally.
But knowing that was one thing; her feelings were still a complicated mess.
Hector Grant took in Yvonne Shelby’s expression but didn’t seem to care in the slightest.
Hector Grant even offered a small smile. "Hello. I’m here for Jayce and his friends."
Hector Grant’s words snapped Yvonne Shelby out of her thoughts. "Ah? Oh! They’re inside. Please, come in, Captain Grant!"
Hector Grant didn’t stand on ceremony, striding right in.
The living room was only ten square meters. With a sofa, a table and chairs, a cabinet, and five people already seated, it felt cramped.
Now, with Hector Grant stepping inside, the room instantly felt even more crowded.
Kevin Everett had known Hector Grant for a month. While they weren’t on good terms, they had interacted frequently.
Seeing Hector Grant enter, Kevin Everett also stood and extended his hand. "Captain Grant, what brings you here?"
Hector Grant shook Kevin Everett’s hand and, without waiting for an invitation, sat down with an air of complete self-assurance.
"I’m here to discuss official business with Jayce and the other two."
As Hector Grant spoke, his gaze swept over to them.
When Hector Grant’s gaze fell upon her, Sierra Sullivan immediately became wary.
’This Hector Grant feels very dangerous.’
’He’s definitely not a simple man. His reason for coming here must be complicated, too.’
Just then, Hector Grant suddenly chuckled. "No need to be so on guard. Don’t be so tense. I’m just here to talk to you about work, nothing more."
’Talk about work?’
’What kind of work?’
Sierra Sullivan’s brow furrowed deeply. She didn’t speak, but simply waited for Hector Grant to continue.
Hector Grant had no intention of keeping them in suspense. After a brief pause, he went on.
"You’ve probably figured some of this out by now, but the current Subterra is a completely different animal from your old base. Your previous base was a ragtag operation at best, whereas Subterra is a highly organized city. Within the city, every survivor, with or without a Superpower, must have a job. Everyone does what they can. No one gets a free ride.
"Jayce, you have Water and Plant System Superpowers. Both are support-type abilities. However, from what I understand, you seem to prefer going out on missions and engaging in combat. I don’t approve of that.
"Talent should be applied where it’s most effective. That’s how you maximize its value, wouldn’t you agree? Therefore, I want you to join the Logistics Department and provide a daily supply of water and food for the base. This will better guarantee rations for all the survivors here."
Without waiting for Jayce to respond, Hector Grant turned to Sierra Sullivan.
"Sierra Sullivan, you have a Sand Ability and a Space Ability, correct? One of your abilities is combat-oriented, the other is support. That makes you well-suited for missions, able to coordinate effectively with teammates. So, I want you to join the Field Operations Department."
Hector Grant’s gaze finally landed on Nathan Thorne. "As for you, Nathan Thorne... you have a Gold Element Superpower and a Healing Ability, correct? You’re also suited for combat. When a teammate is injured, you can provide immediate treatment, which is very useful. However, the higher-ups have other plans for you, so your assignment is pending."
’He wasn’t here to discuss things; he was here to give orders.’
Sierra Sullivan had been listening quietly, but at this, she could no longer hold back.
"Do we have the right to refuse?"
Hector Grant didn’t seem surprised. "Of course! Everyone is free to make their own choices. If you decide not to stay in Subterra, not to be one of its registered survivors, then you are naturally free to choose what you want and don’t want to do."
