Chapter 350: Zane Miller

Chapter 350: Chapter 350: Zane Miller

She was tired. She stepped aside. "Get up. We can have a proper discussion once you’re on your feet."

When Zane Miller heard that, he immediately got up. "Boss Hart," he said, his voice respectful and humble, "I’m begging you to save me, and my Prudence Base!"

Lily Hart sighed. ’I really don’t want to get involved in their factional struggles.’

’I’m already involved, but I don’t want to get in any deeper. I’m tired enough as it is; I don’t want to make things harder on myself.’

Hearing her sigh, Zane Miller’s heart sank. He pleaded again, "You’re the only one who can save us..."

"First, tell me what happened," Lily Hart said with a sigh of resignation. She sat down in a chair, preparing to listen to his story.

Seeing this, Zane Miller also sat down, taking the seat opposite her, and recounted the recent events.

His account was clear, concise, and easy to understand, but it was delivered as a flat, emotionless recitation of facts.

He was nothing like Roman Rowe, who could really stir a crowd’s emotions when he told a story, making them feel as if they were living it themselves.

Lily Hart nodded. "I see. They want you to ban the online supermarket and the daily fruit rush within the base, or they’ll have you removed as Base Commander."

Zane Miller nodded in shame.

’Should I trust him?’ Lily Hart hesitated.

’He came in and immediately knelt, begging for help. His eyes are sincere and his words are earnest...’

’But... I still have to be cautious...’

She didn’t know much about these base commanders, so she sent a message to the small five-person group chat she shared with Elder Shaw.

It included Elder Shaw, Logan Holland, Yael Lowell, Peter Sharp, and herself, and had been created to deal with the Mysterious Clan.

[I need all available information on Zane Miller within five minutes. Yes, the Base Commander of Prudence Base.]

As soon as the message was sent, the other four members piped up, sharing what they knew.

Logan Holland: [I’ve been to Prudence Base before. It’s managed quite well, very orderly. It has its minor flaws, of course, but every base does.]

Yael Lowell: [I know Zane Miller. He’s a real stand-up guy, I mean in how he deals with people and gets things done. He’s the real deal, doesn’t play petty games.]

Peter Sharp: [I don’t know him well, I’ve only seen him a few times at the general assemblies. But he’s well-spoken and seems to have a strong sense of integrity. He’s probably a good guy.]

Even Elder Shaw chimed in: [That kid, Zane Miller, I was the one who recommended him for the promotion. He’s a good kid. Very reliable.]

Lily Hart read their replies and raised an eyebrow. ’All good reviews?’

She typed again, [So no negative reports at all?]

As she typed, she was also listening to Zane Miller, who was saying, "I really had no other choice, which is why I came to you, Boss Hart. They’ve given me a deadline."

Lily Hart was reminded of Sue Sutton. She had once sat in the very same seat Zane Miller occupied now.

But she had said with great conviction, "I’ve shut down the materials exchange in my base. I’m preparing to procure supplies from you and set up a new one."

’Such guts.’

She decided to be direct. "Why don’t you consider replacing the materials exchange, Base Commander Miller? You could procure supplies from me. I guarantee low prices and more than enough quantity."

Then she sighed. "Why continue to let them hold you back?"

Zane Miller sighed as well. Of course he had heard about what Sue Sutton had done.

She had dared to make such a move entirely because she had Elder Shaw backing her. Of course, her own guts and courage were indispensable.

But he had no one backing him. He was on his own.

Although Elder Shaw had strongly recommended him for the Base Commander position years ago, the two of them hadn’t been in contact in recent years.

He’d also heard that Elder Shaw was in a difficult situation himself lately. Since he couldn’t help, he certainly didn’t want to be a bother.

"You may not know this, Boss Hart, but the people running the materials exchange... they have powerful backing. I... I can’t win against them," Zane Miller said in shame.

This piqued Lily Hart’s curiosity. "Then how exactly do you want me to help you?"

’Powerful backing? Isn’t it just the Mysterious Clan? Lately, they can barely save their own skins.’

’How could they possibly have time to worry about the materials exchange at one small base?’

The thought of the Mysterious Clan still being live-streamed 24/7 by cameras almost made her laugh out loud.

Although the four families had each figured out ways to deal with the cameras, they still couldn’t remove them. All they could do was hide.

Zane Miller said hesitantly, "All I need is for you, Boss Hart, to publicly provide me with supplies."

’He’s certainly playing his angles.’

’Going public would be a clear declaration: I’m backing Zane Miller. Get the hell out of Prudence Base!’

Lily Hart pursed her lips, considering the feasibility of his proposal.

Seeing Lily Hart fall silent, Zane Miller’s heart clenched with anxiety. ’Will she agree?’

Just then, Lily Hart’s Light Brain vibrated. She glanced down to see a message from Elder Shaw.

[Is Zane Miller trying to get rid of the Mysterious Clan’s materials exchange? And procure supplies from you?]

’He’s sharp,’ she thought, ’but he missed one key detail.’ She replied: [Yes, and he wants me to do it publicly, basically asking me to be his backer.]

Elder Shaw didn’t reply for a long time. Lily Hart didn’t speak either. Zane Miller was in agony, knowing his proposal was a long shot.

But it was the best idea he could come up with. It would both intimidate his opponents and inform the general population that these supplies came from Boss Hart herself.

After a long pause, Elder Shaw replied: [You can provide the supplies, but don’t do it publicly.]

[That’s what I was thinking, too,] Lily Hart typed back.

Then she looked up at Zane Miller. His head was bowed, and she couldn’t tell what he was thinking. His fingers were laced together on the table, and they seemed to be trembling slightly.

Lily Hart said slowly, "I can provide the supplies."

Zane Miller’s eyes lit up. "Really? Then—"

She held up a hand to stop him. "But not publicly. The very fact that you’re able to procure supplies from me will be enough to show my stance."

Zane Miller was slightly disappointed, but satisfied nonetheless.

He agreed profusely, saying excitedly, "Okay, that’s fine. This is already great. Thank you, Boss Hart. Thank you, thank you."

Lily Hart gave a small smile. "You’re welcome. Just make a list of what you need and give it to me."

Zane Miller nodded eagerly, his words tumbling out, "I’ll go back right now. Go back and shut down that exchange point."

"I hope everything goes smoothly," Lily Hart said with sincerity.

Zane Miller didn’t catch her subtext, his mind solely focused on returning to the base and handling the matter.

He didn’t linger, leaving in a hurry.

Zane Miller might have been a bit timid, but he was quick to act. Just as Lily Hart was finishing dinner, she overheard a discussion outside.

"Did you hear? They shut down the materials exchange in the base."

"What? Why? Where are we supposed to exchange for supplies now?"

"Who knows? I’m sure they have their reasons."

"I heard it’s going to be under new management."

"It’s not going to get more expensive, is it?"

"Hard to say..."

Lily Hart was listening, captivated, when someone suddenly called out to her, "Boss Hart, you have to leave a convenience store behind for us!"

"That depends on the results of the vote," Lily Hart replied calmly.

"Aww..." The customers groaned, but they understood. Who could change Boss Hart’s mind once it was made up?

Lily Hart found herself wondering, ’What will Zane Miller do now?’ Too bad she was leaving tomorrow.