Apocalypse: Reborn with a Soul Sync Farming Space System-Chapter 164 To New Beginnings

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Meanwhile back at the fortress. It had been less than twenty-four hours since Laurel left, yet things had begun to change.

Soft golden light filled the room, falling on Felicia who was pacing back and forth, her heels clicking lightly against the polished floor, her arms folded tightly across her chest as her brows remained furrowed.

While Vera sat on the edge of the couch with her fingers intertwined, her expression uncertain, and Margaret leaned lazily against the chair with one leg crossed over the other, her posture relaxed.

"This is ridiculous," Felicia said, stopping abruptly as she turned to look at them. "We should be celebrating that the vixen has finally left... but who knew nothing would change? Everything is still the same as if she were around... I can’t continue living on the outer wall."

Vera glanced up at her, her voice quieter. "You are right. I can’t believe we can’t go back the way things were before the meteor shower... I have never been treated this poorly in my life."

Felicia scoffed. "Laurel is gone, and who knows when she will come back, yet everything still revolves around her as if she is still here."

Margaret let out a soft chuckle, swirling the glass in her hand as she watched them. "That is because someone is still holding everything together."

Felicia’s eyes narrowed slightly. "Grandpa."

Vera shifted uncomfortably at the mention of him. "Although he is old, he is not someone to trifle with."

"And that is exactly the problem," Felicia snapped, her tone sharp as she took a few steps closer. "He refuses to adapt, refuses to listen, and refuses to let go."

Margaret tilted her head slightly, her lips curling faintly. "You tried talking to him, didn’t you?"

Felicia’s expression darkened. "He didn’t even let me finish."

Vera sighed softly. "He thinks we are too spoiled... and he insisted that things must remain just as Laurel left them, but we are his grandchildren."

Felicia laughed dryly. "Spoiled? We grew up in power. We know how things work better than anyone."

Margaret raised a brow. "Knowing and controlling are two different things."

Felicia turned to her. "Then what do you suggest?"

Margaret paused as if in deep thought, her gaze drifting toward the window before returning to them. Her fingers tapped lightly against the armrest as if she was considering how much to say.

"If he won’t listen," she said slowly, "then we make it so he doesn’t have a choice."

Vera frowned. "What do you mean?"

Margaret’s lips curved slightly. "I mean... we take control."

Silence settled between them.

Felicia’s eyes flickered with interest, but Vera stiffened slightly, her fingers tightening together.

"You’re not serious," Vera said, her voice lower now.

Margaret let out a soft laugh. "Why wouldn’t I be? Think about it, now that every potential leader is gone, we can make decisions on his behalf while he is sick. By the time Laurel comes back, the fortress will already belong to us."

Felicia stepped closer. "And how exactly do you plan on doing that?"

Margaret leaned forward slightly, her voice lowering as if sharing a secret meant only for them. "Grandpa is old," she said. "His body is not as strong as it used to be."

Vera’s eyes widened slightly. "Aunty Margaret..."

"If something were to happen to him," Margaret continued, her tone calm, "no one would question it."

Felicia’s gaze sharpened. "What are you suggesting?"

Margaret met her eyes without hesitation. "We let him sleep... for a very long time," she drawled.

The words hung in the air, heavy and unsettling.

Vera shook her head immediately. "No... no, that’s too much."

Felicia did not respond right away, her mind racing as she stared at Margaret, her expression unreadable.

"He’s already old," Margaret added lightly, as if she was talking about something trivial. "Complications happen all the time at that age."

Vera stood up abruptly. "This is insane," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "That’s not something we can just do. He is our grandfather."

Margaret leaned back again, completely unfazed. "Then keep living under his shadow," she said with a small shrug. "Keep waiting for Laurel to come back and take everything again."

Felicia’s jaw tightened. She knew what they were about to do was wrong. Grandpa Wayne had been nice to her and took her in, protecting her from her abusive husband.

Vera turned to her. "Felicia... say something."

Felicia exhaled slowly, her gaze lowering briefly before lifting again. "If we don’t act now," she said quietly, "we will never have another chance."

’Forgive me, Grandpa. I’ll make sure nothing bad happens to you.’ She thought inwardly.

Vera stared at her, disbelief flashing across her face. "You’re actually considering this?"

Felicia did not look away. "Aren’t you tired?" she asked. "Tired of being overlooked... of being treated like we don’t matter?"

Vera hesitated. She had never been overlooked when the world was still normal. In fact, she commanded attention. It was only since she came into the fortress that she noticed how fast she was fading into the corner. But that didn’t mean they had to harm Grandpa Wayne.

Margaret watched them both, a faint smile playing on her lips as she said nothing, letting the silence do the work for her.

"We are not children anymore," Felicia continued, her voice gaining strength. "We deserve a say in how things are run."

"And this is how you want to get it?" Vera asked, her voice tight.

Felicia didn’t answer immediately.

Margaret spoke instead. "Power is never given," she said calmly. "It is taken."

Vera looked between them, her expression conflicted as her fingers tightened at her sides.

"You don’t have to do anything," Margaret added, her tone almost gentle now. "Just don’t stop us."

That only made Vera more uneasy.

Felicia stepped closer to her. "We’re doing this for us," she said. "For our future."

Vera swallowed, her gaze dropping to the floor as she struggled with her thoughts, the silence stretching as the weight of the decision pressed down on her.

After a long moment, she closed her eyes briefly before opening them again.

"...What do we have to do?" she asked quietly.

Margaret’s smile widened slightly.

Felicia let out a slow breath, something close to relief passing through her expression.

Margaret stood up, setting her glass aside. "Leave everything to me," she said. "You just have to play your part."

Vera nodded slowly, though the unease in her eyes did not disappear.

Felicia, on the other hand, straightened her posture, her earlier frustration replaced by a bolder expression.

Margaret picked up her glass again and raised it slightly. "To new beginnings," she said.

Felicia’s lips curved into a faint smile as she reached for another glass.

Vera hesitated for a second before doing the same, their glasses touched lightly.

"To new beginnings," they said in unison.