Apocalyptic Rebirth: With a repairman system space, she rises again.-Chapter 700: Sunshine is slapped!

There was more on her mind than giving a watcher the middle finger. Like how to clean up the toxic river on the banks of Kingsbridge. They couldn’t just leave it the way it was or else, it would be a breeding ground for those mutated fish Poncho had told her about.

Before she handed over 90% percent of the work concerning the base to her husband, she wanted that taken of. Then, she could focus on upgrading her status as a repairman. If she was lucky, she would be a grandmaster before this year ended.

She thought of her plans of continuing with the storm binding training. Vortan had been very clear before they parted ways: she needed to practice what he had taught her until it became as natural as breathing. The power of the lightning storm was like a wild animal, and if she didn’t keep it on a tight leash, it would bite her. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

As her car pulled up and parked in front of her building, Sunshine peered through the window. A group of people stood near the entrance; all dressed in somber black mourning clothes. She didn’t recognize most of them, and frankly, she wasn’t in the mood for a funeral. She had too much on her mind_ mostly how to not accidentally electrocute herself during practice.

Tears would have to wait for the sky to be patched up. It sounded harsh, but it was their reality. Sadly, she could not say it to these people directly.

"Alright, Day," Sunshine said, checking her reflection in the rear-view mirror. "Go do your own thing for a bit. I’m going to be busy. I’ll send for you if I need a ride or if I get bored."

Day nodded, his expression neutral. "Copy that. Stay safe, Mrs. Quinn."

She stepped out of the car, stretching her limbs. The sun was hot, and she just wanted to get inside, grab a cold drink, and start her training. She started to walk toward the door, her mind already on the humming energy of storm binding.

She didn’t see the woman moving toward her until it was too late.

CRACK!

A sharp, stinging pain exploded across Sunshine’s left cheek. Her head snapped to the side, and for a second, all she could see were little dancing spots of light. The sound of the slap echoed against the stone walls of the building.

"What the_ " Sunshine growled, her hand flying to her burning face. Her eyes flashed with heat, and her other hand balled into a fist. She was ready to swing back_ hard_ until she actually looked at the person who hit her.

It was a woman, her face red and streaked with tears. She was heavily pregnant, her hands shaking as she clutched a black handkerchief. Behind her stood Sheldon, looking like he wanted the earth to open up and swallow him whole. He was grabbing the woman’s shoulders, trying to pull her back.

"Ophelia Please! Calm down! Just stop!" Sheldon pleaded, his voice cracking.

"Don’t you tell me to calm down!" the woman shrieked, her voice thin and ragged. She pointed a trembling finger at Sunshine. "She killed him! She killed my son! You’re a murderer! You’re a monster!"

Sunshine rubbed the stinging sensation on her cheek, her initial rage turning into a cold, hard knot in her stomach. She looked at Sheldon, who looked exhausted. Her sharp, narrowed eyes told him how thin her patience was.

"I am so sorry," Sheldon stammered, looking at Sunshine with pleading eyes. "She’s... she’s full of emotions. Howard was her first baby. Since he died, she hasn’t been herself."

Sunshine took a slow, deep breath. She looked at the woman_ Howard’s mother_ who was gasping for air, her pregnant belly heaving with every sob. Sunshine’s face remained a mask of stone.

"Listen to me carefully," Sunshine said, her voice low and dangerous. "I understand you’re hurting. I really do and I am going to give you a pass. But if you ever try that stupidity again, I don’t care if you’re grieving or pregnant. I will help you join your son wherever he’s gone. Do you understand me?"

A collective gasp ran through the crowd of mourners. Some looked horrified, others whispered under their breath about how heartless the leader of Fortress Four was. The mother let out a wail of pure agony, condemning Sunshine to every hell she could think of.

"You’re all standing here crying for a saint who didn’t exist. Maybe you should meet the mothers of all the soldiers of this base Howard, and his friends tried to poison, myself inclusive. Try and see, if they would have happily allowed Howard to kill them because I know I wasn’t. I value my life, just as much as you valued your son’s." Sunshine said, turning her attention to the rest of the group.

She realized then that the full story of what happened at the Walden territory hadn’t really spread. These people just thought a banished young man that once made a mistake had died for nothing.

They were still whispering, and this angered her even more. "You want to know why Howard is dead?" Sunshine asked loudly. "Because he was a traitor. He died trying to sell us out. He plotted, he lied, and he tried to get us all killed so he could get a bit of power. Sheldon knows this better than anyone."

She laid it all out. She told them about the goods that he smuggled to the Walden territory, the treachery, and the way Howard had looked her in the eye while stabbing the fortress in the back. By the time she was finished, the atmosphere had shifted. The mourners were looking at each other, their faces turning from grief to shame.

Sheldon finally let go of his sister and stepped forward, his face twisted in a scowl. "She’s right," he snapped, looking at his sister. "I told you, didn’t I? You babied him too much. You spoiled him until he thought he was untouchable."

"Sheldon, how can you say that?" the Ophelia sobbed.

"Because it’s the truth!" Sheldon fumed. "The boy was caught smuggling once before. Sunshine should have killed him then. That was the law. But she didn’t. She forgave him! She gave him a second chance by banishing him, and what did he do? He went and plotted more stupid acts! He chose this! He deserved what happened to him! I am staying out of this Ophelia."

Sheldon didn’t wait for a response. He turned on his heel and marched toward his car, slamming the door so hard the windows rattled.

Sunshine gave the woman one last look. She didn’t feel hate anymore, just a weary kind of pity. She knew the woman was just a mother who had lost her child, but she couldn’t afford to be a punching bag for someone else’s mistakes. Without another word, she turned and walked into the building.