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Carlos couldn't endure it anymore and said loudly,
"Jack, please follow the motorcade's management."
Jack smirked. "Heh, or what? You'll get tough with me?"
Claire looked at Jack, trying to stay calm. "Jack, you're making things difficult for me. Can't we all just share peacefully?"
"It's not a big deal," Jack said with mock indifference. "Since you're the one asking, Claire, I'll give in. Consider it my parting gift — a farewell dinner. Daddy's feeling generous today."
Claire blinked in surprise. "That easy?"
Jack chuckled. "What did you expect? You're the leader of the convoy — gotta maintain good relations, right?"
His smile was completely different from the coldness he'd shown earlier.
Claire studied him for a moment. "Then I'll thank you on behalf of everyone."
"No need," Jack waved it off. "All this is for you, Jill, and Teri. Let's move."
Jill's voice came from behind, teasingly. "This isn't your style. Giving away food so generously? Didn't think you'd go soft over Claire."
Jack grinned. "When you eat Daddy's food, you pay the price."
"What price?" Teri asked curiously.
"You'll know when the time comes," Jack said with a sly smile.
Jill narrowed her eyes. Jack might be smiling, but she knew — that never meant anything good.
The three found a shaded spot to sit. After a while, a young blonde girl approached them.
"I heard you gave us this food. Thank you," she said politely.
An evil glint flashed in Jack's eyes. "You're the first one to come and thank me on your own. What's your name?"
"I'm K-Mart," the blonde girl replied with a friendly smile.
"K-Mart, huh? Nice name," Jack said.
Jill smirked. "For some people, it's not just the name that's nice — the person is, too."
Jack coughed awkwardly. "Jill, you're reading too much into it."
K-Mart laughed softly. "Mind if I sit here?"
"Sure, come on. Sit," Jack said, gesturing beside him.
After sitting, K-Mart looked at him curiously. "I heard people say you're dangerous, not a good person. Carlos even told us to stay away from you."
Jack scratched his nose. "He said that? Well, he's not wrong — Daddy's not exactly a saint."
"Yeah, he did," K-Mart nodded. "But I don't think you're as bad as they say."
"Oh?" Jack raised an eyebrow. "And what makes you think that?"
"I can't explain it," she said softly. "But I don't think you'd hurt me."
Her eyes met his, steady and sincere.
Jill snorted. "You can relax. Pretty girls are safe around him — he won't hurt you. In fact, he'll make sure you live very well."
K-Mart chuckled. "Is that so?" Then her smile faded a little. "Before all this, everyone I knew died. I was rescued and joined the convoy after hiding in a market."
"Everyone living now has their share of stories," Jill said quietly.
K-Mart stood up. "Anyway, thanks for the food. It's the best meal I've had in a long time. I don't think you're heartless, Jack. Now I've got to check on that girl who fainted. See you later."
Jack muttered under his breath, "Actually, I am heartless."
---
Alice opened her eyes, noticing a thin cloth band tied around her wrist.
"Hi," a gentle voice said.
Alice looked up — it was the blonde girl. "Hey… did you put this on me?"
"Yeah," K-Mart smiled. "They say it brings good luck. I'm K-Mart."
"Alice," she replied, sitting up on the broken bed. "Thanks. Maybe it'll bring me some luck."
---
Later, outside the truck, Alice and K-Mart walked together.
Carlos spotted Alice and his eyes lit up. He and Claire approached.
"Alice, this is Claire," Carlos introduced. "She's the leader of the convoy."
Claire offered her hand. "Thank you for your help."
Before they could talk further, someone called out, "Claire!"
"Excuse me," Claire said quickly. "I've got something to handle."
She left, and only Alice and Carlos remained — old friends, talking softly.
Their conversation was interrupted by a familiar voice.
"Well, well. You two seem to be enjoying yourselves," the voice drawled.
Alice's face hardened. "Jack."
Jack smiled. "You look excited to see me."
"How are you even here?"
"Why wouldn't I be? I'm part of this convoy now."
Alice turned to Carlos. "Carlos… is this true?"
Carlos clenched his jaw. "Yeah."
Jack pointed a finger toward the sky. "Aren't you worried about being tracked?"
Alice instinctively looked at her wrist device and relaxed. "I've taken care of that. Don't worry."
Jack smirked darkly. "I know you've hacked the Umbrella Corporation's satellite system to avoid detection. But satellites can be reprogrammed."
"What are you implying?" Alice demanded.
"Nothing special," Jack said lightly, walking away.
Alice stared after him, her expression cold. "Whatever you're planning, I won't let it happen. Carlos, check the radio log — maybe we'll find our way to paradise."
She handed him the note she'd found at the abandoned gas station.