Chapter 306: Chapter 306: Hannah

However, no one moved.

Many were simply curious, eager to watch a spectacle.

After all, once Ivy reached the entrance, she would have to show her identification.

If she failed to present one, everything would unravel. They would all get to watch her arrogance crumble.

’They want a show,’ Ivy thought calmly, her lashes lowering slightly. ’Then let them watch.’

Nora, however, was growing pale. She tugged Ivy’s sleeve anxiously.

"Ivy, stop. Do not go any further. The guards will insult you if you try to force your way in. Let’s just..."

But Ivy only laughed softly. The warmth in the sound contrasted sharply with the cold confidence in her eyes.

The moment Ivy reached the checkpoint, the guards looked up.

Their eyes landed on Ivy’s pink hair, and recognition lit up their expressions immediately.

Without hesitation, they pushed the gate open and stepped aside respectfully.

"Good morning, Representative Ivy."

Their voices held formality and a faint note of admiration.

Ivy nodded once. Felix, Silas, and Kael followed behind her; the guards respectfully bowed to them.

A stunned silence fell among the crowd.

Hannah froze in place, her mind scrambling at a frantic speed. Then she suddenly pointed again and shrieked, her voice cracking.

"Why are you letting her through? She never showed any identification card! This is cheating! She must have bribed you! Or she’s using some backdoor connection! She can’t just pretend to be someone important..."

The guards exchanged a look, then sighed. One of them stepped forward and pointed toward Ivy.

"She is not pretending. Miss Ivy is the official representative of this base."

Every face in the line turned blank.

A few jaws literally dropped.

Nora stared at Ivy, speechless. Her eyes softened with shock, pride, and relief.

In her past memories, Ivy was a quiet child who never had enough to eat, always smiling with her head lowered, always hiding her bruises.

Now that same child stood with a straight back and authority that even the guards recognized.

’So you’ve grown up this strong...’ Nora thought, her chest tightening.

Ivy turned her gaze back toward Hannah. Her smile was gentle, yet the chill underneath it sent shivers down Hannah’s spine.

"Guard, remove her name from the registration list. I do not want noisy people like her in my base."

Hannah’s eyes widened. She stumbled forward, panic setting in as she pointed at Ivy again.

"You... you can’t do that! Think before you speak! You’re just a representative, not the actual leader! I can contribute! I can provide food and supplies! You can’t just turn me away! What if the base loses its stability just because of my absence?"

Ivy rolled her eyes lightly.

Aduacity was truly... laughable!

"If a base’s entire stability depends on what you can provide, then it is better that I resign as representative right now. Also, I make the final decisions here. That includes deciding who enters. So yes, I can do this."

With that, she tightened her hold on Nora’s hand and continued inside.

Near the entrance hall, Lily, one of Ivy’s trusted citizens, was sitting at the reception desk.

She bowed her head slightly in greeting. Ivy acknowledged her with a small nod and led Felix, Kael, Silas, and Nora into her residence.

The moment they entered the room, both Felix and Kael collapsed onto the sofa as though returning from a battlefield. Nora also lowered herself carefully, fatigue evident in her posture.

Ivy headed straight to the small kitchen section.

She returned with four tall glasses of tomato juice, the liquid thick and rich in color. She placed them in front of Silas, Felix, Nora, and herself.

Nora stared at the glass, her expression softening with a flicker of nostalgia.

’She remembered... I used to love tomato juice the most...’

But even with longing in her eyes, she did not lift the glass.

In the apocalypse, tomato juice was as valuable as medicine. How could she dare drink it so casually?

Ivy noticed her teacher’s hesitation, and a glint flashed in her eyes.

’Was this how I looked before when the teacher used to feed me?’

"Hm? Teacher, do you not like tomato juice anymore?"

Nora shook her head quickly. "No... It’s just... I am not hungry."

The moment she finished speaking, her stomach growled loudly.

Silas choked on his drink. Felix looked away politely. Kael nearly laughed. Nora closed her eyes in mortification.

Life, sometimes, truly had a cruel sense of humor.

Ivy sighed, her voice gentle but teasing.

"If you don’t drink it, I will go outside and hand it to Hannah."

Nora’s eyes snapped open. Her frown was instant.

"Do not you dare." She grabbed the glass and drank without hesitation.

The cold juice slid down her dry throat, and she exhaled slowly, her eyes fluttering closed as warmth returned to her chest and fingers. Ivy watched her silently, her expression softening.

She must have suffered so much all this time.

Once Nora finished, Ivy asked quietly, "Teacher, are you alone?"

Nora nodded.

"Then I will arrange a house for you by tomorrow. You won’t have to worry about anything."

Nora quickly waved her hands.

"No, no, I only came to apply for the shared dormitory. I cannot take advantage of you like this."

Ivy’s expression hardened slightly.

"You will accept it. Consider it punishment for not reaching out to me sooner. If you refuse, I will repay all the punishments you once gave me."

Nora stared at her, then let out a small laugh. Her eyes softened.

"Your tongue is still the sharpest in the world. I see some things never change."

She paused, then spoke seriously.

"But if the Ravencroft family hears of this..."

Ivy interrupted her with a flick of her fingers.

"They are all dead."

Nora blinked. A spark of joy flashed in her eyes, unfiltered and pure. Then realizing it, she tried to hide it behind a cough, but everyone in the room saw.

Felix snorted. Kael grinned. Silas turned his face away.

Ivy laughed openly.

’Teacher never pretended to be a saint. That is one of the reasons I always trusted her.’