Chapter 2 A Wolf in Disguise

Kenneth walked out of his home into a scene brimming with peace and happiness. The community square was alive with parents and children enjoying themselves, their smiles radiating contentment. But Kenneth was well aware that in a month, all of this would be gone. Hurrying out of the neighborhood, Kenneth headed towards a Michelin three-star restaurant just a short distance away. A meal there would easily cost seven hundred to eight hundred dollars, an amount he had always been reluctant to spend. But now, he didn’t hesitate. After entering, Kenneth chose a window-side table and ordered every premium dish on the menu along with a bottle of estate red wine. This extravagant spread cost him seven thousand dollars. The restaurant staff cast curious and suggestive glances at him, likely assuming he was a wealthy heir. To them, it was unthinkable for an ordinary person to spend so much on a single meal. Kenneth couldn’t care less about their assumptions. When the food arrived, he dove in with fervor. The memory of enduring six months in an icy wasteland made every bite of this feast feel like a miracle. His voracious eating drew stares and whispers from nearby diners. But Kenneth ignored them entirely. When the apocalypse strikes, people will grovel just to get their hands on instant noodles. In that world, all order and morality will collapse. As Kenneth savored his meal, a woman outside the restaurant came to a halt. She was a stunning figure with flowing hair, immaculate makeup, and designer heels. It was Grace, the woman responsible for his death in his past life. Beside her stood her best friend, Morgan Ray. The two couldn’t help but pause and glance into the Michelin three-star restaurant. They had always admired such opulence but could never afford it. Still, that didn’t stop them from looking, hoping to spot a wealthy bachelor who might change their fortunes. Grace froze in surprise when she spotted Kenneth inside the restaurant, sitting before a lavish spread of high-end dishes. "Isn’t that Kenneth? How could he afford to eat here?" she asked, astonished. Morgan, equally taken aback, covered her mouth in disbelief. "Kenneth? He’s actually this wealthy?" she said. Her expression turned sly as she glanced at Grace. Then, with a smirk, she added, "Grace, you’ve got it good! That simp who’s been chasing you turns out to be a hidden rich heir. Just look at that table, it must have cost at least seven thousand to eight thousand dollars. Who but the wealthy could afford such an extravagant meal?" Morgan’s tone carried a hint of jealousy. She was well aware that Kenneth had been pursuing Grace for six months. Grace, however, kept him on a string, neither outright rejecting him nor giving him any real hope. Grace was the perfect example of a materialistic woman, convinced that she was destined to marry a wealthy man and live a life of luxury. At the same time, Grace found it difficult to let go of Kenneth, who owned both a car and a house in Valkyrean. For her, Kenneth was the perfect backup option. Yet, seeing him indulge in a meal costing tens of thousands today made Grace rethink her assumptions. "Could Kenneth really be a secret heir to a fortune?" she wondered aloud, resting her chin in her hand. The more she thought about it, the more convinced she became. "Isn’t this just like one of those TV dramas? Where someone wealthy pretends to be ordinary to search for true love?" Grace muttered to herself. She started to believe it was true, her eyes sparkling with newfound excitement. If this were the case, it would save her a great deal of effort. Kenneth had been chasing her for a long time, and she was confident that a single nod from her would have him proposing in no time. Morgan leaned closer and urged, "Grace, let’s go inside and talk to him!" In reality, Morgan’s eyes were on the feast. The Michelin three-star restaurant was known for dishes so luxurious that most people would never get the chance to taste them. Grace hesitated before shaking her head. "That wouldn’t be a good idea. It might make me seem like a gold-digger. Instead, let’s wait outside and act like we ran into him by chance." Grace was no fool. She wouldn’t lower herself for the sake of a single meal. Even if Kenneth was wealthy, she wanted to maintain her goddess-like demeanor. That way, if she ended up with Kenneth, she could easily control him and keep him wrapped around her finger. The two women hid near the restaurant, waiting patiently for Kenneth to emerge. After spending over an hour indulging in his luxurious meal, Kenneth walked out with a satisfied smile, patting his now-full stomach. His next destination was a nearby supermarket to stock up on supplies. Though he was confident in his ability to retrieve goods from the Walmart warehouse later, he believed in preparing ahead to avoid any unexpected issues. Having endured starvation in the past, Kenneth knew he couldn’t allow for any mistakes. Kenneth paid his bill with ease and stepped out of the restaurant, receiving polite smiles from the staff as he left. At that moment, a familiar voice called out, "Kenneth, what a surprise!" Turning his head, Kenneth saw Grace and Morgan standing nearby. Grace casually tucked her hair behind her ear, exposing her delicate neck and pink-tinted earlobes in an obviously calculated gesture. Kenneth couldn’t help but smirk internally. The quintessential girl moves, which is to act innocently seductive, it is designed to ensnare men’s hearts. As a master manipulator, Grace clearly excelled at this game. However, Kenneth was no longer the gullible fool he used to be. He vividly remembered how this woman had caused his death, even scheming to use his broken ribs for soup. The thought of it made Kenneth’s eyes grow cold, his gaze sharp with undisguised malice. In the approaching chaos of the apocalypse, killing her wouldn’t even raise an issue. Grace, feeling the chill of Kenneth’s stare, asked anxiously, "Kenneth… what’s wrong with you?" Kenneth quickly masked his emotions and replied indifferently, "Oh, nothing. I thought you were someone else." In that instant, he changed his plan. Killing her outright seemed far too kind. Instead, he would let her experience the utter despair of the apocalypse before taking his revenge. With his rebirth and the foresight, Kenneth had countless ways to ensure her suffering. There was no need to act hastily. Right now, his priority was creating the safest possible shelter for himself, ensuring a secure and comfortable existence during the coming apocalypse.