Apocalypse Trade Monopoly
Chapter 49: : A New Player

Chapter 49: : A New Player

Ending the conversation. Zhao’s gaze flicked to Ava, sharp and unreadable.

"And the girl?"

Lucas grinned, leaning back like this was all some casual conversation.

"Beauty, my new girlfriend."

Ava’s eye twitched.

Zhao didn’t react. "You expect me to believe that?"

Lucas chuckled. "Not really, but it sounds better than ’business partner who I dragged into clean up mess and handled things I didn’t plan for.’"

Ava folded her arms, exhaling sharply. "Wow. How romantic."

Lucas’s smirk widened. "Careful, Beauty. People might start thinking you actually like me."

Zhao ignored their exchange, fingers drumming once against the desk. "Why is she here, Bai?"

Lucas’s tone shifted—just slightly.

"Because next time, she might be contacting you on my behalf."

Ava stiffened slightly.

Lucas tilted his head. "Think of her as an extension of our deal."

Zhao’s black eyes flicked back to her, assessing.

Ava held his gaze, refusing to look away.

Because if Lucas Bai was introducing a new face into his world—it meant she was officially part of the game.

Zhao was silent for a long moment.

Then—he nodded.

"Fine."

Ava exhaled slowly as she walked towards the exit.

The moment they stepped out of Zhao’s office, the lawyer was already waiting.

Poised. Polished. Like he had never really left.

Ava didn’t like that.

"Interesting move, Bai," he murmured, falling into step beside them. "Bringing in a new face."

Lucas grinned, unbothered. "Figured it was time for an upgrade."

The lawyer adjusted his glasses. "And yet, you didn’t renegotiate your contract."

Ava stiffened.

Lucas’s smirk didn’t fade. "Didn’t need to. The deal stands."

The lawyer hummed, unconvinced. "For now."

Ava exhaled sharply. "You followed us out for a reason. What do you want?"

The lawyer finally turned his gaze toward her. Sharp. Calculating.

"An arrangement for the lady."

Lucas chuckled. "That’s a fancy way of saying ’offer.’"

The lawyer smiled. "I prefer precision."

Ava folded her arms. "And what exactly are you offering?"

The lawyer tilted his head slightly. "Information."

Lucas raised a brow. "At what cost?"

The lawyer’s gaze flicked back to Ava. "I’ll call it in later."

Ava’s jaw tightened. "I don’t sign blind deals."

The lawyer smiled again. "No, you don’t."

Then—he handed her a thin, sealed envelope.

Lucas tilted his head, intrigued. "Hand-delivered? How sentimental."

The lawyer ignored him. "Read the first half. Then decide."

Ava took the envelope slowly. "What’s inside?"

The lawyer adjusted his glasses again, turning to leave. "A key."

Ava felt her pulse spike.

Lucas watched the lawyer disappear down the hall, golden eyes gleaming.

"Well, Beauty," he murmured, "looks like we’ve got plans."

Ava exhaled sharply. "You’re not seriously thinking of following through with this."

Lucas grinned. "Of course I am."

Ava folded her arms. "You don’t even know what’s in there."

Lucas tilted his head. "And that’s what makes it fun."

Ava resisted the urge to smack him.

Instead—she turned toward the elevator. "Where are we going now?"

Lucas stepped up beside her, pressing the button. "Level One."

Ava’s pulse spiked. "You’re taking me topside?"

Lucas leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "I told you, Beauty. You’re an extension of my deal now. Time for you to see the playing field and have a good time."

Ava tensed as the elevator doors slid open.

Level One.

The heart of the bunker. The top of the food chain.

Lucas stepped inside first, glancing at her. "Nervous?"

Ava rolled her shoulders, stepping in beside him. "No."

Lucas smirked. "Good."

The doors slid shut.

Ava’s fingers twitched at her sides.

The elevator hummed as it climbed, smooth and silent.

Ava watched the numbers rise, tension coiling in her gut.

Then—a soft chime.

The doors slid open.

And for the first time, Ava saw Level One.

Her breath hitched.

Because this wasn’t just an upgrade from Level Two.

This was a different world entirely.

Wide, polished hallways. Reinforced security checkpoints, manned by guards in pristine uniforms.

The air was cleaner. Lighter.

And beyond the security barriers—a sprawling luxury district.

Shops. Lounges. Private residences with reinforced glass windows.

Everything was sleek, untouched—like the apocalypse had never happened here.

Ava gritted her teeth.

Because while the rest of the bunker fought for rations, struggled to survive—

These people lived in comfort. It waz like watching two different movies.

Lucas chuckled, stepping forward. "Welcome to the top, Beauty."

Ava exhaled sharply, eyes scanning every inch. "And how exactly did you get kicked out of all this?"

Lucas grinned, unbothered. "Bad luck. Bad blood. A very badly played hand."

His golden eyes flickered, amusement laced with something colder.

"And a very expensive mistake."

Ava studied him carefully.

Because if Lucas Bai had been meant to stay here—when whoever replaced him.

Had made sure he never came back.

Lucas walked through Level One like he still belonged there.

Casual. Unbothered. Like he wasn’t the man who’d been thrown out.

Ava kept pace beside him, eyes sharp, scanning the streets lined with high-end shops, private residences, and well-dressed survivors who had never once fought for a meal.

A world away from the filth of Level Three.

Lucas grinned, golden eyes glinting. "Like what you see, Beauty?"

Ava folded her arms. "I see a bunch of people who wouldn’t last a day outside these walls."

Lucas chuckled. "You’re not wrong but you’re not right either."

That was the real issue Ava knew shifters live on level one but this level one had no shifter walking.

The more important question was why did Lucas so calm.

Ava glanced at him. "So how are we walking around without anyone throwing us out?"

Lucas sighed dramatically. "Beauty, just because I don’t have my original rooms doesn’t mean I don’t have business here."

Ava raised a brow. "You still have contacts?"

Lucas grinned, sharp and knowing. "Plenty."

Ava studied him carefully.

Because Lucas Bai wasn’t just a man who had been exiled from Level One.

Lucas veered off toward a boutique—sleek, well-lit, the kind of place that didn’t even glance at Level Two residents.

Ava paused. "Bai. What are we doing?"

Lucas grinned over his shoulder. "Getting you something to wear."

Ava frowned. "What’s wrong with my clothes?"

Lucas tilted his head, golden eyes gleaming. "Nothing—if you want to stand out like a sore thumb."

Ava’s jaw clenched. "I don’t need a dress, Bai."

Lucas sighed dramatically, already browsing through the racks. "Beauty, this isn’t about need. It’s about not getting thrown out before we finish our business."

Ava exhaled sharply. "And you just happen to have the credits for this?"

Lucas flashed a military-issued token between his fingers, casual and smooth.

Ava stared. "You’re using military base credits?"

Lucas smirked. "Where do you think Level One gets their supplies? Zhao’s people run this place. You think they use scavenger trade like the rest of the bunker?"

Ava exhaled through her nose. Of course.

Level One wasn’t just rich.

They were backed by the military itself.

Lucas handed a selection to the store clerk, motioning toward Ava. "Something fitted, something expensive-looking. And make it fast."

The clerk barely hesitated before whisking Ava into the next room.

Ava gritted her teeth, muttering as she was shoved into a fitting room. "Unbelievable."

Lucas chuckled from outside. "Hurry up, Beauty. We have places to be."

It was a shore to find the dress Lucas was picky. It eather was too long, too short, too simple, too boring. Every excuse was used until they settled on a tight black dress that was two sizes too small.

Ava stepped out of the boutique, the new dress fitting a little too well, feeling strange against her skin.

Lucas grinned the second he saw her. "Now, that’s more like it."

Ava rolled her eyes. "I feel ridiculous."

Lucas tilted his head, golden eyes sweeping over her. "You look expensive. That’s the point."

Ava huffed. "Great. Can we get this over with?"

Lucas laughed, slipping his hands into his pockets. "Patience, Beauty. First—drinks."

Ava arched a brow. "Drinks?"

Lucas motioned ahead. "We’re meeting some old friends."

Ava stiffened. "Friends?"

Lucas flashed a sharp grin. "People who owe me favors."

Ava sighed but followed.

They moved through the high-end streets of Level One, the quiet hum of privilege all around them.

Eventually, they stopped in front of a sleek, exclusive lounge—low lighting, soft music, and tables filled with the kind of people who had never fought for a meal in their lives.

Lucas walked in like he owned the place.

Ava kept her steps measured, scanning the room.

Then—a voice called out.

"Well, well. Look what the rats dragged back in."

Ava turned—just in time to see a man rise from a corner booth, dressed sharp, eyes gleaming with amusement.

Lucas grinned. "Anton."

Anton smirked. "Didn’t think I’d see you here again, Bai."

Lucas tilted his head. "And yet, here I am."

Anton’s gaze flicked to Ava, curiosity flickering. "And this?"

Lucas chuckled, placing a lazy hand on the small of her back. "My plus one."

Ava exhaled sharply but didn’t argue.

Because this wasn’t just dinner.

This was another game.