CH: 151 Release

Despite sending a support email, my SubscribeStar profile remains stuck under review, displaying the same message: "YOUR PROFILE IS UNDER REVIEW. Keep checking your [email] inbox for possible inquiries from our Screening Team. Until your profile is approved, uploading/posting capabilities are limited to text and photos only." Weeks have passed, yet I haven't received any response or update.

If anyone has experienced something similar or knows a solution, please share any advice or possible workarounds. Your help would be greatly appreciated!

*****

{Chapter: 151 Release}

William smiled and said, "I don't like the way that sounds. How could I possibly lie to Claire?"

"William, William, where are you?" A familiar voice echoed from upstairs.

"Claire?" Chris' eyes flashed with excitement as he instinctively turned toward the voice.

Claire descended the staircase, her sharp gaze sweeping the room until she spotted William. A flicker of surprise crossed her face. "Why are you here? I've been looking for you everywhere."

"Claire," Chris called out with a warm smile, stepping closer despite the iron bars between them.

Claire's expression darkened slightly as her eyes landed on the imprisoned man. "Who are you?" she asked, her voice cold and wary.

"I'm Chris, your brother, Claire," he responded, his tone carrying both hope and urgency.

Claire frowned, her brows knitting together. "My brother?" Her gaze shifted toward William, as if seeking confirmation. "William, is he telling the truth?"

She only trusted William's words. If he said yes, she would believe it without question.

Chris turned his sharp eyes toward William. "Boy, tell her the truth. Tell her that I'm her brother."

William raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms with an amused smirk. "Your arrogance is almost impressive. Unfortunately, I can't help you there. I'm an honest man, after all." He turned toward Claire. "He's not your brother."

"Damn it!" Chris bellowed in frustration, his hands clenching into fists.

Claire's expression hardened as she shot Chris a cold glance. "William, you must be right. I don't know you at all, and yet you dare to pretend to be my brother? How laughable."

Alice, who had been quietly observing, let out a small sigh and muttered, "I don't think he's necessarily lying. There's a chance he might actually be your brother."

Claire's gaze snapped to Alice, her voice steady but skeptical. "A chance? That doesn't sound very convincing. Can you give me a definite answer?"

Chris glared at William, his patience wearing thin. "You little bastard, I swear I'm going to kill you."

William chuckled, unfazed by the threat. "I hear that a lot, actually. Alice, you say that to me pretty often, don't you?" He glanced at Alice with a teasing smile.

Alice scoffed and turned away, her face slightly flushed with irritation. "Hmph," she huffed, making it clear she wasn't in the mood for his antics.

William's smirk widened. "Alright, alright, don't be so petty. I was just trying to lighten the mood. Claire, the truth is—he is your brother."

"What?" Claire froze, her expression blank for a brief moment.

Chris blinked before breaking into a relieved smile. "Boy, I've decided not to kill you."

Claire turned back to Chris, struggling to process the revelation. "Are you really my brother?"

Chris nodded firmly. "It's true, Claire. We haven't seen each other in years."

"Brother…" Claire murmured to herself, her thoughts swirling. Then, she straightened her posture and said, "I believe you. But I've lost my memory."

Chris' smile didn't falter. "That's okay. I believe you'll remember everything in time." His eyes shifted toward William. "But tell me—what's the deal between you and this guy?"

Claire didn't hesitate. "He's my husband," she said, glancing at William with an unconscious smile forming at the corner of her lips.

Chris' expression hardened. "Claire, you've lost your memory. Are you sure about that? I never received an invitation to your wedding."

William, ever quick on his feet, grinned and replied, "Oh, we sent it to you. But with the whole virus outbreak and all, it probably never reached you. You've been in the military all this time, haven't seen Claire in years, so it's not surprising you missed it."

Claire nodded in agreement. "That's right. Chris, if you really are my brother, then you should respect my choices. I believe William is my husband."

Alice groaned, placing a hand on her forehead. "You're completely brainwashed."

Chris exhaled sharply before nodding. "Alright, kid. I'll trust you—for now. But if you ever do anything to hurt Claire… well, you know what'll happen."

William laughed. "Oh no, I'm terrified," he said sarcastically.

Chris ignored him and focused on the more pressing issue. "Can you let me out now?"

Alice crossed her arms. "Why was he locked up in the first place?"

Luther, who had been standing nearby, shook his head. "I don't know the details. When we took shelter here, he was already in the cage."

Claire's frown deepened. "Then why didn't you let him out?"

Luther met her gaze and replied seriously, "Because I can tell from the way he looks at people—he's dangerous. He claimed to have a way to escape from here, but he refused to say a word unless we released him. I wasn't going to take that risk."

Chris leaned against the iron bars, his tone calm but firm. "I was following orders from my superiors. We were instructed to release prisoners here. We needed extra manpower to fight the zombies. I was outside when a group of prisoners ran past me. By the time I regained consciousness, I was locked in this damn cage, and my unit was gone."

William raised an eyebrow. "Sounds like a crazy story."

Chris scowled. "It's the truth. I'm not a criminal. I don't belong in here. Let me out—I have a way to get us out of this place."

Claire turned to William. "William…"

"I know," William said, nodding. "I planned on letting him out anyway."

Luther's eyes narrowed as he stepped in front of William. "You can't do that. He's too dangerous."

William's lips curled into a smirk. "Luther, tell me—have you ever met anyone more dangerous than me?"

Luther hesitated, then sighed. "No," he admitted, stepping aside.

William strode toward the cage. "I suggest you all take a few steps back."

"Why?" Luther asked.

"Because I'd rather not hurt anyone by accident."

Chris scoffed. "Boy, I'm not as fragile as you think. Do you really believe you can hurt me?"

William's smirk deepened. "I warned you. If you don't listen, that's on you."

Without another word, he lifted his foot and delivered a powerful kick to the iron door.

Bang!

The heavy metal door tore off its hinges, flying straight into Chris and slamming him against the iron bars with a sickening crash.

"Ahhh—!" Chris let out a pained roar as the impact sent shockwaves through his body. Blood splattered onto the cold floor as he crumpled down, gasping for breath.

Luther's jaw dropped. How strong is this guy? The reinforced iron door had been obliterated with a single kick.

Chris groaned, spitting blood onto the ground as he slowly pushed himself up. His body trembled from the impact, but he forced himself to stand. "You almost killed me, you bastard…"

William shrugged. "I warned you, but you insisted on acting tough. Can't blame me for that."

Chris wiped the blood from his mouth and stepped forward, staring at William with newfound wariness. "You're strong."

William grinned. "That's just the truth."

Chris turned to Claire. "Claire…"

She hesitated, then shook her head. "I really don't remember anything about you."

Luther cleared his throat. "Alright, you said you had a way to get us out. We let you out, now prove it."

Chris smirked. "Follow me."

They followed him to the yard, where they were met with the sight of countless zombies pressed against the iron gates, clawing and snarling.

In the distance, a massive mutant zombie loomed, dragging a giant iron axe behind it as it lumbered toward the gate.

*****

Despite sending a support email, my SubscribeStar profile remains stuck under review, displaying the same message: "YOUR PROFILE IS UNDER REVIEW. Keep checking your [email] inbox for possible inquiries from our Screening Team. Until your profile is approved, uploading/posting capabilities are limited to text and photos only." Weeks have passed, yet I haven't received any response or update.

If anyone has experienced something similar or knows a solution, please share any advice or possible workarounds. Your help would be greatly appreciated!