Ch 17: Securing the First asset- Part 2

"Please sit down, Miss. I will bring someone else here to show you around. Would you like some tea? Coffee? Or juice?"

Selene looked at the panicking clerk with an amused look on her face. It seemed as if the staff was giving her their undivided attention. They had even forgotten that she was barely of age to buy the property.

The moment Selene displayed her wealth, the atmosphere in the agency shifted.

Gone was the mild disinterest.

Gone was the dismissive attitude.

The staff, who had barely spared her a glance before, suddenly couldn't stop smiling.

They pulled out chairs for her, offered her refreshments, and treated her like royalty.

Money talked.

And it spoke loudly.

Selene sat with calculated poise, watching as the manager himself came out to meet her—a well-dressed man in his forties, with a practiced smile that did little to hide the calculating gleam in his eyes.

"Miss Vale, I must say, we weren't expecting someone so young to make such an ambitious purchase." 

He greeted smoothly, extending a hand. He clearly had recognized her name and gave her the respect she deserved.

Selene didn't shake his hand.

Instead, she crossed her legs and tilted her head, her voice cool and detached. It felt unlike herself, but this was clearly the right way to approach this situation.

"Then I suppose that makes this a good business opportunity for you."

The manager blinked, clearly taken aback by her confidence.

He recovered quickly, laughing. He masked up any mistake he made when he spoke next.

"Of course! We're always happy to assist our distinguished clients."

Selene gave a polite smile.

It was all a game—one she had played in her past life, and one she had learned to win.

The manager took a seat across from her. 

"Now, what kind of property are you looking for? We have all kinds of places someone like you could appreciate."

"Land. As much as possible." 

Selene said. 

The manager blinked.

"Ah, I see. Agricultural, commercial, or—"

"I don't care about location or condition. I just want the largest plot available" 

She cut in smoothly. 

For the first time, the man hesitated.

Most clients, especially those from wealthy backgrounds, sought luxury—pristine mansions, prime real estate, or developed properties ready for investment.

But this girl—

She didn't care about any of that.

Was this some kind of business venture?

He attempted to pry, keeping his tone light. 

"Might I ask what you need the land for? Perhaps I can make better recommendations."

Selene's gaze sharpened.

"That's not your concern. Unless you'd rather waste time on questions instead of making money" 

She said, her voice dropping to a colder tone. 

The air between them tensed.

For a moment, the manager stared at her.

Then, he chuckled—low and knowing.

"…I see. My apologies, Miss Vale."

He sat up straighter, taking her far more seriously than before.

Selene wasn't some naive rich girl playing around with money.

She knew what she was doing.

And she had power.

That alone demanded respect.

Moments later, an assistant arrived, carrying a thick catalogue of properties.

Selene flipped through it, her eyes scanning over the lavish estates and multi-million-dollar mansions.

None of them were right.

She wasn't looking for a home.

She was looking for a fortress.

Somewhere she could disappear when the world collapsed.

Somewhere that no one would look for her.

After several minutes of searching, she nearly gave up—

Until she saw it.

A massive, barren piece of land.

No house.

No infrastructure.

Nothing but an old, abandoned barn sitting on miles of infertile soil.

It was easily the worst deal in the catalogue.

But it was also perfect.

Her heart thumped.

This was it.

Selene placed a finger on the page.

"I want this one."

The manager's brows furrowed.

"…That land?"

His hesitation was obvious.

Selene nodded.

"There's hardly anything there, Miss Vale. The soil is infertile, the terrain is rough, and the barn isn't even in livable condition. It's been sitting on the market for years because no one finds it useful."

Exactly.

That was why it was perfect.

If no one wanted it now, then no one would come looking for it later.

And in the apocalypse, land wasn't just about how "useful" it was in modern terms.

It was about security.

About control.

About how defensible it was.

Selene met the manager's doubtful gaze with a calm, unwavering stare.

"I'll take it."

"…Are you certain? I could find something far more valuable for you, Miss Vale. With your budget, you could purchase—" 

He leaned forward, lowering his voice slightly. 

"I said I'll take it" 

Selene repeated, voice firm, 

A beat of silence.

Then, the manager sighed, nodding. 

"Understood."

If she wanted to throw money at useless land, that was her choice.

He certainly wasn't going to refuse a sale.

The process was surprisingly easy.

Selene wired the payment immediately from her newly created account, ensuring that the land was transferred to her name before anyone could interfere.

The manager, still visibly confused by her choice, arranged all the necessary paperwork.

"This place isn't near any major cities. You'll need to set up everything from scratch—water, electricity, infrastructure—" 

He warned her one last time. 

"That won't be a problem."

Selene took the keys and the deed, tucking them into her bag.

The manager exhaled in defeat.

"If you say so."

Just before she left, he hesitated again.

"…Forgive me, Miss Vale, but—if I may ask—why this land? Why not a place with better conditions?"

Selene's lips curled into a slight smirk.

"Because…there is no need for you to know. And I will sign this place under a different name, so make sure you keep your mouth shut."

The manager froze.

It was only for a second—

But Selene saw it.

That faint flicker of unease.

Like he had just sold property to someone far more dangerous than he realized.

Selene turned, walking out of the agency.

Her next destination was clear.

Supplies.

She had the land.

Now, she had to prepare.

Because the end of the world was coming.

And this time—

She would be ready.