Chapter 11: The Neighbors’ Hypocrisy and a Brilliant Revenge Plan!

 The memory of John's actions infuriated Benjamin. If John hadn't refused to repay the debt all those years ago, Benjamin wouldn't have dropped out of high school to work manual labor! If he hadn't spent every spare moment teaching himself programming and earning a degree from a prestigious university, he'd still be hauling bricks at a construction site instead of enjoying a cushy $20,000-a-month job. Today, even if John had to borrow every penny, Benjamin would make him spit out the $30,000 he owed!

Just then, Mrs. Wilson from the neighboring alley piped up. "Why push him so hard? Be merciful!"

Benjamin nearly laughed out loud. "Merciful? "John, that lying scumbag, had nearly ruined Benjamin's life by withholding the debt for over a decade. Who was really being pushed here?

To Benjamin's disgust, the other neighbors joined in. 

"You're spending millions on renovations—why fuss over $30,000?" 

"With that Rolls-Royce parked outside, you're clearly loaded. Let it go, kid!" 

"Don't be stingy—we're all neighbors!" 

"Benjamin, I held you as a baby! Show some respect!" 

"Money changes people. Don't forget your roots!" 

Benjamin's eyes turned icy. These self-righteous hypocrites had shattered his last shred of goodwill. He'd planned to warn them about the coming apocalypse and even help them survive. But they were the same as always—preaching generosity while stealing others' kindness. Fine. He'd let them rot. 

"How noble of you!" Benjamin sneered, flashing his payment QR code. "If $30,000 is nothing, why don't you pay it? Split it—just $1,000 each. Go on, heroes—show your mercy!" 

The neighbors recoiled as if the QR code were cursed. Pathetic. They'd moralize about $30,000 but balk at parting with a dime. 

Mr. Miller, the retired neighborhood busybody, tried mediating. "John, just repay him already!" 

John wilted like a deflated balloon. "I'm broke! My son's 'sports car' was a lie!" 

When Mr. Miller's "compassion" resurfaced, Benjamin shoved the QR code in his face. The old man clammed up. 

"No more games, John," Benjamin said coldly. "Pay today, or I'll call the police. $30,000 owed for over a decade? That's two years in jail. And I'll keep coming for the money—forever." 

Terrified, John glanced at the neighbors. They backed away, leaving him stranded. Trapped, John took out a predatory loan and transferred the $30,000. 

Benjamin smirked as the notification chimed. Finally. But revenge? Unnecessary. The hidden hints had already shown John would freeze to death within a week of the apocalypse. Why waste energy on a dead man walking? 

…

With the debt settled, Benjamin left for an upscale restaurant. The menu boasted rare delicacies—truffle-infused steak, caviar sushi—each dish costing thousands. But for someone who'd just cashed in lottery tickets and bounty hunts for millions, it was pocket change. 

He ordered hundreds of thousands worth of gourmet meals and booked 20,000 luxury banquets through elite catering services. Even mid-tier feasts for future allies—doctors, blacksmiths, chefs—were preordered. A $2 million splurge, but worth it. Loyalty was bought with full stomachs. 

Suddenly, his phone lit up. 

[Mia: Sweetie, I'm visiting my parents for a few days.] 

Benjamin's blood ran cold. Her name alone resurrected memories of her betrayal—poisoning him, stealing his supplies, leaving him to die in the snow. He typed through gritted teeth: 

[Benjamin: Why not take me? I'd love to see my future in-laws!] 

[Mia: Oh, I just miss them!] 

Miss them? She'd video-called them daily and visited two weeks ago. Her sudden "homesickness" reeked of lies. She was likely meeting her rich secret lover—the same scam she'd pulled in his past life. 

[Benjamin: Such filial piety! Stay as long as you need. Send my regards!] 

With Mia gone, he could focus on prepping for the apocalypse. But her family's wealth needed draining first. 

[Mia: My brother's ignoring me. Don't sell the house—he'll buy it!] 

Benjamin pulled out Liam's phone—stolen days earlier—and saw Mia's frantic messages to her brother. Scrolling through her family's contacts, a vicious grin spread across his face. 

Time to ruin them all.