Chapter 325: Sue Sutton

Chapter 325: Chapter 325: Sue Sutton

Cynthia Whittaker waved goodbye to her like a Lucky Cat.

She was just about to go check on the bath center up ahead when a short-haired woman with a commanding presence walked toward her. Though she had no bodyguards, she moved with the force of an entourage.

Lily Hart stopped in her tracks, waiting for the woman.

The short-haired woman strode decisively up to Lily Hart and briefly sized her up. They were about the same height, meeting each other’s gaze directly.

Lily Hart sensed no malice from her, so she waited for the woman to speak first.

"Boss Hart, I’ve heard so much about you." Sue Sutton extended a hand and introduced herself. "I’m Sue Sutton, the Base Commander of Solara Base."

"I’m Lily Hart." She took the offered hand. Sue Sutton’s palm was cool to the touch, and the calluses were thick and rough, yet they conveyed a sense of great strength.

Lily Hart made an inviting gesture toward the RV.

The two walked toward the RV side by side. As they drew near, Sue Sutton was still wondering where the door was when, in a blur, she suddenly found herself inside. She was inwardly shocked but didn’t let it show on her face.

Lily Hart led her to the lounge area. With a snap of her fingers, three or four plates of sliced fruit, two plates of snacks, and bottles of mineral water appeared on the table. She wasn’t a big fan of sugary drinks.

Sue Sutton had long heard rumors online about how formidable Lily Hart was, how abundant her supplies were, and how generous she was. Only now, seeing it firsthand, did she realize... it was all true.

Even if these fruits and snacks were common, everyday items to Lily Hart, for people like Sue, they were incredibly precious.

"So, Base Commander Sutton, what brings you to me?" Lily Hart asked casually, spearing a piece of cantaloupe with a small fork and leaning back in her seat.

She leisurely ate the piece of cantaloupe, her gaze fixed on Sue Sutton.

Sue Sutton’s hands were under the table, unconsciously rubbing together. Back at her base, she could face a crowd of thousands without flinching, yet now, in front of the mild-mannered Lily Hart, she felt a little nervous.

She took a deep breath and said calmly, "I’m with Quincy Shaw. I’ve already shut down The Mysterious Clan’s supply exchange point within the base, and I’m planning to open one of yours."

Lily Hart recalled mentioning to Elder Shaw yesterday that she would be coming to Solara Base today.

’They must have spoken privately.’

Lily Hart swallowed her bite of cantaloupe, thought for a moment, then opened her chat with Elder Shaw to confirm.

She didn’t ask Sue Sutton about the consequences of shutting down The Mysterious Clan’s supply exchange. Since Sue had already done it, it meant she had the confidence to handle the fallout.

After receiving a confirmation from Elder Shaw, Lily Hart said, "No problem. I’ll give you the same prices I give him. You can draw up a list for me."

Sue Sutton’s eyes lit up. ’I can’t believe we settled it this fast!’

She opened her Light Brain and showed the list she had prepared in advance to Lily Hart.

The list was full of basic living supplies: mineral water, instant noodles, bread, compressed biscuits, chocolate, and so on... all things one could find in a convenience store.

Lily Hart quickly scanned the list. "No problem."

After exchanging contact information with Sue Sutton, she forwarded the list to Frost Shaw and told him to prepare the order.

"Go on, eat. We’re on the same side now, so don’t be shy," Lily Hart said, gesturing to the fruit on the table.

Only then did Sue Sutton reach for the fruit. Her movements, like her personality, were powerful and deliberate. She wasn’t delicately featured, but she possessed a unique charm. She was efficient, decisive, and exuded an overwhelming sense of security—a kind of powerful, feminine radiance.

Lily Hart glanced at the time; it was almost noon. "Shall we go to the hot pot restaurant for lunch?" she offered.

Sue Sutton looked up at her. Sensing the sincerity of the invitation, she agreed. "Alright. The hot pot restaurant is the prize Cynthia Whittaker won from a scratch-off, isn’t it? I know her."

"That’s right," Lily Hart said. "Is she that famous?"

"She stayed at Solara Base for a while before moving on to Steadfast Base," Sue Sutton said with a smile, her eyes lingering on the fruit on the table as she prepared to stand.

Lily Hart misunderstood her glance. "Don’t worry about that, someone will clear it away."

Then she paused, turned back, and picked up the two plates of fruit, holding them out to Sue. "Why don’t you take these with you?" she said generously. "I have plenty more."

At this, Sue Sutton’s heart warmed. She dropped the formalities, stored the fruit in her personal space, and a smile touched her lips.

The two of them went to the hot pot restaurant. Lily Hart walked in first, and Cynthia Whittaker, seeing her, waved a hand in greeting. "Lily, didn’t you just leave? What brings you back so soon?"

"Are there any private rooms free right now?" Lily Hart asked.

Cynthia Whittaker immediately checked on her Light Brain. The app showed a floor plan of the first and second stories; each small square represented a table. Red meant occupied, and blue meant available.

"There’s one free!" Cynthia Whittaker announced, looking up. Just then, she caught sight of Sue Sutton behind Lily Hart, and the smile instantly vanished from her face.

Lily Hart noticed the change. She glanced back at Sue Sutton, who was looking around the hot pot restaurant with a perfectly natural expression, then back at Cynthia Whittaker, who was pouting and glaring at Sue.

"Let’s go to the private room," Lily said.

’This isn’t a good place to talk, with so many people around.’

Having learned her lesson from last time, Lily Hart was more mindful now. The three of them went upstairs to a private room at the end of the hall. It was very spacious, with a table that could likely seat ten to fifteen people.

The table was rectangular, with two hot pots set into its center.

It was clean and neat.

There was no greasy film that might kill one’s appetite.

"Have a seat," Lily Hart said, pulling out a random chair and sitting down. Cynthia Whittaker immediately scooted in right beside her.

Sue Sutton followed suit, taking the seat next to Cynthia, which earned her a massive, and entirely unsurprising, eye-roll.

"You’re the guest. Sit over there," Cynthia Whittaker said, pointing to the opposite side of the table. As she spoke, she scooted her own chair closer to Lily Hart, looking as if she’d rather be sharing a single seat with her.

"Nope. I’m sitting here," Sue Sutton retorted, tilting her chin up defiantly.

Cynthia Whittaker pouted and turned to tattle to Lily Hart, but all thoughts of complaining vanished the moment she heard Lily ask, "What do you want to eat?"

"I want corn! The super sweet kind! And those fried dough sticks with the salted egg yolk filling!" Cynthia Whittaker answered immediately.

"Alright, ordered." Lily Hart added the two items to the cart, then leaned back and turned to Sue Sutton.

"I’m fine with anything," Sue Sutton replied. She wasn’t a picky eater.

The moment Sue Sutton spoke, Cynthia Whittaker remembered their little spat. ’But the conversation has already moved on,’ she thought. ’If I keep bringing it up, will Lily think I’m being petty?’

With that thought, Cynthia Whittaker decided to hold her tongue. ’I’ll endure it,’ she resolved.

She just silently scooted her chair even closer to Lily Hart, until the two chairs were practically touching.

Lily Hart glanced down, then looked up at Cynthia Whittaker in confusion. "What are you doing? You might as well just sit on my lap to eat."

Cynthia Whittaker gave an awkward laugh and whispered, "Lily, I don’t want to be too close to that awful woman. I’m telling you, she’s super mean!"

Seeing Cynthia Whittaker practically whispering in Lily Hart’s ear, Sue Sutton couldn’t resist saying, "What are you muttering about over there? If you’ve got something to say, say it out loud."

Cynthia Whittaker immediately sat bolt upright, her eyes wide. She planted her hands on her hips and declared with perfect confidence, "I don’t have the guts!"

"Pfft..." Sue Sutton burst out laughing.