Apocalypse Trade Monopoly
Chapter 66: : Backdoor Access

Chapter 66: : Backdoor Access

Ava felt the pounding in her skull, a sharp ache from the upgrade forcing itself into her system. She needed time to process—time she didn’t have.

So instead? She smiled.

She tilted her head, her gaze flicking lazily to Locke, letting her smirk curl at the edges. "You know, Captain, I expected more resistance."

Locke chuckled, clearly amused. "Oh?"

Ava rested her elbow on the table, chin in her palm. "You don’t strike me as the type to let a woman walk all over you."

Jessica went rigid beside her, eyes narrowing.

Locke leaned in slightly, smirk widening. "Depends on the woman."

Ava let the pause stretch, her fingers tracing the rim of her empty glass. "Good to know."

Then—

Angel laughed.

Slow. Controlled. Sharp.

It wasn’t forced, nor was it pleasant. It was the kind of laugh that came from someone who had already decided the outcome of this conversation.

Ava didn’t even have to look to know what was coming.

"We’re married," Angel said smoothly.

Ava turned to her, keeping her expression pleasantly surprised. "Oh?"

Locke didn’t flinch, didn’t correct her—just kept watching Ava with quiet amusement.

Angel’s lips curled as she adjusted the bracelet on her wrist, a delicate, unnecessary motion that only highlighted the steel in her gaze. "Surprised?"

Ava smiled. "Pleasantly. You make such a lovely couple."

Jessica huffed a quiet laugh. "Bold of you to flirt with someone’s husband."

Ava exhaled dramatically, tilting her head at Locke. "You should’ve warned me, Captain. I could’ve been more... subtle."

Locke just chuckled. "But where’s the fun in that?"

Angel’s eyes flicked between them before she sighed, tone light—but carrying a weight that pressed against the space between them. "Jessica, you’ll be keeping an eye on our guest."

Ava raised a brow. "A chaperone? How cute."

Jessica smiled, all teeth. "I think we’ll get along just fine."

Angel didn’t look at Jessica. She didn’t need to. Instead, she tilted her head slightly, gaze steady on Ava. "You must be tired after all that excitement," she murmured. "Come on, trader girl. Time to get you settled."

Ava forced an easy smirk, but inside?

Her system adjusted.

A click. A shift. A subtle snap as everything settled into place.

And then—

[NEW SYSTEM FUNCTIONALITY DETECTED]

[ACCESSING SYNCED DATA...]

Her vision flickered.

Not just blueprints. Not just potential schematics.

She saw value.

Numbers. Calculations. The exact thing Lucas had always been able to see—now running through her system like second nature.

She barely had time to process before instinct took over.

Her eyes flicked to the vial still sitting in her palm.

[SCANNING COMPOUND...]

[ENHANCEMENT FORMULA – VERSION 7.2]

[PRIMARY EFFECTS: SYSTEM AUGMENTATION]

[SECONDARY EFFECTS: UNKNOWN]

Version 7.2? How many versions existed?

Ava inhaled slowly, shifting her gaze.

To the box of data chips, now open. Locke had them in his hands, rolling a few between his fingers, clearly enjoying the weight of the trade he’d just made.

Ava’s system locked onto them instantly.

[SCANNING MEMORY CHIPS...]

[DATA PROTECTION: 74% ENCRYPTED]

[ESTIMATED WORTH: 450-600 ENERGY CORES]

[CURRENT OWNER: LOCKE]

Her pulse jumped. That was not what she had expected.

Angel hadn’t just given her something valuable in return—she had just stolen the better deal.

Ava forced herself to stay relaxed, tilting her head at Locke. "You planning to take those home, or are you just admiring them?"

Locke chuckled, tossing one in the air before catching it again. "Depends. Did I just buy garbage or gold?"

Ava smirked. "That’s for you to figure out."

Angel’s voice cut in before Locke could reply, smooth as ever. "I wouldn’t worry, Captain. You’ve always had a good eye for business... among other things."

Locke hummed, but Angel was already waving them away.

"Come now, Ava," she said, her voice carrying that same knowing amusement. "We have much to discuss."

Ava exhaled slowly, letting herself be pulled along. Fighting now wouldn’t help. She’d already won a battle tonight—the real war was still waiting.

The inn wasn’t far.

A sleek, multi-level structure tucked into the heart of Level One’s entertainment district. Not the biggest. Not the flashiest. But heavily secured.

Jessica walked her through the front entrance like she owned the place. Which, knowing Angel, she probably did.

The lobby was quiet. Warm lighting, high-end furniture, but nothing excessive. Everything designed for comfort and control.

Ava tilted her head. "So, what’s the deal? Private suite or locked cell?"

Jessica snorted. "You’re not a prisoner. Just a guest."

"Right," Ava murmured.

The elevator ride was silent.

Jessica finally spoke as the doors slid open. "You’ll be in here."

A spacious room. Not extravagant, but well-furnished. A large bed, a private bathroom, even a small workspace. It looked... normal.

Which meant it wasn’t.

Ava stepped inside, scanning the walls, the ceiling.

[SCANNING ROOM...]

[MONITORING DEVICES DETECTED]

[AUDIO SURVEILLANCE: ACTIVE]

Of course.

Jessica leaned against the doorway, arms crossed. "Get some rest, Zhang. You’ll need it."

Ava met her gaze, smirking slightly. "You keeping me company?"

Jessica rolled her eyes. "You wish."

She turned on her heel, shutting the door behind her.

Ava exhaled, finally alone.

Or at least—as alone as the surveillance would allow.

Ava exhaled slowly, rolling her shoulders. If they wanted her to rest, she’d make sure she looked the part.

She crossed the room, plucked a bottle from the courtesy tray, and twisted the cap off.

A slow sip. Casual. Relaxed. Buying time.

At the same time, her fingers flicked against the inside of her wrist, activating her system.

[ACCESSING LINKED SYSTEM...]

[SEARCHING FOR CONNECTED USER: LUCAS BAI]

Ava leaned against the desk, tilting the drink between her fingers.

"System," she murmured. "Give me a chat with Lucas."

[A BLUEPRINT SYSTEM FUNCTION CAN ACCOMMODATE THIS REQUEST]

[INITIALIZING DIRECT CONNECTION...]

Ava’s vision flickered. Lines of data stretched across her mind, shifting, aligning. The world blurred for a second—

Then—

A space formed. Not physical. Not digital. Something in between.

A sleek, blueprint-like construct. Like stepping inside the wireframe of an unfinished machine.

And standing across from her—

Lucas Bai.

His golden eyes flickered, taking in the space around them. Then, his lips curled into a slow smirk.

"Well, well, Beauty," he murmured. "This is new."

Ava crossed her arms, watching Lucas take in the wireframe space. His golden eyes gleamed, sharp and unreadable.

"Figured I’d try something new," she murmured.