My 100th Rebirth a day before the Apocalypse novel Chapter 728

Gavel's cheerful chatter faltered as he glanced down at Lisa, suddenly remembering the reason he'd stepped forward in the first place. His gaze shifted to Kisha—and he was stunned.

Unlike him, Dracon, Lisa, Abby, and the rest of the group who looked like they'd been marinated in dirt and mud, Kisha's face was spotless. Her skin was fair and healthy, almost glowing with a natural radiance that sharply contrasted with the worn and rugged faces around him.

Only then did he truly notice Duke, standing beside her—also immaculate. Not just Duke, but everyone in his group looked clean and composed. Their clothes were fresh, their gear intact, and aside from a few bloodstains from the earlier battle with the mutated snake, they appeared well-fed, well-equipped, and untouched by the grime and desperation that clung to the survivors outside.

He opened his mouth, but no words came out. How could he even begin to ask?Should he question why Duke and his people looked so different—so composed, so well-clean—compared to him and the other survivors?

But then he remembered: Duke had always been a man at the top, even before the apocalypse. Sitting at the peak of the social pyramid, it wasn't surprising that he might have had his own private army, secret facilities, or contingency plans in place.

It made sense.

As the young master of a prestigious family, Duke was smart, meticulous, and trained not just in business, but in reading people and situations. The truth didn't need to be spoken aloud. His appearance, the disciplined demeanor of his people, and their advanced gear all told the story of someone who had prepared for the worst long before it came.

Unlike him.

All he could do was let out a bitter, self-deprecating smile, the gap between them now clearer than ever.

"It's so good to see you, buddy," Gavel said warmly, before his gaze shifted to Kisha."And this is…?" he asked, noting how protective Duke was with her.

Gavel immediately understood the situation. Though his instincts urged him to be cautious—especially since he was here to protect Lisa—he wasn't about to start trouble. He knew better than to jump to conclusions or accuse someone blindly, especially when he had no idea about the history between Kisha and Lisa.

This wasn't the time for confrontation. Duke's body language said it all—Kisha was important to him. And Gavel, experienced as he was, knew when to step forward and when to take a step back.

Before Duke could step in and openly introduce her as his wife, Kisha took a confident step forward and extended her hand toward Gavel.

"Hello, I'm Kisha Aldens," she said with a warm, composed smile.

Then, her gaze shifted toward Lisa, her tone taking on a hint of amusement."I didn't know you and Lisa were acquainted," she added with a subtle smirk before glancing around.

"So... where's the director?"

Lisa felt a chill run through her as Kisha spoke, her body trembling slightly. She hesitated before replying, her voice unsteady. "The Director and I... we got separated," she said quickly, leaving out the details.