18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 165

The apartment market was chaotic, so Stella suggested to Jasper, "What about trying our luck in the villa district?"

Indeed, not only did the lower class survivors flock here, but also the wealthy with a keen eye for opportunity.

The villa district was a couple of miles from the beach, nestled on a hill and located near the port. As they drove along the coastal road, they could glimpse the villas hidden among the trees.

They reached the villas quickly. At the foot of the hill, there was a security booth with a dozen or so armed guards patrolling.

As they saw a car approaching, they became alert and gestured for them to stop from afar. They were all dressed in security uniforms.

Stella rolled down the window and asked, "Are there any houses for rent?"

The guards, overwhelmed by the smell of sweat, almost dismissed them right away. One of them, seeing Stella and Jasper's ragged clothes and old car, impatiently said, "No, you should leave. You can't afford to live here."

Stella wasn't offended. She was used to this kind of arrogance from her days of networking for business. She took out a pack of cigarettes from her pocket and handed it over, "Can you help us out, mister?"

The guard's eyes widened at the sight of the cigarettes. He hadn't smelt tobacco in two years. He used to smoke a pack a day, but now he couldn't even afford a decent meal, let alone a cigarette. He quickly pocketed the cigarettes, fearing someone else would snatch them if he was too slow.

The guard's attitude changed completely. He said with a smile, "Sure, there are houses for rent, but the rent is a bit high."

He looked Stella and Jasper over again. Despite their ragged clothing and tired faces, their physique suggested they were more than they seemed.

Stella asked about the rent, "How much is it?"

"All villas here are rented out as a whole, and most of them have been rented by the wealthy. The only ones left are near the top of the hill."

severe cold and rented

"We have 24-hour patrols here, and we have good connections. Ordinary refugees dare

pounds of food per month,

asked for 8 pounds of

Jasper, seeking his opinion with her

priority as they had brought Cooper and Rosie with them. Jasper had no objections. Although the rent was high, Stella's Arcadia could grow crops, so it wasn't

like soybeans are also accepted. If it's potatoes or sweet potatoes, the quantity should be increased."

for frost-resistant potatoes, and fifty percent more for ordinary

"Can you

returned to the security booth, hopped on his patrol scooter and slowly drove

car window, observing her surroundings. Judging from the security personnel and the scooter, the security measures in the villa district seemed pretty solid. The trees on the hill had survived the freezing conditions, the moist air had revived them and they were now sprouting

built along the winding hill road, with a building every few dozen meters. Each was a two-and-a-half-story cottage. Many of them had solar generators installed on the roof, and the balconies and windows were all enclosed

was strong near the sea, so there was plenty of water vapor due to the large temperature difference between day and night. The drought situation was much relieved compared to Griffith,

even hear the sound of the

greenhouses, parasols, and beach chairs. There were beautiful women wearing

was a vacation paradise. It was as if the end of the world was a mere

to see children playing soccer on

of the

by lush trees, so it wasn't as hot. All of them had already been rented out, only

villa gate,

dilapidated car didn't surprise Rob. But when he saw the

were all small pets that didn't eat much. This dog, however, was

help but take a second look, only to find the dog staring at him with murderous eyes. It looked ready to attack at any moment, and Rob

beckoned the dog, which immediately transformed from a fierce beast to