18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 271

"Absolutely not!" Bran almost choked on his disbelief.

He'd admit, Stella was a looker, but women were the last thing he lacked. What kind of beauty hadn't he seen? Hollywood starlets, social media influencers, budding models, small-town girls... all he had to do was snap his fingers and they were his. "You're overthinking." Bran said dismissively, "I'm just intrigued by your mystery."

That was a relief. Stella would've been terrified to be on his radar, "So what?"

"I got curious, so I accidentally hit you with my car."

Stella laughed, "Bran, I'm curious about what goes on in your head. Should I crack it open with a knife to take a look?"

Yep, she was definitely the first woman to speak to him like that.

Bran looked uncomfortable, his eyes darting elsewhere, "I didn't expect such a big fuss today. My... my apologies."

Well, what a surprise! The rich boy apologizing. Had it been anyone else, Stella might not have let it go. But considering the vehicles and parts in Arcadia, and the swallowed pink diamond, she felt slightly uneasy.

Moreover, her ultimate goal was to continue living in the villa, and the Porras family wasn't to be messed with. Since he had given her an out, there was no need to push it.

"Of course, if you people insist on causing trouble, we're not afraid."

By "you people", she meant the self-proclaimed elites of the neighborhood. Her words were not only for Bran but also for those who thought highly of themselves.

Bran's pride took a hit, but considering his father's sudden change of attitude after meeting Evan, he decided to swallow his pride. He waved nonchalantly and strutted away. Cooper stubbornly remained where he was, staring at Bran's retreating figure, baring his teeth.

Stella patted him and turned to go home.

gate, Jasper came downstairs, "What did he

he was attracted to me,"

"And you?" Stella leaned forward, sniffing, "You smell like jealousy." Jasper pulled her into a hug,

"Don't you have faith in

he couldn't help

spoiled since childhood. Everyone praises him wherever he goes, which

the Porras family would probably be annihilated. After the bloodshed of the

long as the Porras family didn't provoke them, Stella was willing to

surprise, Bran actually sent people to deliver food. Stella was speechless

the next day he sent more things over. Drinks this time. He mentioned clearing up the

planted in the rooftop greenhouse, and they wilted for several days. Eventually, they gradually adapted

them to gradually transition to the greenhouse. If they had found seedlings in the wild, most would have

cultivating herbs was

wanted to go into the mountains to find as many

"Let Dylan take care of

it might be too much for a child to handle. Moreover, everyone knew how much

for a moment and decided to ask on

few days, Austin readily agreed, "No problem, just bring them over. Dylan has been nagging about wanting to

dirty and smelly. It would be good for the kid to experience some hardship, to understand

with a big bag of feed made from crushed corn and sweet potato sprouts. The three of them and the dog set off

chose to enter the mountains from another direction in Ivywood Estates, aiming for an unexplored area. The seasons became more distinct, and many early-budding plants and seedlings were frozen to death or injured. Of course, there were also resilient ones

herbs, and now they split up to search.

they had gathered dozens of herbs, all of which were

Stella took out the mummy sleeping bags. She shared one with Jasper,

Stella would regularly apply it on