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.

closed the gate, Jasper came downstairs, "What did he

attracted to me," Stella replied

smell like jealousy." Jasper pulled her into a hug, "Are you

laughed, "Don't you have

but he couldn't help

family, spoiled since childhood. Everyone praises him wherever he

of the apocalypse, the Porras family became more cautious and low-key, but their

Porras family didn't provoke them, Stella

to her surprise, Bran actually sent people to deliver food. Stella

this time. He mentioned clearing up the misunderstanding and dropping the case

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

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

cultivating herbs was quite

wanted to go into the mountains to find as many herbs as possible. Jasper had no objections. The other things could be moved into Arcadia, but it was hard to deal with poultry

take care of them.

much for a child to handle.

thought for a moment and decided to ask

be out for a few days, Austin readily agreed, "No problem, just bring them over. Dylan has been nagging about wanting to keep some

good for the kid to experience some

over, along with a big bag of feed made from crushed corn and sweet potato sprouts. The

in Ivywood Estates, aiming for an unexplored area. The seasons became more distinct,

about herbs, and now

had gathered dozens of herbs, all

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

repellent, so Stella would regularly apply it