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.

the gate, Jasper came downstairs, "What did he say to

attracted to me," Stella replied

asking, "And you?" Stella leaned forward, sniffing, "You smell like

laughed, "Don't you have faith

but he

of the Porras family, spoiled since childhood. Everyone praises him wherever

annihilated. After the bloodshed of the apocalypse, the Porras family became more

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

to deliver food. Stella

this time. He mentioned clearing up the misunderstanding and dropping the case at the police station. Stella ignored him, letting her vicious Cooper

the rooftop greenhouse, and they wilted for several days. Eventually, they gradually adapted to the climate, and their condition

in Arcadia, which allowed them to gradually transition to the greenhouse. If they had found seedlings

seemed cultivating herbs was

mountains to find

take care of them. He really likes Smoky and

of poultry and it might be too much for a child

thought for a moment and decided to ask on

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

would be good for the kid to experience some hardship, to understand the realities of

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

chose to enter the mountains from another direction in Ivywood Estates, aiming for an unexplored area. The seasons

and now they split up to search. Rosie was assigned Cooper as her bodyguard for

gathered dozens of herbs, all of which were

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

on insect repellent, so Stella would regularly apply it