18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 347

Stella made a special trip to the local herbal research institute, where Collin and others had been toiling away. Thankfully, the greenhouse they had labored over was still standing.

The greenhouse, constructed by official experts, had a clever design that withstood the relentless assault of acid rain, ensuring the medicinal herbs were well-protected.

Having not seen them for half a year, Stella, who highly regarded her mentors and friends, brought gifts for everyone: Dr. Garcia's favorite tea blend, Collin's preferred sweets, Hugh's brand of cigarettes, and some preserved bacon and aged rice. She was careful not to overdo the quantities, keeping everything within a reasonable limit.

Hugh seemed much more cheerful, and Stella wondered if he had finally moved past the shadow of Lindsay. But she held her tongue, not daring to ask.

However, Bran mentioned in passing that Lindsay might be expecting. Hopefully she wouldn't cause any more trouble.

Seeing everyone in relatively good spirits, Stella felt reassured enough to head back to Griffith.

The escalation of natural disasters was undeniable, but the authorities had taken the prophecies seriously and prepared extensively. Stella hoped that when the day of the tectonic collision came, they could lead more survivors to safety. People like Dr. Garcia and Collin were surely on the government's list of key individuals to protect, so Stella didn't need to worry about them.

With the end of the acid rain, many in the neighborhood were reinforcing their homes, hoping to make them sturdier against the next disaster.

Knock on wood, Stella thought, there wouldn't be a next time.

That evening, after a glass of wine, she fell into a deep sleep.

"Bang!" It felt as though the earth had been struck a mighty blow, shaking the bed beneath her.

Stella sat up abruptly, her ears ringing. What the hell? The acid rain had barely ended, and now a tectonic collision? But that wasn't supposed to happen for almost two more years!

Jasper awoke beside her, quickly turning on the light. The two exchanged a glance, then hurriedly got dressed.

the commotion, swiftly gearing up

was about to deploy the survival pod in the yard when Cooper started barking furiously at the mansion across the way, his urgency clear. Then he began scratching at the front

subsided; there was no sense of the ground

the area with binoculars, he remarked, "Looks

near the Porras mansion. In moments, shouts filled the air, "Hurry, help! The house has collapsed!" Collapsed? Stella was baffled; the Porras family's home was built with

the walkie-talkie, Bran's voice came through, tinged with desperation,

asked

his father had fallen,

a safe spot,

alarm; the earlier tremor wasn't tectonic-it was

Arcadia's assets were tied to the Porras family and that they had helped her

survival pod, Jasper warned, "Rosie, fasten your seatbelt and take care of Cooper. Don't come out no matter what happens. Stella and I will check on the Porras family and

more time and hurried

dark, grabbed surgical equipment and medications from Arcadia, stuffing them all into

were emerging from their villas to see the Porras family's grand mansion partially demolished, their jaws dropping in disbelief. Who on earth was audacious enough to target the Porras

chaos, with Bran holding the injured Shane

a gash on his head, blood gushing out, soaking Bran's clothes. Several kids, terrified, cried beside them until Bran, overwhelmed and agitated, shouted, "Stop your crying! Shut up,

shout silenced

she requested all available medical supplies and equipment from the Porras family. After the years of

She didn't realize that Bran was unexpectedly composed in a

was about to proceed, a woman in her thirties grabbed her arm. "My son's arm is dislocated. Can you help?" This was the Porras family's second daughter-in-law, clutching her crying son whose

moment." A dislocation

eyes filled with impatience and displeasure. Bran's gaze swept over, lethal in its intensity. Feeling intimidated,

room, with Jasper assisting