18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 394

Jasper stepped forward, deftly slipping his hand into Ty's pocket and pulling out a mini pen-a recording pen, no doubt about it.

Stella listened over and over, a strange woman's voice emanating from the device.

Ever since Black Dog hinted at being under someone's thumb, Stella had her suspicions. Matching the suspect with the voice, it seemed more and more likely.

Jasper was an expert in this area. If he wasn't mistaken, the person had not only pinched their voice but also stuffed something in their mouth to disguise it further. Such an attempt to conceal only made things more obvious-like burying treasure under a tree but insisting there's nothing there.

"Julia," Jasper said.

Sharing a bed for a long time does create a connection, and Stella was thinking the same. Who else but Julia? Stella hadn't crossed anyone else.

But she hadn't anticipated Julia having such a powerful backer, belonging to a family of significant influence. How could someone so foolish find such a powerful protector?

Although the Kindle Society could better monitor natural disasters, Stella was no longer someone who would suffer in silence, especially now that she had the submarine in her possession. She could just walk away if need be.

She had no reason to feel aggrieved. Besides, even if she swallowed her pride, would Julia stop her antics? No, she would only grow bolder.

Stella wanted the recording pen and more. She tied up Ty and the others.

"You said you'd let us go!" Black Dog howled. "You're a beautiful woman, yet you go back on your word!" Annoyed by his noise, Jasper knocked him out with a swift chop and stuffed him into the trunk of the car. With the trunk full of living evidence, the trio and their dog drove back to the base.

Stella had a temper, sure, but she wasn't quick to explode. All the way, she thought things through calmly.

Every vehicle entering the base was subject to inspection, so Stella simply parked outside the base's perimeter. They were knocked out again with ether, ensuring they wouldn't wake anytime soon.

straight for the central mall, walking with a determination that recognized

there, and her face turned several shades paler at the sight of the very alive Stella. Stella ignored her and started browsing

good terms with Julia, and waved her over. "Hey, I'm

was all eagerness as she approached to offer her assistance. They stood

unobserved, Stella slipped Lola a piece of rock candy. Half a pound

the move but quickly tucked it away. "You

recently, and I've had trouble ever since. It's got to be her stirring things

pride. But Lola, having accepted the sweet bribe, spoke with a complicated expression after a moment's thought. "Her father is a high- ranking officer. My advice? Let it go. Eating a loss is annoying,

time Julia had used her father's status to oppress others. At first, people resisted, but after being dealt with harshly a few times,

Stella frowned. "An officer?"

"He's actually a decent guy, but you know... his wife, she's quite the public figure, which is why Julia acts so

Stella was surprised. "Daniel?"

shocked. "You know

mind raced.

It's not good to call out the big

was a shrewd businessman; he wouldn't raise someone else's daughter. Julia was without a doubt a true Riley, but now she was posing as Daniel's

had no limits-not even a

mood was complex, not exactly happy or angry; it was hard for

"Julia."

entered the mall. She had been pestering Claire to set up another date

disaster, they could be called to sacrifice at any moment-hardly the time for marriage. They'd have

the chaos of the world, she was more determined than ever to marry Julia off,

the consequences were unimaginable. So Julia had to be married off quickly, for both

time to waste, Lillian hurried to remind her daughter. "Julia, there's something at

seal the deal, Julia's future would