18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 400

After leaving the dispute resolution office, Stella silently made her way back to her detached house in Section B. Her face was a blank slate, but even Cooper could sense her mood was off. Her siblings, Jasper and Rosie, picked up on it too. They were sharp. When they found out Lillian was the wife of a high-ranking official, they finally pieced together Stella's complicated past. Lillian and Julia had plotted to create chaos that would get Stella killed by military crossfire.

Being abandoned at birth was one thing - you could call her parents selfish and cold-hearted and leave it at that. But Lillian colluding to have her own daughter killed? That was beyond heartless; it was monstrous.

Even though Stella had never acknowledged Lillian as her mother, she wasn't a robot. She was human, capable of laughing when happy and crying when sad. The coldness and abuse from her uncle's family still haunted Rosie with scars that hadn't fully healed. Now, Stella's birth mother wanted to kill her, all to protect her own lies and self-interest. In that moment, all Jasper, Rosie, and their dog Cooper could do was offer their companionship and protection.

Back home, Stella headed straight for the bedroom to take a shower, the sound of running water filling the space. She had skipped lunch, and now it was evening. Jasper told Rosie to whip something up so Cooper wouldn't go hungry.

He followed Stella into the bedroom, quietly shutting the door behind him. Jasper picked up a bathrobe and walked into the bathroom. Wrapping his arms around Stella from behind, he whispered, "Are you upset?"

"No."

Not upset, but definitely not emotionless. She felt a suffocating repression that bizarrely made her crave some good old-fashioned barbecue - the kind that could soothe any soul.

Jasper sensed her bottled-up feelings, his warm lips brushing against the nape of her neck, "How about we make some BBQ then?"

Without hesitation, Stella murmured an agreement.

As he leaned in for a kiss, Stella pushed him away, "Shower first."

The bathroom door closed firmly, leaving no one inside.

After an indefinite amount of time, a flushed Stella emerged from the steamy Arcadia, her breath finally steadying after a few moments. She fell into a deep sleep, utterly exhausted.

Now, there was no room for emotion—even if the sky fell, she wouldn't have the strength to open her eyes, let alone get up.

Jasper, on the other hand, was wide awake. He kissed her forehead tenderly and reassured her, "Get some rest. Everything will be behind us when you wake up. Whatever happens, I'll be right there with you to face it."

before heading out for dinner. The meal Rosie had prepared was cold by now, so Jasper heated it up again in the

as he stroked

back

stretched lazily, still feeling

"I don't want to

Jasper asked, "Mark's downstairs waiting. Do you want me to

Daniel's secretary?

the outcome, no matter your decision, I'll support you unconditionally. But I hope you choose what makes you happy and at ease, not out of

say it outright, but she knew what

glanced up at him, "You

kissed her forehead. "I just want you to be sure, so

such a nag," Stella rolled her eyes. "Jasper, have you

Jasper replied, "Was last night not

eager when

to find she couldn't budge

""How about a rematch?"

Last night

She made Mark wait downstairs for over an hour

a resolution regarding yesterday's incident. The official

prepared and stepped into the

administrative zone, they were delayed by other leaders seeking the official's attention. After half an hour, the path was clear, but as Stella

as one person left the office, another arrived, "Mark, is the official available? There's a situation at

of the urgency, Mark

the pattern, it seemed unlikely they would get

politely. "He's simply too busy. Please wait

rounds of waiting, Stella finally