18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 401

Daniel looked at Stella Larson with a blend of hope and hesitation. "The best I can do is get you a spot in Project Phoenix," he said. "I hope you'll consider it."

Stella's response was polite but firm. "Thanks for the offer, but I don't need it."

She didn't even glance at the assessment report he offered; she knew Daniel wouldn't be wrong about something like this.

Family ties? They were absent when she needed them most. Now, they were just an unnecessary addition.

"There's no need for guilt or apologies," Stella said calmly. "You didn't raise me, but you didn't harm me either. So, I don't hold anything against you. In fact, as an outsider, I respect the contributions you've made to the base over the years."

"As for blood relations, they've lost their importance to me long ago. I won't carry that burden, and I don't want you to be shackled by it either. Let's just live our lives without interfering with each other."

Her words were cold and devoid of any resentment or self-pity.

Only when one is truly strong can they be independent of others.

Daniel felt a bittersweet pride. She had his blood in her veins, yet she was as good as a stranger.

But he didn't push the issue. As long as Stella was doing well, that was enough for him.

The conversation shifted to the matter of Lillian and her daughter. Daniel didn't consult Stella; instead, he made a unilateral decision.

Regardless of whether Stella acknowledged it, Lillian was her biological mother, the woman who gave her life.

Lillian's transgressions were unforgivable, but Daniel knew Stella's character well; she wouldn't let this mother-daughter pair off easily.

Simply exiling them from the base would only provoke Stella to seek a more permanent solution out of impulse.

It might seem like a release of anger, but in reality, it would be a lifelong chain to bear.

He didn't want Stella to bear the sin of matricide, so he had Lillian transferred to Goldbridge base overnight.

The official base would process the crimes committed by the women in Kindle Society following the standard procedure.

in their

frowned slightly at his decision but said

a world ravaged by natural disasters, an instant death

protection; to live was the greatest punishment for

desperate, trading their bodies for sustenance, only to be treated like animals, abused and beaten, until they were

of unspoken truths, Stella wouldn't

eyes off her, and after a long moment, he let out a deep sigh. "Take care of yourself. This disaster will pass. Never give up hope." Stella stood up to leave, pausing at the door. "Did you ever

given one

clung to him, tears streaming, begging him not to leave on his mission.

in secret, and Daniel promised to return from his

had given her

before speaking. "That pendant was with me as I grew up, but I

was unfortunate, but heaven had given him the best gift of

gently. "It's okay. Your health and safety are

shouldn't feel guilty because you've already given me the

protection of Arcadia,

was hers now; returning it was out of the

know the secret of the pendant, but the benefits

Daniel and cleared her throat. "Don't always put duty before yourself. You're human too, and it's okay to think of yourself sometimes. Survive, live well, then you can take on greater responsibilities." Was she showing concern for him? A warm current flowed through

a deep breath and

she gazed out

balcony, sipping her homemade cider. "The

up.

could Stella have? She couldn't just extract Arcadia and give it back to Daniel. "I feel

might not verbally acknowledge Daniel, but in her

she often appeared cold and ruthless, who could truly be

was still a yearning

and Lillian was selfish, but Daniel was

in chaos, he had to prioritize the greater good and couldn't afford to care for his own. Yet, he did what he could from the shadows. Without love,

was also right. Even if

his responsibilities to cater only to her, to

Stella