18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 402

Daniel had never been one to spill the beans, which is probably why he'd climbed so high up the ladder.

"I'm the head nurse," Vanessa reiterated, her tone as firm as her position demanded.

Stella, however, was less than polite in her response. "I think you've got it wrong. You're not the head nurse; you're more like the neighborhood busybody-always sticking your nose where it doesn't belong."

The harshness of Stella's words took Vanessa by surprise, visibly shaking her composure.

Everything that needed to be said had been laid out clear as day. If Daniel was really sick and in the hospital, people would probably be queuing up to take care of him. Why should Stella trust this elusive woman standing before her? Her features were plain, but her forehead might as well have had 'schemer' written across it.

As Vanessa turned to leave, she urgently said, "Stella, I'm not lying. Mr. Daniel is in the hospital with a bleeding ulcer because he's overworked himself."

"And how is that my problem?" Stella retorted, unfazed. "It's not like I'm the one who worked him to the point of a bleeding ulcer."

"But you're his daughter-the only person he truly worries about and can't let go of."

Stella remained unmoved, her sarcasm biting. "What are you, the neighborhood busybody?"

Vanessa was taken aback by Stella's aggressive stance, but remembering her purpose, she gritted her teeth and confessed, "If it weren't for the sudden catastrophe, he and I might already be married."

The news hit Stella like a thunderbolt, pausing her in her tracks.

Vanessa's demeanor was awkward, yet she managed to speak with a semblance of calm, "I came without his knowledge. He's had a hard life, burdened with too much responsibility, and he's lost himself in it all. The only time he smiles freely is when he speaks of you. I hope you'll go to see him, to encourage him to take better care of himself."

After a meaningful look at Stella, Vanessa briskly walked away.

Stella stood by the door for a moment before closing it and heading upstairs.

escape gear, then

morning, she muttered to the ceiling, "The woman

had overheard their conversation the day before but didn't pry, respecting her

not every emotion could be shared or decided upon by

was to respect

brought it up, he asked, "Do

"Without him, I wouldn't have had the chance

and get dressed. I'll go

provisions. Yet Stella went

to see the commander, she asked, "Do you have an appointment?" "No," Stella hesitated, "If it's too much trouble, never

that they couldn't arrange it; they simply didn't have the authority. "Perhaps you could get in touch with the commander's secretary?" Right, it was the secretary's job to cater to the commander's needs. If she knew where

It was Vanessa.

"Mr. Daniel is undergoing tests, but I can take you to his

her mind, Vanessa quickly delegated her responsibilities to other

returned from his tests, but outside his room was a crowd waiting

counted roughly a dozen people, all sporting

her, Mark hurried over to

he's worked himself to a bleeding ulcer, and he's still got all this work to do?" Stella's smile didn't quite reach her eyes. "Are you trying to nurse him

to intervene, but life-or-death decisions needed

Mark

hour later, Stella

and having just taken his medication, he had drifted off to sleep, hoping for a brief respite. Mark, thinking to surprise

saw was a weary old man worn down

moved quietly, careful not to

fell upon the half-open drawer of the bedside table, revealing a corner of medical records and medication

medicines; enough to substitute for a

wasn't immediately fatal, but his