18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 461

Stella glanced up and saw a gaunt woman standing across the fence. Her sallow face was marked with several nasty scars, and she walked with a pronounced limp. She was so thin that her eyes appeared abnormally large, staring intently at Stella, who was wearing a face mask.

Stella frowned, wondering who this could be.

"Stella, is that really you?" The woman clutched the fence tightly, her voice a mix of emotions. "It's me, your mother."

Stella nearly choked.

Lillian? She was unrecognizable.

Her emaciated frame made the scars on her face look even more grotesque, and her body bore several lumps and bruises. Her clothes were tattered and worn.

It was obvious, even at a glance, that she had fallen on hard times.

She seemed on the verge of collapse, like a camel about to buckle under the weight of its burden. Yet, when she saw Stella, her eyes sparkled with a plea. "Stella, I'm your mother. I gave you life. You have to save me... save me..."

Lillian had always been a clinging vine, dependent on men to survive. Eventually, Daniel had her transferred to the Goldbridge official facility.

Stella had imagined a grim existence for her...

And it seemed her life had indeed been rather grim.

But one had to admit, her vitality was stubborn.

However, Stella wasn't interested in Lillian's miseries, nor did she harbor much satisfaction or resentment in her heart.

Looking at the unrecognizable Lillian, Stella was as calm as if she were facing a stranger.

What did it matter that she had given her life? It wasn't out of Lillian's desire, but necessity.

Her own upbringing had been far from joyful. Only after meeting Jasper did she feel warmth.

For a woman so selfish she contemplated murder to keep her lies from being exposed, Stella thought it was already generous of her not to take her life.

Now, it was fine this way; to live on, living in pain, and hopefully, for a very long time.

said,

her away, please." Lillian, in her agitation, desperately resisted and

their protective gear, effortlessly subdued

you will not

her, "Ma'am, though I don't know you, I promise

early hour,

milder conditions and stable emotions were allowed to exercise, assisted by counselors to help them regulate

become violent and began

intervened, separating the aggressor and confining them

of how Lillian might have gotten her

wasn't severe, but she had always lived by clinging to others, making it difficult for her to survive in such harsh conditions. For someone like her, life was the

would

shift in Area B, Stella chose not to mention her encounter with

There was no need.

scarcity of

of abundant medical resources, breakthroughs for this kind of mutation were rare, let alone in

she didn't oppose the decision from

variety of herbs

success

toxic glands from the yellow croaker and ribbonfish, ensuring they were safe to eat

sea fish greatly alleviated the shortage of

scrap of food, and

started to

a nurse's knock abruptly woke her.

it had been a long time since they had a chance for

away, got dressed, and headed out. "I need

was a soldier,

Stella donned her mask and headed to the operating room, her tone was clipped

tug at

to see a man in worn military garb

together. Who could this

"Big sis, it's me."

voice sounded vaguely familiar, but the man's

the man said, "Am I really so insignificant