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.

expression, Stella said, "I'm sorry,

although surprised, didn't inquire further but instead told the nearby soldier, "The patient is too agitated for questioning. Take her away, please." Lillian, in her agitation, desperately resisted and tried to lunge at Stella, aiming to scratch and bite the

their protective gear,

you

know you, I promise

the examination room and noting the early hour, Collin went

allowed to exercise,

had become violent and began to beat another

quickly intervened, separating the aggressor and confining them

a vague idea of how Lillian might

clinging to others, making it difficult for her to

she would

not to

There was no need.

and an even greater scarcity of medicines. Limited resources

medical resources, breakthroughs for this kind of mutation

didn't support the research on this subject, but she didn't oppose the decision

went on, and the variety

success of

and ribbonfish, ensuring they were safe to

high-temperature baking, the edible sea fish

survivors no longer fought over a scrap of food, and gaunt faces began to flesh

to bloom

dormitory when a nurse's knock abruptly woke her. "Dr. Jiang, there's a trauma

and with the two of them alone, it had been a long time since they had a chance for an intimate conversation. Now

and

time it was a soldier,

her mask and headed to the operating room, her tone was clipped and professional. "Bring the patient in, and everyone

tug at her

a man in worn

brows knitted together. Who

"Big sis, it's me."

but the man's face

a look of hurt, the man said, "Am I