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.

a stoic expression, Stella said, "I'm sorry,

nearby soldier, "The patient is too agitated for questioning. Take her away, please." Lillian,

soldiers, clad in their protective gear,

distress, "Stella, you will

I don't know you, I promise to live very well, certainly

early hour, Collin

F had several activity zones where patients with milder conditions and stable emotions were allowed to exercise, assisted by counselors to help them regulate their feelings. As they walked,

and began to beat

the aggressor and confining

of how Lillian might have gotten

clinging to others, making it difficult for her to survive in such harsh conditions.

would

Area B, Stella chose not to mention her encounter

There was no need.

of medical staff and an even greater scarcity of medicines. Limited resources had to

for this kind of mutation were rare, let

didn't support the research on this subject, but she didn't oppose the decision from above either;

went on, and the variety of herbs in

the success

from the yellow croaker and ribbonfish, ensuring they

high-temperature baking, the edible sea fish greatly alleviated the

fought over a scrap of food, and gaunt faces began to flesh

started to bloom

nurse's knock abruptly woke her. "Dr. Jiang, there's

weren't soundproof, and with the two of them alone, it had been a long time since they had a chance for an

got dressed, and headed out. "I

the usual construction site injury, and this time it was a soldier, soaked in

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

felt a tug at her

see a man in worn military garb looking at her with eager

together. Who

"Big sis, it's me."

sounded vaguely familiar, but the man's face was so gaunt it

look of hurt, the man said, "Am I really so