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, "I'm sorry, you

for questioning. Take her away, please." Lillian, in her agitation,

in their protective gear, effortlessly subdued her and

shouted in distress, "Stella, you will not die

though I don't know you, I

noting the early hour, Collin

patients with milder conditions and stable emotions were allowed to exercise, assisted by counselors to help

had become violent and began to

separating the aggressor and

how Lillian might

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

would

B, Stella chose not to mention her encounter

There was no need.

greater scarcity of medicines. Limited resources

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

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

on, and the variety of herbs in the plantation

the success of

croaker and ribbonfish,

the edible sea fish

longer fought over a scrap of food, and gaunt

started to bloom

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

had been a long time since they had a chance for an intimate conversation. Now

pushed Jasper away, got dressed, and headed

it was a soldier, soaked in blood and

operating room, her tone was clipped and professional.

a tug

to see a man in worn

knitted together. Who could this

"Big sis, it's me."

man's face was so gaunt

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