18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 531

Chapter 531

As Stella zoned out, the car had already pulled up in front of a quaint standalone property with a spacious yard, roughly half an acre in size. A two-meter-high stone wall marked the perimeter, and in the center stood a modular home made up of five rooms, all topped with solar panels. This modest abode was the residence of the chief officer of Griffith Base.

Before the catastrophe, it would have been seen as nothing more than a construction site shed, but now it represented the height of luxury. Light spilled from one of the rooms, and upon hearing the noise outside, someone hurried out to greet them.

The figure, with a neat bob haircut, wearing dark trousers and a light-colored short-sleeved shirt, appeared to be in their forties. "Old Gus, did you pick up Stella?" they called out.

Stella blinked in surprise; it was Vanessa. Seeing her dressed so casually, Stella figured she and Daniel must have finally hit it off. Under the cover of night, it was hard to discern Daniel's expression as he simply grunted in affirmation.

Vanessa approached warmly, moving to help with the luggage, but quickly recoiled when something leaped out from the shadows. "Aunt Sue, this is Stella's wolf and dog," Mark explained.

Keeping a wolf and dog in the post-apocalyptic world? Vanessa was taken aback but figured Stella must have been living well. As long as Stella hadn't suffered, Old Gus could rest easy.

backpacks, both carried effortlessly by Jasper. "You're finally here, Stella," Vanessa said with a smile,

enough for a metal frame bed a little over a meter wide, dressed with fresh linen, pillows, and blankets. Only in the chief's home could one find such

of Vanessa but appreciated that she and Daniel could look after each other-a wise choice in these times. Of the five rooms-one a master bedroom, another

had

needs, Vanessa offered, "You must be hungry. I'll whip

Stella stopped her,

wasn't doing enough. Back at the base, Stella had even resisted her own father, let alone an outsider like Vanessa. Standing next to Daniel, Vanessa kept quiet, reading the atmosphere between father and daughter. When Stella remained silent and Daniel at a loss for words, he finally managed

late. You should all get some rest." Vanessa was considerate, "I'll heat some water for you to wash up and sleep better." Soon enough, she brought over a jug of warm water mixed with

Rosie headed to Arcadia for a refreshing bath. Once clean, Rosie took her loyal pets to the neighboring room to rest. Lights off, Stella joined Jasper back in Arcadia. Lying in bed afterward,

Stella, but their strained relationship left him unsure how to express his concern without causing her discomfort. Exhausted but restless, Stella asked, "Did you promise him?" "You're my wife; taking care of you is natural," Jasper reassured her, pulling her close. "But he does care, Stella." Stella felt a pang of defiance, "Are you siding with him?" Jasper couldn't help but chuckle softly, "Stella, whether we stay or go, I'll respect your decision. But if you don't mind his care, I hope you can give him a chance. We're emotional beings, even after living twice over. You've got regrets, and I hope your life can be more complete. Like when you gave me a chance, don't rush to reject his care. Having one more person in this world who cares about you is never

largely due to the absence of her parents in

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