18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 548

Stella could barely hold back her eye roll at Bran's shameless familiarity. "Feeling any better?"

Bran didn't miss a beat. "I told you, Dad's as tough as they come. He's got enough good vibes to fend off any illness. Even the Grim Reaper would think twice before messing with him. He'll hit a hundred, easy."

Stella let out an involuntary snort.

"Anyway, sis, the bodies on the cargo ship have been taken care of, and I've had the crew clean out the hold."

Bran got back to business. "There's quite a bit of cargo left. What's your plan for it?"

Daniel's condition wasn't critical anymore, just needed ongoing treatment for a full recovery. It was time to deal with the cargo ship.

Stella thought for a moment. "Keep the fuel on the ship. Glass, steel, timber- bring all that back here. Toss the moldy food, split the good stuff-half for me, half for you. If the military handles the glass, compensate them with the fuel. If it's civilians, pay them with food or meds."

"We'll take care of it and hand over the fuel we earn," Bran, ever the slick negotiator, chimed in. "We can take less fuel, maybe throw in a couple extra pounds of food for each soldier. How does that sound?"

What could Stella say? Bran was turning over the fuel to curry favor with the higher-ups while securing loyalty from her own troops with some extra provisions. A sly fox like Bran could make it anywhere.

If only the world hadn't gone to hell, he could've been a match for Shane in the business world. Of course, he could just as easily have ended up in jail or wrapped his sports car around a tree.

"Sis, you and Bro-in-law have been too good to me. I couldn't possibly take more from you," he said, feigning righteousness. "Don't worry, I've checked the cargo thoroughly. Nothing will go missing."

Stella, tired of his babble, took a deep breath and rubbed her forehead. "Split the food evenly, and the soldiers' pay will come out of my share."

"Bran, how can I possibly-this is stuff you and Bro-in-law risked your lives for..." "Divvy up your share with Mark. I'll drop by and check on him in a couple of days." Bran, always quick to speak, "Sure thing, sis."

Too late to bite his tongue now! He was proud to be under his sister's command. "Where do you want the glass delivered? Your place doesn't have the space."

"I'm thinking of building greenhouses, but without the fittings

our Aussie ingenuity, sis. Nobody's dying from holding their pee around here," Bran boasted confidently. "Leave it to me, I'll

being a lovable rogue, Stella's

not to trust? With thousands of brains at Griffith Base, building greenhouses is a piece

to take

beamed, his grin stretching

the life of the car modding club, surrounded by luxury cars and beautiful women,

the glass straight to the south district's plantation. The dust storm and the recent rain did a

the kids, Stella handed over six cans of fruit preserves. "None for you, four for your brother and niece,

to take and eat, "Thanks, sis. Transporting materials and building the greenhouses will be time-consuming, and I can't

"Don't worry, we'll make it look good, or you can kick

was done with his

turned in for

Jasper inquired, "Something on

this time.

him to our

"Yep."

been a gut punch, reminding Stella that some things can't be postponed. Bran might be a blowhard

character. Because he's calculating, she could trust him to be on her team. Whether it's networking or

sense of relief, hoping the day she'd have to

gone to work, Stella popped next door. "Why aren't

overrun. Auntie Sue said she'll

for him. Noticing the handwritten documents still on the table, her expression darkened. "You're working yourself to

important