18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 549

Daniel had been mulling it over for ages, even tried to put it in motion, but the results were downright disappointing.

Sure, they were family, but Stella didn't hold back. "You've split the duties, yet you haven't really separated them."

On paper, the roles looked distinct, but the management was still all military.

People's mindsets and personalities get set in their ways; you can't change that overnight.

Expertise is key. A military leader, decisive and efficient in battle, might stumble in a civilian role, possibly even coming up short compared to an average Joe.

Daniel got her point. "We've sifted through the survivors but haven't found anyone with a knack for civil administration."

Stella shot back, "Are you absolutely sure about that?"

Daniel, always sharp, asked, "You mean Mark?"

They had approached him, not once but three times, and he had turned them down every single time.

Turned them down? Stella was surprised but quickly figured it out.

"Did you have a proper plan for transferring power before you asked him?"

That made Daniel pause.

It wasn't that he didn't want to; it was about power and trust-too many factors in play.

He thought for a moment, "Do you trust him that much?"

Stella laid out Mark's track record in Griffith. "He's a rare talent in civil administration, but military and civil are two different beasts. He knows the real civil power isn't in his hands, so he probably fears he'll end up failing and getting blamed, which is why he's turned you down."

Daniel pondered briefly. "Stella, military-civil reform is a huge deal. Big, bold changes face massive resistance, but Griffith needs to grow fast; reform is a must."

He knew deep down Stella's concern was for his health.

Reform was something he had always wanted to push. They were stuck with limited manpower and harsh conditions that made even basic survival tough. His team, all military experts, were great in combat but struggled in civil roles.

time. I'll get it sorted." Some things

him a bag of carefully packed staples, a link of smoked

opened his mouth to refuse

so Stella suggested, "How about we put a gate in the

that

in the courtyard wall, making it easier for

installed a range hood for

but he took longer than

he did return, something about

upright but more relaxed, like when they first met

she asked, "What

"Stella, Dad wants me to join

moment

disaster struck, preventing him from rescuing his sister,

reduced to bones by

rescue

second chance, he

the point. Jasper had

whether it was escaping from Willowbrook or our ordeal in the Arctic, I don't want

your husband, it's my duty to protect you, not to flee when secrets

strength, no predator

provide Stella with a home, a place for peaceful living,

discuss the deification project, Daniel wasn't

already laying the groundwork to

approached Jasper first to gauge

enough to protect their daughter, to be her

just a preliminary test. With Jasper's agreement, a heart-to-heart with his daughter would be

"What department is he

discussed." But climbing

Daniel was paving the

evening, as dinner was served, their habitual dinner guest arrived right on time, "Sis,

on a

say? She silently set another place at