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.

softening, "This will take time. I'll get it sorted." Some things

link of

his mouth to

suggested, "How about we put a gate

liked that idea,

cut a door in the courtyard wall, making it easier for the two households to visit each

range

Jasper back sooner, but he

did return, something about him seemed

He seemed more upright but more relaxed, like when they first met on

asked, "What

said, "Stella, Dad wants me to join the military

was shocked, taking a moment before responding, "But

his past life, disaster struck, preventing him from

to bones by the

a decade of grief-filled rescue work, he met a grisly

second chance, he chose the same

heart-to-heart, their words cutting straight to the point. Jasper had seen this coming since he first arrived in Griffith and agreed

escaping from Willowbrook or our ordeal in

duty to protect you, not to flee

no predator could

wanted to provide Stella with a home, a place

didn't discuss the deification

already laying the

first to gauge

be strong enough to protect their daughter, to be her lifelong

agreement, a heart-to-heart with his daughter would

is he thinking

hasn't been discussed." But climbing the ranks

Daniel was paving the

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

found on a cargo ship, “Just finished

She silently set another place at