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

link of smoked sausage, and a couple of

opened his mouth to refuse

and going was too noticeable, so Stella suggested, "How about we put a gate

that

courtyard wall, making it easier

range hood

expected Jasper back sooner, but he

return, something about

more relaxed, like when they first met on the

asked, "What

and calmly said, "Stella, Dad wants me

shocked, taking a moment before responding, "But I

struck, preventing him

reduced to bones by the time

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

he chose

had a heart-to-heart, their words cutting straight to the point. Jasper had seen this coming

spoke evenly, "Stella, whether it was escaping from Willowbrook or our ordeal in the Arctic, I don't want you to go

my duty to protect you, not to flee when secrets are exposed or to risk our lives in

enough strength, no predator could harm

with a home, a

didn't discuss the deification project, Daniel

the

approached Jasper first to gauge

enough to protect their daughter, to

Jasper's agreement, a heart-to-heart

"What department is he thinking of placing

discussed." But climbing the ranks

knew Daniel was paving

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

brought along medical supplies found on

Rosie say? She silently set another