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.

get it sorted." Some things didn't need words; a

link of smoked sausage, and a couple of pounds of meatballs.

opened his mouth to refuse but

so Stella suggested, "How about we

that

making it easier for the two households

he installed a range hood for his

had expected Jasper back sooner, but he took longer than

return, something about

more upright but more relaxed, like when they first met on the 18th

asked, "What

water and calmly said, "Stella, Dad wants me

taking a moment before responding,

his past life, disaster struck, preventing him from rescuing

by

a decade of grief-filled rescue work, he met

chance, he

words cutting straight to the point. Jasper had

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

flee when secrets are exposed or to risk our lives in

strength, no predator could

Stella with a home, a place

the deification project, Daniel wasn't

the groundwork to support

first to gauge

son-in-law will be strong enough to protect

was just a preliminary test. With Jasper's agreement,

object, "What department is he thinking

climbing the ranks

was paving the way for

their habitual dinner guest arrived right on time, "Sis,

medical supplies found on

say? She silently set another place at the