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.

will take time. I'll get it sorted."

him a bag of carefully packed staples, a link of smoked sausage, and a couple of pounds of meatballs. "I'll

opened his mouth to refuse but ultimately

so Stella suggested, "How about we

liked that

wall, making it easier for the two households to visit

range hood

sooner, but he took longer than she

he did return, something

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

she asked,

handed her a glass of water and calmly said, "Stella, Dad wants me to join the military division, and I

a moment before

past life, disaster struck, preventing him from rescuing his sister,

by the

rescue work, he met

a second chance, he chose

straight to the point. Jasper had seen this coming since he first arrived in Griffith and

evenly, "Stella, whether it was escaping from Willowbrook or our ordeal in the Arctic,

to protect you, not to flee when secrets are exposed or

no

home, a place

deification

already laying the groundwork

Jasper first to gauge their

son-in-law will be strong enough to

With Jasper's agreement, a heart-to-heart

department is he thinking of placing you

climbing the

paving the way for

dinner was served, their habitual dinner guest arrived right

along medical supplies found on a cargo

Rosie say? She silently set