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.

eyes softening, "This will take time. I'll get

IV drip, Stella left him a bag of carefully packed staples, a link of smoked sausage, and a couple of

his mouth to refuse but ultimately said

so Stella suggested, "How about we

that

making it easier for the two households

he installed a range hood for his

Jasper back sooner, but he took longer than

return, something about him

upright but more relaxed, like when they first met on

she asked, "What

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

moment

preventing

bones by the time

a decade of grief-filled rescue

second chance, he

cutting straight to the point. Jasper had

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

flee when secrets are exposed or to risk our lives

no predator could

provide Stella with a home, a place for peaceful living, not endless

they didn't discuss the deification

laying the

approached Jasper first to gauge their

be strong enough to protect their daughter,

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

"What department is he thinking of

been discussed." But climbing

knew Daniel was paving the way for

dinner was served, their habitual dinner guest arrived right

brought along medical supplies found on

Rosie say? She silently set another place at