18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 554

In a world torn apart by disasters, everyone had their share of pain. Many nights, haunted by nightmares, they found it hard to muster the will to carry on.

Poppy sidled up to Rosie. "Sis, we've caught her red-handed. Should we take her to the police?"

Rosie walked over to the middle-aged woman. "We'll pay you what you're owed, but you're no longer welcome here."

She then turned to the crowd of workers, her young, beautiful face stern. "This is your first and last warning. If anything like this happens again, it's straight to the police, no questions asked, and you'll never work here again."

Josef waved his hand, dispersing the crowd. "Alright, everyone, back to it!"

He pulled the planting crew aside for a quick pep talk, stressing the importance of valuing their jobs.

With the situation handled, Stella and Jasper quietly slipped away.

Stella had gained a newfound respect for Poppy. The young girl showed promise, perhaps even more than Bran. She had a sharp eye and was willing to get her hands dirty, unconcerned with appearances.

Rosie kept her cool, not letting minor annoyances tarnish her image. She carried herself like a true farm owner, a stark contrast to her previous silence at Ocean Point Naval Station when she had ignored a colleague sneaking food.

Different situations required different approaches, but she always maintained a sense of kindness. Stella was content. How far Rosie would go was now up to her own destiny.

That evening, Daniel came home. Stella had popped next door to share the news of her enlistment. "We report in two days."

Daniel, who had been following the news, commented, "The department's been specially formed to tally Kindle Chest numbers and supplies for commendations. You might have to travel the world. Confident you'll gather enough?"

"I'll give it my all, but I won't risk our lives for it," she replied firmly.

Daniel nodded. "Good, it's important to know your limits."

you interested in

we've collected all the Kindle

paused before

"I'll personally speak with Mark in a few

Daniel's stern gaze softened with concern. "Be safe on your missions, and don't

"What about you? Don't just worry

not mentioning a word about the day's events at the farm. Instead, she optimistically said, "Sis, we'll finish seeding Greenhouse One tomorrow. Once that's done, I'll talk to the food factory

your time, no

civilian area, sharing a two-bedroom tent with Josef and Poppy. Even so, it was considered decent

to guess where the tent came from-Bran had pulled some strings. In harsh conditions, sticking together

in the Arctic would have been sealed. The details of that ordeal remained untold by him to anyone, including Bran. He presumed Stella and Jasper preferred to keep it that way

Huey, Aunt Ginger, our place is humble, but I hope

they were there for Mark, she quickly excused herself. "You chat; Uncle Josef and I will take

benches, Mark extended his sincerest thanks in private. "If not for your intervention, I

for Griffith. Or perhaps this Griffith was not the Griffith of old, yet she hoped that one

Mark, who looked leaner and more weathered, yet his composure was calm and serene. True to his profession as a counselor,

"Mark, today we enlisted in

congratulations were heartfelt. "Griffith's growth and

before long, this place

"The base is hiring civil servants, and there's a

chuckled. "I'm an old man now. Surviving till today is a miracle in itself, let alone taking on a new

hadn't anticipated playing the role of persuader. "Everyone here has their dream for Griffith. Don't you want to see it realized

good crop comes

good seeds, the richest soil won't yield a

Stella that Mark was interested, but he also knew that without real power, a high position was just a title. All his efforts would likely be in vain. His wisdom went beyond the average, his detachment stemming from a deep