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."

are you interested in

we've collected all the Kindle Chests we can, you might

before

massaging his temples, mentioned, "I'll personally speak with Mark

matters, Stella checked his health. Daniel's stern gaze softened with concern. "Be

help but retort, "What about you? Don't just worry about me."

farm. Instead, she optimistically said, "Sis, we'll finish seeding Greenhouse One tomorrow. Once that's done,

time, no rush," Stella assured

and joined Jasper to visit Mark. Mark lived in a modest civilian area, sharing a two-bedroom tent with Josef and Poppy. Even

to guess where the tent came from-Bran had pulled some

surprised by Stella and Jasper's visit but was genuinely pleased. He knew that without them, his fate in the Arctic would have been sealed. The details of

observant, quickly welcomed them in. "Uncle Huey, Aunt Ginger, our place is humble, but I hope you

Mark, she quickly excused herself. "You chat; Uncle Josef and

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

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

weathered, yet his composure was calm and serene. True to his profession as a counselor, his spirit

she broached the subject. "Mark, today we enlisted

"Griffith's growth and development need

long, this place will

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

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

here has their dream for Griffith. Don't you want to

"A good crop comes from good

without good seeds, the richest soil

just a title. All his efforts would likely be in vain. His wisdom went beyond the average, his detachment stemming from a deep