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."

a pause, he added, "Stella, are you interested in working at the hospital?" Stella

in medicine. Once we've collected all the Kindle Chests we can, you might consider working at

paused before

"I'll personally speak with

Daniel's stern gaze softened with concern. "Be safe on your missions, and

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

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 about starting a

no rush," Stella assured

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

where the tent came from-Bran had pulled some

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 that ordeal remained untold by him to anyone, including Bran. He presumed Stella and Jasper

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

quickly excused herself. "You chat; Uncle Josef and

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

Griffith was not the Griffith of old, yet she hoped that one day the two Griffiths would merge

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

today we enlisted in the military

were heartfelt. "Griffith's growth and development need

before long, this place will regain

of reflection, Stella changed the subject. "The base is hiring civil servants, and

today is a miracle in

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

philosophically. "A good crop comes from good

seeds, the richest

knew that without real power, a high position was just a title. All his efforts would