18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 578

It was well into the afternoon when Rosie finally made her way back. She had spent the day organizing a group to deliver vegetables to the military

headquarters and using some credits to secure a new plot of land at the Land Management Office.

Stella asked, "So, are we planting mulberry saplings and honeysuckle on the new land?"

Rosie had it all mapped out. "Uncle Hank's advice is spot on. Once the mulberries take root, we can start raising silkworms."

Stella felt relieved and didn't pry any further. As dusk approached, she drove Rosie back home.

Nicholas and his wife showed up, and finding Stella out, he swallowed his pride and repeatedly apologized to the commander.

Daniel played dumb, keeping everything cordial. Nicholas cursed his wife under his breath and tried, both openly and secretly, to get his hands on some medication. But Daniel deftly sidestepped him. "That girl has a good heart. Don't stoop to her level. She's been out since noon and hasn't come back yet. I'll talk to her tonight."

Before Stella could return, Nicholas succumbed to acute organ failure. Disasters are unpredictable, claiming lives from the highest ranks to the lowliest survivors with simple finality.

Daniel was noncommittal about his daughter's actions; she had her own

principles. But Stella spoke up, "A commander's wife, mouthing off at the hospital -clearly, they've been badmouthing us at home, or else she wouldn't have lashed out like that."

A dark heart sees darkness everywhere. The medicine had to pass through the hospital's hands, and since she dared to administer it, there shouldn't be any issues. The Shaw family's lack of gratitude was one thing, but their attempt to counter-accuse was another.

Stella wasn't interested in making a name for herself in the military, so she wasn't afraid to stir the pot and expose Nicholas's true colors. What was there to hide? If they let him plan for his son, why couldn't Daniel do the same for his daughter? It all came down to capability.

If it came to playing dirty, Stella wasn't scared. Daniel smiled, "I trust your judgment. Do what you believe is right. Aside from personal matters, the military 'uncles' deserve our respect. As long as there are no major conflicts, we must maintain proper decorum."

Of course, Stella was always respectful. She treated others the way they treated her.

After discussing Nicholas's fate, Stella remembered the salvaged submarine from 2023. Daniel's expression turned serious. "They are heroes in Australia, having sacrificed themselves to preserve civilization. They deserve a dignified burial. I'II propose erecting a monument for fallen heroes in Griffith to honor all the soldiers who have sacrificed for the nation and our community."

was taken aback, but

up just in time

to his antics. As long as he didn't harbor any inappropriate thoughts towards Rosie,

ever. Being well-informed, Bran had already heard about the

and capable, but his son was a different story—the rank of lieutenant was all thanks to his father's

"How do

it's one thing to be incompetent, but he was also

Nicholas had the audacity to be choosy, even going

did

enemy, right? Sis, Nicholas was hollowed out by his womanizing. I heard that on the night of the big freeze, he had a few women

a wild night, and well, he just conked

exposed to extreme cold-his death was

was being treated like he was invisible, thought to himself, "Does Bran even realize I'm

resist juicy gossip. "You seem to have a beef with Nicholas. Did

down!"

nerve. Initially, he tried to woo Rosie, but she gave him the cold shoulder. Considering Rosie's status, he didn't dare persist with her,

him to death in a burlap sack on a windy night. Few dared to cross Nicholas, but it didn't take long for the finger to point at Bran. What could they do? Bran was frequently seen at the commander's home, more

to retaliate, but he died in the bitter cold. Of course, Bran would never admit that he advised one of the coerced women to lift Nicholas's blanket during the freeze. After all, the

played her part

him? He was more of a womanizer than Nicholas before the

"Sis, I'll cook today, show off

when?" Stella

Dad said my

the room. Bran bit his

up to salute, "Commander!"

Dad? Stella was speechless. She had witnessed Bran's many faces; in front of Daniel, he was a completely

leaf out of Bran's book. Jasper knew that his father-in-law had different standards for a son-in-law, and he wasn't about to lower

was so masterful that even though you knew he was buttering you up, it didn't