18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 592

Stella had had enough. She pulled Bran aside to a quiet corner and let him have it. "Can you think before you speak? Five days and nights without sleep? I'd be dead by now. And could you at least try to sound a bit more sophisticated? You're making me sound like a snake oil salesman or some sketchy pyramid scheme operator."

Bran shrugged off her criticism, "Sis, you're just too pampered with your fancy dinners to understand the struggles of regular folks. That's why you're all about depth and nuance."

"What are you even talking about?" Stella fumed. Had he lost his grip on reality, or had she lost her edge?

Bran, who wouldn't touch a meal that wasn't five-star, wore diamond-studded flip- flops, and thought nothing of splurging millions in a single night out with models, had the nerve to call her out of touch?

Oh, the irony. Just yesterday, she had hustled for a meager paycheck, enduring his scolding and finger-pointing.

Sorry, but Bran, a man who thought he'd seen it all, had no recollection of any hardworking sister.

Facing Stella's irritation, Bran was not only unafraid but also brimming with confidence. "Sis, we're targeting the grassroots market here. We need to be relatable and grab their attention. Philosophy and poetry won't cut it. A simple gesture like handing out a baked potato would have a bigger impact. As long as the treatment works and they benefit, who cares about the hype? You focus on healing, I'll handle the rest..."

Stella felt mortified. "..."

Bran, tired of playing it safe, teased her, "C'mon, sis, I remember you used to have thicker skin. What's with the sudden shyness? Shine with confidence!"

"Get lost."

He assured her with a thump on his chest, "You just concentrate on the healing. Leave the rest to me. Don't worry about a thing."

But it all felt so... low class.

Whatever. If the reputation tanks someday, she hadn't said a word—it was all Bran.

Suddenly, Stella's confidence surged, and she let him do his thing.

Tacky, perhaps, but effective nonetheless.

Stella's returning patients were overflowing with gratitude.

She responded with polite modesty, "No thanks needed. Just doing my job."

severely allergic patients passed away—a grim reminder that

the deceased to rest in a manner

dwindled to none, caution was still the order of the day. Public service announcements reminded everyone to wash their food thoroughly and avoid touching their eyes. Those who could afford it

balance of the ecosystem was shattered.

needed treatment, and even with

couldn't bear to waste the fallen poultry. She cleaned and cooked one to see if it was

taste test, quipping, "If we're gonna hit the road, might

them, many hadn't tasted it in over a

with the rest of the deceased poultry. Stella, ever generous,

on poultry prepared every

and vulnerable. The farms lay neglected, the crops

kicked in, urging her to nourish her charges back to health

upbeat. "I'm fine, sis. Uncle Vernon's watching the

like she

role of sister and mother, reminded Jasper, "Keep an eye

got something on her

"I know," Jasper replied.

aback,

"Dylan."

possibly on the spectrum, yet strangely warm towards Rosie-floated to

then.

recent demeanor, Stella had assumed it was related

potential exposure of their

"Does Rosie like

claimed disinterest

Not that she wanted to judge, but Rosie had practically been raised by

but not someone you'd count on in a

like Jasper, Stella would happily offer

substantial dowry.

bed for over a

Rosie likes him is hard to say, but she