18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 597

Partings are always bittersweet, and Stella did her best to smile. "Dr. Collin, I'm sure Willowbrook will flourish quickly. Maybe next time, it'll be us visiting you."

Deep down, she'd wanted to ask him to stay just a bit longer.

But Collin, ever the rational one, had turned her down. "With you at Griffith, I have no worries. Willowbrook needs me more."

His selflessness left Stella speechless.

Collin patted her shoulder. "Stella, people come and go. If fate allows, we'll meet again."

The time had come, and the delegation began boarding the speedboats to the offshore docks.

Mentor and apprentice hugged, and Collin picked up the backpack she'd given him, waving goodbye.

Stella watched until he disappeared from view, her heart heavy with sorrow.

Not long after, a convoy of military jeeps rolled in.

Staff Officer Daniel and others disembarked, and folks like Reagan and Nicholas came to see them off, their laughter and genuine sentiments filling the air.

Stella approached with gifts in hand. "Dad, godfather."

The gifts were plentiful: tobacco, liquor, tea, and the quick-acting heart-saving pills she had made herself.

Her acknowledgement of family ties wasn't public knowledge in Griffith, so when Stella called the staff officer "godfather," everyone was taken aback.

Before the staff officer could react, Nicholas's mouth twitched.

He felt like a fool, thinking he'd been so sly and discreet, only to find out they were all family.

His emotions churned, but as a seasoned warrior, he quickly regained his stoic demeanor as if nothing had happened.

The godfather, pleased with his gifts, grinned at Daniel. "Old Gu, this departure spans thousands of miles. You better take good care of my goddaughter; don't let anyone push her around."

"I will," Daniel assured him.

"Don't just say it; make sure you do. If even a hair on her head is harmed, I'll hold you accountable," the godfather said, though his words carried a deeper message for the others listening in.

After exchanging pleasantries, the other higher-ups also shared their goodbyes.

In the crowd, Stella searched for Rosie, who was chatting with Dylan in a corner.

Dylan held a bag of hotpot ingredients, his gaze intense as if trying to etch Rosie into his very soul.

Finally, he said simply, "Rosie, take care."

Rosie nodded with a smile. "You too, Dylan. Stay safe on your journey."

personnel began to board the ship, Dylan, as the staff officer's guard,

through the crowd, Stella could hear the sound

stood on the dock, waving at

days later, the Willowbrook

empty-handed, and neither did they

was inconvenient to transport, but they

well as seeds for herbs and crops that Willowbrook

survivors, but other matters

in the

Willowbrook submarine faded into

attend a meeting due to

on the drive, seemingly lost in

had said their goodbyes in the New Town Villa District, Rosie had

lived next to Dylan for

from those for anyone

intrude on her young friend's

late when Jasper returned home, and Stella was

of the military negotiations were

staff officer didn't come for nothing; the two sides had agreed to a joint operation to salvage the

had hundreds of precise locations where the Kindle Chests had been lost, and they would send teams to search and determine if conditions were right for

the salvage operations, and the resources found within the Kindle

was an offer Griffith

of Australian civilization. Put simply: Willowbrook

starting out and, in both size and strength, was no match for Willowbrook.

who would

If Griffith wanted rapid development to withstand calamities, they needed more resources. This was a win-win cooperation, with

anticipated this outcome and accepted it calmly, but with a hint

asked, "No one objected to this

Staff Officer

Daniel and the staff

old friends with a deep bond forged

goal

Australian civilization, so

of both cities

smoothly.

interest,

Stella hummed. "Nicholas?"

stirred the pot, but Dad and the staff officer

to settle things smoothly."

leader lacked

had been making waves, and had it been

since it involved

But now, he was endangering