18 Floors Above the Apocalypse
Chapter 198

The woman was defiant, thinking there wasn't a man in the world she couldn't conquer. But when she met Stella's icy gaze, her heart trembled in fear. She saw the intent to kill in Stella's eyes, the eyes of a killer.

Manda's cheek was swollen from a slap, and her mouth tasted of blood. They hadn't expected Stella to intervene. The leaders were shamed, and found themselves unable to respond.

Teddy quickly stepped in to mediate, feigning anger, "Get out of here, you blind fool!"

Manda left, clutching her injured face.

Teddy quickly apologized, "I'm sorry, Stella. Don't lower yourself to her level. She didn't know that Jasper was taken."

"Would she have left if I really cared?" Stella looked at the leaders and laughed cynically, "I have a bad temper and I get jealous easily. If anyone tries to push loose women towards my man, I'll lose my cool. And when I lose my cool, I'm just as dangerous as him. I hope you never have to replace out."

"Ha. Ahaha." The leaders were furious but forced themselves to laugh.

She was incredibly arrogant. The gang's leader, Bryce, didn't like anyone stealing his thunder. They were eager to see how long these two insolent people could last.

Stella ignored their scheming looks. She'd see how things played out; it was anyone's guess who would outlast the other.

...

Cooper and Rosie were supposed to go out and play, but they ended up getting distracted by food.

They made their way to a fire pit and stared hungrily at a delicious smelling roast lamb, their mouths watering. Knowing who had brought them, the plump chef cut off a piece of meat for them, "Here, kiddo, eat up." Rosie took it, "Thanks, sir."

She held the roast meat and approached a stall selling stewed beef. The woman running the stall was taken as a captive to do chores. Seeing the smart and cute little girl, she thought of her granddaughter who had frozen to death in the harsh winter, and her eyes reddened.

Rosie moved closer and asked softly, biting into the roast meat, "What's wrong, granny?"

"Nothing," the woman stirred the beef in the pot, wiping her eyes with her sleeve, "Just got smoke in my eyes."

"Do you want some meat, granny?" Rosie offered her the roast meat, "Here, take this."

Her granddaughter used to be just as adorable, always offering her whatever good food she had, calling her "granny." Now her entire family was gone, and only she was left.

Looking at the rosy-skinned Rosie, the woman couldn't help but cry. She turned away to wipe her tears, "I'm not hungry. You eat it."

Cooper's eyes lit up, tugging on Rosie's pants to lead her away.

Rosie waved to the woman, "Bye-bye, granny."

The woman took a deep breath, calming herself down and continuing to stew the beef.

She noticed people making cocktails, and Rosie curiously ran over, "What are you doing, sirs?"

The men were mixing red wine, beer, and Sprite into wooden barrels. Actually, they preferred hard liquor, but the base's leader had a taste for cocktails and had declared that there would be enough drinks for everyone that night.

They didn't really know how to mix drinks, and they just poured different types of alcohol into the barrel. The base's leader never complained, always appearing to enjoy the drinks and often even provided commentary.

Seeing the beautifully dressed little girl, the men started to scheme, quickly beckoning her over, "Come here, darling."

Rosie, looking a little afraid but still curious, approached them, "Yes, sirs?"

"Want a drink?"

Rosie shook her head, "My brother says I shouldn't drink alcohol."

"That's okay. Everyone can drink tonight." One of the men poured her a half cup, "Here, from us."

Others poured a bowl of hard liquor, placing it in front of the dog, "Here, to our bomb-carrying hero dog."

With so many people praising him, the dog felt flattered and started to sip the hard liquor.

It was strong, spicy, and burned like fire. Cooper instantly regretted his decision, panting and scratching his nose, even comically falling over. The men were entertained by his antics, laughing heartily.

Rosie suddenly became angry, throwing away her drink, "You're all bad! I'm not playing with you anymore. Cooper, let's go."

The dog, feeling humiliated, snarled at the men, earning even more ridicule.

At eight o'clock, Bryce finally made his appearance, dressed in an expensive casual suit, his hair slicked back and shining under the lights. He took the stage to give a speech, going on for more than half an hour, talking about how Alpha Outpost had oppressed them, how Silver Asylum had bravely fought back under his leadership, and how much they had seized.

Throughout the speech, he didn't mention Jasper once, his ambition clearly on display.

As Bryce spoke, dishes were served. It was a grand feast, with twelve dishes including ham, crab, mussels, squid, and vegetables.

Stewed beef and roast lamb were the main courses, only served after Bryce had taken his seat. The other dishes were available for everyone to enjoy.

People started eating, but Jasper and Stella were seated at the main table, waiting for Bryce's approval.

After more than forty minutes of speech, earning numerous rounds of applause, Bryce finally descended from the stage.

"Come on, we're all family here. Don't be shy. Eat and drink to your heart's content."

As soon as he sat down, the stewed beef and roast lamb were served, and scantily clad women came to pour drinks.

Bryce raised his glass, "Silver Asylum wouldn't be where it is today without your support, especially Jasper. This is to you."

The other leaders joined him in toasting to Jasper.

Stella wanted to laugh. Now he was willing to praise Jasper, but he hadn't said a word on stage?

Bryce drank all his wine at once, his cunning eyes watching Jasper and Stella through his glass.

Seeing Stella finish her wine, a faint smile appeared on his lips.

He was quite fond of them. The man was cold and capable, the woman was valiant and wild, and Rosie was innocent and sweet. He enjoyed their company too much to kill them just yet. He'd lock them up first, and when he got bored, he'd dispose of them. As for the dog, once the masters were his, the dog would naturally follow.

Jasper wasn't used to cocktails and choked after only a few sips. He bent over, coughing.

Stella stood up to pat his back, "If you can't handle it, don't drink so much. You're making Bryce and the others laugh."

As Stella bent over to obscure their view, she subtly emptied her wine into Arcadia, replacing it with the decoy she had prepared earlier.

She didn't drink a drop herself, skillfully feigning sips while all along pouring the wine into Arcadia.

"Come on, everyone, dig in. Try the roasted lamb and the beef stew, all fresh off the grill."

The leaders began to flatter Bryce, "Boss, it's been two years since we've had fresh meat. We wouldn't be enjoying this if not for you."

"Our base will continue to thrive, with plenty of wine, meat, and women. We won't lack anything, hahaha."

Rosie patted her belly, "Jasper, I'm full."

Jasper spoke up, "Go play with Cooper. Remember not to wander off."

"Okay." Rosie hopped away cheerfully with the dog, leaving the table behind.

In this post-apocalyptic world, such innocence was a rare sight. Under the dim light, it attracted many evil and envious eyes.

Rosie and the dog didn't go far, playing by the entrance to the playground.

The feast was lively. Bryce got up, encouraging everyone to eat and drink heartily, promising plenty of food and drink for all. Tattooed men were like ghouls unleashed, stuffing their faces with meat and wine, their hands roaming freely over the women they held. Stella ate a few pieces of roasted lamb, then suddenly swayed a little, "I feel a bit lightheaded. Did the wine go to my head so quickly?"