18 Floors Above the Apocalypse
Chapter 263

Shane pondered, "So you're saying they have insider information from the government or the base?"

"Two years of constant daylight, three years of endless night, then smog..." Bran's usual playful demeanor disappeared. "We worked so hard to get this confidential information from the base, but they've already acted on it."

"I've been scouring the town for the past few days. I met a cop who gave me the scoop. Our confidential information originally came from Griffith. Someone sent a prophecy letter to the police, and it all came true. But the news was too shocking. The higher-ups ordered it to be kept secret, afraid that revealing it would cause a panic.

"The authorities had been stockpiling building materials because the prophecy mentioned a major earthquake, which did happen."

Shane squinted, studying his son. He seemed different somehow.

Bran's playful demeanor returned. "Dad, don't look at me like that. It's been three years since the apocalypse. People change."

Indeed, he used to be a party animal, his family's status allowing him to strut around any city. But then the disaster hit, and money and jewels became worthless.

Power became the most important thing.

Politicians used to fawn over him, but now? There were plenty of military and political power families in the base, the Porras family's era of dominance was over, they were being manipulated and used. That was why he wanted to return to Griffith. He didn't want to go back unless it was absolutely necessary.

Before, he thought he was tough. But once he entered the base, he saw what real tough guys were like. If you offended them, you had to put your life on the line. No longer could you rely on family influence or wealth.

Thinking of the man and woman's eyes, Bran knew not everyone was someone you could mess with. Even with a gun pointed at their head, that calm and mocking attitude was something he had never seen before in the post-apocalyptic world.

Although the Porras family still seemed to be thriving, it was because the authorities were willing to promote them. If one day they were unwilling, the mob outside might devour them.

These things often happened in the base. Many rich guys strutted around the base, but once they left, they were chopped into mud.

Aas long as you wanted to survive, there would come a day when you'd be afraid.

Shane said in a low voice, "Are you suggesting that the Porras family should apologize on behalf of the Homeowners Association?"

Bran stroked his chin. "Apologizing is out of the question. We have an image to maintain. The best course of action is to cool things down, investigate their background, then decide what to do."

Thinking of the man's sleek moves, his walk and posture, Bran had a hunch that he was probably from the military or police background, and not of ordinary status.

Shane was puzzled. "Military or police?"

He thought for a moment. "You handle this. If you don't handle it well, don't blame me for punishing you."

"Okay, I happened to be bored recentely." Bran was very interested in the people of unit 50 and decided to take up the role of Chairman of the Homeowners Association. "But we're going to have to fire all these security guards. They're nothing but con artists. They can't even take a punch. If something really happens one day, no one in the neighborhood will be able to escape."

They even had the audacity to demand such high wages. There must be something fishy going on.

"I think you should think about getting married."

"Dad, are you okay? You're still pressuring me for marriage after the apocalypse?"

"If you don't get married after the apocalypse, do you want our Porras family line to end?"

"Ouch, my stomach hurts. I need to go..."

As soon as she got up in the morning, Rosie shouted from downstairs, "The chicks have been born."

Stella came downstairs and sure enough, she saw that an egg had cracked open in the incubator, revealing a fuzzy yellow head. She hadn't seen a live chicken in three years, and the sight excited her.

The weather changes were drastic, so Stella took out a cardboard box, laid a layer of straw on the bottom, and put the hatched chick in it.

Without chicken feed, she used a blender to crush corn and wheat, added some water, mixed it, and put it in the box.

The newly born chick was a bit dazed, chirping for a while before it started to peck at the food.

The addition of a new species to the house not only piqued Cooper's curiosity, but even the rabbits came over to join in the fun.

In about two days, all ten chicks had hatched. For the newborns, the extreme changes in weather within a day were hard to adapt to. Within a few days, three of them had died.

Rosie took care of them every day, and she cried when they died.

Fortunately, the ducklings hatched. A few days later, the goslings hatched as well. With the experience from before, Rosie took even better care of them. When it was hot, she turned on the fan. When it was cold, she covered the box with a blanket. Sometimes, she even told them stories with the dog, "Once upon a time, there was a crow. It got thirsty as it was flying..."

Stella didn't know what to say, but she didn't want to kill her innocence.

Dylan was excited. "Can I touch them?"

Rosie was serious. "You can, but be gentle. Don't hurt them."

The two of them squatted by the nest. Dylan was very curious. "Can I keep them?"

Afraid she would say no, he quickly added, "I'll trade something for them."

Rosie thought for a moment. "You can, but you have to wait until they grow up and lay eggs to hatch chicks. Then you can keep them."

"Why?"

"Because we don't have enough right now. We need to raise them to lay eggs for us to eat."

"Okay, I'll wait."

In the evening, Austin came to pick up his son.

"A lot of people have been asking about you and Jasper lately. I've made up some stories for you."

He never asked about their past, which made Stella curious. "What did you say?"

"I said Jasper was a military descendant from the capital, and you used to work for a foreign mercenary group. You were the group's leader, the kind who kills without shedding blood." Stella laughed. "What about Rosie?"

Austin joked, "Ever watched the movie Léon?"

However, the Porras family did not cause trouble, and they even made changes to the Homeowners Association. They replaced the entire security team.

They also informed him to pay the property management fee and register his comings and goings.

For security reasons, no outsiders were allowed in or out. Homeowners could come out to meet people in case of emergencies.

Everyone had to pay the property management fee. There were no exceptions.

In an attempt to rectify their previous oversight, both unit 49 and 50 were granted a three-month exemption on their property fees.

It truly reflected the saying, "Might makes right."

Stella looked slightly surprised, "Those people have no objections towards the Porras family?"

"When you're outgunned, objections have to be swallowed. Besides, it was the work of some rich, idle socialites trying to stir up trouble. Having someone clean up their mess is already a blessing for them."

It was not that the men were without fault, but at least they didn't wear it on their sleeves.

However, being a cunning man, Austin cautioned, "But they are more underhanded in their dealings, and they might just be putting on a show. You guys should still be careful."