18 Floors Above the Apocalypse
Chapter 267

The College of Herbal Medicine in Swan Hill was recruiting in Griffith. Those who were interested and had some basic knowledge in the field could apply.

Ever since the catastrophe, the number of doctors had plummeted, particularly Western medicine practitioners. Either they perished in the disaster, or due to the lack of medication or equipment; civilization was nearly wiped out. Once a survivor fell ill, their options were limited to enduring the illness or waiting for death.

Given the situation, Herbal Medicine had to step up, not only to conserve as much medicinal herbs as possible during the relatively milder disasters but also to train a new generation of practitioners.

Despite the so-called mildness, the conditions were deteriorating, with the highest temperature hitting 45 degrees and the coldest dropping to -15 degrees.

Luckily, the houses had been insulated, and they had thermal clothing. Otherwise, they might not survive the alternating furnace-like heat and freezer-like cold.

Many people outside were sick. Those who could endure lived, and those who couldn't vanished.

Those with family knew you had once existed in this world; those without had to wait for the clean-up crew to discover them.

There were Styrofoam boxes at home. Otherwise, the chickens, ducks, and geese even with fur all over their bodies couldn't withstand the harsh conditions. The rabbits seemed to have gotten used to it and would even cuddle the poultry if they felt like it. They had been cuddled by the dog before, and now they were cuddling others. Perhaps this was the continuation of love. In any case, the young animals loved following the rabbits.

Jasper asked, "Are you thinking of applying?"

Stella nodded. Despite her self-studying these past years, Herbal Medicine was profound. Many of its essence couldn't be learned from books or videos, but instead from the wisdom passed down by the predecessors and accumulated from countless experiences. She really didn't want to cough her lungs out.

Considering she was free anyway, and the neighborhood seemed relatively safe for now, Stella suddenly had a thought, "Why don't you and Rosie go too?"

Given the unpredictable nature of the catastrophe, who knew how much longer they could stay together? If they were separated, wouldn't knowing some medical knowledge allow them to go further?

Jasper had no objections, and Rosie was always eager to learn.

"Woof!" Although the dog considered himself a human, this was probably beyond his abilities.

The trio decided to leave, leaving Cooper in Austin's care, which delighted Dylan, "Rosie, I'll wait for you to come back. Remember to teach me how to do a somersault."

Indeed, the introverted Dylan had not only learned to grow vegetables and raise animals, but also wanted to further challenge himself under his father's encouragement.

As Stella started the car and was about to turn the corner to exit, a car suddenly shot out from the side. With a loud "bang", the two cars collided heavily. In that instant, Stella instinctively turned the wheel, but it was too late to avoid the collision. Luckily, they were all wearing seat belts, but their bodies were nearly flung out of the car. Everything was spinning, their ears ringing.

Fortunately, their Hummer had been modified and its body and glass were bulletproof. Otherwise, the consequences would be unthinkable.

Her chest ached from the impact, and Stella's forehead nearly hit the steering wheel, but Jasper quickly held her back. His sister was sitting in the back, and Jasper quickly asked, "Rosie, are you okay?"

Rosie was startled, but thanks to the seat belt, she was safe, "I'm okay."

When Stella saw who had hit them, she was instantly livid. It was Bran's Maybach SUV.

Without saying a word, Stella started reversing, "Hold on." With that, she slammed the gas pedal and rammed the Maybach SUV.

A loud "bang", and the Maybach SUV was pushed several meters away.

The sound drew the attention of the Porras family's bodyguards and the patrolling security guards.

Seeing the Hummer ramming the Maybach, a bodyguard drew his gun and pointed it at Stella, "Stop."

Jasper took out a bomb and a lighter. The bodyguard quickly backed off.

Stella reversed again, and once more rammed the Maybach, causing Bran to look pale as he clumsily climbed out of the car.

Barely had he climbed out when Stella floored the accelerator, sending the Maybach flying through the air, spinning and then rolling.

Despite the Maybach being a world-class luxury car, the real king in the off-road world was the Hummer, the ideal vehicle for the post-apocalyptic world. Moreover, Jasper had armed it to the teeth, including a sturdy bumper. Even though the Maybach had also been modified, its off-road performance couldn't compare to the Hummer.

When it had rammed them, Stella turned the wheel to avoid some of the impact, causing the Maybach to hit a rock and then getting hit three times by Stella, who was channeling her inner Vin Diesel.

In a post-apocalyptic world without high-end car modification clubs, this vehicle was basically totaled.

Bran pushed past the bodyguard, holding his splitting headache, and banged on the Hummer's window, "Open the door!"

Stella lowered the window by a crack.

"Are you crazy?!" Bran, a bit dazed, vented his anger at Stella, "My car had a problem, and it accidentally hit yours. Did you have to ram me like that?"

Through the window, he had seen the murderous intent in Stella's eyes. This woman was really out for blood, as ruthless as the desperados near the base. At that moment, his heart trembled.

Stella stared at him coldly, "Aren't you the third son of the Porras family, the owner of the car modification club, and a master in car racing? Who dares to compete with you in terms of driving skills?

"Whether your car has a problem or not, you would know as soon as you got behind the wheel. Don't make lame excuses.

To you, our lives may be worthless, something you can toy with. But to me, no matter how rich or influential your family is, if you dare to joke with my life, I'll fight you to the death. We only have one life, so if you're not afraid of death, bring it on."

The fact that the three of them were safe was not due to luck, but because the Hummer was heavily armed. If it were just ordinary vehicles, they would probably have been smashed into scrap metal by the Maybach long ago. Even if they didn't die on the spot, they would have suffered serious injuries.

If they were really injured, would these guys save her?

Stella knew in her heart that Bran was only testing the waters. But what then? Because he was the son of a billionaire, he could test whoever he wanted, without considering whether it would result in someone's death.

In his eyes, it was just three lives, no different from ants. Since he didn't value others' lives, he had to bear the consequences.

Bran was taken aback, "Look, I'm a peaceful guy. Don't paint me as some kind of villain. It really was just a car malfunction."

"Cut the crap." Stella interrupted, her voice icy. "I'm laying it out for you all today. My house is here, and I live here. If any of you has a problem with that, bring it on. I've got nothing to lose. One challenger, I break even. Two challengers, I profit. If we're going to die, we'll die together. Let's see who makes it out alive."

Bran was speechless. "Are you suffering from some kind of persecution complex?"

"Stand in front of my car, and see if I don't run you over."

Bran swallowed hard, suddenly feeling a bit apprehensive. But he stood tall, even shooting back a threat. "I should've been fully responsible for the car accident, but you're making baseless accusations and seeking revenge. I'm telling you, this isn't over - wait for it." "No need to wait," With a grin on her face, Stella pulled out a grenade. "How do you plan on killing me?"

One had a bomb, the other a grenade. What was Bran supposed to do?

She was insane. That was all there was to it.

Word spread quickly, and a crowd started to gather. Bran was in the spotlight and couldn't back down now.

The head of security stepped in to defuse the situation. "Stella, it's all a big misunderstanding. Bran's car broke down yesterday, and he was just trying to get it fixed today. He didn't mean to hit your car. Since the damage has already been done, why don't we all sit down and talk this through?"

Sit down and talk? Would she even make it out alive?