18 Floors Above the Apocalypse
Chapter 290

Stella's tongue was as sharp as a blade.

Bran grimaced. His sanity on the brink, he had hoped for a peaceful hunting trip in the mountains to clear his mind, but all he found were demons lurking in the old forest.

Ignoring him, Stella ordered someone to bring Bentley in.

Bentley entered with the same cold and highborn demeanor, as if he were a sculpture. Bran couldn't bear to see him like this. "Bentley, don't overthink it. That girl merely looks like Lindsay. She can't possibly be her. Think about it, her legs were broken and she was swept away by a hurricane. There's no way she could still be alive."

Bentley remained silent, lost in his own world.

Stella couldn't understand Bentley's obsession. He tormented himself over the loss of his girl. He was so consumed with grief that he seemed to be punishing himself.

She had decided to use anesthesia, but it seemed a waste on him. So, she began stitching.

"Ah!!!"

Bentley sharply inhaled as his eyes flashed murderously. Well, apparently he could feel pain.

Stella watched him coldly. "Do you need anesthesia?"

Bentley inhaled sharply again, his mouth twitching. "Yes, a little."

"It's just a surface wound. The pain is nothing compared to a broken bone."

Bentley, covered in blood and being provoked by Stella, was silent.

After over an hour of stitching and patching up, they were finally done. The Porras family had plenty of medical supplies. Stella even prepared medicine for the mastiff. Then, she got up to leave. The head of the family, Shane, spoke up. "Stella, we really owe you one."

"It was no trouble." Stella gave a polite smile. "I owed a favor to Bran. It was only right to repay it."

Shane understood but continued to thank her. Regardless, if they hadn't found a suitable doctor in time, they would have had to go through the trouble of sending them to the official base.

Indeed, those living in Building 50 were not ordinary people. It was worth investing so much effort to befriend them.

Derick personally escorted her out, his attitude a complete contrast to before. "Take care, Stella."

The moment Stella left, Shane closed the door and turned on his son.

"Dad, don't... don't hit me, ow."

Not long after they returned home, there was another knock at the door. Another patient came seeking medical help.

As it turned out, it wasn't just Bentley and Bran who had gone hunting in the mountains. Several other young men from the residential area had also been injured. Upon learning that Stella had medical skills, they immediately sought her out. The person who came was a servant from the Vice Chairwoman's family, saying that their young son was also injured and hoped that Stella could help treat him.

Stella found it amusing. The Vice Chairwoman had led the charge in ostracizing her. Where did they get the nerve?

She didn't bother with them and instead sat down to enjoy her meal, which comprised of braised pork knuckles, crabs, and shrimp in oil.

The servant left, and soon after, the Vice Chairwoman herself came over. Unfortunately for her, the doors and windows were soundproof, so no one paid her any mind.

The next day, the mastiff returned, bringing not only its food but also its medicine. It brought extra doses, including anesthetics and antibiotics, likely as a thank you for Stella.

Given the Porras family's display, they clearly intended to maintain good relations with Stella. She considered it and accepted their offer.

Although she preferred to keep to herself, she couldn't deny the influence of the Porras family in Griffith. As long as they didn't harbor any ill intentions towards her, she was open to occasional interactions. Who knows, she might even get a helicopter out of it one day?

Stella was curious. "Can you fly a helicopter?"

Jasper answered, "Yes."

Stella was incredulous. "Is there anything you can't do?"

Jasper wasn't boastful. "Our unit regularly selects outstanding talents for comprehensive training."

Stella threw a walnut at him. "You're so smug."

With the two of them alone, Jasper had no reason to be shy. "If someone as outstanding as me is attracted to you, doesn't that mean you're even more outstanding?"

Stella couldn't help but laugh. "Jasper, you're such a flirt."

After successfully getting into Stella's good graces, the mastiff didn't just visit daily, even dragging the wheelchair-bound Bran along.

Stella frowned. "You're injured and you're bouncing around the neighborhood. Aren't you ashamed?"

"Only you can make me feel ashamed."

Stella didn't bother arguing. Once she saw that his wounds were healing nicely, she removed his stitches and sent him on his way.

Bran examined the structure of Stella's walls. "Stella, I heard the eternal night is coming. Do you think I should build a wall around my house?" "Whether you build one is none of my business."

"You're so cold. You saved my life once. Who knows, you might save it again?"

Stella retorted, "What's in it for me?"

Bran looked hurt. "You're so pragmatic."

"Would you prefer if I talked about sentiment?"

Seeing his persistence, Stella gave him a piece of advice. "Don't bother. A wall might keep out external threats, but what about the ones from within?"

Bran laughed it off, but after thinking it over, his smile froze. She meant that during the eternal night, there would be chaos, and the Porras family had quite a few servants and bodyguards.

He didn't dare think further. It sent chills down his spine.

Bran forced a smile and left in a hurry.

...

In the evening, Austin arrived, carrying over ten pounds of beef and half a sheep.

The wealthy were easy to profit from. Skincare products were hot commodities and cigarettes even more so.

However, fresh meat was hard to come by. He had gone to great lengths to barter for it.

He also brought news. "I heard the eternal night might be coming. We need to prepare."

Stella feigned surprise. "Who did you hear that from?"

"I saw the city installing streetlights on my way back. What else could it be?"

No wonder his business ventures were so successful. Stella admired his insight. "I've heard the same thing. It's likely to happen in the next few months."

Thanks to almost two years of perpetual daylight, despite the harsh climate, survivors had been given a chance to catch their breath.

The city had called together technical experts to establish waste power plants and large biogas plants. Many units were already using them. However, due to the scarcity of technical civilization and related materials after rounds of natural disasters, they couldn't be widely promoted.

If there was lighting, it could serve as a deterrent against the evils of the eternal night.

Austin couldn't help but worry. "If the eternal night really comes, what should we do?"

Stella gave a friendly advice, "Stock up well, fortify your homes, sharpen your knives, and try not to go out if it's not necessary."

For Austin, this was not a challenge. Even if he stopped doing business, he had enough supplies to last for a decade. But what about Monkey and his crew?

No, he had to warn them in advance.

"By the way, I know how to get hold of fish and lambs. Are you guys interested?"