18 Floors Above the Apocalypse
Chapter 387

Lillian couldn't believe Daniel would ever uncover the truth.

The base hospital didn't have the means to conduct a paternity test, and even if he harbored any doubts, the natural disaster had obliterated all traces of the past. There was no way to dig up what had happened all those years ago. Besides, during her years at the Kindle Society, she and Julia never once mentioned Stella. Even when Daniel had initially inquired about her previous residence, she never so much as breathed a word about the villa district. "Don't worry, I'll see what I can replace out."

Taking a deep breath, Lillian grabbed the walkie-talkie and stepped out onto the balcony to contact Daniel's secretary...

...

The journey from the residential area to the military strategy zone was a good 20 miles, passing by the base hospital, the plantations, the industrial district, the airport, and then the vast ocean.

Entering the military zone, with its imposing guards on duty, the bustling army training grounds, and radar dishes spinning ceaselessly on their towers...

In the parking lot, rows of quake-resistant buses were lined up.

At the airport, various types of military helicopters stood ready.

Along the coastline, ocean liners, naval warships, lifeboats, and submarines were docked...

It was an endless, bustling sight stretching to the horizon.

Looking at all this, Stella felt goosebumps rising on her skin. This was the might of a nation laid bare.

In the distance, a massive cargo ship sounded its horn as it approached the dock, its deck stacked with giant containers.

If she wasn't mistaken, these containers held the treasures of civilization, brought here via sea to be safeguarded by the South China Military Region.

It was a military stronghold; Stella couldn't just gawk openly. She stole only covert glances, but what she saw was enough to stir the soul.

After passing several checkpoints, the car stopped in the military office area. A diligent soldier named Tom led the group, which included a dog, through two large buildings and up a flight of stairs, arriving at the chief's office. Stella frowned. Was all this pomp really necessary just to say thanks? She hoped this wasn't some sort of a trap.

Jasper also thought it was overkill, but on military turf, they could only communicate with each other through glances-be ready to improvise on the spot.

Stella pondered that she rarely ventured into Arcadia these past few years to save time. If her secret were exposed, she could hide in Arcadia for a few months without much trouble.

However, she couldn't transport others there remotely; otherwise, she wouldn't have been forced to scatter during the last surprise sandstorm.

So, she needed to stay close.

Jasper shot a look at his sister. Stella patted the dog's head, a secret signal that they would bolt if anything seemed off.

If they had to lay low for a few months, by then, the tectonic plates might have already collided, and the military wouldn't have the chance to wait for them to emerge.

As she was deep in thought, the office door opened, and the secretary stepped out. "Jasper, right? Please come in."

Divide and conquer? Stella tensed, wanting to stick with Jasper.

The secretary held out a hand to stop her. "Stella, please wait a moment."

With armed guards just a stone's throw away, she had no choice but to watch helplessly as Jasper entered alone, the heavy door closing behind him.

Mark waited beside her, his face always wearing a faint smile, giving nothing away.

Stella's heart raced, and she felt like she was sitting on pins and needles. There had to be a catch. Why all this fanfare for a simple thank you?

Rosie sensed the tension and involuntarily looked to Stella for cues.

Cooper ground his teeth, sensing a fight was in the offing.

Each second was torturous, Stella's palms slick with sweat. She strained her ears for any sound from the office, but it was soundproof, and the secretary was keeping a discreet eye on her actions. She had no choice but to play dumb, maintaining a calm façade.

When the door finally opened and Jasper emerged unscathed, Stella felt it had been an eternity, even though it had only been a brief duration.

Mark stepped forward politely. "Stella, you're welcome to go in now."

The siblings couldn't speak, but Jasper's reassuring look gave Stella some peace of mind.

The office was spacious but modestly furnished. Aside from the desk cluttered with documents, everything else was tidy and orderly.

The chief looked up from a phone call, which seemed to be about official business, and after hanging up, he turned to Stella. "Stella?"

She was taken aback that the military chief was the same man whose car had broken down on the road.

His stern features seemed softer than when they had first met, and the hint of a smile at the corner of his eyes made Stella relax slightly.

Still, she quickly gathered herself, reminded not to be deceived by appearances.

People in such high positions were never simple. She maintained a polite smile. "Good to meet you, sir."

Daniel studied Stella, with her comely face and delicate features. He gestured for her to sit. "Please, have a seat."

Her internal alarms blaring, Stella nonetheless sat down across from him.

Daniel examined her closely. "You're from Griffith?"

"Yes."

"I used to hang around the neighboring town of Swan Hill when I was younger. I had a lot of friends in Griffith..."

Wait-was the military chief seriously making small talk with her? Something was off.

But what could Stella do? Smile, just keep smiling.

"I've looked at your file. Grew up in an orphanage?"

Yes, and you know it. Why the charade? The identity check that day had been so thorough it was practically invasive. This was clearly a probing question.

But what choice did she have, on the home turf of the military, to be confrontational?

"Yes, I was abandoned at birth and sent to the orphanage."

Daniel seemed momentarily taken aback, then calmly continued, "Was it hard growing up there?"

"Living at the mercy of others is never easy." He wanted to chat, so Stella would oblige. After all, it was information she had already disclosed. She wondered what the military chief was getting at. "As a kid, I scavenged and cleaned toilets. As I got older, it was either fighting or getting beaten, and then working hard to pay for my own education."

Tough? It was the definition of tough.

But looking back, Stella was grateful for those hardships. They helped her survive the disasters that came later, to endure and thrive. Without those experiences, she might never have met Jasper and might still be living like a solitary porcupine, sharp and alone.

Daniel seemed lost in thought and after a pause said, "Did you... ever hate your parents?"

Without hesitation, Stella answered, "I probably did when I was young, but I got used to it. By the time the disaster struck, I was actually grateful not to have any dead weight holding me back."

He seemed about to speak again when his phone rang urgently.

Standing up, he extended his hand to Stella. "I really appreciate what you and Jasper have done for the base. If you ever run into trouble, feel free to reach out to me."

Stella shook his hand firmly. "No thanks necessary. We received the appropriate credits in return."

His hands were broad and calloused, a testament to years of hard work, yet they held a surprising warmth.

Out of the blue, Daniel asked, "Ever thought about joining the military?"

"No, can't do. I've got family to look after," came the reply, heavy with a sense of duty.

He bowed his head, pen scratching against paper, then tore off a piece and handed it to Stella, "This is my secure comms channel. If you need anything, give me a shout anytime."

Stella paused, taken aback, but she took the slip of paper.

Clutching the note, she walked away, her mind a tangle of thoughts. At the door, she turned back, compelled by common courtesy, "You don't look so hot. You should make time for a doc's visit, sooner rather than later."