18 Floors Above the Apocalypse
Chapter 394

Jasper stepped forward, deftly slipping his hand into Ty's pocket and pulling out a mini pen-a recording pen, no doubt about it.

Stella listened over and over, a strange woman's voice emanating from the device.

Ever since Black Dog hinted at being under someone's thumb, Stella had her suspicions. Matching the suspect with the voice, it seemed more and more likely.

Jasper was an expert in this area. If he wasn't mistaken, the person had not only pinched their voice but also stuffed something in their mouth to disguise it further. Such an attempt to conceal only made things more obvious-like burying treasure under a tree but insisting there's nothing there.

"Julia," Jasper said.

Sharing a bed for a long time does create a connection, and Stella was thinking the same. Who else but Julia? Stella hadn't crossed anyone else.

But she hadn't anticipated Julia having such a powerful backer, belonging to a family of significant influence. How could someone so foolish replace such a powerful protector?

Although the Kindle Society could better monitor natural disasters, Stella was no longer someone who would suffer in silence, especially now that she had the submarine in her possession. She could just walk away if need be.

She had no reason to feel aggrieved. Besides, even if she swallowed her pride, would Julia stop her antics? No, she would only grow bolder.

Stella wanted the recording pen and more. She tied up Ty and the others.

"You said you'd let us go!" Black Dog howled. "You're a beautiful woman, yet you go back on your word!" Annoyed by his noise, Jasper knocked him out with a swift chop and stuffed him into the trunk of the car. With the trunk full of living evidence, the trio and their dog drove back to the base.

Stella had a temper, sure, but she wasn't quick to explode. All the way, she thought things through calmly.

Every vehicle entering the base was subject to inspection, so Stella simply parked outside the base's perimeter. They were knocked out again with ether, ensuring they wouldn't wake anytime soon.

Stella headed straight for the central mall, walking with a determination that recognized no relatives.

Julia was there, and her face turned several shades paler at the sight of the very alive Stella. Stella ignored her and started browsing nonchalantly.

While wandering, she spotted Lola, who wasn't on good terms with Julia, and waved her over. "Hey, I'm looking to buy an escape pod. Can you help me out?"

Lola was all eagerness as she approached to offer her assistance. They stood with their backs to Julia, keeping a safe distance.

While unobserved, Stella slipped Lola a piece of rock candy. Half a pound of rock candy was a rare treasure in these times.

Lola was shocked by the move but quickly tucked it away. "You need something?"

Stella nodded. "I had a little run-in with Julia recently, and I've had trouble ever since. It's got to be her stirring things up. I can handle a lot, but I won't be taken advantage of. I've heard she's got a pretty serious background, yeah?"

Lola would love to see someone put the brash Julia in her place, but with a high-ranking military father, most people had to swallow their pride. But Lola, having accepted the sweet bribe, spoke with a complicated expression after a moment's thought. "Her father is a high- ranking officer. My advice? Let it go. Eating a loss is annoying, but it's better than being wiped out, right?"

It wasn't the first time Julia had used her father's status to oppress others. At first, people resisted, but after being dealt with harshly a few times, they all learned their lesson and didn't dare make a peep.

Stella frowned. "An officer?"

"Mr. Daniel," Lola whispered. "He's actually a decent guy, but you know... his wife, she's quite the public figure, which is why Julia acts so untouchable."

Stella was surprised. "Daniel?"

Lola looked shocked. "You know him?"

Stella's mind raced. "His wife's Lillian?"

"Shh, this is the base. It's not good to call out the big boss's name so openly."

Stella fell silent for a moment, then couldn't help but laugh. She really was something else! Mr. Chen was a shrewd businessman; he wouldn't raise someone else's daughter. Julia was without a doubt a true Riley, but now she was posing as Daniel's daughter. But Daniel, having risen to such a rank, wasn't likely to be foolish. Stella suddenly remembered the odd comments he had made to her a while back. Suddenly, it all clicked.

Lillian, oh Lillian, she truly had no limits-not even a shred of humanity!

Stella's mood was complex, not exactly happy or angry; it was hard for her to define.

"Julia."

Just then, as if on cue, the well-dressed Lillian entered the mall. She had been pestering Claire to set up another date for Julia, banking on Daniel's influence to get her way.

Claire had delicately hinted that the man wasn't interested, emphasizing that with the constant threat of disaster, they could be called to sacrifice at any moment-hardly the time for marriage. They'd have to wait until the crisis was over.

But Lillian wasn't one to take a hint easily. With the chaos of the world, she was more determined than ever to marry Julia off, especially with Stella's presence looming. And Daniel was no help at all.

If the truth ever came out... the consequences were unimaginable. So Julia had to be married off quickly, for both their sakes.

With no time to waste, Lillian hurried to remind her daughter. "Julia, there's something at home. Please, take a leave right now."

If today's meeting could seal the deal, Julia's future would be set.

Stella's appearance had already rattled Julia, especially with her whispering in close proximity to Lola, whose glances kept darting their way.

Julia's heart nearly leapt from her chest. Did Stella know something?

But when she looked up and saw her mother, she tried to signal her discreetly. Stella was up to something; they had to leave quickly!

However, Lillian, consumed with thoughts of the matchmaking, didn't consider that angle at all and eagerly approached to remind her, "Julia, something's come up at home. You need to ask for leave immediately." If they could win over the young man today, Julia's life would be on track.

Julia tugged Lillian to the side, her voice tinged with panic. "Mom, Stella's here."

Lillian paused, her gaze instinctively sweeping the room.

As luck would have it, Stella had just sent Lola off with a casual wave and turned her gaze toward the mother-daughter duo.

A knot tightened in Lillian's chest, as if her heart had been pierced by a dagger.

Stella approached with a smile that seemed to twist slightly at the edges.

Julia clung to Lillian's arm, her voice trembling. "Mom, what's with that smile?"

Lillian regained her composure. "Don't worry, honey. We're at the base; no one would dare cause trouble here."

Stella reached into her pocket and pulled out a walkie-talkie, tuning into the encrypted channel Daniel had provided. "Good day, Mr. Daniel."

"Stella?" The voice on the other end paused, then brightened. "Do you need something from me?"