18 Floors Above the Apocalypse novel Chapter 541

Jasper leaned in, eager to hear any updates Bran might have about the Ocean Point Naval Station. When Bran didn't volunteer any information, Jasper broke the silence. "So, what's new at the base since we left?"

Bran looked momentarily caught off guard. "It's been good. Not long after you guys left, they started reclaiming land for new islands. I even ran into Dr. Collin at the clinic one time, and he asked about you two."

"Everyone at the base valued you both highly. Director Jiang often sighed and said, 'Either they've run into pirates or their sub malfunctioned. It's probably more bad luck than good—seems like the best always go first.'"

Jasper's gaze grew distant. "Do you believe that?"

Bran, slouched against the wall with a shoe in hand, had a tired yet roguish air about him. "Bro-in-law, can I still come by for a meal when I'm hungry?"

"Of course, if you're hungry, come on over."

With Jasper's promise, Bran waved casually and left.

After closing the gate, Jasper returned inside, thinking about their plans. "The least suspicious way to build a greenhouse is to go scavenging."

Stella had considered this too. "People have scoured this area for hundreds of miles."

"There's one place that's hardly been searched."

Stella's eyes lit up. "The ocean."

Survivors lacked tools, and the military was constrained by fuel shortages. A ghost ship laden with supplies appearing on the vast ocean wouldn't be too far-fetched, would it?

They wouldn’t be stealing from the military, and with Daniel's status, who'd dare question or investigate her?

They needed to act fast, setting sail tomorrow.

After discussing the pressing matters, Stella brought up Bran, unsure of his intentions that evening. "What do you think he's up to?"

Jasper rubbed his temples. "He's looking for a leg up."

Frowning, Stella pondered, "You think he wants to threaten me?"

"Bran's a smart man. If he were planning to use you for his gain, he wouldn't have warned you explicitly back at the base."

Loyalty mattered, but so did business acumen. It was impossible to believe Bran had no ulterior motives.

Stella's secret was like a juicy roast beef, and Bran was like a man who hadn't eaten in days.

He might resist temptation once out of loyalty, but how many more times could he hold back?

Even if he did, what about his brother and niece? Were they not hungry as well?

If they never crossed paths again, it would be impossible for him to act. But the roast beef was not only in plain sight; its aroma was tempting him to sin.

Jasper didn't want to speak ill of family, but in a post-apocalyptic world, caution was essential.

"Stella, Bran's a liability. Either we eliminate him, or we make him one of our own."

Stella had thought as much but didn't want to dwell on it. However, Jasper's words surprised her.

But when it came to taking action, she found it difficult to be ruthless, especially since Bran was so cunning. Who could ensure he hadn't already shared the secret or had a backup plan?

She hesitated, her head aching with indecision. "What do you think?"

After a moment's thought, Jasper said, "So far, he's shown loyalty, and he has a desire to align with the strong, which is understandable. Building a legend requires allies. As skepticism grows, it's not realistic to eliminate every doubter.

In this world, there are no perpetual friends, only perpetual interests.