18 Floors Above the Apocalypse novel Chapter 549

Daniel had been mulling it over for ages, even tried to put it in motion, but the results were downright disappointing.

Sure, they were family, but Stella didn’t hold back. “You’ve split the duties, yet you haven’t really separated them.”

On paper, the roles looked distinct, but the management was still all military.

People’s mindsets and personalities get set in their ways; you can’t change that overnight.

Expertise is key. A military leader, decisive and efficient in battle, might stumble in a civilian role, possibly even coming up short compared to an average Joe.

Daniel got her point. “We’ve sifted through the survivors but haven’t found anyone with a knack for civil administration.”

Stella shot back, “Are you absolutely sure about that?”

Daniel, always sharp, asked, “You mean Mark?”

They had approached him, not once but three times, and he had turned them down every single time.

Turned them down? Stella was surprised but quickly figured it out.

“Did you have a proper plan for transferring power before you asked him?”

That made Daniel pause.

It wasn’t that he didn’t want to; it was about power and trust—too many factors in play.

He thought for a moment, “Do you trust him that much?”

Stella laid out Mark’s track record in Griffith. “He’s a rare talent in civil administration, but military and civil are two different beasts. He knows the real civil power isn’t in his hands, so he probably fears he’ll end up failing and getting blamed, which is why he’s turned you down.”

Daniel pondered briefly. “Stella, military-civil reform is a huge deal. Big, bold changes face massive resistance, but Griffith needs to grow fast; reform is a must.”

He knew deep down Stella’s concern was for his health.

Reform was something he had always wanted to push. They were stuck with limited manpower and harsh conditions that made even basic survival tough. His team, all military experts, were great in combat but struggled in civil roles.

Daniel looked at Stella, his eyes softening, “This will take time. I’ll get it sorted.”

Some things didn’t need words; a look could say it all.

After administering an IV drip, Stella left him a bag of carefully packed staples, a link of smoked sausage, and a couple of pounds of meatballs. “I’ll have Jasper install an exhaust hood later.”

Daniel opened his mouth to refuse but ultimately said nothing.

The constant coming and going was too noticeable, so Stella suggested, “How about we put a gate in the courtyard wall?”

Daniel liked that idea, “Sure.”

So, Jasper cut a door in the courtyard wall, making it easier for the two households to visit each other.

Then he installed a range hood for his father-in-law.

Stella had expected Jasper back sooner, but he took longer than she thought.

When he did return, something about him seemed different.

She was slightly taken aback. He seemed more upright but more relaxed, like when they first met on the 18th floor.

Curious, she asked, “What happened?”

Jasper handed her a glass of water and calmly said, “Stella, Dad wants me to join the military division, and I agreed.”

Stella was shocked, taking a moment before responding, “But I thought…”

In his past life, disaster struck, preventing him from rescuing his sister, Rosie, who was reduced to bones by the time he returned.

After a decade of grief-filled rescue work, he met a grisly end.