18 Floors Above the Apocalypse novel Chapter 552

Listening to his words, Stella couldn't help but chuckle. "Nicholas, no matter how precious the medicine is, it's meant to save lives. If it can't do that, it's worthless. I'm not really lacking anything at the moment, so consider this a token of my gratitude for all the hard work you've put into building and defending the base."

As she walked away, Nicholas couldn't help but feel a pang of envy. The boss was lucky to have such a wonderful daughter—a blessing earned over lifetimes. His thoughts drifted to his own wife and child, long since passed, and loneliness washed over him. He envied the boss more than ever.

Stella got home and prepared three doses of medicine for Nicholas, asking Rosie to deliver them. Thanks to strict gun control, the safety of the base was pretty solid. Plus, Rosie was no pushover. She was always packing heat, ready to handle trouble if it came knocking.

Stella rummaged through the Arcadia, spending most of the day gathering nearly everything Josef had asked for. Good thing she had a hodgepodge of supplies stashed away before the disasters. Otherwise, they'd be in a real pickle.

The next day, Josef showed up with a crew ready to haul the goods. After a series of setbacks, many survivors had given up on farming, working themselves to the bone only to go hungry. So, there were plenty of folks squatting on the curbs looking for work. Josef, who'd done his share of odd jobs, picked out the hard workers from his circle of acquaintances.

In just a few days, the framework for the greenhouse was up, drawing a crowd of onlookers. Though it wasn't theirs, the prospect of a steady yield from the greenhouse meant everyone could benefit. The appearance of the greenhouse offered a glimmer of hope, providing much-needed comfort to the weary souls of the base.

Curiosity buzzed about the identity of the greenhouse owner. Word got around that it was the boss's daughter. With a father like that, of course, she was bound to do something impressive. "But you're out of the loop. They've only just acknowledged their relationship. Seems she's relying more on her husband than her dear dad."

"And who's her husband?"

"You've got to be kidding me. They've got cars, glass, food—you name it. She's young, he's handsome; it's a no-brainer."

Stella's name was on everyone's lips. She and Jasper stepped forward, inspecting the construction site with ease. Josef had picked a solid team—no slackers among them. They worked eagerly, hoping to earn a place as farmhands once the greenhouse was complete.

The structure was sturdy, and with the Porras family's background in real estate, Josef knew his way around a construction site. He kept a close eye on things, and Poppy was no exception.

Josef approached Stella, "The frame is almost done. Give me three more days, and we'll be ready to start planting. Should we get on it right away?"

Stella nodded, "Yes, we'll start as soon as it's ready. Rosie will handle the planting."

Rosie was coming into her own, and it was high time she took on more responsibility. When Rosie saw Poppy, her eyes lit up, then dimmed with a hint of insecurity. Rosie was the picture of youthful beauty, while Poppy felt like a ragged beggar in comparison. But Poppy quickly shook off the self-doubt. These were hard times for everyone, and Rosie was a rare exception in the base.

Rosie eagerly took on the task, "I've got this, brother and sister-in-law."

Stella rested a hand on Rosie's shoulder, their bond as warm as any sisters', "Do well, it's your time to shine."

After returning from the nursery, Rosie got to work on the planting plan. Each greenhouse would cover an acre, with the first dedicated to mulberry, medicinal herbs, and sweet potato saplings. The incubated eggs would hatch in about ten days, so it was time to sow the seeds for fodder. The high-temperature fish cakes lacked nutrition, so they relied on maggot farming for protein—a staple for both bases, ensuring safety.