18 Floors Above the Apocalypse novel Chapter 191

After leaving Arcadia, the two continued to pack, chatting about everyday matters. Before long, it was noon and someone brought lunch over.

Three dishes and a soup, a balanced mix of meat and vegetables, along with a bottle of high-proof vodka.

“I’m not a fan of alcoho. Should we send it back or keep it?”

“It is Bryce's thoughtfulness, we should keep it. Let's save it for Cooper. He enjoys a swig or two when he's bored.”

“Woof.” The boozy dog circled around Stella.

“Look at that, just mention alcohol and he gets excited.”

Despite the chat, Stella had no intention of eating the base’s food. Even though the chances of it being poisoned at this stage were slim, it still made her uneasy. She stowed it away in Arcadia, taking out their own stockpile.

Rosie, the little drama queen, complained while eating. "Jasper, this jerky is rancid, not as tasty as what Stella makes."

“No waste is allowed. There are people out there who can't even find tree bark to gnaw. When we get a chance, Stella will make you something yummy.”

After lunch, they pulled all the curtains and went to sleep. They talked about anything that came to mind. Tired of talking, they slept, waking up around five o'clock. Someone came to inform them that the evening banquet was at seven o'clock.

Out of respect for Mr. Bryce, Stella chose a clean outfit. She suspected there would be many women at the banquet, so she applied some lipstick to avoid being mistaken for a handsome man.

As for Rosie, she couldn't be more worried. She didn't want to bring her to the banquet, but she was worried about leaving her alone. Stella picked out a pair of jeans with suspenders and an inconspicuous cotton T-shirt for her.

Being fair, she also groomed Cooper’s fur.

When it was about time, the three of them headed out. Leading the way was Cooper, moving with a fierce stride, as if he wanted to pounce on every moving leg.

As the sun set, a handful of tattooed men were heading home. Seeing a beauty and a little girl, they couldn’t help but whistle.

Cooper chased after them, almost causing the unarmed to run for their lives. Climbing trees didn't help, as Cooper would just jump two to three meters high.

The tattooed men were almost scared to wet themselves.

There were also armed men, but they knew better than to confront the newcomers who were welcomed by the boss. Even though they were upset, no one dared to fire a shot.

Cooper’s ferocious barking echoed three miles away. Seeing that he was about to tear a man’s throat out, Stella finally called out nonchalantly, “Cooper, come back.” Immediately, Cooper turned from a ferocious dog to a tame puppy and obediently returned to his owner.

After that, no one dared to provoke them again.

On their way to the mansion, the trio and their dog strolled leisurely, seemingly chatting but actually assessing the distribution and terrain of the base.

At the mansion, they went through a security check and entered a centrally air-conditioned interior.

The evening banquet was impressive, with a whole roast lamb filling the air with aromatic spices.

It was just Bryce and Teddy again, with Bryce even switching to a casual suit. “Well, it is so good to be young. Jasper, you look vibrant, and your girlfriend is equally striking.”

Stella gave a forced smile, "Thank you, Bryce."

Bryce tried to engage Cooper, but the aloof dog ignored him. He then turned his attention to Rosie, praising, "What a cute little girl."

Despite her young age, Rosie could sense his intentions and hid behind her brother, leaving Bryce embarrassed.