18 Floors Above the Apocalypse novel Chapter 580

Vera, Reagan's daughter, was studying abroad when disaster struck. Deep down, everyone knew the odds of survival, but as long as you're alive, you've got to cling to hope.

"If she were as capable as Stella, there might be a bigger chance," Reagan mused.

Beyond envy, Reagan had come to express his gratitude. Emily had told him everything; without Stella's life-saving medicine, he wouldn't have made it. He knew that if he were gone, his wife would likely lose her will to go on. So, in essence, Stella had saved two lives.

"Stella and her husband should be the ones thanking you," he acknowledged. "Without your unwavering support, they wouldn't have had the chance to step up."

Having faced life and death countless times, Reagan spoke earnestly, "Old buddy, we're getting on in years. The burdens on our shoulders will eventually be passed to the younger folks. They've got the drive and the vision for the long haul. What we can do is choose the right successors, trust them, and support them wholeheartedly, so they can build a better tomorrow."

He was open-minded, which was why he fully backed Daniel's plans. Of course, that was on the condition that Stella and Daniel were competent. If they were like Nicholas, incapable of getting his act together…

The thought of Nicholas' misdeeds while he was unconscious irked him. Nicholas was unyielding, his obsession with power too great, always wanting to keep it firmly in his grasp. After working together for so many years, Reagan understood, but this couldn't continue indefinitely without harming the community's progress. They would have to take things one step at a time.

The two men talked behind closed doors for over two hours. Upon leaving, Reagan and his wife gratefully accepted Vanessa's generous offerings, which included homemade preserves, fine teas, and farm-fresh eggs.

"Don't mention it, we're practically family," Vanessa said warmly, gripping Emily's hand. "I may not be Stella's birth mother, but she and her husband treat me as such. Stella remembers favors. Our families should keep in touch without any formalities."

Unable to refuse, Reagan and his wife accepted the gifts. After seeing them off, Daniel poured Vanessa a cup of hot tea and remarked with a smile, "You've changed."

Vanessa knew what he meant, "We're not alone anymore, and our kids are doing well. We've got to plan for their future, I can't stay the same."

"Indeed, you've done well."

Hard work? Not when it made him happy. Since Stella came into their lives, he had changed, learning to relax and take better care of himself. He might have missed out on many years, but now he was truly living.

---

The 2023 Kindle Chest was opened, revealing essential medical manufacturing equipment. To protect it, 15 members of the Seed Project sacrificed their lives. The sight of the Kindle Chest's contents was a blow to everyone's hearts, like a heavy punch to the chest.

Military personnel came to collect the remains of the Seed Project members, who would be honored first on the Monument of Heroes. Stella's reserved oil had no place to be stored, so it was taken into military custody, to be used from their stockpile as needed. Before setting off, she reminded Daniel and Rosie, "There's no shortage of fuel at home, use the car whenever you need to."

There was no need to be overly frugal. The mission from above was to halt the salvage of the Kindle Chest and focus on retrieving the oil from the underwater ruins to avoid complications. Reagan, who was in the know, would've had to organize a long-range transport fleet, deploying all available ships and warships. But he withstood the pressure.

As Stella and her team set sail once more, it was estimated that it would take a year to salvage everything. There was no use in rushing. Considering the average depth of the ocean, how likely was it that the Kindle Chest would be successfully salvaged? Better to secure what they could first.

Their third voyage at sea was now routine: eating, sleeping, taking turns on watch. If the mood struck, they might play cards or mahjong. Stella initially had no interest, but soon got hooked, "Sixty thousand, self-drawn!"