After Surviving the Apocalypse, I Built a City in Another World novel Chapter 338

Eden University, Five Years Prior

Inside a school’s laboratory, bathed in the soft sunlight peering through the curtained windows, the beautiful Althea Witt stood in front of a stainless steel table, engrossed in her work.

There was a plethora of tools and plants occupying her space. Completely absorbed in her experiments, her emerald eyes focused only on the task at hand.

Her ponytailed auburn hair cascaded down her shoulders, her focused expression highlighting the delicate features of her face.

When a beaker reacted, she was quick to write down notes on her notebook—filled with formulas and various equations only she could decipher. Here, she added complex notations with bright eyes.

Nimble fingers carefully adjusted the glassware in front of her with deliberate and practiced movements, and she handled the instruments with gentle confidence.

Occasionally, she would brush stray strands of her hair to the back of her ears.

The men around her gaped, watching, wanting to do it for her.

But the door of the laboratory abruptly opened and the admiring men quickly turned their attention back to their respective tasks, blush creeping all the way up her ears, as if they’d been caught staring.

"Altheaaaa! SOS! Help meeee!!"

Althea blinked, carefully turning off the fire. She turned to look at the beautiful blonde woman who was making such a desperate face.

"My project!" Sobs! "The one I’ve been working on since the beginning of the semester! It won’t integrate!"

"And?"

"It’s based on organic materials so… well…"

Althea sighed and turned off her own experiments, taking away all her items in the laptop bag.

She was then dragged to another lab, helping out her crying best friend.

…

They got out of the lab some twelve hours later, and the two women stretched their arms, with Winona’s shifting to wrap around Althea’s dainty shoulders.

Winona happily rubbed her face against her friend’s.

"Thank you soooo muchhh! You’re the best! I would definitely get those rare plants from the Desert country for you!"

Althea’s eyes brightened but she modestly shook her head. "You don’t have to.."

"Well, I want to." She grinned, and Althea chuckled.

Not too far from them, Ansel was standing, waiting patiently for his sister to get out of the damned laboratory.

He frowned as he looked at Winona’s arms occupying so much of Althea’s personal space. Winona noticed this stare and stared back, lifting her chin proudly.

Althea saw her friend’s attention somewhere else and followed her line of sight. She blinked, "Ansel?"

Ansel’s dark expression immediately morphed into a gentle one. Raising a nice-looking box in his hand, he approached them.

"I thought you’d be hungry."

Winona looked at him guardedly. This jerk was acting like a boyfriend while the real boyfriend was abroad likely fighting for his life!

Althea was unaware of the electricity exchanged between the two and she just smiled, taking the box, before looking at him again. "Thank you. Don’t you have class?"

The guard realized his gaffe and blushed. Seeing this, Althea just sighed. "What is it, Jesse?"

"Your friend! She… she’s injured. Ms. Lily said to call you immediately."

"Friend?" She voiced out, though she had already stood up and was heading to the door.

"It’s the blonde one from Vismont."

"What?" Althea’s pace quickened, heart tightening in anxiety. She was already sweating a bit when she arrived at the health center. Similarly, Ansel was also rushing right beside her, eyes filled with complex emotions.

She rushed in, asking where the girl was. The nurse wasn’t used to seeing the beautiful Ms. Althea flustered and she could only hurry and bring her to the patient’s bed.

Althea’s tense shoulders slumped as she saw Winona all in one piece and being treated as an outpatient.

At the very least, it meant her condition was not too critical.

As she approached the woman’s bed, she saw her current pitiful state, and her heart broke a bit.

The girl’s body was riddled with bandages, her face was pale, her lips caffed, and her nails broken.

Althea sighed. This girl loved beauty the most. She had perfectly manicured fingers, styled hair, well-chosen clothing, and used the most advanced Beauty products (before completely converting to her WittBeauty Products, of course).

Althea could only hope that nothing scarred, or the girl would definitely feel sad. Of course, even if it did, then Althea would just have to formulate scar removal creams for her.

Althea held the blonde’s cold hand, which was unconsciously shaking even when she was asleep. It broke Althea’s heart.

"I’m here." She said, eyes on her best friend’s pitiful figure. "You’re safe again."