The Spare's Second Chance in Apocalypse-Chapter 171: Ch : Be Careful in there- Part 1

Rize Spencer let out a deep, relieved sigh as she sank into the plush leather seat of the Vale family car. She had made it.

The tension that had been gripping her body for hours finally began to ease, her muscles loosening as she allowed herself to relax.

The mission had been a complete disaster, but at the very least, she had escaped without being caught.

’I-I made it! I am safe now. God! It felt like I was about to die back there. Thank god I did not get caught.

But just as her heart rate slowed, a voice cut through the air like a blade.

"You better have succeeded, Rize. Do you have the information we need? You know that we are not a forgiving bunch."

Nora Vale said coolly.

Rize jerked so hard, she almost smacked her knee against the dashboard.

’Damn it! Where did this bitch come from? Am I going to die today?’

She had been so focused on getting out of the base, she hadn’t even noticed that Nora had been in the car waiting for her.

She quickly composed herself, forcing a neutral expression as she turned to the younger Vale.

"Unfortunately, I failed this time. But I’ll do better next time."

Rize said, her voice steady but cautious.

She held her breath, waiting for Nora’s reaction.

Nora, dressed in a sharp, tailored black coat, didn’t even blink.

"You better. There will be no third time."

She said simply.

Rize exhaled slowly, feeling a mix of relief and frustration.

She was lucky. freeωebnovēl.c૦m

Of all the Vale members, she had been assigned to Nora—the most ’normal’ one in the family....

At least, that’s what people said.

But after working under her for this long, Rize wasn’t sure if "normal" was the right word.

Nora was... controlled. Unshakable.

Cold.

Ruthless.

And it was impossible to get a read on her.

"Are you done?"

Nora asked, glancing at her with bored eyes.

"Uh—yeah, I guess."

Rize muttered.

"Then get out."

Rize’s mouth fell open slightly.

"Wait, what? You’re just leaving me here?"

"Yes."

"But what if I’m being followed?"

"That’s not my problem."

Rize sighed dramatically, hoping to earn some sympathy.

"Come on, just drop me off at home. It’s dangerous out here, and I—"

"No."

Nora’s voice was flat, her gaze unwavering.

"Get out."

Rize grumbled under her breath but knew better than to push her luck.

She grabbed the door handle, ready to step out, but just as she did, something compelled her to stop.

A mischievous glint flickered in her eyes as she tilted her head, turning to look at Nora once more.

"...Are you really fine with this?"

She asked.

Nora didn’t even look at her.

"Fine with what?"

"Bringing down the project? Considering who’s in charge of it."

Rize said casually, watching her carefully.

Still, no reaction.

Rize smirked slightly.

"I expected you to be a little more worried, since it’s your older sister running things over there."

She continued.

That was a direct hit.

For the first time, Rize saw Nora’s fingers tighten ever so slightly on the leather seat.

Interesting.

Rize pushed a little further, leaning in.

"I mean, if it’s true that Selene is ’Miss Shadow’—then you’re basically declaring war against your own blood. Shouldn’t you be a little, I don’t know... concerned?"

She let the title roll off her tongue with amusement.

There.

A slight flicker of something in Nora’s eyes.

Was it anger?

Was it hesitation?

Rize wasn’t sure, but she was determined to get a reaction out of her.

She wanted to see Nora Vale flinch.

She wanted to see if the cold, detached girl had any weaknesses.

But to her disappointment, Nora quickly masked whatever had slipped through.

She turned her head ever so slightly and said, in a tone sharper than ice.

"If you have time to bullshit, Rize, then you should use it to better yourself."

Rize’s smirk faltered.

Nora’s gaze locked onto hers, cool and unwavering.

"Next time, I won’t help you out. And if you fail again... you’ll be on your own. "

She continued.

Rize suddenly felt like the temperature in the car had dropped.

A chill ran down her spine, and she quickly backed off.

She knew when to retreat.

"Alright, alright! Message received. I’m out."

Rize said, raising her hands.

She swung the door open and stepped out onto the pavement, quickly closing the door behind her.

As the black Vale car sped off, Rize let out a long breath.

"Ugh,"

She muttered to herself.

That could have gone better.

She turned on her heel and disappeared into the night, already thinking about how she would infiltrate the base again—this time, without failing.

______

Meanwhile, inside the car, Nora’s expression remained blank.

But the second Rize was gone, her fingers curled into fists.

The air in the car heated instantly, a wave of suffocating pressure filling the space.

The driver and the other passengers flinched, feeling the sudden rise in temperature.

"Miss Nora, please... calm yourself.""

The driver stammered, his voice uneasy.

Another passenger wiped sweat from his forehead.

"Yeah, yeah, we get it, Rize pissed you off, but if you roast us alive, we won’t be able to drive you home."

He said hurriedly.

Nora closed her eyes, taking a slow breath.

She exhaled, and the heat gradually faded, the temperature settling back to normal.

But the anger still burned in her chest.

That idiot.

How dare Rize bring up her sister like that?

How dare she speak about Selene as if she were just another enemy to take down?

Nora’s grip on the armrest tightened as she stared out the window, her thoughts racing.

Selene... Miss Shadow...

The idea of her sister being involved in all of this wasn’t impossible.

But if it was true—if Selene really was the one behind that project—

Nora’s fingers twitched.

What then?

Would she go through with it?

Would she truly betray her own blood?

She wasn’t sure.

And that uncertainty made her furious.