The Spare's Second Chance in Apocalypse-Chapter 174: Ch : I’ll help you out- Part 2

Ethan did not look happy when Selene insisted on handling Rize herself. His expression darkened, his jaw tensing as if he wanted to argue, but before he could say a word, Zara simply shook her head at him.

He clearly wanted to protest and restrict what Selene could do, but Zara decided to interfere in his planning.

"Let her do whatever she wants. I am sure Selene has a plan to carry out. Let’s not hold her back."

Zara said casually, arms crossed. The certainty in her voice made Ethan feel calmer as well.

Ethan turned to look at her, clearly annoyed.

"You’re really fine with this?"

He asked.

Zara just grinned.

"If it goes badly, you’ll get to say ’I told you so.’ And I can always handle Rize Spencer if she acts out."

Ethan narrowed his eyes, but in the end, he backed down.

"Fine!"

He muttered, running a hand through his hair. Ethan was finally learning to live with the fact that he won’t be able to control Selene forever.

It seemed like a bitter pill for him to swallow, but one that he needed to come around to.

Selene only smiled.

"I won’t."

She turned and headed out first, her steps steady as she made her way toward Rize’s cell.

Once she was gone, Ethan let out a deep sigh and looked back at Zara.

"You’re sure Selene will be safe? I don’t like this Rize Spencer. I did not like her ever since the first time Selene told me about her."

He asked.

Zara smirked.

"I already ’tested’ Rize. She won’t be able to hurt Selene, no matter how hard she tries."

She said, stretching her arms as if she had just finished an enjoyable workout.

Ethan stared at her for a moment before exhaling slowly.

"I’ll take your word for it. But physical pain is the last thing I am worried about when it comes to Selene."

He muttered.

______

Selene stood in front of Rize’s cell, bracing herself for a reunion that only she remembered.

She took a deep breath and stepped inside.

Rize Spencer sat in the middle of the room, bound to a chair with Ethan’s chains, unable to move an inch.

Her violet eyes flickered up as soon as she noticed someone enter, and for a brief second, Selene saw a flash of excitement in them.

But the moment Rize registered who had entered, her expression immediately dropped.

Her excitement disappeared as if it had never been there at all.

Selene didn’t let it bother her. She stepped closer, keeping her expression neutral.

Rize was the first to speak.

"What do you want?"

She asked, her voice sharp.

Selene stopped just a few feet away and met Rize’s gaze.

"I’m here to make a proposal."

She said.

Rize raised an eyebrow, looking unimpressed.

"A proposal?"

Selene nodded.

"I will take care of your debts. And any other problems you have."

She said.

Rize’s expression did not change, but there was a subtle tension in her shoulders now.

"In exchange, you will sign a contract with me"

Selene continued.

Silence stretched between them.

Then—

Rize suddenly let out a loud, amused laugh.

Selene didn’t react, simply watching as Rize tilted her head back, chuckling like she had just heard the funniest joke of her life.

"Ah! So that’s it. You dug into my personal life and found out about my debts, huh?"

Rize sighed, grinning as she looked at Selene again.

Selene said nothing.

She couldn’t exactly tell Rize that she had known about her struggles long before she ever looked into them.

That in her past life, she had searched for Rize for years, only to find out that she had vanished without a trace.

That she had spent so much time regretting not reaching her in time.

So instead, Selene just met Rize’s gaze and waited.

Rize chuckled again, shaking her head.

"You’re really something."

She muttered.

Selene tilted her head slightly.

"Are you interested, or do you want time to think?"

Rize scoffed.

"No need for that. I’ve already made up my mind."

She said.

Selene raised an eyebrow.

"And?"

Rize leaned back as much as she could, smirking despite the chains binding her.

"I’ll cooperate."

She said.

Selene studied her carefully, looking for any signs of deception. But Rize’s gaze was steady, her smirk sharp.

She was serious.

Selene nodded.

"Good."

She said simply.

Rize let out another chuckle, tilting her head at Selene.

"You know, you really are interesting. I wonder..."

she mused. Her gaze darkened slightly, and her smirk widened.

"....Just how much do you really know about me, Selene?"

Selene’s lips curved into a slight, unreadable smile.

"Enough to the point where it matters."

She said.

Rize stared at her for a long moment before she grinned.

"Now I’m curious. Guess I’ll have to stick around and find out, huh?"

She said.

Selene didn’t reply, but she turned toward the door, ready to finalize the deal.

She had gotten what she wanted.

But as she walked out, she couldn’t shake the feeling that Rize Spencer...

Wasn’t done testing her just yet.

Rize leaned back as much as she could in the chair, her violet eyes gleaming with amusement.

"Alright, I’ll sign the contract, but only if you can clear my debt with the Vale family."

She said, tilting her head slightly.

Selene studied Rize carefully, her expression unreadable.

Rize grinned.

"Not so easy, is it? With the way money’s losing its value, I doubt you’ll be able to pull it off."

She continued.

Selene didn’t react. Instead, she simply said.

"Don’t worry. I have something the Vale family won’t be able to refuse."

Rize’s smirk wavered for a moment before she let out a low chuckle.

"Well, well. Now I’m curious."

She muttered.

Without another word, she took the contract in front of her and signed her name.

She set the pen down and gave Selene a knowing look.

"I’ll be waiting for the good news before I give you my answer."

She said.

Selene nodded.

"Deal."

With that settled, she turned and walked out of the room, already forming a plan in her mind.