The Spare's Second Chance in Apocalypse-Chapter 175: Ch : I’ll help you out- Part 3

The deal was simple...at least in Selene’s mind. The harder thing to do would be to get her team to agree to help her out while also keeping their mouths shut at the same time.

Ethan looked like an especially huge problem. He would want to butt in and guard Selene for sure.

’Well, I will deal with Ethan when it’s time. For now, I should concentrate on what I can do and how to make this deal successful.’

Rize Spencer was not the only one Selene could appoint in the barrier maker’s role. But she still wanted to help Rize for the sake of their past friendship.

Even if their relationship was one-sided and only Selene knew about it, she still wanted to honor it a little.

Later that night, Selene gathered her team in one of the meeting rooms.

The air in the room was thick with tension, everyone sensing that something important was about to be discussed.

Zara was the first to speak. She crossed her arms, leaning against the table with a thoughtful look.

"So, you’re planning to meet them alone? Are you sure you can trust the Vale family over this matter?"

Selene nodded.

"Yes. But I need all of you to be on standby. I want my location tracked at all times, and if anything seems off, be ready to step in. I have a feeling I won’t need your help."

After all, Selene already knew that the one appointed to this mission was Nora. It was all thanks to Selene’s Insight skill that allowed her to know much more than possible.

Orion, who had been sitting with his arms resting on the table, let out a low hum.

"If you are sure about this, then I don’t see a point in holding you back."

He admitted.

Ethan, standing near the window, remained silent for a moment before finally speaking.

"Keep your disguise up at all times. If they recognize you, things could turn ugly"

He said, his voice firm.

Selene offered a small, reassuring smile.

"Relax. This isn’t my first time going undercover. I’ll be fine."

But Ethan’s expression remained hard and unreadable.

Even though he didn’t say it outright, she could tell he was still worried.

She decided to ignore it. There were bigger things to focus on.

______

The next day, when the Vale family car pulled up, Selene made sure she was completely unrecognizable.

Her long red hair was hidden beneath a sleek, dark hood, her face concealed by a carefully placed mask, and her posture altered just enough to mimic Rize’s usual slouch.

She took one last breath before stepping into the car, sliding into the seat without hesitation.

And then she saw her.

Nora Vale.

The moment their eyes met, the atmosphere in the car shifted.

For a split second, both sisters simply stared at each other.

The recognition in Nora’s eyes was immediate, but so was the way she expertly controlled her expression, masking any initial shock.

Selene kept still, not letting her body betray her identity, but she knew—Nora had already figured it out.

The sudden silence in the car made the driver glance at the rearview mirror, his brow furrowed slightly.

"Miss Vale? Everything alright? Do I need to interfere?"

He asked, sensing the tension.

Nora didn’t look away from Selene, but her lips curved into a small, dangerously amused smile.

"No. Drive. Take us to a high-class restaurant. I have something very important to discuss with this... guest."

She said smoothly.

The driver hesitated for a moment, clearly unsure about the shift in her tone, but he didn’t argue. The car pulled forward, gliding through the ruined city streets.

Selene remained silent, carefully keeping her breathing even.

Nora, however, never took her eyes off her.

It was like being watched by a predator, waiting for the moment its prey would slip up.

The Vale family had power, which meant they had access to one of the only high-class restaurants still operating after the apocalypse.

The moment they arrived, Selene was swiftly escorted inside, Nora leading the way with the confidence of someone who was always in control.

The bodyguards and the driver attempted to follow them, but Nora stopped abruptly and turned sharply.

"Stay back."

She ordered, her voice firm.

The guards exchanged hesitant looks.

"But, Miss Nora, it is our direct order to stay by your side and ensure your safety—"

One of them started.

"I don’t need protection for a conversation."

Nora said, her tone unwavering.

Her words carried weight, enough that even the trained guards—men who were loyal to the Vale name—looked reluctant but eventually stepped back.

Selene observed the exchange carefully.

Nora had always been good at command.

Even as the younger Vale sibling, she held an aura that demanded obedience. She didn’t need to raise her voice or argue. A single, well-placed command was enough.

And yet... Selene could feel it.

The hidden tension in Nora’s shoulders. The way her fingers twitched slightly at her sides. The fact that she had ordered their conversation to be private.

The moment the guards backed off, Nora turned on her heel and strode inside, expecting Selene to follow.

She did.

They walked through the restaurant, the once-polished marble floors now slightly cracked, chandeliers overhead still managing to shine despite the world outside crumbling.

As they moved further in, the tension in the air grew thicker.

It felt a little awkward to stand in front of Nora like this, but Selene knew she would not be harmed.

With the bodyguards finally gone, the air between Selene and Nora grew heavier, no longer diluted by the presence of outsiders.

The tension was thick, unspoken emotions brimming just beneath the surface.

Selene folded her arms, eyeing her younger sister with a mixture of skepticism and concern.

"Are you really fine making decisions like this on your own? The Vale family is strict about how their power and authority are used. You know that better than anyone."

She asked, her voice even but firm.