The Spare's Second Chance in Apocalypse-Chapter 194: Ch : Rotten Roots- Part 4

The meeting had not ended on a good note. It was clear to everyone in the room, since they all looked ready to rip each other apart.

The frustration in the air was obvious and one could cut it with a knife..

Everyone in the meeting room was annoyed that the discussion had been cut short so abruptly.

Whispers of discontent rippled across the room, and a few members even made a move to protest—

But then Ethan stood up.

The temperature in the room seemed to drop.

His golden eyes swept over the gathered individuals—cold, sharp, and utterly unyielding.

And just like that, the fight left them.

Not a single person dared to meet his gaze.

The air was thick with tension, but nobody wanted to make Ethan Park their enemy.

One by one, they swallowed their protests and lowered their heads.

"That’s what I thought. I think we are done here, so please leave now."

Ethan murmured, voice edged with amusement as he turned toward Selene.

"But, we did not-"

"We can leave anytime you want."

Ethan’s voice was firm when he spoke. He was not allowing anyone else to have a say, and soon everyone recognized it and left.

Once they were alone, Ethan turned to Selene to see if she would say anything to him or agree with the choices he made.

But instead of agreeing, Selene’s fingers suddenly clenched around his arm.

It was concerning to see her like this and Ethan felt like he needed to help her out.

"Shall we head home now? You look like you can collapse any second."

Ethan asked in a worried voice as he reached out to brace Selene against his side. It felt nice to feel her body weight in his arms, but concerning at the same time.

Her grip was weak, trembling slightly, but she held on.

"Wait...I need... a little more time."

Her voice was barely above a whisper.

Ethan’s brows furrowed, his usual sharpness flickering with a hint of concern.

Beside her, Noah frowned.

His eyes darkened with concern as he leaned closer, whispering.

"Selene, are you okay? Do you need help?"

"I’m fine."

Her words were meant to be reassuring, but they only made her condition seem worse.

She didn’t even lift her head as she spoke, keeping her forehead buried in her folded arms.

Noah, ignoring her protests, reached out to touch her—

But Ethan was faster.

With a swift, controlled movement, he swatted Noah’s hand away.

A sharp crack echoed in the silent room.

Noah froze.

For a brief second, the two men locked eyes.

And then—

The temperature plummeted.

Frost crackled in the air around Noah’s fingers, the icy chill crawling up his arm as his expression darkened.

"What the hell is your problem?"

He snapped.

Ethan, unfazed, simply tilted his head.

"Don’t touch her."

Noah’s jaw clenched.

"And what if I do?"

The air grew heavy with the promise of violence.

Then, in a sudden blur of movement—

Noah swung his hand toward Ethan, ice blooming in the air, ready to freeze him solid.

But Ethan was faster.

He dodged effortlessly, his golden eyes flashing with warning.

The fight was about to break out into something much worse—

But before either of them could escalate further—

Selene moved.

She stood up.

Or at least, she tried to.

Her legs buckled instantly.

She let out a soft huff of frustration as she stumbled forward—

Right between them.

Her unsteady body collided with Noah’s chest first, then swayed dangerously toward Ethan.

Immediately, the anger between them vanished.

Both men moved at the same time, reaching for her.

"Selene!"

Noah’s voice was sharp with concern.

Ethan, already steadying her, clicked his tongue in irritation.

"You shouldn’t be standing."

Selene barely registered their voices.

Her head felt too heavy, her thoughts swimming.

But she knew one thing.

She needed to get Noah out of here.

Slowly, she lifted her hand.

Her fingers, still trembling slightly, touched Noah’s cheek.

His eyes widened slightly at the contact.

"Go back. You need to watch the doctor. Keep an eye on the other research facilities"

She murmured.

Noah stiffened.

"Selene—"

"Please."

For a long moment, he hesitated.

He didn’t want to leave her.

But when he saw her pale complexion, the exhaustion in her gaze—

He gave in.

His hand curled into a fist.

"I’ll find out what’s wrong. And I’ll tell you as soon as I know."

He promised.

Then, with one last reluctant glance, he turned and left.

The moment he was gone—

Ethan spoke.

"I’m going, too."

Selene blinked up at him, confused.

"What?"

"To find out what kind of drug you inhaled."

Ethan said, already making a move to leave.

"Wait—"

But Ethan was stubborn.

He turned back, his expression unusually serious.

"I can’t just stand here and watch you suffer, Selene."

His words startled her.

For a moment, she didn’t know what to say.

But before she could stop him again—

He was gone.

The silence that followed was deafening.

Selene, now alone, tried to keep herself upright.

Her vision blurred, her body feeling strangely disconnected.

Everything was too quiet.

And then—

A slow, amused chuckle.

Selene’s heart stopped.

She knew that voice.

Her muscles tensed, but her body was too weak to respond properly.

Through the haze of her blurred vision, she saw him.

The bodyguard.

Standing just a few steps away, his expression twisted into a smirk.

"Well, well... would you look at this?"

Selene tried to move.

But her body—

Wouldn’t listen.

"It seems I don’t even have to work for this."

The guard continued, casually stepping closer.

His eyes gleamed with amusement.

"Look at you. Helpless."

Selene gritted her teeth.

Move.

Her fingers trembled as she tried to force her body to react.

Move!

But the drug had already weakened her too much.

The guard let out a low chuckle.

Then, with slow, deliberate steps—

He closed the distance.

And as Selene’s vision darkened, she realized one terrifying truth.

She was completely at his mercy.