The Spare's Second Chance in Apocalypse-Chapter 242: Ch : The Lab- Part 1

Ethan’s heart pounded as he scanned the area where Selene had disappeared. His senses strained, trying to pick up even the faintest trace of her.

’Come on... where are you?’

But before he could take another step—

"Going somewhere, Ethan Park?"

A cold, familiar voice echoed through the night, stopping him dead in his tracks.

Ethan turned slowly, his eyes narrowing as he spotted a figure emerging from the shadows.

Isabella Thorne.

Dressed in sleek, combat-ready gear, her long, raven-black hair whipped around her face as she smirked. But her eyes... they were filled with a dangerous, unrelenting hatred.

"Isabella Thorne. Are you here for another beating? Unfortunately, I don’t have time for this. So I will have to ask you to step aside."

Ethan growled, his voice low and sharp.

However, Isabella seemed to have no intentions of letting him go past her.

"Too bad. Because I’ve been waiting for this moment. For you."

She stepped closer, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction.

Ethan’s jaw clenched. He didn’t need this. Not now.

"Move!"

He warned, his tone icy.

Isabella’s smile widened.

"Oh? In a rush, are we? What’s wrong, Ethan? Afraid you won’t be able to save your little girlfriend?"

Her expression hardened.

Ethan’s hands curled into fists.

’Selene...’

"I don’t have time for your games, Isabella. Get out of my way."

He snapped.

"Not happening."

Ethan’s patience was wearing thin. He took a step forward, trying to sidestep her, but Isabella moved faster.

She blocked his path with ease, her movements sharp and calculated.

"Really?"

Ethan muttered, trying again.

Isabella was relentless. Each time Ethan tried to go around her, she was there, matching his speed and cutting him off.

Frustration burned through him.

"How the hell..."

Ethan’s eyes narrowed.

"Surprised? I told you, Ethan. I’ve been training. Every. Single. Day"

Isabella smirked, her eyes flashing with triumph.

Ethan could feel it. She was faster. Stronger.

"Why?"

He asked, though he already knew the answer.

"For revenge. You humiliated me. You ruined my life."

Her tone dripped with venom.

"Just for that—"

"Don’t act like you don’t remember! How dare you make me taste defeat in that way?"

She hissed, her face twisted with anger.

Ethan’s jaw tightened.

"That wasn’t my fault, and you know it."

"Doesn’t matter. I’m going to make you pay. And I’m not letting you go until I do."

Isabella’s eyes gleamed with pure hatred.

Ethan’s mind raced. He didn’t have time for this. Selene was out there. She needed him.

’But if I don’t deal with Isabella... she won’t let me go.’

Ethan exhaled slowly, his expression hardening.

"Fine! If this is how you want it..."

He muttered.

Isabella’s smirk grew.

"Finally."

Ethan’s stance shifted, his muscles tensing.

’I’ll make this quick.’

Meanwhile...

Selene’s world was spinning.

Her body felt heavy, her senses dulled. It was all because of the shock of what happened.

She was draped over someone’s shoulder, her limbs dangling like a lifeless ragdoll.

’What... is happening...?’

The blurry haze in her mind started to clear.

’I’m... being taken.’

Shock jolted through her body as realization hit her.

’I’m being kidnapped.’

Her heart pounded, and panic surged through her veins.

"What the fuck...Did I just get kidnapped?"

Selene’s voice cracked as she tried to yell, but her throat was dry.

A chilling chuckle echoed beside her.

"Save your breath, dear."

A familiar voice purred.

Selene’s eyes snapped open, her vision clearing just enough to see—

"Madam Verta..."

The older woman was running beside the figure carrying Selene. Her expression was calm, almost bored, as if kidnapping Selene was nothing more than a casual errand.

"Why...Why are you doing this?"

Selene’s voice was hoarse as she struggled against the iron grip holding her.

Madam Verta sighed.

"It’s nothing personal this time. The Vale Family wants you. I’m just delivering."

She said smoothly.

Selene’s blood went cold.

’The Vale Family...’

"What did I do to piss them off?"

Selene muttered, more to herself than anyone else.

"Good question. What did you do to make them want you this badly?"

Madam Verta raised an eyebrow, her tone curious.

Selene’s mind raced.

’Who?’

Her parents? No. They wouldn’t do this.

’Doctor Aedric.’

The name slammed into her mind like a thunderclap.

Her blood ran ice-cold.

’It’s him.’

Her memories from her past life flashed before her eyes.

Doctor Aedric—the man obsessed with power. The man who had destroyed countless lives in the name of research.

Selene’s stomach twisted as she remembered his cold, calculating eyes.

’He’s the one behind this.’

"Do you... know what he’s planning?"

Selene asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Don’t know, Don’t care."

Madam Verta replied nonchalantly.

Selene’s jaw clenched.

Madam Verta gave her a sideways glance.

"All I care about is getting paid and making sure you’re out of the equation."

"Equation?"

Selene’s eyes narrowed.

Verta’s lips curved into a thin smile.

"Things... need to return to normal. And you, dear... are a disruption."

Selene’s mind whirled.

’Return to normal?’

"Whatever you’re doing, it won’t work."

Selene growled, her strength slowly returning.

Madam Verta chuckled softly.

"We’ll see."

Back on the street, Ethan was done playing around.

He wasn’t holding back anymore.

His movements became sharper, faster. Each blow he delivered forced Isabella to step back, her smirk faltering.

"Getting tired?"

Ethan asked, his tone cold and unyielding.

Isabella’s jaw tightened.

"Shut up."

But Ethan wasn’t in the mood for mercy.

"You’re wasting my time, Isabella, And if you keep getting in my way..."

He growled.

A dangerous glint flashed in his eyes.

"I won’t hold back."

Isabella’s smirk was gone now. For the first time, she looked unsure.

"Move."

Ethan demanded, his voice a low growl.

For a moment, it seemed like she might.

But then—

"No! Not until—"

Isabella hissed, her determination flaring again.

Ethan didn’t give her a chance to finish.

In one swift motion, he surged forward, his speed catching her off guard.

Before Isabella could react, Ethan was past her.

"Damn it!"

She cursed, spinning around, but Ethan was already heading out.