Chapter 75: Manipulation [2]

Selene’s body remained tense.

Her muscles still hadn’t stopped shaking. Her mind told her she shouldn’t trust him, but the fangs of fear were making it hard for her to think normally.

Still, she asked, "How?"

That single word made Godric’s eyes light up.

"There it is," he said. "That’s the Selene I heard about. Smart, and sharp. I’ve followed your moves for a long time. You’re calculated. You know how things work."

He pointed at her with a casual gesture.

"I don’t want much. Just capital and influence of Calloway.

"The Calloway Conglomerate is big, and they control many important resources. You may not hold the chairman title now, but you still have pull. If we help you, the position can be yours. And then you will open doors for me."

Selene listened.

She had no other choice.

Godric continued, "In exchange, you’ll be protected by us. I’ll make sure that no one can lay a hand on you, or kidnap you. And of course, you’ll be working with me, not my boss."

He waited for a few seconds, and let his words sink in.

"I’ll be honest with you," Godric said. "My boss doesn’t care what happens to you. She honestly wanted to kill you after kidnapping you.

"But I refused her. Because I think you’re special. With the right friends, you’ll realize that you can attain heights far higher than before."

Selene didn’t answer.

Godric stood up and circled the chair slowly. His footsteps echoed faintly in the room.

"You’re wondering if your people will come save you."

He stopped behind her.

Selene’s hands trembled faintly where they rested on the armrests of the chair. Her shoulders were stiff, her back pressed tight against the seat.

She didn’t look up.

Godric stood a few steps away, watching her closely. His usual smirk was softened, as though he was trying to look comforting.

"I know this must be terrifying for you," he said gently. "And you’ve held up well."

Selene didn’t respond. Her eyes remained lowered, unfocused.

Godric took a slow breath. "You’ll be happy to know a search party has already been deployed today."

That made her look up.

Godric raised both palms, as if to ease her tension. "It’s an advance team of mostly scouts. They’re combing a few known outposts we let them find."

He circled back to in front of her.

"But," he continued, "they won’t find you. Not today."

Selene’s expression tensed.

Godric noticed and continued softly.

"However, tomorrow... tomorrow when the real rescue party moves, we will let you be rescued."

Selene’s breath hitched.

"We’ll let them find this location," he said calmly. "We’ll make it look like they got lucky, and we will put up a small resistance before you are rescued. You’ll return to your people. Safe and sound."

He leaned forward, his voice dropping just slightly.

"That’s what friends do for each other."

Selene didn’t speak.

"Of course," Godric continued, "this will only happen... if you hold up your end of the promise."

"What promise?" she asked, voice dry and flat.

"That you’ll cooperate," he said simply. "That you’ll be our ally when the time comes. That you’ll be in our corner, even if no one knows it."

Selene turned her face away.

Godric smiled, patient.

"I’m not asking for anything outrageous. I just want you to use your influence for us.

"People respect you, Selene. You can guide decisions. Support certain investments. Nudge certain projects. Stay close to your sister, your friends, your business circle. Keep your eyes open. That’s all."

Selene’s breath was shaky. "You want me to spy?"

"I want you to survive," Godric corrected. "There’s a difference."

His expression remained calm, but there was something cold in his eyes now.

The friendly mask he wore never slipped, as if he was really trying to help her.

Selene, shaken by fear, could hardly see that mask.

"Selene," he said, "I need you to understand something important."

He stepped even closer. Selene could feel the air shift.

"My boss doesn’t care about you," he said in a low voice. "You’re just a tool to her. And if you become useless—or worse, a liability—she will eliminate you without hesitation."

He crouched in front of her, meeting her eyes.

"Your Champion-ranked bodyguard?" he said softly. "Not enough. If my boss gets annoyed, not even ten Champions can keep you safe."

Selene’s heart thudded once, hard.

Godric kept his gaze steady. "So when I say I’m your friend, I mean it. I’m your best option. I’m the only one keeping her from using you like a chew toy."

Selene swallowed. Her voice came out quieter than she wanted. "Why are you doing this?"

He stood up again. "Because I’ve seen too many people get torn apart because they picked the wrong side. And I think you’re smart enough to choose right."

Selene’s shoulders slumped. A long silence passed between them.

Godric didn’t press her for an answer. He gave her one more glance, then moved to the door.

Before leaving, he looked back.

"You’ll be rescued tomorrow," he said. "If you want to stay safe after that, you’ll remember this conversation."

Then he left.

The door closed with a soft metallic click.

Selene sat alone again.

Her limbs still trembled. Her mind reeled with everything she’d just heard. Her thoughts darted from one worry to the next.

What if her father thought she was working with assassins and got kidnapped purposefully to tarnish Isaac’s image?

Normally, he would never think like that.

But after what had happened, would he trust her?

And even if she was rescued tomorrow, she wouldn’t be free.

The assassins had her caught in an invisible trap. They had defeated her Champion rank guards, and they could do it again if she went against their words.

There was no way out for Selene.

She was caught in a quagmire.

The dreadful realization made Selene shake in fear.

The loneliness made her curl, and tears slipped from her eyes.

’Dad...’

’Please... save me...’