Chapter 774 - 773

774 Chapter 773

“Nothing.” Keira waved her hand dismissively. She wasn’t the type to use a favor as leverage, but she wasn’t some saint either. What she wanted was a deep connection with the five major families in Clance. Saving Ryan yesterday wasn’t just an act of kindness; it was the best way to ensure their partnership with the Gills would continue.

When Erin started talking earlier, Keira had already heard the faint footsteps—Lewis’s signal that the two were approaching. That’s why she had timed her remark just right, showcasing her character.

Sometimes, asking for something outright might get you rejected, but an indirect approach like this? It would leave Ryan feeling guilty, and that guilt would push him to continue the partnership with the Gills and her.

Keira knew what she was doing. It might be a bit manipulative, but to get what she needed, she didn’t mind bending the rules now and then. After all, she’d grown up working all sorts of jobs—she wasn’t new to the hustle.

As expected, things unfolded just as Keira had planned.

When Ryan and Ellie returned to the Cobb family home, Ryan immediately summoned Gavin and Selena. “Miss Olsen saved both mine and Ellie’s lives. The partnership with the Gills has to continue,” Ryan declared.

Gavin nodded right away. “Understood.” Then, scratching his head sheepishly, he added, “You really shouldn’t have stopped working with Miss Olsen just because of me.”

Ryan looked at him. “Consider this me owing you one. But I didn’t have a choice—what she did for me and Ellie is too big to ignore.”

Gavin nodded again, but Selena, sitting beside him, clenched her fists.

Her father was dead. Her mother was in jail. And all of it, every single piece of this nightmare, was because of Lewis and “Keera.”

And now, Ryan was just going to let it all go with a simple word of thanks? Unbelievable.

She couldn’t allow it.

Selena shot a glance at Gavin, lowering her eyes. If Keira had crossed Gavin instead of Ryan, would things be the same? Besides, Gavin wasn’t going to live much longer anyway… so maybe…

Her thoughts were interrupted when Ryan turned to her. “Selena, what do you think?”

Selena quickly put on a bright smile. “Of course, I have no issues with it. Honestly, the feud between me and Uncle Lewis isn’t that deep anyway. We’re family after all.”

Ryan studied her, trying to figure out if she was sincere. But Ellie jumped in before he could say more. “I think so too! I haven’t spent much time around them, but Miss Olsen? She’s awesome! She’s the coolest woman I’ve ever met—like, beautiful and brave at the same time! She’s my new role model!” Selena’s smile faltered for just a split second.

She looked down, coughed to cover her annoyance, and then said, “Since they saved you and Ellie, I don’t think just continuing the partnership is enough. Maybe we should visit them to thank them properly. We could even have a meal together, you know, to deepen the relationship.”

Ryan was about to refuse. He knew Ms. Olsen wouldn’t be interested in a dinner invite. She didn’t even want to use her life-saving favor to ask for anything, so why would she want a party?

But before he could speak, Ellie was already up on her feet, shouting, “That’s a great idea!”

She grinned sheepishly, “I was so busy teaching that jerk a lesson that I forgot to grab Ms, Olsen’s and Miss South’s numbers! We should totally hang out with them!”

Selena turned her gaze back to Ryan.

He hesitated for a moment, then Ellie started tugging on his arm. “Come on, Ryan, don’t you want to see Ms. Olsen again?”

Ryan paused before answering, “You can ask her, but don’t be surprised if she doesn’t want company.”

“Got it!”

Ellie grinned at him, then held out her hand. “Now, give me Ms. Olsen’s number!”

“What? Why would I have it?” Ryan replied defensively.

Ellie snatched his phone anyway, scrolling through his contacts. “Let’s see… Ah! Found it! Ms. Olsen’s number!”

Ryan coughed, snatching the phone back, but not before Ellie saw the contact name he had saved for Keira: Fox.

Ellie raised an eyebrow. “Fox? Really, Ryan? You’re calling her a fox?”

Ryan cleared his throat again. “She’s cunning, isn’t she?”

Did he really think he hadn’t noticed how Lewis had purposely led him to overhear “Keera’s” little performance? He wasn’t that naive. He just didn’t want to expose them. “Keera” was like a crafty old fox—and Lewis, a younger one, playing their games.

But Ryan didn’t bother explaining all that. He simply said, “If you’re not going to call her, give me back the phone.”

Ellie immediately backed away with a mischievous grin. “Of course I’m calling her!”

She shot him a wink and strolled off to make the call, leaving Selena watching her with a cold, calculating gaze.

Then she glanced over at Gavin.

Stage-four colon cancer, huh?

Well, when they visited the Hortons, she could always slip something into the food. Something harmless for most people, but lethal for someone in his condition. If Gavin died at the Horton house, let’s see how eager Ryan would be to keep working with them.