Christ stood in front of Selena, looking into the young girl's dark and clear eyes.
He still remembered the first time he saw Selena in Creephia, years ago, with her wilful and domineering attitude and the passionate Tango dance they shared when they first met without concealing their identities.
Christ often wondered if he could have gone up to her and said something, or paid more attention to her, would things have turned out differently? Perhaps they wouldn't have ended up in the current state, with their relationship estranged.
Unfortunately, there are no "what ifs" in the world.
He couldn't change the fact that she had fallen in love with another man.
Christ looked at Selena with a dark gaze and spoke in a slightly hoarse voice, "Just tell me you want the position of the dean of the academy, and I'll give it to you."
As long as she said she wanted it, he would give it to her.
Selena met his hopeful gaze and felt a momentary daze in her eyes.
Even she had to admit that this man really liked her.
As a woman who thought from other people's perspective, as the young lady of the Riddle family, she asked herself if she would give up half of the family's power for Osvaldo?
Selena had never faced such a choice before, and didn't know if she would ever face it.
But so far, she could say that she couldn't do it because the Riddle family was not her own possession.
It was a legacy built by generations of the Riddle family, with the hard work and sacrifice of countless ancestors, and was burdened with the responsibility of guarding the happiness of so many people.
For most people of the Riddle family, the family's honor was more important than their own lives.
Selena would sacrifice everything for Osvaldo, but she would not recklessly destroy the lives of others for the man she loved.
So, Christ's words made Selena feel shaken.
He was not a man who would lie. If she said yes, he would really give it to her, even if it meant betraying her own family and bearing a bad reputation...
But Selena's hesitation and confusion only lasted a few seconds, and she smiled at Christ. "I refuse."
Christ's hopeful expression instantly turned into a gloomy one, and he said, "Selena!"
"I will fight for what I want with my own abilities," Selena looked straight into Christ's eyes without any hesitation. "I don't need anyone to hand it to me on a silver platter."
"Mr. Poole, you may be willing to give me these things, but that doesn't mean I can accept them with a clear conscience."
"There's nothing in this world that doesn't come at a cost."
"And the price you want, I can't afford to pay."
"So, no matter what decision you make three days later, I will accept it calmly."
As for the final outcome, it would depend on their abilities.
Christ gritted his teeth and glared at her. "You heartless..."
"The man I love is Osvaldo," Selena looked at Christ and emphasized each word. "I have accepted his proposal, we will get engaged, and then we will get married... and be together for the rest of our lives."
Christ's face was so dark that it was frightening.
He stared at Selena, as if he wanted to devour her.
Just when Leia was worried that Christ would take action against Selena, she suddenly saw him take a step back.
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