Chapter 228: Chapter 228: Seduction in the Corner
Chase Shaw’s words left Aaron Xavier speechless.
’If that was the case, then he was definitely not the well-behaved type.’
In fact, based on that one comment from Chase Shaw, he was sure this vacation was going to be unbelievably eventful.
Although the group’s movements were discreet, a determined observer could always find some small trace of their activity.
No sooner had they entered the private spaceport than a report was on its way to Quentin Ford.
"Sir, we’ve confirmed a departure filing. A Starship is leaving from the Lockwood Family’s spaceport," an unfamiliar Beta said respectfully via the projection.
Quentin Ford glanced over. "Do you know which planet they’re headed to?"
The unfamiliar Beta replied, "Based on the filed flight plan, there are several possible destinations."
"Harvestfall, Elysia, Star F78, and Star B632."
Quentin Ford considered this for a moment. "No rush. First, have people monitor the flight filings for these planets and confirm their return schedule."
Chasing after them now wouldn’t be difficult, but it would be too obvious, making the timing inappropriate.
But those few will have to return eventually. They can’t stay out there forever.
In fact, Quentin Ford quickly had a new idea. Confirming their return trip wouldn’t be difficult at all—as long as they revealed themselves willingly.
He immediately thought of a key person.
After ending the call with the unfamiliar Beta, Quentin Ford immediately contacted Arthur White.
On the other end of the projection, Arthur White stood in a hidden corner of a forest. "Sir, this isn’t a good place to talk. Please wait a moment."
Quentin Ford glanced at his background, likely some remote, deep forest, and said amiably, "It’s fine."
"I just have a few things to discuss."
Arthur White knew it couldn’t be that simple. As a rule, Quentin Ford didn’t contact him unless it was important.
Sure enough, Quentin Ford began his questioning with the very next sentence.
"How are you settling in on Valora?"
Arthur White’s eyes grew serious. "Everything is just now getting on the right track," he said carefully, "but there are still some things I need to feel out."
The work here was completely different from what he’d done before; of course he needed time to adapt.
Quentin Ford wasn’t surprised. "Luke, are you familiar with Zoe Pierce’s team?"
Of course Arthur White knew. With the StarNet’s blanket coverage, even planets in the remote backwaters knew of them. Not to mention, Arthur White also knew that Zoe Pierce and her team had crossed Quentin Ford’s lines time and time again.
Even if it wasn’t actually their fault, they were a catalyst.
Given Quentin Ford’s usual way of handling things, his motto was ’better to kill the wrong person than let the right one escape’.
He had just assumed the Sir would make his move a bit later; after all, they were currently being treasured by the authorities.
He hadn’t expected the Sir was done being patient.
"I’m aware, Sir." A strange light glinted in the depths of Arthur White’s eyes. ’So, does the Sir want me to be the one to act?’
"I’ll need you to do something for me," Quentin Ford said.
He explained, "It’s nothing dangerous. You just need to appear at a few locations, just to be seen."
Nothing would capture the attention of Zoe Pierce and her group more effectively than Arthur White.
Previously, he had hoped no one would find Arthur White. But now, he hoped Arthur White could be "discovered" by them, as if by accident.
Arthur White had no right to refuse. He even felt a bit of regret that he was only being asked to do something so simple.
"Understood, Sir."
Quentin Ford beamed. "Get packed. I’ll have someone prepare a shuttle for you."
"Luke, don’t look so disappointed," Quentin Ford added. "I’d hate to see you lose your life, after all."
Arthur White composed his expression. "I understand your concern for me, Sir."
"As for what’s next, I’ll contact you again once you’re on the shuttle."
...
The journey from The Capital Star to Harvestfall, aboard a Starship with the latest-generation drive, would take about five days.
Their daily training continued as usual. Even though the exhibition match was over, the group didn’t let up.
After they finished training, the group would gather in the recreation room.
It was where they usually spent their downtime.
It was the first time Zoe Pierce had seen this side of the privileged young men.
Drinks, billiards, and even various other competitive games she’d never seen before—they could do it all.
"Zoe, do you know how to play pool?" Nathan Lockwood asked with a low laugh, standing beside her.
Aaron Xavier nearly rolled his eyes. ’Asking an amnesiac that kind of question... His intentions couldn’t be more obvious.’
"Want me to teach you?"
Zoe Pierce might not have known how to play the other games, but as for pool, she actually knew a little.
"Tell me the rules, I think I can probably play," she said. She wasn’t sure if the rules here were the same as those on Earth.
Nathan Lockwood patiently explained the rules to Zoe Pierce. They were slightly different from the rules on Earth, but the core principles remained the same.
Zoe Pierce took a few practice shots. While she had trouble controlling her strength at first, after sinking three or four balls, she was a completely different player and ran the table in one go.
Her current physical abilities were on a completely different level from when she was on Earth.
In fact, after so much practice controlling her spiritual power to attack Xenobeasts, manipulating small objects like this was almost too easy.
She found the right angle, controlled the force of her strike, and easily sent the ball into the pocket.
She raised an eyebrow at Nathan Lockwood and Aaron Xavier, who were standing beside her.
Aaron Xavier was gloating. Nathan Lockwood’s plan had completely backfired.
Nathan Lockwood looked disappointed as well.
The three of them went on to try other games. Eventually, Zoe Pierce felt thirsty and looked around, only to realize that the water they had brought in was all gone.
"I’ll go get some water." ’If I remember correctly, one of the cabins is a dedicated "supermarket" that has everything.’
Nathan Lockwood glanced at the Intelligent Brain. "I’ll have a robot bring some."
Zoe Pierce refused without a second thought. "No, it’ll just take a few minutes. I’ll go myself and see if there’s anything I want to eat."
Sometimes, too much convenience takes away a lot of the fun. For example, keeping everything in a Space Button was certainly convenient, but you lost the pleasure of browsing.
This was also why brick-and-mortar stores still existed, even in the era of Interstellar Space.
Seeing that Zoe Pierce just wanted to go look around, neither Nathan Lockwood nor Aaron Xavier stopped her.
After leaving through the cabin door, Zoe Pierce took an elevator down to the next deck.
To ensure their privacy on the Starship, the only human-staffed area was the cockpit; robots handled everything else. Any area without a robot felt particularly empty.
As she walked along the carpeted hallway, she came face-to-face with Chase Shaw, who had just finished training and was wearing only a tank top and shorts.
The Alpha had a towel draped around his neck, and he carried the fresh scent of someone who had just showered.
"Chase Shaw." Zoe Pierce stopped and called his name.
Chase Shaw glanced past her, seeing no one else.
He pressed the tip of his tongue against his teeth. ’See? Just as I said. Unless you keep her attached at the hip every second of the day, an opportunity will always present itself.’
Zoe Pierce was about to ask if he wanted to join them, but before she could, Chase Shaw grabbed her by the wrist. She stumbled a step and followed him as he pulled her into a corner.
"Chase Shaw?" She lifted her gaze to the man who was now incredibly close.
