Chapter 256: Chapter 256: Quentin Ford Is Here
With Jade in his arms, Chase Shaw didn’t want to let go.
But he couldn’t go back on the promise he’d made to Zoe Pierce.
After Zoe Pierce pushed him a few more times, Chase Shaw heaved a long sigh and released his arms.
Zoe Pierce didn’t dare linger with him. After all, his sensitive period would last for several more days, and having marked an Omega made nesting behaviors even more likely.
She grabbed her clothes from her Space Button and headed out.
Chase Shaw couldn’t believe it. In a single day, he’d gone from being feared by Zoe Pierce to being run from as if she were being chased by a ghost.
By the time he got out of bed and left the room, he saw Zoe Pierce closing the door and leaving without a single glance back.
He couldn’t even get a few more words in.
Zoe Pierce was genuinely afraid that sparks would fly again if they were both in bed.
She wasn’t some chaste maiden of iron will. Between the influence of the pheromones and her own feelings for Chase Shaw, it was hard to stay calm.
The best solution was to leave the volatile situation immediately.
Sure enough, once she was out the door and inside the Hovercar, she felt better.
Her mind cleared completely.
Inside the car, Aaron Xavier chuckled at her flustered state, but his smile quickly vanished.
"Suppression patch." Frowning, Aaron Xavier pulled a suppression patch from his Space Button and moved to put it on her.
Zoe Pierce realized what was happening. She had been so focused on dealing with the marks on her body and spraying freshener that she’d forgotten the most crucial step.
She lowered her head, and Aaron Xavier carefully applied the suppression patch.
His expression was sour the entire time.
Then again, who could smell the intermingled pheromones of Zoe Pierce and Chase Shaw and keep a straight face?
When they arrived at the academy, they double-checked that no more of Chase Shaw’s pheromones were leaking from Zoe Pierce before the two of them finally got out of the Hovercar.
Spring was in full bloom, and the flowers planted along both sides of the academy paths were at their most vibrant.
A gentle breeze drifted by. It was a beautiful season.
Zoe Pierce’s heart instantly settled.
She even used her Intelligent Brain to snap a photo and send it to Chase Shaw: I’ll bring you a bouquet of flowers when I get back.
’No one ever said an Omega can’t give an Alpha flowers.’
Just as she sent it, she saw a message from Miles Sherman in the public group chat: Director King is here for an interview. Director Quinn couldn’t stop him this time.
Aaron Xavier and Zoe Pierce were both stunned for a moment.
Several months had passed; they had long since assumed Director King had forgotten about the matter.
Clearly, they had let their guard down too soon.
Samuel King had simply devised a more thorough plan, one that even Jasper Quinn couldn’t stop.
It was an interview with Miles Sherman’s entire squad, specially approved by The Military.
Since even Director Quinn couldn’t stop it, the procedure was clearly legitimate. As students, they had no choice but to cooperate.
If they didn’t plan on enlisting after graduation, disobeying wouldn’t have been a big deal.
But they were at a military academy, and discipline was the first lesson from day one.
It wouldn’t be an overly invasive interview, and since it was official, it wasn’t really a big deal for Zoe Pierce and the others.
The two of them headed toward the location Miles had mentioned. Then they saw another message from Miles: he was going to get Chase Shaw.
Zoe Pierce opened her mouth, but in the end, said nothing.
The two of them arrived at their destination first. They saw that a section of the stadium had been specially cordoned off. Not only was Director King there, but Quentin Ford and an unfamiliar Omega were present as well.
As soon as the two entered the stadium, their famous faces served as the best pass, and they were let through at once.
Director King saw them and waved with a broad smile, as if there were no hard feelings between them at all.
Zoe Pierce and Aaron Xavier quickly gave a slight bow.
As they drew closer, Zoe Pierce noticed that the Omega standing with Quentin Ford had her eyes fixed on her, looking her up and down.
"Yara, this is Zoe Pierce. She’s the good kid I told you about," Quentin Ford said, smiling at Zoe as he made the introduction. "This is the current chief representative of the Omega councilors."
Zoe Pierce bowed politely. "It’s a pleasure to meet you."
The Omega called Yara smiled back. "I know she’s a good kid. I’ve watched all of your competitions."
She gave Zoe Pierce a thumbs-up. "You’ve brought great honor to us Omegas."
Quentin Ford chuckled self-deprecatingly. "Looks like I was worrying for nothing, afraid you hadn’t noticed this child."
Yara was clearly on good terms with Quentin Ford. Hearing his words, she teased him back, "A little bit, yeah. It’s not like I’m deaf and blind."
It would’ve been truly unbelievable if she hadn’t heard of someone as famous as Zoe Pierce.
"Still, it’s rare to hear you praise a kid so much, so I was a little curious." Ability was one thing, but character was another.
From Zoe Pierce’s attitude since she arrived, Yara could tell she wasn’t an arrogant child; she was humble, at the very least.
She was very satisfied.
It made her decision to sponsor Zoe Pierce for a position on the Omega council feel completely justified.
Zoe Pierce kept a smile on her face, listening to the elders’ praise. She was getting used to this kind of situation.
The four of them standing together made for a naturally youthful scene, prompting Yara to say to Quentin Ford, "The new generation is already surpassing the old. We’ll have to make way for them soon."
Quentin Ford shot her a sideways glance and laughed. "You’ve got a long way to go. I’m older than you are."
"I’m not that young either. Another ten years in this job, and that’ll be about it," she said, her gaze resting on Zoe Pierce with great satisfaction.
No Omega of the same age was more famous than Zoe Pierce. It was only natural that Yara would start looking for a successor.
Director King, however, looked at the four of them and asked, "How much longer until Chase Shaw arrives?"
’Just the four of them definitely won’t do.’
’The group photo has to include everyone.’
"About half an hour," Miles Sherman said.
Director King clicked his tongue. "Alright, you can take your individual photos first. We’ll do the group shot later."
"Zoe Pierce, you’re up first."
Zoe Pierce watched as Director Quinn stood beside Director King like a stoic door god, his expression so serious it was almost comical. When he heard Director King ordering people around without any courtesy, he let out a cold snort.
She pretended not to notice as she walked to the spot Director King had indicated. When she looked up, she was met with the sight of Director Quinn, his eyes wide like saucers.
’This is killing me.’
Director Quinn’s displeasure was practically spilling out of him.
Zoe Pierce knew Director Quinn wasn’t targeting her. No matter what pose Director King suggested, Director Quinn was dissatisfied.
He just stood there with a long, sour face.
Director King was initially annoyed by the cold snorts beside him, but when he looked at Director Quinn’s face—hey, he suddenly felt invigorated.
’I just love this look of yours—despising me but being utterly powerless to do anything about it.’
Everyone present knew the two men’s energies clashed. They all just pretended not to notice.
Yara pursed her lips, enjoying the spectacle from the side. "Why didn’t you tell me it was this interesting before?"
For the past few work events, she’d had other commitments and had sent a council representative in her place. She never expected to get such a good show.
Quentin Ford laughed as well. "Those two are like sworn enemies. Samuel King once asked me to help him smooth things over with Jasper Quinn, but the moment Jasper heard it was for him, he refused to even meet."
"These Alphas have the worst tempers, all stubborn as rocks," Yara commented with a grin, not caring if she was overheard.
But Quentin Ford didn’t let that slide. "You’re one to talk. Your temper’s only gotten a bit better these past few years. Before that, I felt like..."
Yara crossed her arms and glared at him.
