Chapter 262: Chapter 262: Lip Color
Quentin Ford’s goal from the very beginning was not these superficial examinations of Zoe Pierce.
Even if these examinations were run into the ground, they wouldn’t produce the results he wanted.
All he had ever wanted was some of Zoe Pierce’s tissue cells.
Live cells, genetic fragments, and even undiscovered elements were all hidden within her body.
Quentin Ford wanted to know, from a physiological standpoint, why exactly Zoe Pierce could use spiritual power.
After all, scientifically speaking, it was impossible for an Omega to use spiritual power. The fact that she could now use it perfectly meant that certain traits had changed.
What he wanted to know was whether this change could be replicated.
Or, in other words, if it could be used on Betas.
In this regard, Quentin Ford was certain that their research was at least a decade ahead of official channels.
No one had ever been willing to spend enormous amounts of time and money researching this.
So, it was even more unlikely that anyone knew every human body was a vast treasure trove.
If Zoe Pierce were an Alpha, it would have been much harder for him to guarantee he could obtain her tissue cells. After all, his network among Alphas wasn’t as pliable. But, as fate would have it, she was an Omega.
And it just so happened that throughout Interstellar Space, for all Omega-related professions, the final examining physician was always a Beta.
While the doctors at a hospital like Nathan Lockwood’s were certainly highly skilled, career-related examinations had to be conducted at designated institutions.
This was the opportunity Quentin Ford had been waiting for.
And things had indeed gone as smoothly as he’d expected.
All that was left now was to wait.
Wait for Justin Lewis to give the item to James Jarvis for analysis, and wait for a test report.
This would surely take a considerable amount of time, but Quentin Ford was not the least bit anxious.
There was no point in rushing at this stage. Besides, the Federal Military’s investigation had been expanding its scope recently.
Several planets that were usually ignored had been meticulously searched.
Even when some of those planets were investigated, Quentin Ford didn’t make a move. They only contained trivial things, not worth his time or effort.
Zoe Pierce, of course, knew nothing of Quentin Ford’s schemes.
It was no wonder no one’s suspicions fell on him. After all, Quentin Ford had always appeared so upstanding, like a perfect invisible man.
Everyone knew he was a smooth operator, with connections in both political circles and The Military. He had even done a favor for Director Quinn in the past.
He was perfectly hidden behind everyone else.
And ever since Zoe Pierce and the others had been hit by the Starship, he had simply done nothing.
Just patiently waiting for an opportunity.
*
The week of classes passed as usual.
But when the weekend arrived, Zoe Pierce got up and took the time to dress up.
Shedding her training uniform, she wore her own clothes for a change—a beige floral-print long dress. Her long hair, with its slightly curled ends, fell over her shoulders, and a touch of light makeup made her skin look even fairer.
No matter how many times he saw her, Chase Shaw couldn’t hide his awe.
It was probably because she was usually in her training uniform, often with a bare face.
But the moment she dressed up even a little, her already delicate and beautiful features were highlighted to their full advantage.
Her waist was cinched and slender, and when she glanced up at him with a smile, it was enough to make one’s heart pound.
Chase Shaw had just thrown on a random T-shirt and was leaning against the doorframe, watching her.
Zoe Pierce met his gaze and asked, "Does it look okay?"
She only asked out of habit; she was quite satisfied with her reflection in the mirror. She looked like a gentle, sunny older sister.
It wasn’t every day she had a young fan, and Miles Sherman’s sister at that. Zoe Pierce wanted to make a good impression.
She was holding a tube of lipstick, about to apply it, when Chase Shaw suddenly pulled her into his arms.
She almost lost her grip and dropped the lipstick on the floor.
Tilting her head up, she had grown somewhat used to this kind of intimacy between them. She heard Chase Shaw say, "You don’t need to put it on. You look beautiful already."
Her long hair carried a faint, fresh scent; she was soft and fragrant now.
Zoe Pierce pressed her lips together and looked at him, a little uncertain. "Won’t my lips look too pale?"
She felt she could apply a dusty-rose shade to look a bit softer.
Chase Shaw’s gaze flickered to the lipstick in her hand. "I’ll help you," he said in a husky voice.
Zoe Pierce thought Chase Shaw wanted to apply it for her. After a moment’s thought, she figured she could just wipe off any smudges, so she subconsciously handed him the lipstick.
Unexpectedly, Chase Shaw took it and casually set it aside.
With a gentle grasp of his large hand, he cupped the back of her neck. He pressed his body forward, pinning Zoe Pierce into a corner.
Zoe Pierce was not unfamiliar with this position; it was how Chase Shaw liked to kiss people.
But this wasn’t the time for kissing. "Chase—"
She had barely spoken a single word when, just as he’d intended, Chase Shaw parted her lips and swept inside.
Chase Shaw already knew Zoe Pierce’s sensitive spots. As his fingers caressed a point on the small of her back, he felt her let out a whimper.
Only when her lips had turned a swollen crimson did Chase Shaw release his hold on Zoe Pierce’s neck.
His Adam’s apple bobbed. He had Zoe Pierce stand in front of the mirror. "Now *this* color is beautiful."
Before Zoe Pierce could protest, she was pushed in front of the mirror. The Omega staring back had lips that were a shade deeper than watermelon flesh, yet lighter than blood.
But the most eye-catching thing was the tell-tale flush of passion on her face.
Her eyes shimmered, glistening with moisture.
Zoe Pierce swatted at Chase Shaw. "Chase Shaw, you get out first."
This way, anyone could tell what she’d just been doing.
The slap on his arm didn’t hurt. Instead, a smile touched Chase Shaw’s lips. "I wasn’t lying. It looks good like this."
Compared to lipstick, this color that came from within was far more natural. Plus, the flush on her cheeks from her ragged breathing added an extra layer of allure.
Zoe Pierce couldn’t be bothered with Chase Shaw anymore. She pushed him out of the room and stood in the bathroom for a while by herself.
Once the flush had faded, she let out a breath and applied the color she had wanted to use all along.
’She shouldn’t have even asked him.’
When she was finally ready, she walked out of the bathroom and immediately saw Chase Shaw leaning against a nearby wall, waiting for her.
Chase Shaw was still in the same clothes. Seeing that she was ready, he took just two steps forward.
He perfectly grasped Zoe Pierce’s hand. "Let’s go."
Zoe Pierce froze for a moment. Following behind Chase Shaw, her gaze first fell on their clasped hands, then lifted to his broad shoulders and back.
’Like this, we really look like a couple.’
Since they were going to Miles’ Residence, Miles Sherman had simply stayed home.
Aaron Xavier and Nathan Lockwood were already waiting outside. The moment the door opened, they saw Chase Shaw’s figure.
Then, they saw Zoe Pierce’s hand being held by him.
An Alpha with a steady gait leading an Omega—it was a picture-perfect scene for anyone to behold.
Except, perhaps, for the two people in the car.
The car door opened automatically as they approached. Chase Shaw let Zoe Pierce get in first before climbing in himself.
He looked up and, not surprisingly, met the gazes of Nathan Lockwood and Aaron Xavier.
He stretched his legs out. "What?"
