Most people were focused on when Zoe Pierce would be attacked next and the evidence from the research department, but they were overlooking the source of the funding.

Clearly, becoming such a massive organization would require a substantial amount of money.

This group clearly bore the strong mark of Betas. And without a doubt, a meticulous investigation into the assets of the Beta council members and their collusion with top Beta merchants would expose their vulnerabilities.

After chatting with Colonel Hanson, the group remained on the Starship.

But before leaving Planet C14, Zoe Pierce made a point to see Seth Yates.

She had already learned from the rescue team that both Seth and Teresa Yates’s parents had died in the Xenobeast Tide. Fortunately, they came from a relatively wealthy family and had some savings.

The rescue team had temporarily frozen a portion of their assets, which would be fully released to them once the two children turned eighteen.

Until then, they would be taken to the Xenobeast Tide welfare center on Aethel Star.

In addition to the relief funds provided by The Federation, a portion of their parents’ assets would be deposited into their account each month.

From a distance, Zoe Pierce spotted the two children.

There were other children at the rescue base, but Zoe Pierce found Seth Yates’s expression particularly striking.

It was a look of defiance, a sense of responsibility.

He was fiercely protective of the person beside him, holding Teresa Yates’s hand tightly. He didn’t seem like a child his age.

Seth Yates had excellent vision and spotted Zoe Pierce immediately.

Then again, it was hard for anyone to miss Zoe Pierce. Her appearance on such a clear, sunny day naturally drew everyone’s gaze.

Seth Yates assumed Zoe was there on business, but he wasn’t so sure when he saw her walking straight toward him with a smile.

Only when a soft hand rested on top of his head did Seth Yates speak. "Zoe."

Zoe Pierce studied Seth Yates. She hadn’t seen him in a few days, but he seemed to have gotten thinner. He’d lost some of his delicate features, replaced by a new, hard-won toughness.

"Mm, I’m about to leave, so I came to see you." ’Who knows when we’ll see each other again.’

Teresa Yates’s eyes showed her reluctance to see her go, but she said nothing. She knew Zoe had helped her and Seth, and that because of Zoe’s instructions, the rescue team had been taking extra care of them.

Seth Yates simply pursed his lips. "I wish you a safe journey."

Zoe Pierce pulled back her hand and looked Seth Yates straight in the eye.

"You still haven’t given up, have you, Seth Yates?" ’You can tell a person’s character just by looking into their eyes.’

Right now, Seth Yates was stubborn, yet like a small, wounded animal, desperate to don a suit of armor to keep himself safe.

"What do you mean?" he asked.

He was just a child, but though his eyes shifted away, his stance was firm.

"The plan for Betas to develop spiritual power." Zoe’s gaze flickered to Teresa, and just as she’d expected, she saw the color drain from the little girl’s face.

That night, she had made herself perfectly clear.

The mortality rate involved.

And Teresa had probably thought Seth had given up on the idea too.

Sure enough, after she spoke, Seth’s eyes shifted even more evasively, and his fists clenched unconsciously.

He was still a child, after all. He hadn’t yet learned to hide his true intentions.

Zoe couldn’t bear to see Seth go down the wrong path.

Choosing to pursue spiritual power as a Beta wasn’t wrong in itself, but dying for it would be an irreversible mistake.

"I know you want to protect both of you, but have you considered asking someone else for help?" She extended a hand and pointed at herself. "Like me, for instance."

Seth Yates froze. This was completely different from him using his own methods to get her contact information.

"When I get back to the Capital Star, I’ll find the contact information for your welfare home. From then on, as long as I’m not on a mission, I’ll call you every month."

"If you need anything, you can just tell me. I’ll also do my best to visit you once a year," Zoe said, her words sounding like a promise.

Adopting Seth and Teresa was out of the question under Federation law. After all, Zoe was an unmarried, childless young woman in her early twenties and didn’t meet the legal requirements for adoption.

Long-term sponsorship, however, was not a problem.

But Zoe could tell that emotional support was clearly more important to Seth and Teresa than financial aid.

She had to admit these two children held a special place in her heart. They had been rescued, yet they remained stubborn, refusing to give up or shrink away.

Most children who lost their parents in such a situation would be quiet and fearful.

Seth’s reaction, however, was to accept it all as quickly as possible, then adapt and change himself.

"Zoe..." Seth clearly saw Teresa’s eyes light up, and he swallowed the refusal that was on the tip of his tongue.

He knew Teresa held a great deal of affection for Zoe, the person who had saved them.

That was why she was so happy to hear Zoe’s offer.

At this, he could only remain silent for a moment before speaking. "Thank you."

Zoe let out a sigh of relief, then smoothed his hair and straightened Teresa’s clothes.

After the three of them ate a meal at the rescue point, Zoe checked the time. It was getting late.

The sunset that day was nothing special. There was no deep golden hue, no colors painting the clouds; it was just a simple, plain descent.

Seth and Teresa stood at the edge of the rescue point’s perimeter. Zoe turned and waved to them. "Don’t see me off any further. Go on back. I’ll be in touch."

She had only taken a few steps when she spoke to Aaron Xavier, who had been waiting nearby for quite some time. "What are you doing here?"

Aaron Xavier stepped out from behind a tree. "I saw you heading out, so I followed."

He had caught up with her a little while ago. Once he realized she was heading for the rescue team’s location, he was almost certain of her objective.

It had to be Seth and Teresa Yates.

Only those two could make Zoe visit the rescue point again right before they were about to depart.

"Zoe Pierce, do you like children?" Both of them possessed speed-related superpowers, yet they walked through the woods at a leisurely pace.

Zoe understood that Aaron must have seen everything. He had to be curious why she would go to such lengths to help two children.

To that question, Zoe had a simple answer. "I do."

Aaron glanced at her from the side and saw her expression soften. "I really want to have a family of my own blood again."

’My parents are gone, and my brother isn’t my biological one.’

’In my last life, I was completely alone.’

’In this life, it’s true I have Aaron and the others, but I still want children, even if now isn’t the right time.’

’I want a child—or children—who share my blood, someone I can treasure with all my heart.’