Chapter 217 - New Plan

“They were contaminated and washed out from the rain, so we thought it was hopeless, but alas, a miracle broke through… There was quite a lot of DNA detected, but only one belonged to an omega.”

I swallowed tensely. “So… Did you find them? Did you find out who it was?”

In the short silence between my question and Charles’ answer, my head was a complete warzone. ‘Calm down. If he had found out, everything would’ve been over already. Charles wouldn’t be telling me all of this so casually.’

I waited with bated breath until Charles said as dryly as usual, “No, not yet. Unfortunately, the DNA was not in the database… However, we registered it, so we will be able to find them eventually.”

It was too early for me to be relieved. I forced my voice out. “Even if you find them, that doesn’t necessarily mean that the DNA belonged to the omega who marked him, right?”

“Since Mr. Pittman has the mark, confirming the omega would be rather simple. They will have no choice but to let out pheromones if one confined them and cut off all inhibitors for a few days.”

“…”

“If Mr. Pittman can smell that omega’s pheromones, wouldn’t they be the culprit?”

I said with some difficulty. “…Yes.”

I pretended to be as calm as possible and forced a smile. “Thank God you found a lead.”

After that, Charles bade me farewell then left. Finally alone, I sat somewhat lifelessly for a while.

‘Snap out of it.’ I tried to maintain a grip on my sanity and think rationally. I was still safe. However, I didn’t know when my cover would be blown. I needed to get ready to leave—and fast.

However…

My head was yelling at me to run immediately, but my heart was saying the opposite. My eyes landed on the fridge.

At first, all I could think about was running away. I thought I could slip out of the picture as planned without raising any suspicion. However, the situation kept betraying my expectations.

‘Could I escape like this?’ I asked myself. ‘Would I be satisfied with simply disappearing?’ The darkness inside me whispered into my ear. ‘Was it all right to let that man continue searching for an unknown omega?’ I bit my lips and thought again. ‘Keith would lose interest quickly and return to life as usual.’

Then, after throwing away everything, what would become of me?

I collected my thoughts coldly and analytically. What was different from before? What could I do now?

Keith treated me gently before, which led me to misunderstand his actions. Overall, there were dire consequences. Was he slow-witted enough to use the same tactic on me again? That was a no as well.

I glanced at the stack of gifts on the side of the room. They were things that Keith bought for me. I didn’t undo a single ribbon.

He was generous with his wealth as always. He also always showered his one-night partners with expensive jewelry. However, he had never bought anything personally before. As far as I knew, this was unprecedented. Plus, he had brought along the person he was giving the gift to and told said person to choose what he wanted.

To begin with, it didn’t make sense for Keith to propose marriage to someone he only wanted to sleep with.

‘If…’ I took a deep breath. ‘If that man has even the slightest inkling of affection for me.’

The steak before me was growing cold, but I didn’t touch it. I stared at it for no particular reason and thought, ‘Let’s test it out.’