Chapter 1366

The woman's gaze was sharp as she focused on him. Her thin lips moved, spitting out a name: "Rhea Moore."

"Rhea... Moore," Austin repeated. He searched his mind for a matching face, but found none. He then nodded. "Are you from the research institute, too? Professor Thompson mentioned you're in charge of another project. What is it?"

Rhea squinted. "Are you the one treating my cousin?"

"Who?!" Austin was startled.

"Anastasia Rollins," she replied. "Didn't you promise my mother?"

Only then did Austin recall the promise. "You mean that—" He caught himself, deeming the word inappropriate. "So, you're Mrs. Moore's daughter."

"Do you know how?" Rhea ignored his preamble and asked directly.

"Of course," Austin replied ambiguously, his usual tactic. "It's as simple and complex as one's willingness to cooperate. The girl's obesity... it's primarily about regulating her endocrine system and metabolism. With self-control and regulated metabolism, she'll gradually lose weight."

He realized his mistake immediately. Why am I answering her questions so readily? It feels like she has me on a leash. This uncharacteristic cooperation struck him as odd. He quickly regained his composure, widening his eyes to appear alert. Exhaustion from a sleepless night must be to blame.

"Ms. Moore, did your mother invite me here?" he asked, emphasizing the word.

Rhea remained unfazed. "We're two different people."

"So, you—" Before Austin could finish, she interjected. "What's your relationship with Mrs. Russell?"

This surprised him. "Nothing," he subconsciously denied. He resented Lily's ability to stay one step ahead. Relationship? I want nothing to do with her after our last encounter. He still smarted from her acupressure point maneuver.

"Is there a misunderstanding?" he asked tentatively, unsure of Rhea and Lily's relationship.

"Lily is also in our research group. Are you two friends?" Rhea snorted.

"So, that's her name," Austin murmured, speechless. The two shouldn't be friends if Rhea didn't know Lily's name, yet how could they be enemies if Rhea didn't know her? Rhea was far more inscrutable than Lily. He couldn't decipher her intentions.

Then she asked, "Did you say she's also from our research institute?"

"Yes," Austin said, carefully studying Rhea's face. "Didn't Professor Thompson tell you? He admires her greatly; thinks she's very competent. She joined this project before me. She's highly respected here."