Chapter 1403

Austin was confused. He soon saw Rhea, a slight pout on her lips, looking his way. Her full, red lips were seductively parted, as if inviting a kiss. His heart pounded; his throat tightened. Subconsciously, he glanced at the door. No one had passed, yet he felt as though he were committing some terrible transgression. His face flushed crimson.

"What the hell is she doing? Although we're on a balcony, this is still a public place! Anyone could walk by!"

Rhea approached, and Austin, wanting to move, found himself rooted to the spot. Eyes wide, he watched her draw closer. Just as anxiety threatened to overwhelm him, she opened her lips slightly, exhaling a plume of cigarette smoke directly into his face. He choked, "Cough! Cough!" The smoke stung his eyes and nostrils, leaving him disoriented.

"Pfft," Rhea scoffed, her tone mocking. She leaned back, casually took another drag, and asked, her eyes narrowed, "You visited my cousin about her illness?"

Austin’s stunned silence ended, replaced by irritation at her question. Is she toying with me? She dares to do this! No woman has ever treated me like this. And she acts as if nothing happened, casually asking a question after teasing me? How dare she?

He hummed in response, refusing to answer. He wanted to leave, to avoid being so easily affected by Rhea’s actions. But as he turned to go, he heard her say, "Your medication won't work."

He stopped, turning back to her. She was extinguishing her cigarette in the ashtray, then leisurely sipped from her water bottle.

He wrestled with his question, finally unable to contain it. Even knowing her actions were deliberate, he asked, "How do you know that?"

Maria must have told Rhea everything. She probably knows Anastasia was poisoned and saw the medication list. But how does Rhea know it’s useless? What does she know? Lily and Rhea have been constantly provoking me! What did I do to deserve this?