Chapter 1449

"What are you saying?"

"All I'm saying is, why did you suddenly connect these events? Is there a reason?"

Dominic's explanation made everything click into place. "That's right. Why do I feel these things are connected? There must be a common denominator I've overlooked."

"The laboratory research—why would they want to fuse highly toxic medicinal herbs and raw materials for silent, unconscious inhalation?" Lily mused aloud, beginning her analysis. "As for the plague in Burnwken, I heard the employees unknowingly inhaled poison. They couldn't find the source of transmission, and it spread rapidly. And Tasia..."

She paused. "Although seemingly unrelated, Tasia was also chronically poisoned by unconsciously inhaling toxins. I managed to trace the source—a complex mixture of herbs, a time-consuming process."

Dominic listened attentively, nodding. "So, the common denominator is unwitting poisoning?"

"Yes!" Lily exclaimed, slapping her thigh. This was a revelation. No wonder she'd sensed a connection. Although seemingly disparate, these events were inextricably linked.

"Then where do you think the problem originates?" Dominic pressed.

"The lab," Lily stated, her tone firm, her eyes unwavering.

The older man raised an eyebrow. "Why not your friend? Her poisoning predates the project, according to you."

"That's a superficial observation. While Tasia's poisoning began earliest, I traced its source, unlike the lab research and the Burnwken plague. If Tasia's case is the source, it's the most preliminary research or experiment. Once the lab project began, it simply scaled up."

A chill ran down Lily's spine. She'd always been skeptical of the lab's research, initially viewing it as an excellent idea—a perfect fusion of medicinal herbs and fragrances—a giant leap forward in healthcare. Later, the project's complexity raised doubts about their motives. She initially believed their goal was to harm someone. Now, she realized they were targeting everyone.

If the Burnwken plague linked to the lab research, it posed a global risk. No one would escape. Whoever orchestrated this project had immense ambition.

"Then go," Dominic urged, nodding with a mixture of relief and concern. He saw the danger; he knew Lily well. Her friends, Alexander even, were involved. Lily wouldn't let this slide. Her expertise made her inescapable responsibility even greater. She had, after all, contributed to the experiment's success.

"I'll go now," she said, rising. "Galen, let's go home."