Chapter 1451

"That can't be Professor Thompson," Austin mused, "so who is it?" Rhea immediately sprang to mind. Few women worked at the institute, and she was the only one he could imagine wearing heels at this hour.

"Why is she here, looking for Professor Thompson at this time?" He changed his mind instantly, retracting his foot and quietly closing the door behind him. He even took two steps back.

The woman in heels entered, accompanied by another whose heavier footsteps were audible.

"Professor Thompson," Rhea's voice cut through the silence, "I'm sure you heard our superior's statement. Don't be stubborn. We can't stop this project now, not after how far we've come. You've seen the results; do you want all your hard work to go to waste?"

Austin held his breath, utterly bewildered. "What superior? What project? What needs stopping?" The two were oblivious to his presence.

Thompson sounded weary. "My work should benefit people, not harm them. I won't allow my research to hurt anyone, perhaps even many."

"Pfft," Rhea scoffed, her derision clear even without seeing her face. "After all these years studying medicinal herbs, you haven't learned that poisons are also medicines? Look at the bigger picture! This is a groundbreaking invention! We'll be famous! We'll be immortalized in history!"

"Famous as hideous historical figures, perhaps," Thompson replied with a bitter smile, his optimism clearly lacking Rhea's fervor.

"Better than being forgotten," Rhea countered. "Didn't you crave fame when you started this? Why this sudden concern for posterity? Life's short; we must leave a legacy. Otherwise, we're no better than nameless peasants!"

Austin was flabbergasted. He'd never known Rhea held such a view, and he vehemently disagreed. He, too, desired recognition, a place in history, but certainly not for nefarious deeds. He valued his reputation. He shook his head, still puzzling over the connection between their conversation and the research.

Then it struck him: Professor Thompson's mention of harm...the project involving the wilfordi root and other poisonous herbs. Those projects had been discontinued, hadn't they? Lily had vehemently opposed them, and Austin himself had briefly attempted to counter her, before abandoning the endeavor. He found the pursuit of beneficial research far more worthwhile.

"Could it be...?"