Chapter 1457

"Shut up!" Rhea's hand lashed out, slapping Austin across the face. Her fury was palpable. "You have no right to speak!"

This seemed to rouse her further. She sneered, "Try if you dare!"

Austin's mind raced. Was the gun in Rhea's hand real, or merely a prop? He was in the lab; a murder here couldn't be easily covered up. His body would be discovered, and other institute employees would surely be around. Would she kill them all? He doubted everyone knew about her activities, and he certainly wasn't in on it. He made a decision.

Casting a sidelong glance at Rhea, he grinned. "I'll give it a try!"

He sprinted. His long legs and height propelled him swiftly down the corridor. He didn't dare look back, pushing forward desperately.

Then, a sharp pain ripped through his left leg. He stumbled, falling to his knees before tumbling uncontrollably forward.

"Gah!" He cried out, clutching his bleeding leg. This was true fear; a sensation utterly unfamiliar to him. He'd dismissed Rhea as a weak woman, incapable of actually shooting someone. But she had. The searing pain felt life-threatening.

Rhea approached calmly, her bare feet making elegant, almost dancing steps across the corridor. Her face remained cold and composed as she twirled the gun. Austin finally saw the silencer. That explained the absence of a gunshot.

He tried to back away, cradling his leg, but the pain overwhelmed him. He fell again. Rhea, unfazed, slowly approached, then squatted, pressing the gun to his forehead. Her smile was tight, cruel.

"Are you going to try again?"

Austin remained silent, immobile, petrified.

"Good!" She patted his cheek, a satisfied tilt of her head.

His fear was undeniable. The pain in his leg, the gun at his head—this woman was a lunatic. He couldn't outrun her. He looked past Rhea to Thompson, but Thompson quickly averted his gaze. A smart move. Thompson wouldn't sacrifice himself; he knew too much and was, in a way, complicit.

"Okay, I'll join you!" Austin exclaimed, raising his hands. Escape was impossible. If he couldn't beat them, he'd join them.