Chapter 1492

Austin had no idea who Rhea was referring to when a name suddenly sprang to mind: Lily. "No one would know these loopholes unless they worked here," he thought. "The only person who knows them and would come to save me is Lily." He struggled, his muffled screams echoing. He desperately tried to warn Lily, though he had no idea if she was nearby; it was all he could do.

Rhea, witnessing his struggle, flicked his chin and gestured for someone to kick him in the stomach. Austin curled up, sweat beading on his skin.

"Enough!" Rhea paused. "Do you think this will change anything?" She smirked. "Oh, right, I forgot to mention. We've recently remodeled and tightened security. Tranquilizer darts, poison grenades—various triggers for any attempted intrusion. You're aware this is a lab, yes? We have… things… we can't fully dispose of, so they've become security measures. If someone tries to break in…," The corners of her lips curled upward. "It won't be pretty!"

Austin, racked with pain, could not speak. The agony was nearly unbearable, but his greater fear was what came next. He actually hoped Lily wouldn't come. He wasn't a saint, and he didn't want anyone to die for him; he couldn't bear the weight of such a debt.

Meanwhile, Lily stopped dead in her tracks upon seeing the person she’d bumped into. "It's you?! Mike, what are you doing here?!" she exclaimed, stepping back and raising her eyebrows.

Mike, wincing from his fall, rose sheepishly, brushing dirt from his clothes and rubbing his shoulders. He was lucky to escape without broken bones. With a weak smile, he said, "I'd heard of your skills, but I didn't expect them to be so… powerful."

"Enough bullshit. What are you trying to do?" Lily asked coldly, having no patience for pleasantries.

He shook his head, glancing up. "Shouldn't I be asking you that?"

"Since you're waiting here, you should know my answer," Lily retorted, then remembering Mike's significant connection to the institute—a connection she'd overlooked amidst her own preoccupations. His acquisition of shares, making him a major shareholder, suggested he knew the lab's true purpose.

"Mike, what the hell are you planning? Who do you work for? What's the real purpose of this lab? What are you doing?" she demanded.

"Lily, stop asking questions. Go home! It's late. You should be resting," Mike said, carefully avoiding her questions.

"So you know what's going on! You're involved?!" Lily accused.