Chapter 1493

Lily stepped back to avoid Mike's touch, scrutinizing him. He was unexpectedly prepared. Her plan to infiltrate the research institute had failed. But would holding Mike hostage stop the laboratory? Her mind raced. After all, he was the project's major shareholder. Without his funding, the research would likely falter.

"Lily," he began, "these waters are treacherous. You shouldn't swim in them. You have children to care for, and..." He glanced at her stomach. "You're risking too much. If Alexander were still here, he'd never allow this, wouldn't he?"

"What do you mean? What do you mean, 'if Alexander were still here'?" Lily demanded, her eyes fixed on him. "Does the lab have anything to do with the Burnwken plague? What other projects are you running besides mine? Tell me!"

"You shouldn't stay. This isn't the place to talk. Go home. We'll discuss this later."

Mike heard a noise beyond the wall, quickly grabbing her wrist. "Let's get out of here!"

For once, Lily didn't resist. She let him drag her away from the laboratory.

"I thought you'd struggle," Mike said, relieved.

"I'm not stupid," Lily replied, her gaze intense. "Why fight when trouble's waiting? Besides, I don't need to break in. The best hostage is right here," she added, her eyes fixed on him.

Mike, panting, looked up, bursting into laughter at her predatory stare. "You're going to take me hostage?"

He saw her intentions instantly. Shaking his head, he said, "A hostage is only effective if you can achieve something with them. Otherwise, you're just holding me captive for nothing."

"Why not? You fund them! I don't believe they can continue without me cutting off the main chain!"

Lily sensed he was making excuses.

"Didn't Mr. Russell fund them initially? Did the experiment stop when he withdrew?" Mike countered.

Lily hesitated.

"That's because you joined and funded them!" he nodded. "That's right. So, what if you hold me hostage, or kill me? Do you think they'll stop? You have no idea. This lab is a cover-up. It may seem menacing, but there are far darker things you don't know about."

Silence fell. Lily was confused. Were they committing a crime? Had Mike just admitted to involvement?

"Since you know this, why aren't you stopping it?" she asked. "Did you know the true motive of this research from the beginning? Is that why you insisted on joining?"

"Don't ask so many questions! The more you know, the more dangerous it becomes. Don't come back, and don't worry about things that don't concern you. Go home to your children. La Beaute Group's power will ensure your safety." Mike avoided her questions.

"Do you think I can let this go now that I know so much? Consider my investment in this project. With Professor Thompson dead and Austin missing, how can I ignore this? Not to mention the Burnwken plague, and the uncertainty surrounding Edward and Alexander. How can you tell me to go home to my children? Do you think that's possible?"

She stood firm, facing Mike, who had straightened. They stared at each other in silence.