Chapter 1531: "Really?"

The man questioned with a half-smile, uncertain of her veracity but unwilling to press further. Instead, he walked to the window, gazing at the scenery before calmly stating, "The bidding for the vaccine development project concluded some time ago. Your father lost. He let a considerable opportunity slip through his fingers."

"What do you mean?" Rhea inquired, puzzled by his sudden shift in topic.

"Cameron Rollins is your uncle, your father's brother-in-law. Yet, he couldn't secure the project for your father. Your uncle is incorruptible!" He sneered, shaking his head.

"Cameron has always been like that," Rhea replied lightly. "My parents can't understand it."

"Can you?" he asked, turning back to face her. "Your family is teetering on bankruptcy. Without this project, your father's company will face a crippling cash flow crisis. Debt collectors will descend, and business partners will sever ties. Can you remain unconcerned while experimenting here?"

Rhea's eyes widened. She rarely engaged with family matters, showing little interest in their complexities. Their visit to the Rollins' home that day had revealed her parents' eagerness to settle scores with Cameron, a matter that held no appeal for her. Everything paled in comparison to her experiments. Now, however, doubt flickered. Was the situation truly this dire? While self-sufficient, her life would be considerably less comfortable if her family faced ruin. A frown creased her brow as she awaited his next words.

"Do you want to save your parents?" he asked, as she anticipated.

"I'd like to hear your proposal, sir." She sensed an ulterior motive behind his apparent benevolence.

He turned again, a slight smile playing on his lips, his gaze distant and narrowed. "Do you realize that your father securing the vaccine project would have benefited us as well? That land on the outskirts of Kingsland is ideal for our experiments and future expansion. It would have been perfect. A shame your father, with years in the business, couldn't even manage to outmaneuver Cameron Rollins..." He sighed regretfully.

"What do you mean? Do you want me to help my father get this project?" she asked, considering his words.

"Is that something you can do?" He glanced at her sideways.

Rhea remained silent, a response he expected. His subsequent words dripped with disdain. "You're all too superficial. Whether it's this vaccine project or future ones, controlling Cameron is the key to smooth operations."

"Control Cameron?"

"Give him the contents of that vial. With Cameron under your control, nothing will be impossible. You can't win hearts, but you can control minds. What's wrong? Are you confused?"

Rhea, shocked and conflicted, remained silent. She never anticipated her boss suggesting she use the vial's contents on Cameron.

"But that thing..."