Just like that, Rhea was shut down. Fabian and Maria, unaware of the situation, looked at her questioningly. "Ree? Is it true? What's the matter? Why didn't you say anything?"

"It's nothing serious. I didn't expect you to know, Uncle Cameron. I've taken care of it," Rhea replied lightly, regaining her composure. "Nothing serious?" Cameron's lips curled into a smirk. "Everyone from the police station was there. I heard they searched the institute thoroughly. Is a grown man disappearing from your research institute trivial?"

Maria's face paled. "What?! Is that true, Ree?! People go missing there?! Oh gosh, that's terrifying! You should resign! If something happens to you, your father and I won't know what to do!"

Rhea didn't comfort her mother, instead looking at Cameron. "Those are just rumors. I thought you were clear-headed, Uncle Cameron. I didn't expect you to believe that gossip."

"Rumors spread quickly. However, working there, you should know best what's happening."

Fabian and Maria listened, bewildered, as Cameron and Rhea exchanged pointed glances. They didn't understand; it seemed Cameron had a vested interest in Rhea's research institute.

"Ree..." Maria began, but Rhea interrupted. "Of course I do, but you seem to know more than I do. Is the research under your supervision?"

"My job involves it, one way or another," Cameron replied lightly. Turning to the now-flustered Maria, he added, "Speaking of which, I think you know who the missing person is."

"Me? I know him?" Maria pointed at herself, confused.

Fabian frowned. "You mean the miracle doctor you invited to see Tasia? What was his name again?"

"Austin Fike. You mean Dr. Fike?!" Maria exclaimed, her voice cracking.

"Yes," Cameron nodded.

"How could it be?!" She almost leaped up, but Fabian restrained her. Calming down, she whispered, "There's a possibility. I called him, but his phone's off. D-Did something happen to him?"

"Maybe," Cameron nodded thoughtfully, his frown deepening. "His parents reported him missing, and even followed the police. I don't think it's a hoax."

"Oh dear, how terrible!" Maria trembled, clearly terrified. Turning to Rhea, she grasped her arm. "Ree, quit! Stop those experiments! If one day, you... Oh my! Just call and quit!"

Rhea, shaken by her mother's frantic reaction, frowned and shrugged her off. "That man didn't disappear from our premises. The police found no evidence of his disappearance."