Chapter 1635

Alexander chuckled as he watched Lily stare at him. "Don't look at me like that. Don't forget, I deal with government officials."

Lily's expression prompted a thought. "I have something to—"

Alexander interrupted, "Ask away. Do you need to be so polite with me?"

Lily smiled. "Based on what you know about Cameron, do you think he's capricious?"

"On the contrary, he's a man of his word and decisive," Alexander replied promptly. "Why do you ask?"

Lily hesitated, unsure how to answer. She'd only spoken to Cameron a couple of times. Anastasia had complained, but Lily lacked specifics. "You wouldn't ask this for no reason. Did something happen?" Alexander's intuition sensed a serious matter.

Lily revealed, "It's Tasia."

"What's wrong with her?"

Lily recounted the situation, frowning. "She's not willful, and though I haven't met Cameron often, I don't think he'd do such a thing."

"He wouldn't," Alexander agreed. After listening, he sensed more to the story. "I think it involves Rhea Moore."

Alexander furrowed his brow. "Anastasia's cousin?"

"Yes!" Lily nodded. "We worked together at the lab, but I barely knew her. Only after I quit did I realize her considerable authority—more than Professor Thompson, even..."

"And?"

"I think she has even more authority than Mike." Lily's expression reflected her conflicted feelings about Mike.

Alexander was surprised. "Him?"

Lily sighed. "It's a long story. A lot happened while you were away." She changed the subject. "Stop thinking about this and rest. Your pulse is strong; you'll recover soon. A few more days of observation, and you should be able to leave if there are no complications."

"What about you?" Alexander's concern shifted to his wife. "Will you stay if I leave?"

Lily nodded slowly. "I must develop a cure for the virus. It's my promise, my mission."

Alexander smiled, a mixture of resignation and worry evident in his eyes. "What's with that smile?" Lily asked.

"I guess I'm just proud," he said thoughtfully.

Lily was puzzled. Alexander gazed at her softly. "I only knew my wife as an outstanding perfumer, whose creations were loved worldwide. Then I discovered she's a powerful fighter, more than a match for any ordinary man. She's skilled, and brilliantly intelligent."

Lily was astonished. "Say no more, okay?" She felt herself blushing, despite the face shield.

Alexander smiled. "Then I recently discovered she's a miracle doctor. She's incredibly knowledgeable about plants and can cure people, save lives. My wife is such a treasure!"

"Is there anything else I don't know about?"

Alexander's gaze, devoid of doubt or suspicion, was filled with admiration and affection. He recalled his first impression of her: a gentle, sensible, and charming young woman. Then he remembered her tenacity, her pain, when that man had bullied her, and how she had married him.