Chapter 1716

It was unusual to speak in hushed tones within one's own home.

"How's the situation?" Lily asked, getting straight to the point.

"Do you know Rhea is dead?"

The smile on Anastasia's face vanished. She nodded. "I heard."

"How did your father react?"

"He was very agitated when he returned. He locked himself in his room and wouldn't let anyone in. All I heard was smashing. Then..." She cringed, visibly unnerved.

"Then the servants cleaned up. Afterward, he was calmer; nothing seemed amiss."

"Besides smashing things, did he do anything else?"

Lily pondered. "From what you've said, Rhea used drugs to control your father. Now that she's gone, has he become…normal, even a little?"

Anastasia shook her head after a moment's thought. "No! He's the same, yet nothing's unusual."

"What about how he treated you? You said he tried to lock you up and prevent you from contacting anyone…"

"He hasn't returned my phone, and he still won't let me leave. However, he doesn't watch me as closely. If anything's different, I think…" She paused, frowning.

"What is it?" Alexander asked.

Glancing at him, Anastasia hesitated. "I think his responses are slow."

"Slow responses?" Lily was surprised. "In what way?"

"For example, when I talk to him, he sometimes acts as if he hasn't heard me and only asks what I said after a while. He'll also repeat things he said to the servants five minutes later, like he'd forgotten. There have been many similar incidents. At first, I thought he was tired, but later… I sensed he wasn't thinking clearly."

Pointing to her temple, Anastasia looked worried. "Lily, did my cousin's drugs damage his brain? I saw something like this in a movie. After a person's mind is controlled, they lose consciousness and slowly become a puppet. But Rhea is dead, and no one's controlling him. Shouldn't my father be normal again? Why is he becoming more abnormal? Is he going to become a puppet?" Tears welled in her eyes.

Although Cameron had been harsh toward her, she knew he was controlled and hadn't acted of his own volition. She'd been trying to find a way to help him, but his condition was baffling. She'd never encountered anything like it.

"Stay calm. We'll find a solution," Lily said gently, attempting to take Anastasia's pulse. "Your pulse has been unstable lately. You haven't been eating regularly, and your body—"

"I'm fine!" Anastasia pulled her hand away, unconcerned about her health. "Lily, save my father first!"

Lily sighed, unable to check her pulse. "Okay. Though you're not in great shape, it's not critical. I think we should see your father first," she said, rising.