"Why is that ridiculous?" Lily looked at him solemnly.

"Is it not?" Alexander countered. "In this age of science and technology, with its breakneck pace of development and advanced weaponry, do they think we're still in the prehistoric era? That they can conquer the world by controlling minds?"

"Look at the global population," Alexander continued, shaking his head. "The sheer number of medicines developed—how could they ensure everyone reacts the same way? How could they guarantee it works on everyone? Isn't it a fool's errand?" He genuinely didn't understand such ambition.

Lily disagreed. "Not necessarily. It's not impossible."

"Huh?"

"You don't need to control the entire population to rule the world," she explained slowly. "To seize control of a country, or even the world, influencing the right people would suffice."

Alexander's eyes narrowed. "You mean..."

Before he could finish, his phone rang. Lily initially hesitated, but the persistent ringing forced her to answer. She saw several texts from Olivia:

"Lily, he's back." "I heard him arrive." "Let's not discuss this now."

Lily didn't reply, sensing Olivia's apprehension and the risk of alerting Edward, who had just returned home.

Looking up at Alexander, she said, "Edward's home."

"I know," Alexander replied calmly, nodding. "My men saw his car leaving the vaccine research base."

"You didn't recall your men?" Lily was surprised, assuming he'd dismissed them.

"No. I considered it, but his car was still inside. Even if he used another vehicle, he'd have to return for his own eventually. Just as I suspected!" He checked his watch. "His car left the base over half an hour ago."

"So, he might have been there the whole time?" Lily mused. No one had seen him leave, making it uncertain. Regardless, his involvement with the research base was clear. "It doesn't matter. The vaccine research base is trouble."

A heavy feeling settled over Lily as she looked at Alexander. She thought, He's right. This new base is like the old institute. Once they develop the vaccine, they'll release it globally. The whole world!