Chapter 1769

"Of course, it has something to do with it! If you hadn't studied herbal medicine, you wouldn't have gone to that research institute and met that woman who put you through this!" Michelle blamed her son's profession. "If he hadn't studied this, he wouldn't have gone there and suffered so much. Thinking back, I shouldn't have let him learn herbal medicine from Dominic in the first place."

Austin was upset. "If that's the cause, perhaps you shouldn't have given birth to me. I wouldn't have suffered if I hadn't been born, right?"

Michelle, on the verge of tears, retorted, "Are you blaming me now?"

"No, I'm just saying it has nothing to do with my studying herbal medicine. The guilty ones are the perpetrators, not us, okay?" Austin held his mother's shoulder. He continued patiently, "I know you feel bad for me, but you shouldn't say that. Perhaps I was destined to suffer this ordeal, and there was no way to avoid it."

Michelle stared at him in astonishment. Her son, despite his medical studies and knowledge of ancient texts, rarely spoke of destiny.

"Mom, let's put that aside. I want to know if Rhea Moore is truly dead," he said urgently.

His mother interrupted, "Of course she is!" Wiping her tears, she snorted. "She got off too easily to die just like that! Your dad and I used our connections to ensure it." Holding his wrist, she added, "There's no way the medical examiner could doctor the autopsy report. The DNA testing confirmed it was her. You can rest assured you've gotten your revenge."

Austin shook his head thoughtfully.

"Why? Are you worried? Is there something wrong?" Michelle asked nervously, noticing his skepticism.

"No. I just feel like Rhea's death is too coincidental," Austin replied casually.

Michelle nodded. "It sure is! Your dad and I even hired someone to capture and punish her before handing her over to the police, but she died before that happened. Do you think she faked her death knowing she couldn't escape?" She'd considered this for days, overwhelmed by the sight of the burned body, even developing a fever. She hadn't told Austin, fearing he'd worry. Later, she wondered if Rhea had committed suicide to avoid punishment.

"That's not possible!" Austin firmly disagreed. He knew Rhea well; she wouldn't kill herself. "Still, someone possibly murdered her because she knew too much about the organization."