The click-clack of high heels, the loose waves of her hair, the delicate makeup, and seductive eyeliner—it was easy to identify her. "Rhea," Lily said, unsurprised. "It's you."
At the lab, Lily had sensed the disrespectful worker's mannerisms mirrored Rhea's, confirming her suspicion that Rhea hadn't died. "So I was right," she thought. Mike, however, frowned thoughtfully at Rhea.
"Of course, it's me," Rhea declared, her usual arrogance evident as she stood beside the boss. "The boss and I share the same goal. How could I die before the experiment succeeds?"
"So, the body…" Lily began.
"It's not difficult for people like us to find a substitute and alter the DNA test results, is it?" Rhea said indifferently, her tone casual, even a touch proud.
"Do you think you're smart enough to fool the police?" Lily couldn't help but ask, provoked by Rhea's smug expression.
Rhea merely curled her lips into a smile. Lily thought, She doesn't answer, but her expression speaks volumes. Everyone believes she's dead. Even I doubted my suspicions; doctoring an autopsy report is difficult. But I was wrong!
If they could infiltrate the heavily guarded X Department, how many more spies are there? How many people does this organization control through drugs, how many forced collaborators like Mike? Still, he's right, any large organization must have a membership list. Finding that list would give me the advantage. And that short man likely has it.
The man was comically short in his oversized suit. Lily would have mistaken him for a disabled person needing sympathy on the street; she never would have guessed his cruelty. But where was the list hidden? Mike said he carried it, but its location remained a mystery.
Lily scrutinized him, brow furrowed. He didn't flinch under her gaze, merely laughing. "Are you sure you want to handle R10? Once you start, there's no turning back, understand?"
"Even if I wanted to change my mind, you wouldn't let me go, would you?" Lily retorted, a mocking chuckle escaping her lips.
The man didn't answer, instead looking at Rhea. Reluctantly, Rhea met his gaze, hesitated, then walked to the safe beside the bookcase. She crouched, quickly punching in a code and scanning her palm. The safe clicked open.
Mike was astonished. He'd seen the safe, but never saw anyone retrieve anything from it, let alone know the combination. Rhea's ease, however, revealed the man's trust in her far exceeded his trust in Mike.