Lily turned and left without a backward glance.

"Lily!" Rhea hissed, her voice tight with anger.

Lily's reply drifted back, "Remember to arrive on time, my dear assistant!"

Rhea's face contorted. She'd never been so humiliated. She had to obey her boss, however, and endure Lily's abuse for now. Turning, she saw Mike watching, a detached amusement in his eyes, which only fueled her anger.

"Mike," she sneered, "found anyone to help you yet?"

Mike shrugged noncommittally.

Rhea curled her lips into a sly smile, lowering her voice. "Do you know why you can't figure out the experiment's core purpose?"

"I don't give a damn," Mike said flatly. "I only care about my son."

"Ha..." Ignoring his response, Rhea continued, "Because you have no idea what the real secret of R10 is! I do."

"I don't give a damn!" he repeated. "All I care about is my son!"

"Lily doesn't know the secret of R10. If she did, she wouldn't have taken this job—but I would!" she whispered, attempting to pique his curiosity.

Mike regarded her with indifference.

"Are you finished?" he asked. "Goodbye!"

Rhea was taken aback.

"You two will regret this! Sooner or later, you'll learn the new world order!" she hissed, then winced, touching a throbbing cheek.

Back in her room, Lily finally relaxed. She was constantly on guard in this dreadful place; every word carefully chosen. She knew the danger, but she had no alternative. Despite her outward composure, she couldn't entirely suppress her worry.

All she could do was hope everything went smoothly with Alexander. His words echoed in her mind as she lay staring at the ceiling: she wouldn't be so confident if she knew what was happening outside the organization.

Is something bad happening outside? No, no! We've contained the pandemic, Cameron's awake, and Austin's improving. Nothing bad will happen; he's just bluffing. Don't let him affect you, Lily!

She tried to convince herself, but a terrible feeling persisted, her heart pounding. She tossed and turned, unable to sleep. The twins inside her were restless, kicking frequently as they had for the past two days. Due in two months, she felt increasingly heavy.

Lily already knew the experiment's core: toxins. The goal was to deliver a pleasant scent, allowing people to unknowingly inhale a potent dose.

I have no idea who the organization plans to target, but it must be someone important. Just then, a light knock—two raps—sounded on her door. She hadn't misheard.

"Who is it?" she asked cautiously, peering toward the door, but received no answer.