As the matter was unimportant, Rhea continued, "The organization considered everything. Why else would they rush her to complete the experiment? Why take her away immediately afterward? Surely you don't think it has anything to do with the boss's disappearance? That was a coincidence. What mattered was her creating R10 at this moment." She sighed quietly.

"Well, Lily brought it on herself, didn't she?"

"They've been waiting for her to give birth?" Mike suddenly realized.

Rhea glanced at him but didn't elaborate. She wouldn't have told him this much if it weren't to secure his cooperation. She felt she'd already said too much.

"You don't have time to lose. Even if I can wait, Lily can't, okay?" Rhea carried the "boss" by the neck, turning toward the secret room. She held him like a discarded doll. Mike felt a chill run down his spine as he watched her go.

He wondered how many people like her were in the organization. What kind of person led such an organization? What the hell did they want? To rule the world?

Austin had never felt time move so slowly. He would occasionally call his family while studying Dominic's medical texts. He wanted to check on them. Although Alexander had stationed men outside Dominic's house to report emergencies, Austin still worried, unable to go himself. This was the first time he felt so powerless, so helpless against the virus and symbiotes.

He used to think he deserved the title "miracle doctor," but now he understood why Dominic had never acknowledged him as a student. He had been too arrogant, believing himself the best simply because he'd learned a little. Even if he were outstanding, herbal medicine was so vast and deep, a subject to which Uncle Dom had devoted his life. If even he couldn't claim to know everything, who was he to call himself a miracle doctor?

Life's reality delivered a harsh, costly lesson. He could only study, hoping to find a solution, though it was unlikely. He felt it better than doing nothing. He wished Lily could develop a cure; treatment remained the best hope. Suddenly, the older man coughed violently, breathing rapidly.

Austin put down his book and hurried to help Dominic sit up. "How are you feeling?" He tried to pat Dominic's back, but the coughing continued until Dominic vomited dark blood onto the floor. Though Austin had anticipated it, some blood splattered on him.