Mike felt a sharp object pressing against his waist. He couldn't see it, but knew it was unpleasant. He hesitated, cleared his throat, then answered the call, putting it on speakerphone. "Hello, what's the matter? Any news from Lily? Did she find the person? Locate the organization? Rescue my son?"

A barrage of questions left Alexander no time to breathe. Silence followed.

"Are you going to say anything?" Mike's voice was irritable.

Rhea shot him a warning look, her grip tightening. The sharp object seemed to pierce his clothes. He tried to move, but she restrained him.

Finally, Alexander spoke: "Where were you just now?"

The question instantly tightened the atmosphere. Mike looked at Rhea, meeting her scrutinizing gaze with what he hoped was an innocent expression. He tried to convey, with his eyes, that he'd been with her the entire time.

Rhea squinted, signaling him to answer. After a moment, Mike said, "I was looking for clues. What's the matter?"

"Did you find anything?" Alexander asked.

"Of course not! If I had, would I be asking you? All your connections and subordinates are freeloading! They haven't provided a single piece of information! I thought you were formidable in Hyderland, but the government seems more capable. Can't any of your government friends do anything?" Mike mocked.

Alexander replied coldly, "I don't need you to teach me how to do things!"

"Do you think I want to teach you? If my connections weren't mostly overseas, do you think I'd rely on you?!" Mike snorted. "Alexander, our relationship is purely business. If you can't find the organization, Lily's corpse won't be the only one you'll be collecting!" He ended the call. Turning to Rhea, he asked, "Are you happy now?"

Rhea said nothing, her gaze profound. After a while, a cold smile touched her lips. "You're sending him a message."

Mike feigned innocence. "What message? I said nothing! You heard everything; how could I be sending him anything?!"

"You hinted he should contact his government friends and Cameron Rollins!" Rhea said, each word precise.

Mike, stunned, affected ignorance. Patting himself, he said, "I didn't think that far! I just wanted him to use his connections. Don't you want to know as well? How did that become a coded message? I've never felt so wronged!"

He seemed genuinely frustrated and shocked. "Whatever coded message you want to think I sent, that's your prerogative!" he sighed. "Forget it. No one can find my son anyway. I have nothing left to live for. Since you don't trust me, just kill me!"

He leaned back, surrendering himself to her mercy.