Edward dragged Alexander into a nearby room as hurried footsteps approached. The door closed behind them. "Is there really an intruder? How could anyone break in so easily?" Alexander whispered.

"Didn't you smell the sedative? There must be a trespasser," Edward replied. "Come on!"

The voices faded as the searchers moved on. Alexander relaxed, then looked at Edward. "Didn't I tell you—" He stopped, aware of his own vulnerability. He could handle the guards, but attracting attention would jeopardize his search for Cameron.

"I was worried about you," Edward whispered. "Besides, there's a secret chamber here. You wouldn't have found it without me. And you're lucky you didn't try to get into that lab."

Alexander nodded. "I know it requires fingerprints or an iris scan. I have Lily's fingerprint."

Edward shook his head. "No, you can't go in, even with her fingerprint."

Alexander was puzzled. "Didn't Lily conduct her experiments there?"

"She worked there, but the top-secret operations are in that lab. Only the higher-ups—their fingerprints or irises—can access it."

"Then...?"

"Your wife's fingerprints wouldn't work," Edward explained. "They wanted her to join them, but they didn't trust her. Only Rick, the 'boss,' and Rhea Moore could enter."

"Not even Mike?" Alexander asked.

"He supervises the experiments, but he doesn't have access. They probably don't trust him either."

Alexander considered this. Indeed, the organization is cautious. They don't even trust their own employees. No wonder they abandoned this place.

"So, we need Rhea to open the door," Alexander mused. The "boss" is dead, and his fingerprints are useless. We don't know where Rick is. Still, I have Rhea hostage. I should have created a synthetic fingerprint if I'd known this would happen.

"It doesn't matter," Edward stated confidently. "Secretary Rollins isn't in that lab."

Alexander frowned. "Why are you so sure?"

Edward explained, "That lab houses the most important experiments. The environment is terrible—toxic substances and poor air circulation. If someone were locked inside, they'd probably die within two days. Even when people worked there, the airflow was minimal. Now, with the door sealed, no one could survive."