It was not easy for Rhea to gather information about R10; it was practically a forbidden subject in the laboratory. She even discovered that the head of the organization knew little about it.

"What else?" Alexander asked, striving for calmness.

"That's all I know about R10," Rhea replied. "Believe me or not."

"I'm not talking about R10," Alexander clarified. "I'm asking about your creations. And will you abandon the vaccine development center?"

He'd always wondered if the organization would forsake the facility and its numerous creations. Having infiltrated the lab and witnessed their work, he couldn't believe they'd simply abandon it. Why bother with all the trouble, then? Was it merely a distraction?

"I have no idea," Rhea said, shaking her head, her confusion genuine or feigned.

"Then what do you know?" Alexander's patience waned. "What about your 'trump card'? What other viruses or drugs have you created?"

"How did you—" she began, but stopped, guessing the source. "Mike told you, huh? That fucking loser!"

Alexander raised an eyebrow, his silence answering her question.

"That's right, I have a trump card. But it's only valuable to the organization, not you." Otherwise, she would have used it already.

"What is it?"

Rhea cocked her head, assessing him. Finally, I know what you care about.

She smiled, deliberately evasive. "Guess."

Alexander had no patience for games. "It's fine if you don't want to tell me. I won't use violence or interrogate you. If you don't want to tell me, so be it. Just remember, this is your only chance." He started to leave.

Rhea didn't immediately respond, but watched him go. "What do you mean, 'only chance'? Will you release me if I tell you, or are you willing to work with me?"

"Work with you?" Alexander turned. "Why? What can you offer? You said your trump card is useless to us."

Rhea slowly stood, asking meaningfully, "What about Lily's life?"

Her gaze, usually prideful and confident, now held a weariness born of imprisonment.

"You're saying you can save Lily?"

"You can choose to believe me or not," Rhea mimicked his tone, gently raising a hand to reveal a mark on her palm. Alexander's eyes widened, then narrowed in a frown.