"Hey, aren't you guys even a little anxious?" Mike couldn't believe Alexander and Austin's composure.
"If it were up to me, I'd have gone to see Rhea immediately! We could consider handing her over to the organization to make a deal if she's not lying. At least we're trying a new approach, right?" Mike had pondered this for two days, unable to devise a better solution. Alexander, claiming to have an idea and having brought Austin along, seemed strangely unconcerned, frustrating Mike.
"Some things require patience," Alexander said, patting Mike's shoulder. "Sometimes we just have to wait. Just chill out, all right?"
Mike was speechless. He inwardly raged, I don't want to chill out, damn it!
Meanwhile, Austin slept soundly. He awoke half an hour later, glancing at the clock. "It's about time," he announced.
Mike, crouching with his hands on his cheeks, looked up in confusion. "Huh?"
"It's time. Come on." Austin rose, straightening his shirt. He looked remarkably refreshed.
Mike was surprised to see them heading toward Rhea's confinement. He immediately followed.
Alexander, deeming it premature to involve the police, had locked Rhea in an outhouse in his backyard—a repurposed storage shed unused for years. Its layout was unusual; Alexander had commissioned minor modifications to ensure both her confinement and prevent escape.
Upon reaching the outhouse, Alexander used his fingerprint and access card to unlock the door, then gestured for Austin to enter.
Rhea, hearing the noise, assumed it was Alexander, expecting to discuss terms. Her disbelief was palpable when she saw Austin.
"I—it's you?" she stammered.
"Why? Disappointed to see me?" Austin struggled to suppress his emotions. She had imprisoned and tortured him, nearly killing him, and caused suffering to those around him. He wanted revenge but gritted his teeth, reminding himself, I must consider the bigger picture.
Rhea turned to the window, her gaze distant. "What the fuck are you doing here? To show off that you're still alive despite the disease?" she sneered.