Mike remained calm, accepting Alexander and Austin's earlier suspicions. They had been right, after all. However, he resented being treated as an outsider. He’d wrestled with this internally before finally revealing the truth.

"I'm glad you're not upset," Alexander nodded, noting a change in Mike.

Though still worried about his son, Mike kept his emotions from clouding his judgment.

"You told Rhea what Dr. Blanc said—" Austin voiced his disapproval.

Mike interrupted, "Firstly, didn't Dr. Blanc claim the invisibility potion was real to test my reaction?"

"Yes," Austin admitted, touching his cheek.

Mike felt a pang of embarrassment, though not deep regret.

"So there's nothing wrong with telling her, right?" Mike shrugged. "Besides, I doubt they know Dr. Blanc. They'd only assume he's a doctor or scientist. Every country has a secret department; other nations might already know about this." His reasoning sounded sound.

Alexander nodded. "Though you didn't consult us, I think you acted wisely."

"I told Rhea to maintain the illusion of my control. Besides confusing her about the potion, I wanted to mislead her, making her believe no one suspected her claims."

"Confuse her about the invisibility potion?" Austin shook his head. "That's far-fetched. Anyone with medical training wouldn't believe it."

"Not necessarily," Mike countered. "Rhea isn't just anyone; she works for the organization."

Having encountered members of that organization, Alexander and the others knew its extremist, twisted beliefs. Their aims weren't progress or redemption, but domination and destruction.

The existence of an invisibility potion would tempt them; they'd try to create it, however absurd.

Silence fell over the trio.

Alexander looked at Mike, feeling relief and a surge of optimism. "At least there's some good news." However, a new worry surfaced: "What if the mind-control drug works, and Rhea uses it on others?"