One or two failures seemed reasonable, but Rhea's experiments had failed far too often. Back in the laboratory, Austin had initially considered her talented. However, he later discovered she excelled at improving others' work, while her own research consistently failed.

Rhea did not develop the drug that tormented Austin or the virus in Burnwken; the ones used on Cameron and Edward were different. In those latter two cases, her experiments had failed. She couldn't fully control Cameron, who regained his volition, and the same was true of Edward. Interestingly, Rhea's research had always focused on mind control. She seemed to relish manipulating others, yet she never truly succeeded.

Austin wondered about her obsession. He looked at Ross and asked, "So, she doesn't know her hypnosis has failed?" Ross nodded. "She thinks it worked." Austin shook his head and chuckled. After a moment's thought, he asked, "Does my granduncle's abduction have something to do with it? They realize Rhea isn't capable enough, so they want him to replace her. Is that it?"

"Perhaps," Alexander replied, equally puzzled. He asked, "But you said Dominic went with them willingly, right?" Austin nodded. "That's the strangest part. No one can make my granduncle do anything against his will. Many VIPs have tried to get him to treat them, but he never yielded, even with substantial offers of money or threats of violence."

The fact that Uncle Dom left with Fred indicated he went willingly. But why?

Alexander paced, considering his time with the older man and their conversation. Suddenly, he stopped, turning to the others. "Could it have something to do with Lily?" he asked Austin. After all, only she could induce Dominic to go. Having no wife or children, Dominic cared little for fame or his own life. Lily and Galen were the only people who mattered to him. The others were momentarily stunned before nodding. "Yes, that could be it!"

Everyone knew Dominic's fondness for Lily—Austin had even been jealous of her at one time. Therefore, he likely went with them for her sake.

"So Dominic went to save Lily?" Mike mused. "But why did they seek him out? They aren't planning to replace Lily with him, are they?" They all deemed that unlikely.

It was clear Fred intended to use Lily's body as a vessel for the queen's soul. As Dominic was elderly, the duke would never use him as a substitute. "Well, people only seek him out for one reason—" Austin said, looking at the others, "to cure life-threatening illnesses."

The others exchanged glances.

"Is Fred... sick?" Ross asked, perplexed.

"Or is it the queen?" Mike added.