Fred paced thoughtfully for a long while, his anxiety evident. "Who else knows about this?" he asked.

Rhea shook her head, stunned. "No one, I think."

"Not even Lily?" Fred's incredulity was clear. Lily had developed R10; surely she'd know of any issues.

"Well... I'm not sure," Rhea murmured. "As you know, we don't get along, and she wouldn't tell me anything. Perhaps she doesn't know, or simply chose not to." Fred frowned, but conceded her point.

"I see," he said solemnly.

"So..." Rhea began.

"We'll proceed with the experiment tomorrow," Fred replied decisively. Rhea expected no change of heart. Why is he so adamant? she wondered.

"But the drug—"

Fred interrupted. "There's nothing wrong with it, and the experiment will succeed. Is that clear?"

Rhea hesitated under his glare, then nodded slowly. "Yes, Your Grace." She realized he would proceed regardless of her concerns. She couldn't understand why, but she was powerless to stop him.

"Okay, return to the lab and rest," Fred said, waving her off with a yawn. "You must be sharp for the experiment tomorrow."

He remembered something, opening a drawer to retrieve a phone. "This is yours, right?"

Surprised, Rhea nodded. "Yeah."

"Mike Corden called many times, but I didn't answer," Fred said, tossing her the phone. "Ask him if he has secured the invisibility potion formula."

"Now?" Rhea's eyes widened in shock. It's midnight; Mike should be asleep. And won't Alexander and the others suspect something if I call him so late?

Fred's gaze sharpened. "Isn't he under your control? Why do you look so worried?"