"Well, the formula is encrypted, so I can't simply send it," Mike explained. "You're not afraid of me coming over, are you?"

"I'm not afraid, but it's inconvenient," Rhea coughed. "I'll be very busy soon and won't have time to see you."

After a pause, she frowned. "Can't you just decrypt it?"

"That's not as easy as you think, and I worry about destroying the file. It's safer to deliver something so important in person."

Mike's insistence made Rhea suspicious. "Mike, are you insisting on coming because you have something to tell me?"

He hesitated. "Yes. I want to know when you'll rescue my son!"

Alarmed, Rhea glanced at Fred, quickly composing herself. "I told you to wait, didn't I? After I create the invisibility potion, then I'll be able to—"

"My son can't wait that long!" Mike sounded anxious. "You're not trying to trick me, are you?"

"I'm not, okay? Have you forgotten who I am? I'm your master, and everything I do is for your good," she stressed. "Tell me. Who am I?"

Falling silent, Mike answered reluctantly, "You're my master."

"That's right! So you must believe everything I tell you. All my solutions are the best, understood?" Rhea said, attempting to deepen the hypnotic effect. Mike hesitated. "Understood."

Rhea sighed in relief. "So, can you send me the formula now?"

"I can't. I really have to deliver it in person." Mike was unusually adamant.

Rhea was speechless; her hypnosis seemed to be working. "No—" she began to refuse, but Fred covered the microphone. "Tell him he can come."

Rhea was stunned by Fred's intervention.

"Tell him to come tomorrow night," Fred added.

"But—"

"Just do as I say!" Fred insisted.

As Rhea was about to comply, Mike said, "Hello? Did you hear what I said? I must deliver it in person. I went to a great deal of trouble for it, so I don't want to risk it."