Yasmin looked at Rick. "How are their experiments progressing?"

"They're still working on them," Rick replied.

The queen understood this meant little progress. "Can I trust them?" she murmured, the question directed perhaps at herself, perhaps at Rick. Receiving no immediate answer, she closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and asked, "How's Fred?"

"He's been quiet," Rick answered.

Fred hadn't spoken since Yasmin's visit. He seemed to have accepted his fate.

"Did you give him the supplements?" Yasmin asked.

Rick nodded. "Yes, exactly as you instructed."

"Good." Yasmin nodded thoughtfully, then turned to the balcony. The lush greenery calmed her, but the wind sent a shower of yellow leaves fluttering down.

"I don't wish to wait forever," she said, gazing at the fallen leaves. "Inform all the experts to prepare. I want to proceed with R10."

Rick was surprised. "Now?"

"Tell them to prepare and await further instructions," she said solemnly, then fell silent.

Rick immediately left to carry out her order.

Meanwhile, Lily remained focused on her experiment, oblivious to Rick and Yasmin's conversation. With all other experiments halted, only Lily and Rhea worked in the laboratory.

Rhea visited Lily out of curiosity, but left after failing to understand Lily's work. Lily noted Rhea's presence but ignored her. What Rhea had told Yasmin was, after all, only a partial truth.

Lily had lied about searching for another way to achieve immortality. She knew it was unattainable. However, she believed activating cell regeneration for a longer, healthier life was possible. Since she wasn't acting against her conscience, she was making good progress.

Rhea, however, faced continuous setbacks. The complexity of her experiment meant frequent failures were to be expected. But Lily's presence and her own progress created immense pressure. Rhea desperately wanted to succeed before Lily, to prove her superiority.

Rhea stared at the experimental apparatus, then at the data analysis graph on the computer screen. The lines wavered, overlapping and separating, before the word "error" appeared.

"Fuck!" she cursed, slamming her fist on the table.