All personnel took safety measures during the transfer as they had limited knowledge about the virus. All they knew was that experts within the country were researching it, and a vaccine development project had been launched, although it had yet to succeed.Lily chose a small hospital in the suburb of Kingsland instead of a larger hospital in the city for two reasons. First, she worried that the virus would spread in a crowded area.Second, even though it was a small hospital, she could access all the necessary equipment and workforce through the Russell family’s influence. Therefore, it was okay if its location was a bit remote.They transferred Alexander discreetly and did not reveal it to outsiders. Even those who came to escort Alexander were chosen among his most loyal bodyguards to ensure everyone would keep it a secret.Alexander’s condition was somewhat stable during the journey, although he remained feverish and did not wake up. He also looked pale and emaciated. Lily was
Maria felt even more pleased when Rhea obliged her. “Look! I got the maids to make goat cheese salad, stuffed tomatoes, and roasted fish with wild mushrooms. You loved them the most when you were little.”Rhea’s expression changed when her mother mentioned her childhood.Maria noticed it and quickly said, “I wonder if they’re still your favorites. If you don’t want to eat them, tell me what you would like to eat, and I’ll get them to prepare it!”“There’s no need. Food is just there to make us full.” Rhea sat at the table, picked up the spoon and fork, and looked disinterested.Maria’s spirit dampened. She was slightly embarrassed and glanced at her husband.Fabian only frowned back. ‘Why did you bring up her childhood? You knew Rhea hated it the most!’When the couple returned from the Rollins’ house the other day, they talked all night as they had no idea that Rhea hated her childhood that much. They always thought she was only jealous of Anastasia back then, and it was not a b
Fabian kept his mouth shut. He could not afford to bear such consequences. ‘If I were to lose to the project, I might as well die!’ “Ree, that’s not what your dad meant. We’re just worried about your safety,” Maria said despite being concerned. Rhea smiled coldly. “Safety? When I was four, Anastasia and I fell into the pond, and you guys saved her first. Did you ever care about my safety?”“You…” Maria was shocked that Rhea remembered what had happened when she was only four. “We didn’t save her first on purpose. Tasia was closer to the bank, so we reached her first. We also saved you. You-” “Enough. I wasn’t complaining. I’m alive and well, aren’t I?” Rhea shrugged and said calmly. She put down her spoon and fork. “I’m full.”Maria was stunned. Rhea got up and walked to the foyer to change her shoes again. She lowered her head as she wore her high heels, then thought about something and looked up. “Oh, yes, I made a deal with Cameron simply because it suited my needs.“I
“You’re back!” the man said with his back to her. All she could see was the tall executive chair, not him. Rhea stood where she was and said, “Yes, sir.”“How did it go?”“There would soon be a tender event, and the project would fall into Fabian Moore’s hands. Our lab could then be placed within the vaccine development center.” Rhea paused for a moment. “Before I came, I went over to take a look. It has a good environment and is well-equipped. The government has also poured in a lot of money and resources, which would boost us.”“Terrific!” He sounded satisfied, but his voice was awful. Rhea picked her ear, despite herself. “But why is it taking so long? Can’t they just give the project to Fabian Moore?” He seemed to be impatient. “No, there’s a protocol to follow. If not, people might get suspicious and criticize how it’s done, which would be bad for us,” Rhea explained. “It’s troublesome to operate in your country, isn’t it?” He snorted dismissively. Rhea raised her b
Mike stared at her without saying a word. Rhea tilted her head. “Have you thought about how to explain it to the boss if you kill me?”“Are you important to him?” Mike finally spoke and mocked her. Rhea let out a calm smile. “Perhaps you could try killing me.”“You think I don’t dare?”“Then do it!”A dead silence ensued. All that could be heard was their breathing as they glowered at one another, seeing hatred and anger in each other’s eyes. “If the experiment succeeds, what would it lead to?” After a long while, Mike asked. Rhea laughed. “You’re the biggest investor, and you have no idea what it will lead to? You’re not much of a businessman, are you?”Ignoring her ridicule, he asked further, “If Austin is R18, then there must be an R1, R2… R17. Where are the other test subjects? I’ve never seen them before!”“You have a good imagination, don’t you?” Rhea rolled her eyes and did not answer him. “I bet you know!” He pressed his arm against her neck, and she could hard
Rhea had worked willingly for the boss because he had what she wanted, but Mike was different.‘All for the sake of a brat? Is it worth it? I don’t get it! What happened to Anastasia and me when we were young was driven by self-interest. My parents ignored me and went to save their niece first for personal gain. If I was down on my luck, I could have died!‘If I did, would they be sad? I think they would, but only for a while since they could get another child. So you see, there’s no such thing as parental love since it’s all about self-interest.’“You know nothing about love! You don’t know what it’s like to be loved. You monster!” Mike glared at her. His words stung her deeply.At first, Rhea looked as if she was indifferent and carefree, but her expression changed at his words. She chuckled coldly and said, “Yes, I’m a monster! I don’t know what love is or what it’s like to be loved. I only know these feelings are self-inflicting miseries brought upon human beings.“A cat would
Rhea’s response was quick. She stepped aside and dodged, but the man reacted quickly and whipped around, throwing himself over with his arms open. He chased after her in circles in the small room as if it was a game.Just as the man closed in, Rhea spun around and threw a handful of powder onto his face. She quickly jabbed him with an anesthetic syringe as he winced and halted in his path. Within seconds, he slumped onto the floor and could no longer move.Although he felt limp, his mind grew awake. He rubbed his eyes hard, and his roar turned into a whimper. When he opened his eyes again, he felt dizzy for a moment.“Rhea?”“I haven’t seen you for a few days. Do you miss me?” Rhea curled her lips into a smile.The man might find her smile rather charming under different circumstances and if they were in another place.Austin snorted twice and wanted to chastise her, but he had no energy for it and could only flutter his eyelids and roll his eyes.However, Rhea was pleased with
“What a shallow view!” Rhea snorted dismissively.She put her phone back into her pocket and stowed her notebook and pen. Seemingly not wanting to go yet, she took two steps forward and knelt before Austin to match his eye level.She asked, “Do all herbal medicine practitioners like you think you’re so great that you could save people from illness and contribute to humankind?”Austin chuckled coldly and retorted, “Do all mainstream doctors like you think our world is not chaotic enough that you try to prove yourselves using various viruses? What do you have without your equipment?”“You are right, but can you conduct your experiment without the equipment?” Rhea remained calm and clucked her tongue before stumping him with her words.Austin was at a loss for words but thought he was right and snorted.“I’m only curious how many people would risk their lives and act selflessly in the face of the virus during doomsday,” Rhea said thoughtfully, her arms dangling naturally and lying o