Chapter 1283

Since things had reached this point, Thompson decided to tell Lily the truth. After taking another bite, he began. "I proposed this experiment. I'm sure you know that," he said, solemnly setting down his silverware.

Lily nodded, encouraging him to continue.

"Initially, it was just an idea, a rough plan. I'd seen many patients my age, and death wasn't uncommon. Dying isn't the worst part; the suffering of illness is. Some can't tolerate medication, or the pain of surgery is unbearable. There's also the slow, uncertain process of home remedies. Some children struggle with pills, the elderly with mobility…" Thompson sighed. Lily remained silent, moved by his words. Dying from illness is indeed a terrifying prospect.

"So I thought my idea could treat illnesses, sustain people long-term, by integrating medicinal herbs into their daily lives, utilizing their properties subconsciously."

Even though it began as a random thought, the possibility of its realization still excited him. It would be an honor, a monumental achievement in herbal medicine.

Lily remained silent. That had been her initial draw—the project's meaningfulness. She knew all this, but that wasn't her question. Thompson, noticing her disinterest, cleared his throat. "Other like-minded people found my idea feasible. Their support enabled me to begin. La Beaute Group's investment, of course, played a significant role; they jumpstarted the project."

"They?" Lily immediately seized upon the ambiguity. The "they" Thompson mentioned intrigued her.

She'd been at the institute for months, yet had never noticed a "they." She rarely ventured to the top floor. Was that where "they" resided? Impossible! Even accessing it meant passing through the laboratory, and in all her time there, she'd only seen Mike a few days ago.

Mike? Could it be him?

She quickly dismissed the thought. If it were Mike, he wouldn't have needed to curry favor with her to participate.

Thompson's expression changed at Lily's question. He coughed lightly, taking a sip of water. "About that… I can't tell you."

"So, 'they' support your experiment and ask for nothing in return?"

"Of course not. Once successful, they want 50% of the first batch of finished products!"

Indeed, there was no such thing as a free lunch. There had to be something in it for the other party to fund this project. It was the same with La Beaute Group; they'd recognized the potential for massive success.