Chapter 1486

"Who is it? Is it someone I know?" Rhea blinked, sounding enthusiastic.

"Austin Fike," Lily said, pausing to gauge Rhea's reaction. "He works at the lab. You should know him."

Rhea furrowed her brow, thought solemnly, then nodded. "Oh, yes! Is he rather tall, gentle-looking, and some sort of miracle doctor?"

"Yes," Lily confirmed.

"What happened to him?" Rhea asked quickly.

"That's what I'm trying to find out," Lily replied, observing Rhea's expression. "He seems to have stayed at the lab for the past few days without going home, and hasn't answered his calls. I wonder if he's still experimenting."

Rhea shook her head slightly, her expression innocent. "Well, I have no idea. We're in charge of different projects and hardly see each other. I'm not sure if he's still there. How about I call his department on your behalf?"

Lily nodded. "I'd truly appreciate it."

"No problem at all!" Rhea waved her off, then called. After a brief conversation, she hung up, giving Lily a resigned look. "Sorry, he doesn't seem to be in the lab. Do you have any other ways to reach him? I don't think I can be of further help."

"Could he be somewhere else, and his colleagues unaware?" Lily looked up at the building, having never been to the upper floors where the management offices were located.

Rhea chuckled. "I doubt it. Although it's not a small building, there are only a few laboratories, and people like us are most likely there since we rarely engage in leisure activities. Besides, if his colleagues haven't seen him, he's most likely not in the building."

"I suppose so," Lily sighed, averting her gaze. "Please tell your colleagues to keep an eye out for any news of him. His parents are worried he's missing and might call the police if they can't reach him."

Rhea nodded. "There's no need to call the police. Mr. Fike is a grown man and shouldn't be involved in any accidents. I guess he just wants to be alone. People do get stressed sometimes." She shrugged, looking helpless.

Lily nodded. "You have a point, but his parents might not be able to think rationally since they miss him."

"You're right."

After a pause, Rhea studied Lily curiously. "But from what I know, you're married, and your husband's family name is Russell. Why do you care so much about Mr. Fike? And you're close to his parents, aren't you?" Rhea's words subtly implied an unusual closeness between Lily and Austin.