Mike stared at her silently. Rhea tilted her head. "Have you considered how you'll explain this to the boss if you kill me?"

"Are you important to him?" Mike finally mocked.

Rhea smiled calmly. "Perhaps you should try killing me."

"You think I don't dare?"

"Then do it!"

A heavy silence descended. Only their breathing was audible as they glared, hatred and anger warring in their eyes.

After a long moment, Mike asked, "If the experiment succeeds, what will it lead to?"

Rhea laughed. "You're the biggest investor, and you don't know what it will lead to? Not much of a businessman, are you?"

Ignoring her, he pressed on. "If Austin is R18, there must be an R1, R2... R17. Where are the other test subjects? I've never seen them."

"Imaginative, aren't you?" Rhea rolled her eyes, offering no answer.

"I bet you know!" He pressed his arm against her neck, restricting her breath. Her face flushed as she glared at him. "If you want to know, ask the boss. He'll tell you everything. He might even tell you your son's whereabouts."

"How did you know about that?" Mike was shocked.

Only he and the mysterious boss knew his son had been kidnapped. His inability to locate the boy, despite his resources, had kept him from the police. He feared the boss's capacity for harm, forcing his compliance. Yet she knew.

"Do you know where my son is?" Agitated, he tightened his grip.

Choking, Rhea struggled, her eyes rolling back. Her efforts were futile against his strength. He eased his grip slightly, maintaining control.

Rhea gasped for air, coughing.

"Do you know where my son is or not?" Mike's face twitched with urgency.

Restrained, Rhea laughed. "You're scared, huh? But I don't know! The boss keeps him somewhere impossible to find, even if you located it. Do what he says."

Mike was shocked but unconvinced. If it isn't true, why couldn't I find my son? I have spies worldwide, I'd give everything, and I still failed.

"Where the hell is he?" He was near collapse, his eyes bloodshot.

"Is your son so important?" Rhea tilted her head curiously. "It's just a son. What's the big deal? You're rich; you could easily have eight or ten."

"Shut your mouth!" Mike roared.

"I'm telling the truth. Humans are selfish; children are just products of reproduction. If you didn't care, you wouldn't be in agony, and you wouldn't yield to the boss. Isn't that so?" She considered her words reasonable.