Chapter 1595

"I'm here!" Rhea called, entering the living room before he could finish speaking. The manic Cameron, surprisingly, calmed immediately upon seeing her. His irritability and anxiety seemed to vanish; he looked directly at her.

"Rhea..."

"Uncle Cameron, I remembered something I need to discuss with you about the lab. I need to talk to you!" she said, heading straight for the study. Cameron followed without hesitation.

Fabian, witnessing this, was stunned. As he started to follow, Rhea stopped him.

"This is a secret between Uncle Cameron and me!"

Fabian was displeased. He was her father; there should be no secrets between them, especially given his responsibility for the vaccine project. Yet, he dared not object; Cameron clearly only listened to Rhea. He didn't know what influence she held, but as long as it benefited him, the secret remained unimportant.

Anastasia's perspective differed. She had been observing from the sidelines, eating. Lately, she'd sensed something amiss with her father, though she couldn't define it. He still worked regular hours, spending more time at home but rarely speaking to her, each interaction distant. He often sat in a daze, seemingly lost in thought. His only response to her inquiries was, "nothing." Manic episodes, like the one just witnessed, occurred occasionally.

Despite her concerns, Lily's earlier reassurances lingered. On reflection, Cameron didn't seem capable of such behavior. Is my father sick? Like me? But Rhea's arrival had changed everything. Cameron's eyes lit up; he became utterly subservient.

As they approached the study again, Anastasia intervened, grabbing Cameron's arm.

"Dad, don't go!"

"Let go!" Cameron snapped, his face frowning in displeasure.

"Dad, I don't understand what's so secretive. If you're going in, I'm following!" she said, playfully tugging his arm. This usually worked; even when angry, he'd soften. But this time, it failed. He showed utter disgust, his patience apparently exhausted. He swung his arm violently.

"Let go!"

Anastasia stumbled back, shocked by his roughness.

"Dad?!"

"Anastasia, you shouldn't act like this. Uncle Cameron and I are discussing serious matters. This isn't a game. You're a princess in a castle, fed and pampered. You wouldn't understand." Rhea's words were sharp, but Cameron offered no defense of Anastasia. Instead, he urged, "Don't waste time. Let's go!"

Disbelieving, Anastasia watched them enter the study, the door slamming shut. She'd tried to convince herself he hadn't changed, that it was business, but it was becoming increasingly difficult. Is this indifferent, heartless man really my father?