Chapter 1708

"I'll pay you double the original price of the treasures he's ruined, but..." Lily paused, a smile playing on her lips. "You know that's not what I'm talking about, right?"

"Hmm..." The older man set down his teacup after a protracted hum. "You appeared so suddenly, I didn't have a chance to ask. How are things on your end?"

"It's done. We developed the antidote. Otherwise, why would I be here?" Lily replied casually.

"Really?" Dominic frowned. "Why did I hear it wasn't so simple, and that there are rats within the department?"

Lily's lips pursed; she hadn't expected him to know this. Gently running her fingers through her hair, she frowned. "Do you have an insider, old man?"

"Why do you say it like that?! You make me sound like a spy!" Dominic slapped his thigh, giving her a look. "My apprentices are everywhere, okay?"

Lily rolled her eyes. "Yeah, yeah. You have apprentices all over the world. Did any of them tell you where the people from the previous research institute came from? Are they trying to take over the world? Or destroy all of humankind?"

Dominic twirled his beard. "Austin mentioned they had that idea. It seems they want to develop some kind of world-dominating virus, but I don't quite understand what they're doing now. Look at the raging plague and Austin's... condition. How can he rule the world like that? Of course not! He'll just randomly start killing people."

Lily rubbed her temples. "When I was at the institute, I felt their experiments' purpose was more complex. Honestly, if they just wanted to study the virus, why drag me into it? There's no need to spend so much time fusing their medicine with raw materials. I've been thinking, and I think..."

"Hm?" Dominic's interest was piqued. He was accustomed to a leisurely life, rarely intervening in the outside world. This unusual engagement brought a slight smile to Lily's face. He wasn't quite finished with life yet.

"They might have wanted to incorporate raw materials to emphasize the medicine's untraceable aspects because they want to use it on important people."

"Who?" Dominic leaned forward, blinking curiously.

Lily mirrored his posture, gazing at him before saying, "Who would've pegged you as a gossipmonger, old man?"

"Ptui!" He spat, frowning. "You're getting bolder."

Lily laughed, then sobered. "The people whose voices affect the nation's stability, of course! They'd start at the top if their ambition is world domination. Why would they target nobodies like us?"

Dominic sneered. "Please. Are you calling yourself a nobody? If you were a nobody, there'd be no poverty in the world."

"How can you—" Lily waved her hand, standing. "I think it's time I left!"

"Little brat!" He laughed, calling after her. "Hurry up and bring that little—" He quickly changed his tone. "My dear child, why are you awake? Weren't you asleep? Did I wake you?"

Lily was speechless.