Chapter 1710

The enormous room seemed empty until a short man jumped from the chair behind the desk, circled it, and stopped before Mike.

"What's wrong?"

"Rhea Moore is dead!" Mike replied bluntly. He was shocked by the news, initially suspecting a ploy. However, the various reports and the circumstances suggested otherwise.

"I know."

The man looked up, his eyes narrowed behind his mask, a hint of displeasure in his gaze. Mike immediately understood and squatted. A flicker of satisfaction crossed the man's face.

"Why so sudden? Why the factory explosion? I've run many experiments without incident. Is she… faking her death?" Mike asked tentatively, still suspecting a game orchestrated by the man and Rhea.

The man regarded him deeply, sighing before climbing onto the chair behind Mike and settling down, swinging his legs. "We'll know after the autopsy. I didn't anticipate this."

"So, you didn't plan this?" Mike asked suspiciously, his doubts persisting.

"Me?" The man raised an eyebrow, laughing. "Why would I? Rhea was my right-hand man, just like you. What benefit would faking her death bring me?"

Mike found himself momentarily speechless. The suddenness of it all was unbelievable. A domineering woman like Rhea Moore dying in an afternoon explosion during an experiment? It seemed unlike her.

"I know you have doubts, and I'm surprised myself. But things happen," the man said casually. "People die every day, in countless ways. Look at the virus. Today, it's Rhea. Tomorrow, it might be you. Anyone can die anytime, so why not Rhea?"

Mike listened intently. While logical, something felt amiss, though he couldn't pinpoint it.

The man continued, "You two didn't get along, did you? Shouldn't you be happy? Why the upset?"

"Regardless, we were on the same team. At least for now, our goals remain the same. I thought… you'd be sad. You lost a competent worker."

The man nodded, sighing. "You're right! I am sad. Losing such a capable helper is disheartening. So, when will you bring Lily on board?"

This surprised Mike. "I thought you'd given up." The man hadn't mentioned Lily in a while, leading Mike to believe he'd abandoned the idea. They didn't need her.

"I thought you knew me better! It seems you don't," the man shook his head, sighing. "Mike, our product is almost perfect, except for one flaw: the smell. I believe Lily Christian is the only one who can solve it. What's wrong? Do you pity her? Is Lily more important than your own son?"