"Great!" Lily heard the reply, but she hadn't yet seen him. She only saw Mike facing a large office chair, unoccupied from the rear.

"Ms. Christian, it's a pleasure to meet you!" The chair slowly turned, revealing the mastermind. Lily was astonished. The person who controlled Mike, extorted him, committed atrocities, and orchestrated the disasters was so small!

Her eyes widened as she stared at the tiny man. Her first thought was, If he were standing, he'd be barely taller than Gale. His limbs were stunted, his face masked, the exposed skin horribly scarred. His dark, unsettling eyes fixed on Lily. His gaze alone was unnerving, even without a word, his hands resting casually on the armrests.

"It's you," Lily whispered, recovering from her shock.

"Oh? Do you know me?" He was slightly surprised, his gaze assessing her with a hint of interest.

Lily ignored him, surveying the room before moving to a couch. She settled in, using a pillow for support. Then, glancing at him, she said, "Of course! Weren't you behind the plague in Burnwken, the virus in Austin's blood, and Cameron's nerve damage? And what's happening in this building right now?"

The man's brow rose, amused by her bluntness. "Aren't you afraid of me?"

"Why should I be?" Lily retorted lazily. "Are you a cannibal?"

"Hahaha!" He laughed boisterously.

Mike, speechless, felt a cold sweat break out. He hadn't anticipated Lily's composure. She seemed unaware of the man's cunning and terrifying nature. One wrong word, and she, and those she cared for, would pay the price.

Just as Mike was about to intervene, Lily casually dug her ears and said, "Your laughter is horrible."

"What?"

His laughter ceased abruptly. His expression changed instantly, his gaze hardening. "What did you say?"

Mike, again breaking into a cold sweat, tried to interject, "Sir, that's not what she meant. She—"

"Your voice is even worse when you speak," Lily interrupted, raising an eyebrow. "Hasn't anyone told you that before?" Mike was utterly bewildered.