Within the organization, only the "boss" and the top leader knew each other's identities and backgrounds, a fact unknown even to Mike and Rhea. Witnessing the worker's disrespectful behavior toward Lily unsettled Mike. He couldn't clearly see her face, yet he sensed the confrontation was unproductive. Stepping forward, he intervened, "Mrs. Russell isn't ordering you, but the boss authorizes her full discretion here. Since she's asked you to put it down, please comply."

"Why should I?" the woman retorted, a throaty laugh escaping her. "This is my experiment's result. If she's so capable, let her do it. Didn't she claim she could succeed without our data?"

"Since it's part of the experiment, it belongs here," Lily responded, raising her eyebrows. "Why? Are you afraid?"

"I refuse to waste my time," the worker snapped, turning away. "I'm not dealing with you two!"

Lily calmly observed the woman's back. "Are you afraid of wasting time, or of letting others see you've failed again?"

Mike was perplexed. Lily's words enraged the worker, who whirled around. "What the fck are you saying? How dare you claim I failed when you don't know what this is? Do you think you're so fcking great?"

"Of course!" Lily retorted. "Do you think you've achieved a perfect fusion of monkshood's toxicity and the scent of ambergris using only the finest herbs and spices? The smell is potent, but you've mistakenly neutralized the toxin by mixing them improperly. Even if it works, the drug's potency is drastically reduced. If that's not failure, what is?"

Mike was stunned, unsure if Lily was serious or fabricating. However, her confident demeanor and precise explanation suggested otherwise. He glanced at the worker, who stood rigid, fists clenched. Though her face was obscured by a face shield, he sensed intense anger, even a hint of murderous intent.

This realization startled Mike. Clearing his throat, he stepped forward. "Regardless of your previous positions, we're here to work for the boss, and we know why. The boss will credit whoever successfully completes the experiment!"

He addressed the worker. "If you don't trust Mrs. Russell, why not—"

Before he finished, a shrill voice cut through his earpiece. "Mike Corden!"

Confused, Mike responded, "Yes, sir."

"Tell Lily to focus on her job. I need what that person is holding. Tell her to report to me immediately."

"Yes, sir!" Mike replied, taken aback.