第131章 Here are a few options for a 4-8 word chapter title: 1. "The Lie That Pierces the Darkness" 2. "Shadows of Deceit Unveiled" 3. "Betrayal's Silent Whisper" 4

**Chapter 131: The Shadow of Betrayal**

程星's eyes never left the engineer's face, his gaze burning with an intensity that made the other man's skin crawl. "You're hiding something from me," 程星 said, his voice low and even.

The engineer's mask of composure had begun to show signs of wear, his eyes darting nervously around the room. "I'm telling you everything I know," he lied, his words dripping with insincerity.

程星's face remained impassive, but his eyes narrowed slightly. "Your words are as empty as the void between stars," he said, his voice dripping with disdain. "I can see the lies written all over your face."

The engineer's eyes flashed with anger, but he quickly regained control. "If you're so sure of yourself, then tell me what I'm hiding," he sneered.

程星 leaned back in his chair, a cold, calculating glint in his eye. "You're hiding the truth about the ancient civilization that created the signal," he said, his voice dripping with conviction. "And I'll stop at nothing to uncover it."

The engineer's mask of composure crumbled, revealing a cold, calculating gaze of his own. "You're not worthy of knowing the truth," he spat. "You're just a pawn in a much larger game."

程星's eyes snapped back into focus, his face hardening into a mask of determination. "I don't care about your games or your secrets," he said. "I want the truth."

The engineer laughed, a cold, mirthless sound. "You'll never have the truth," he said. "Because you're not the only one who's searching for it."

程星's eyes locked onto the engineer's, a spark of understanding igniting in their depths. "You're not alone," he said, his voice low and even. "There are others out there, just like you."

The engineer's eyes flashed with surprise, but he quickly regained control. "What are you talking about?" he demanded.

程星 leaned forward, his eyes burning with intensity. "I'm talking about the ones who sent the signal," he said. "The ones who created the ancient civilization that created the signal."

The engineer's face went white, his eyes darting nervously around the room. "You can't know that," he whispered.

程星 smiled, a cold, calculating smile. "I know everything," he said. "And I'll stop at nothing to uncover the truth."

The engineer's eyes locked onto 程星's, a spark of fear igniting in their depths. "You may know the truth," he whispered. "But you'll never be able to prove it."

程星's eyes flashed with anger, his face hardening into a mask of determination. "We'll see about that," he said, his voice dripping with menace.

As the words left his lips, the room seemed to grow quieter, the air thickening with tension. The engineer's eyes never left 程星's face, his gaze burning with a mixture of fear and anticipation.

And in that moment, it was clear that nothing would ever be the same again.

To be continued...