第137章 "Beyond the Veil of Deception"

**Chapter 137: The Web of Deceit**

程星 took a deep breath, his eyes locked onto the engineer's. "I'm telling you the truth," he said, his voice firm. "The transmission we received is not of this world. It's a message from an alien civilization, and it's been hidden from us for years."

The engineer's face turned white, and he stumbled backward, nearly falling over his chair. "What are you talking about?" he demanded, his voice rising. "You're just trying to cover your own ass!"

程星's expression remained calm, but his eyes betrayed a flicker of anger. "I'm telling you the truth," he repeated. "And I have proof."

He pulled out a small device from his pocket and activated it, revealing a holographic display projected in front of them. The engineer's eyes widened as he took in the images: ancient structures on other planets, strange symbols etched into the rocks, and strange creatures unlike anything they had ever seen.

The engineer's face changed from shock to horror. "What...what does this mean?" he stammered.

"It means that we're not alone in the universe," 程星 said, his voice cold. "And it means that we have been deceived."

The two men sat in stunned silence, the weight of their discovery sinking in. The engineer's mind was racing, trying to process what he was seeing. But 程星's expression remained calm, his eyes fixed on the engineer.

Suddenly, the engineer's face contorted in anger. "You're going to pay for this," he snarled, his hand reaching for his phone.

程星's eyes flickered, and he quickly stepped forward, blocking the engineer's path. "Don't do it," he warned, his voice low and deadly.

The engineer's eyes locked onto 程星's, a spark of malice igniting in his gaze. "You're not going to stop me," he sneered.

程星's expression remained unyielding. "I'll do whatever it takes to protect the truth," he said, his voice dripping with conviction.

The air was electric with tension as the two men stood frozen, their eyes locked in a silent struggle. And then, without warning, the engineer's phone beeped, breaking the stalemate.

The engineer's eyes flickered to the screen, his face paling further. "It's...it's Director Chen," he stammered.

程星's eyes narrowed. "What does she want?"

The engineer's voice trembled as he replied, "She knows. She knows everything."

程星's gaze locked onto the engineer's, his eyes burning with a mixture of fear and determination. And in that moment, it was clear that the game was far from over.