第148章 "Silent Signal"

Chapter 148: The Web of Conspiracy

程星's eyes widened as the engineer's phone rang, interrupting the tense atmosphere. The engineer's gaze flickered towards the phone, his expression unyielding. The ringing persisted, growing more insistent, until the engineer finally picked up.

"Hello?" he growled, his voice gruff.

程星 took advantage of the brief respite to collect his thoughts. He knew the engineer was on the verge of unleashing his wrath, and he needed to tread carefully.

"Who is it?" the engineer demanded, his voice rising.

程星 watched as the engineer's eyes narrowed, his grip on the phone tightening. "What do you know?" the engineer spat, his tone venomous.

程星's heart raced as the engineer's words hung in the air, heavy with menace. He knew the engineer was talking about the conspiracy, but he wasn't sure who was on the other end of the line.

"Leave it alone, Ren," a voice chimed in, smooth as silk.

程星's eyes locked onto the engineer's, his mind racing with possibilities. Who was this person, and what did they want?

"Don't try to cover it up, Xu," the engineer retorted, his voice dripping with hostility. "We both know what's at stake."

程星's eyes darted back and forth between the engineer and Xu, his mind reeling with the implications. What did Xu know? And what did he want?

The engineer's phone went silent, the only sound the heavy breathing on the other end. The engineer slammed the phone down, his eyes blazing with fury.

"You're a part of this, too, aren't you, 程星?" he spat, his voice a low, menacing growl.

程星 swallowed hard, his heart pounding in his chest. He knew he had to think fast, before the engineer lost his temper completely.

"I-I'm just a researcher," he stammered, trying to sound innocent.

The engineer's laughter was cold, calculating. "Don't lie to me, 程星. I know what you're looking for. And I'll stop at nothing to find it."

程星's eyes met the engineer's, a sense of unease settling in the pit of his stomach. He knew he was in grave danger, and he had to get out of there – fast.

But as he turned to leave, he heard the engineer's parting shot, his voice dripping with malice.

"You'll never find it, 程星. Because it's already been taken."

As the engineer's words echoed through his mind, 程星 knew he was in for the fight of his life. And he was anything but ready.