第63章 第63章

**The 63rd Chapter: The Web of Deceit**

Lemuel's eyes never left Nova's as he spoke, his voice low and even, but laced with a hint of venom. "You're right, Nova. I am a liar. I am a manipulator. And I am a traitor. But I'm not the only one."

Nova's face twisted in a snarl, her hands clenched into fists. "What are you talking about, Lemuel? You're just trying to justify your own betrayal!"

Lemuel chuckled, a cold, mirthless sound. "I'm just telling the truth, Nova. You see, I have a... let's call it a 'friend' who's been working behind the scenes to bring about your downfall. Someone who's been feeding me information, helping me manipulate you into making the choices I needed you to make."

Nova's eyes narrowed, her gaze piercing. "Who is it, Lemuel? Tell me!"

Lemuel's smile grew wider, his eyes glinting with malice. "Ah, but that would spoil all the fun, wouldn't it? You'll just have to wait and see. But trust me, Nova, you won't be happy when you find out."

The air was thick with tension as Nova's face turned white with rage. She took a step forward, her hand reaching for Lemuel's throat. "You're dead, Lemuel. You're dead the moment I find out who's behind this."

Lemuel laughed again, the sound sending a shiver down Nova's spine. "Oh, I'm shaking in my boots, Nova. But I think you'll find that the person behind this is someone you least expect. Someone who's been hiding in plain sight all along."

Nova's eyes snapped towards the direction of the comms center, where Kael was standing, a look of innocence on his face. But Nova's gaze lingered on him for only a moment before moving back to Lemuel.

"You're lying, Lemuel," she spat. "You're just trying to distract me."

Lemuel's smile faltered for a moment, before he regained his composure. "Maybe. But maybe not. And maybe, just maybe, the truth is more complicated than you think, Nova. Maybe the person behind this isn't who you think it is at all."

The tension in the room was palpable, as Nova's eyes locked onto Lemuel's, her mind racing with possibilities. And then, without warning, the comms system beeped, signaling an incoming transmission. Kael's eyes flickered towards the screen, before he turned back to Nova, his expression unreadable.

"Nova, it's Mac," he said, his voice low and serious. "He needs to speak with you. Now."

Nova's eyes snapped towards Kael, her heart racing with anticipation. And then, without another word, she turned and strode towards the comms center, Lemuel's words echoing in her mind: "The truth is more complicated than you think, Nova. Maybe the person behind this isn't who you think it is at all."

As she disappeared into the comms center, Lemuel's smile grew wider, his eyes glinting with triumph. And Kael's face... Kael's face was a mask of innocence, but his eyes betrayed a hint of something else. Something that sent a shiver down Nova's spine.