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[Some time before, at Dewlight Pavilion]

"Since you've arrived as promised, learned professor... does this mean you're willing to stand with the family in this farce?"

After saying this, Sunday turned to look at the figure behind him.

It was none other than the stern-faced Dr. Ratio!

Seeing this scene.

In the screening room.

The hearts of the company employees sank halfway!

Dr. Ratio had actually met with Sunday privately before the start!

What did this imply?

It was already self-evident!

Indeed!

Dr. Ratio's next question directly revealed the purpose of this private meeting.

He asked, "What makes you think you can win me over?"

"I've heard that your relationship with Mr. Aventurine is not pleasant. I also know that you are a true scholar, pursuing knowledge above all else."

"If you agree to assist the family, I will share with you all our research findings on the Stellaron. You should be well aware that no other faction is willing to share such knowledge except the family."

The Stellaron!

It was actually research on the Stellaron!

The family was willing to pay such a price to make Dr. Ratio betray the company!

Dr. Ratio closed his eyes.

And sighed, "Tell me, what do you need me to do?"

"I need Mr. Aventurine's entire plan."

The employees felt as if they had fallen into an icy abyss!

For a moment, various wails and exclamations filled the screening room—

"Dr. Ratio, you're too cold-hearted!"

"For such a small benefit, you'd betray the company?!"

"At least hesitate a bit! At least decline a bit!"

"That's Director Aventurine, you should ask for more money!"

However.

What was even more despairing was yet to come!

Sunday spoke with a tone of suspicion, "The Cornerstone submitted by Mr. Aventurine—does it truly belong to him?"

"You suspect he would hand over someone else's Cornerstone? You think too highly of the unity of the Ten Stonehearts—that thing is far more important than their lives."

"But you also know he's a reckless gambler. The more flamboyant he is, the more cautious one must be."

Dr. Ratio's gaze darkened, "I never thought anyone would share his line of thinking. Honestly, you should consider seeing a psychiatrist."

As he said this, Dr. Ratio's tone softened.

It didn't sound like a jest, but a genuine suggestion!

"Hand it over. The box containing the Cornerstone is specially made—no one can open it except for high-ranking company officials and relevant personnel. But I happen to be among them."

"Click—"

As the box was opened.

A golden jade was exposed to the air.

"—Unfortunately, you guessed right."

Sunday remarked with a sigh, "Hah, a golden stone. Its luster is identical to the radiance of Qlipoth's holy body."

"That's exactly the excuse he prepared to deceive you. He wouldn't tell you that the Ten Stonehearts must carve their Cornerstones with their own will, making them emit a unique brilliance."

"And this golden stone belongs to Topaz (a member of the Ten Stonehearts), its alias is Topaz—not Aventurine."

"So, shall we confront him?"

Sunday shook his head, "Not yet. Right now, I'm more interested in knowing where his Cornerstone is."

"The safest place, one you'd never expect. Because he never intended to hide it—from the very beginning, that Cornerstone has been in your hands."

Dr. Ratio's gaze shifted to the luggage bag beneath the table.

It was the tribute Aventurine had offered to the family.

Essentially, it was just a collection of worthless jewelry.

Yet, Dr. Ratio pulled out a green Cornerstone from the luggage bag.

"So that's it. This luggage bag… mixing a Cornerstone, more precious than life itself, among a pile of cheap jewelry, disguising it as tribute waiting to be seized—that's indeed in line with Mr. Aventurine's gambler style," Sunday said with a look of realization.

"Then he'd make up some excuse, downplaying the significance, and ask you to return the tribute. It's a gamble, and he's all too familiar with it—betting on your single misstep leading to total defeat."

"Learned professor, thank you for your assistance. The family will surely reward the righteous."

"As for the villain… may he retreat in disgrace."

...

"Oh no! Aventurine got backstabbed by Dr. Ratio!"

"Prisoner Aventurine's been thoroughly studied!"

"So that's where the foreshadowing for Topaz's storyline was…"

"Topaz lent her Cornerstone to Aventurine. What a shame, if it weren't for the professor's betrayal, he might've actually had a chance!"

"This is it, this is the worst loss Prisoner Aventurine has ever suffered!"

"Let's mourn for Aventurine for a second."

...

At The Reverie Hotel.

On the scene.

Sunday smiled lightly.

He turned to look at Aventurine beside him.

"Impressive move, Mr. Aventurine."

"At first, I merely conjectured whether you might use some method to swap the Cornerstone or forge one."

"I didn't expect you to truly be a gambler at heart."

"To the extent of risking two Cornerstones as your bet."

"Unfortunately, your scheme still failed."

Aventurine immediately crossed his arms.

A hint of displeasure flashed in his eyes.

"What should I say now?"

"In the game, I was backstabbed by the professor..."

"In reality, I was backstabbed by Yu Ling!"

"Honestly, it's quite disheartening."

"Before I could even sit at the gaming table, someone had already flipped the stakes... I hope you never have to experience that feeling."

A hint of mockery flashed in Sunday's eyes.

In his view,

Aventurine had already lost everything.

Just like that line from the game—"[As for the wicked... may they retreat in shame.]"

However,

What Sunday didn't know was...

Aventurine was desperately suppressing the upward curve of his lips.

And,

He was doing his best to put on an annoyed expression.

As the mastermind behind it all.

He had naturally discovered the secret of the Cornerstone!

He had anticipated Sunday's anticipation!

The discovery of two Cornerstones... still part of the scheme!

"Thanks to your uniquely insightful friend, I can add a complete failure to your career," said Sunday.

"Ratio, you bastard..."

Dr. Ratio closed his eyes.

A look of defiance appeared on his face.

Watching Dr. Ratio in the plot.

Aventurine outwardly scolded.

But inwardly, he marveled—

Professor Ratio!

You truly are my good brother!

The acting is superb!

If I hadn't seen the shapes of the two Cornerstones, I might have believed it!

"No... it seems the professor was actually telling the truth in the plot."

"However, what he said was on the second layer."

"And the real scheme is on the fourth layer..."

However.

Although the scheme succeeded.

The situation of his character in the plot was still not optimistic.

According to Sunday.

His life now had only seventeen system hours left.

The Holy Baptism of Harmony was equivalent to a poison.

When the time came.

Either merge into the Harmony, becoming a puppet assimilated by the family.

Or endure the wrath of the incarnation of Harmony—the Infinite Warden.

"You shameless hypocrite, you've taken everything from me, and now you want the truth from me? That's unfair. In this money-stinking amusement park of yours, nothing can be done without money."

"This should be your personal act of righteousness, without the family's aid. Your luggage bag is over there, help yourself. I believe you can exchange this bag of lowly jewels for everything. That's what gamblers are best at, isn't it?"

"Go ahead, Mr. Aventurine, you're free. I'll be here waiting for your good news."

The meeting between the company and the family.

Seemingly ended with Aventurine's complete loss.

Players in the live stream couldn't help but express their admiration.

...

"As expected of the family head, such profound cunning!"

"Sunday must be really angry because of his sister's death, so he's indeed not very polite to Aventurine."

"The betrayal of the godfather is too fatal, wuwuwu!"

"This might be Dr. Ratio, willing to give up everything for knowledge..."

"Dr. Ratio: He offered too much."

"Wait! In the trailer, didn't Aventurine transform into a boss form and flip the table in the end? How can he do that in his current state?"

"Could it be... there's still a mastermind?"

"Is there another twist?"