Pearl’s smile began to crack.

“Dr. Finch, you’re still such a joker.”

I had to admire her composure. It was almost as impressive as her utter lack of shame.

“Who’s joking?” Finch looked baffled. “Security! Get over here! There’s a delusional woman talking nonsense!”

Before the situation could get any worse, Julian stepped in.

“Dr. Finch, I’m Julian Whitmore. My wife, Stella, has told me so much about you. It’s a pleasure to finally meet.”

At my name, Finch softened. He looked Julian over, then managed a smile.

“Mr. Whitmore. Stella often talked about you, too. Every time she mentioned you, her whole face lit up. She couldn’t hide how happy she was.” He shook his head affectionately. “Such a wonderful girl. How could something so terrible happen to her?”

His eyes grew wet.

Realizing he was losing his composure, he wiped them and tried to comfort Julian instead.

“She has such a kind heart. She’s done so much good. Someone up there must be looking after her. She’ll pull through.”

Someone looking after me?

I looked down at my pale, insubstantial body and gave a bitter smile.

Apparently, I hadn’t earned that much protection.

“Thank you. I hope you’re right.” Julian nodded, then smoothly turned to Pearl. “This is my younger sister. Stella and I have spoiled her, I’m afraid. She’s young and headstrong. Please forgive her if she’s offended you.”

Hearing she was the sister I doted on softened Finch’s expression a little, though he still looked displeased.

“I see. Miss Whitmore.”

Gavin had already cleared the reporters away. Without an audience, Pearl no longer bothered pretending.

She ignored Finch and impatiently fanned her face.

“It’s boiling out here. I’m going inside, Julian.”

“Pearl.” His voice held a warning. “Remember why you’re here.”

“I know.”

She walked into the school without looking back, her heels clicking.

I frowned.

Was there another reason for her visit besides the publicity stunt?

“Has Mr. L arrived?” Julian asked. “Stella specifically asked me to introduce myself and thank him for supporting the Starlight Project all these years.”

I gave a cold little laugh.

Here we go.

Finch had no idea what Julian was planning.

“Oh, yes. He’s always the first to arrive. He’s in my office.”

“Would you mind taking me straight there?”

“Of course. This way.”

Finch led him upstairs without the slightest suspicion. They had just reached the office when a teacher hurried over and asked Finch to deal with something.

“Please, go ahead,” Julian said considerately. “I can introduce myself.”

As soon as Finch left, Julian straightened his jacket and knocked twice.

“Mr. L?”

No answer.

His patience lasted about three seconds. He pushed open the door.

A horribly burned face met him head-on.

Julian flinched so hard he looked as though his heart had stopped.

“You… you’re Mr. L?”

Lucian gave a dry, unreadable laugh. His voice was low and rough.

“Didn’t Stella tell you what I looked like?”

My computer held Mr. L’s background information, but no photograph. Julian had never known he looked so old or so severely scarred.

This was my first time seeing the disguise since discovering the truth.

I moved closer and studied it.

There wasn’t a trace of Lucian beneath that face. Grotesque scars covered most of it and disappeared beneath his collar. He had even changed the color of his eyes.

No wonder he had fooled me for four years.

But facing Julian, the presence beneath the disguise was unmistakable. Lucian’s power pressed against the room, threatening to break through.

Julian seemed smaller beside him.

“Forgive me. That was rude.” He put on his usual gentle smile. “Stella talks about you often, but she never mentioned your appearance or your age. I always imagined a successful businessman of about thirty.”

Already flattering him.

Lucian merely laughed and sat on the sofa.

A Go board stood on the coffee table.

I recognized the arrangement of black and white stones. The last time we met, Mr. L and I had played for four hours without finishing the game.

He had kept it exactly as we left it.

He picked up a black stone but didn’t place it.

His eyes dimmed.

“I thought we’d finish this today.”

I looked at our unfinished game.

We would never find out which of us would win.

“Don’t give up hope,” Julian said quickly. “Stella is in the hospital. The doctors say she could wake up. You’ll finish your game.”

Lucian glanced at him coolly and placed the black stone.

White surrounded it.

But looking closer, I saw that one more move would reverse the trap.

Brilliant.

He had put his own piece inside the enemy’s formation.

Then he looked straight at Julian.

“Mr. Whitmore. What exactly did you come here for?”