Betrayed and Abandoned

The moment the truth came to light, an endless stillness settled over everything.

The supposed entanglement between humans and ghosts, the schemes within schemes—it had all been a sham.

The Fifth Manager Mission, the largest operation yet, had been designed to kill just one person.

The plan was so meticulous, its logic so airtight, that it seemed impossible to break.

Huangfu Jiajia lifted her pale neck, removed a shell necklace, and placed it on the floor.

White light spread from the corridor, gradually enveloping all five people on the Sixteenth Floor.

They would have plenty of time before the shell vanished.

A few seconds later, the emotion drained from Gu Xingjian's face. His usual composure returned, and he looked at Ji Li.

"So you and Hou never turned on each other over control. You put on quite a show."

Ji Li studied his expression closely, then nodded slowly.

"Manager Hou and I wanted the same thing. There was no struggle for control.

"We had to make it convincing so you'd believe Manager Hou was your enemy. That was the only way you'd take my side."

Gu Xingjian fell into thoughtful silence. After glancing at Hou Guisheng, he said,

"So the plan began there.

"First, you drove Gu Qingyun mad and took from him the authority to release the Sixteenth Floor Ghost, along with control of Su Chenghe.

"Then you hid Xue Tingtao and used him as bait to stage a crisis in which the Sixteenth Floor Ghost threatened eight managers.

"What did that gain you?"

Hou Guisheng smiled faintly. Blood seeped from the corner of his mouth as he answered first.

"First, I needed you to bring the other me from the Thirteenth Floor up to the Sixteenth Floor.

"I'd already lost the ability to do it myself."

What came