After reading the original novel at Matilda's place, Li Wei finally found a suspect.
The actor playing Oute!
Li Wei had been unable to identify a suspect because Mobius had offended plenty of people, and many disliked him. Yet from the actors' perspective, no one seemed likely to steal his role.
But after reading the original novel, he saw things differently.
Oute and Noan were originally the same person, but the old troupe leader had split them into two roles for separate actors, changing the central plot in the process. According to Matilda, she disliked the script too, but since they hadn't used her novel's title, she hadn't wanted to interfere further.
And so Li Wei had to seek out someone else for more information.
"...What does everyone in the troupe think of this script?"
Qiong, who was rehearsing with the troupe, looked somewhat surprised by Li Wei's question.
"Does that have anything to do with the attack on Mr. Mobius?"
"It might, or it might not. In any case, could you tell me? What do you think of the script, for example? Did you know it was adapted from The Mask?"
"...I didn't know at first, but I found out later. How should I put this... I've read The Mask too, and it feels very different from Moonflower..."
Qiong sighed.
"Actually, I've been wanting to apologize to Miss Matilda. I had no idea when the troupe leader went to see her. If I'd known, I would never have let her face him alone. She's really not good at dealing with people..."
"Doesn't she have an agent or anything?"
Li Wei agreed. With Matilda's temperament, if she negotiated a publishing deal, she would probably accept whatever the publisher said. Wouldn't they devour her, bones and all?
"Miss Matilda's father owns