...was to come and get a clear answer from Adam..."
Adam and the others entered the dining room on the second floor; the dishes were indeed very abundant. Several guests were already at the dining table, seemingly also invited. As everyone took their seats, a heavy slamming and locking sound suddenly echoed from downstairs. There were no windows in the room, only the candles on the dining table cast a faint glow. Everyone immediately turned their gaze to William Powell.
"Don't be nervous..." William Powell was utterly nonchalant, saying, "This is merely to prevent you from leaving this mansion during such an interesting game... The man who brought you here by speedboat has locked the only exit from this mansion with a special lock. He will take the boat and only return to this island a week from now."
Adam and Lillian stared intently at William Powell. "What are your intentions? Why are you holding us captive?"
"None... Please don't misunderstand. This game requires you to stake your lives... I have reason to believe that the true killer of Christina Moran is among you, and that is why I must do this. Now, everyone, please eat."
On the table were pasta, mushroom soup, roasted chicken, and several bottles of expensive foreign wine in the center.
"You say there's a killer among us? What's your basis?"
The woman with unusual eye color demanded.
Doing this was really not difficult.
"What... what are your conditions for my mother and uncle to be released from prison?"
Noah knew there was no reason for these two to grant him favor without expecting anything in return.
"Clever!" Allison, seeing the conversation opened, immediately got straight to the point: "Our condition is simple: you marry Lillian. Once you and she are formally engaged, we will arrange for your mother and uncle's release!"
Noah, at first, could barely believe his ears. What was this? In this day and age, such a transaction?
"Don't misunderstand," Lincoln added, "Lillian is unaware of our actions. She's a talented woman, and her qualities absolutely match yours. Marrying her to regain your mother's freedom isn't a bad deal, is it?"
Noah pondered for a moment, then said, "I'll consider it."
Three days later, after much internal struggle, he agreed to their terms.
He decided to view it as atonement.
The story of the second book in this series, Disguise, began shortly after this. And the third book, Possession, opened with the release of Carla Foster, by which time Noah and Lillian were already engaged.
Lillian was somewhat uneasy about Noah's intentions, so Allison constantly supervised him, also to prevent him from backing out. Noah also saw Adam. But at that time, Lillian was immersed in her ideal life and paid no attention. However, deep down, as an observer, she was dissatisfied with this "magic," and this melancholy and worry began to plague her with nightmares. Many times she awoke from terrifying dreams where Noah said he would break up with her. Each time, James Foster was there to comfort her. Lillian deeply loved her brother; for her, both her brother and Noah were the most important people in her life.
The number of deceased continued to rise until one day, Adam came to find Noah.
That day, she happened to be eating at Noah's house. After entering and seeing Lillian, Adam seemed to hesitate, saying, "Lillian, I have some private matters to discuss with Noah. Could you..."
"Alright, I'll go inside and watch TV." After she left, Adam lowered his voice and said to Noah, "Noah, there's something I might need your help with. Don't tell Lillian... Today, the person we identified as the killer was shot. After emergency treatment, he barely escaped death... Before he was shot, he left me a code... After deciphering that code, I suspect the killer might be... James Foster!"
At the time, Lillian, out of concern, leaned by the door and overheard their conversation. She found it incredible. She believed her brother had no reason to kill anyone! Then, Adam told Noah to impersonate the dying man to draw James Foster out. If Noah believed James Foster was innocent, he should do this.