The door was remotely opened by the armed police.
Outside was another empty cavern.
The cavern was built from stone blocks into a round-arched dome, clean and tidy inside.
There was an exit at the other end, but it was blocked by rubble.
Sandy scanned the cavern, but didn't find a single fingerprint or footprint.
Everything had been scrubbed spotless.
"There's such a big cavern down here!" Nathan exclaimed. "Who dug this place out?"
Lily looked at him; his expression seemed genuinely surprised.
If he wasn't acting, then he really didn't know.
She looked at Princess Consort Emma next.
She was also surprised.
She seemed deep in thought.
"Nathan, even you two didn't know about this cavern?" Xavier Xiao asked.
"No!" they both said. "What's going on? Is there something wrong with this cavern? Why all the fuss?"
The President didn't say much, just led everyone back.
Lily sank into a funk.
Lily fell into a gloomy mood.
She'd finally found a clue, only for it to disappear again.
Back when she first noticed something wrong at the museum, if she'd told the President, maybe things would have turned out differently.
But at the time, she even suspected the President might be behind it all—how could she possibly go to him?
***
The next day, Colin Grant visited again.
He brought an invitation for Lily.
On the front were the words: All-Trades Expo – Film & Television.
"All-Trades Expo?" Lily looked at him, puzzled.
"Don't sweat it. You guys are the breakout stars now."
"But our White Entertainment... our qualifications are still pretty shallow!" Lily said. "If we participate, will it..."
The All-Trades Expo is the highest-level conference for industry development planning in Huaxia.
It's a political conference.
Everyone who attends is an elite in their field.
***
Lily accepted the invitation. "Well... thank you!"
"Honestly, it's also good for me," Colin laughed. "If there are proposals that benefit the industry, it's nice to have another supporter."
Lily smiled and nodded. "Of course."
"I heard you made a five-billion wager with Shaun Fane?" Colin asked.
"Uh-huh."
"Were you drunk at the time?"
"No way! I was totally clearheaded!"
"Why make such a huge bet with him? If you lose, the whole Bai Corporation will go under."
"Because I won't lose!" Lily said with a smile.
"Even if you have an amazing script and they're both super talented, there are still so many unknowns!" Colin said. "Shaun Fane will definitely try to mess things up!"
"Thanks for worrying about me, Colin." Lily said. "The bet's already set, so there's no way to back out now."
"Seriously... with something this big, isn't Evan Lan going to stop you? What's up with him lately? Why hasn't he shown up?" Colin asked.
Lily said, "He's abroad, handling some things."
Colin frowned. "Lily, if you run into any trouble, you have to tell me, okay?"
"Okay."
"Do you remember what I told you before...?"
"What are you referring to, Colin?"
"I mean... I like you." Colin's eyes were intense.
Lily paused for a moment, then said, "I'm a married woman. Isn't it kind of inappropriate for you to say that to me?"