Lily Bai was silent for a long time before saying, "Your friend—that was the First Prince, wasn't it?"
Master Nebula looked at her in surprise. "How did you know?"
"Anyone who could warn you to run before the President lost his temper must have known the inside story. And then died in a car accident—who else could it be?"
Nebula thought about it and nodded. "That's right!"
"And? The most important thing, you still haven't said." Lily pressed on. "Who was the person who met your master?"
He clenched his fists, looking nervous, but still said nothing.
"I know what you're worried about." Uncle Ernie Lou, ever the seasoned veteran, saw right through him. "You're afraid that if you talk, and we lose to that person, you'll go down with us!
But you need to understand, we're your only shot at redemption. If we find the real culprit, maybe out of respect for your old friendship with Sanfeng, we can give you your freedom back.
Otherwise, you'll spend the rest of your life living like a rat, just like now."
Mr. Howard took a deep breath and finally said, "It was the Third Princess Consort's brother, Andrew Ames. I told the First Prince about him, and the First Prince said he'd ask the Third Prince. After that, I kept hiding and waiting for news... and then I got word about the First Prince's car accident."
Lily Bai's fist tightened.
The Third Princess Consort, Mabel An's brother—that's Angel's father...
Could it really be them?
Were they the ones who stole the Legacy Stone?
But they're just ordinary people—how could they have pulled it off?
And how did they even know about the Holy Spirit?
Was all of this foreseen by the Prophet?
Who is the Prophet, really?
Is it the Third Prince or the Princess Consort?
...
Whoever it is, Lily Bai felt she was one step closer to the Legacy Stone.
"Lisa, you go ahead and escort Mr. Howard down the mountain. Make sure to 'take good care' of them."
Sandy nodded and led Master Nebula down the mountain.
Lily Bai asked Max Mo and Uncle Ernie, "Do you guys think he's telling the truth?"
Max said, "I don't think he's lying."
"Why do you think so?"
"Just a feeling."
"What about you, Uncle Ernie? Do you think he's innocent too?"
"I think he's telling the truth, too. At least so far, I haven't found anything that doesn't add up."
Lily Bai said, "Alright then. Max, you need to fly overseas right away and go meet Mr. Andrew Ames!"
Max nodded.
Lily instructed, "He's critical—he's our key to finding the Legacy Stone. You have to be extra careful."
Max nodded. "Don't worry."
So Max left for Italy that very day.
Lily Bai was also thinking she needed an excuse to visit the Third Prince's home.
Maybe she'd find the Legacy Stone there?
As luck would have it, just as she was thinking that, the opportunity arrived.
That day, while Lily Bai was eating, she got a call from Jenny Shaw, inviting her to Xena Xiao's engagement ceremony.
Lily Bai: "She's getting engaged? To who?"
Jenny said, "Shaun Fane."
Lily Bai nearly spat out her food. "Who?"
"Shaun Fane! They've been together for years now."
Lily Bai: "...Are they inviting me, or are you inviting me?"
"Third Uncle and Aunt asked me to invite you," Jenny said. "Sis, you have to come!"
Lily Bai said, "Alright, I'll go."
...
The Third Prince's house was in the best villa district in Dragon City.