Chapter 248: Revealing the Truth!
Confrontation at Dinner
This conversation was destined to end badly.
Luke's words filled Kate with worry, but even more so with anger and confusion. How dared he speak like that to her, the First Lady—arguably the most powerful woman in the world? Was he not afraid of retribution from the President?
Or did he have some other backing?
Unable to figure it out, Kate could only leave, hoping her husband would return quickly to deal with the situation.
Perhaps because the election was drawing near, Blair House was very busy, with frequent outside visitors. Luke ignored them, heading directly to the second floor, where he found Vanessa's bedroom. The two engaged in little games only young lovers play.
Kate had no choice but to post guards outside the door, ready to intervene at any unusual sound.
Time passed quietly, and before anyone knew it, night had fallen.
The President, Joel Nash, returned home after a busy day. When he saw Luke by the dining table, a hidden murderous intent flashed in his eyes, quickly replaced by a smile.
"Vanessa, why don't you introduce the young man next to you?"
The girl stood up, her face slightly flushed, and said,
"He's Luke Shaw, my friend."
Luke actively extended his right hand, a faint green flame flickering in his palm.
"Hello, Mr. President. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Joel Nash's expression didn't change, seemingly unaware of the flame. He extended his right hand in return. The two hands clasped, and the next second, for no apparent reason, the lightbulb above them shattered.
Kate quickly called the butler to fix it.
Luke and Joel Nash released their hands and sat down. The former was all smiles, while the latter's face was taut. Sensing the tense atmosphere, Vanessa quickly set the food on the table.
"Father, this is your favorite roasted ribeye."
Joel Nash acknowledged her with a sound and asked casually, "What should I call this young man?"
"At home, people call me Young Master Shaw. Here? You can just call me Luke."
"Young Master Shaw!"
Joel Nash scoffed. Since his visitor was clearly hostile, there was no need for false pretense. "I heard the crime boss of Coast City goes by that same name."
"Is that so?"
Luke said casually, "It seems we share a name."
The hostility in their words was palpable, not only to Kate but even to the less experienced Vanessa. As a daughter, what she least wanted was her father and boyfriend clashing. To keep the atmosphere from becoming too suffocating, she constantly tried to signal Luke to watch his language and not be so aggressive.
Joel Nash forked a piece of steak and, chewing, asked,
"I can see Vanessa likes you very much. What about you? Do you like her?"
"Of course!"
Luke nodded without hesitation. "Vanessa is a pure and kind child. Her life should be full of sunshine, with no shadow of darkness. If there is, I will burn that darkness to dust."
Hearing this, the girl was overjoyed, her eyes full of tenderness.
Joel Nash put down his knife and fork, glancing at Luke expressionlessly. He wasn't foolish; he knew exactly what that statement meant. This guy had likely discovered his identity. Murderous intent welled up within him, but he forced himself to endure it. After the election, everyone who had crossed him would die.
Especially this human in front of him. He absolutely could not be spared.
Kate interjected,
"Shaw... Luke, who is in your family? Are you still in school?"
Luke shook his head. "I dropped out of school starting from kindergarten."
Kate was astonished. "You never went to school!"
Luke took a sip of juice and said calmly,
"For someone proficient in quantum physics, advanced mathematics, spatial string theory, electrical engineering, nuclear energy construction, and dozens of other higher disciplines, with an IQ exceeding 180, school is pointless!" He then shifted his focus, staring directly at Joel Nash.
"Mr. President, do you think someone like me needs to go to school?"
Joel Nash sneered. "Of course it's necessary. The purpose of school isn't just knowledge; it's manners. Someone who has never been to school wouldn't know what manners are."
Luke spread his hands.
"It seems the President dislikes the way I talk. In that case, I suppose I should just keep my mouth shut."
The dinner ended in an exceptionally awkward atmosphere.
Aside from Vanessa, everyone felt the malice radiating from Luke. He was clearly here for a purpose, very likely related to the President. Kate asked her husband about the animosity between them, but he simply waved her out of the study.
The Unmasking of Ghast
After watching the furious First Lady leave, Luke appeared, looked Joel Nash up and down, and said with a sinister smile,
"It seems Mr. Demon doesn't know how to manage a marriage. That's not good. Women need appeasement, or you might find yourself with green flames on your head."
Joel Nash pointed a finger at the door.
"Get out. You are not welcome here."
Luke walked into the study, sat down in a chair right in front of him, and crossed his legs. "Actually, I admire you very much. An ancient entity of your caliber, willing to play the puppet, enduring four years without exposing yourself. Your existence upends my understanding of demons."
"Your Excellency Ghast, you truly are exceptional."
Joel Nash said coldly, "I don't know what you're talking about. If you don't leave now, I'll call the guards."
Luke smiled and shook his head.
"Why bother, Your Excellency Ghast? At this point, is there any need to keep hiding? If I launch an attack here, you will naturally reveal yourself. Unless you choose not to fight back and let me burn you to ashes. Of course..." He paused, then continued,
"You can do that, since you have two lives, after all!"
"The Dawn of Calamity, Fate's Dual Birth; Two souls in one body, Without beginning or end."
The low chant echoed in the room. Luke stretched his mouth into a grin, green flames burning in his eyes, like a true demon.
"You've heard that, haven't you?"
Joel Nash's face completely changed. This was his biggest secret, and it had been discovered.
Luke shrugged. "I see you're surprised. There's no need, really. While the divine runes on the stone jar are mysterious, finding someone who can understand them isn't hard. You didn't actually think the FBI were all incompetent, did you?"
"The stone jar recorded quite a bit of information about you. For instance, you were defeated and sealed by the Timeless. For instance, you have two companion demons: the demon Abnegazar and the demon Rath. By the way, have they broken the seal yet?"
Joel Nash narrowed his eyes, the murderous intent in his gaze almost solidifying.
Luke continued, "It wouldn't be difficult to kill you. The problem is your ability: Mask of Fate. You have one body but two souls. As long as both souls don't perish simultaneously, you can resurrect using the power of the other soul."
"I must say, that ability is truly tricky. So, may I take the liberty of asking: Where is your other soul? Could you tell me? Otherwise, we really can't find a way to kill you."
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