I stared at him in disbelief.

"Three years ago, he saw us in the mall where he worked as a janitor," Uncle Donald said casually.

He seemed amused, as if recalling something entertaining.

"He looked completely unhinged. He kept shouting that he was going to find your mother and demand an explanation."

I balled my hands into tight fists.

"It took me years to get rid of him. I wasn't about to let him appear in front of your mother again, so I pushed him into the river."

My heart skipped a beat.

"He tried to swim back up several times, but I smashed him down with rocks every single time, until his skull cracked open and the water turned red. He went still within moments."

"Speaking of which, Ferguson Group is putting on a fireworks show tonight over that river to celebrate all the students passing their exams and a bright future ahead."

"Those are all underwater fireworks, following my suggestion. For the sake of ultimate brilliance, the explosive force is strong enough to kill every living creature in the river."

What came out of his mouth next was cheerful and monstrous all at once.

"If your father's body is really down there, it should be blown to pieces."

"You monster!"

Everything around me turned red. I seized his throat with trembling fingers.

"You took Dad from me. Give him back!" I shouted.

"How dare you!"

A vicious slap landed on my face, throwing me to the ground.

"Just because I said I won't divorce your father, you think you can use your status to hurt Donald? I've spoiled you far too much."

Mom pulled Uncle Donald into her arms protectively and clenched her teeth.

"I've run out of patience. Take me to your father immediately."

"If you keep pushing me, I won't hesitate to disown you."

Uncle Donald raised his brows slightly, barely hiding his satisfaction.

He had provoked me on purpose, knowing exactly how Mom would react.

I bit down hard on the inside of my cheek until blood filled my mouth.

"Fine. I'll take you to him."

On the rooftop of the high-rise across the river, Mom looked around. Her expression grew darker by the second.

"Where is your father?"

"What game are you two playing? I swear, if you keep this up, I'll divorce him for real. You'll both lose everything."

I stayed silent, staring down at the river far below.

Over the years, I had searched alone with no results. No matter how hard I tried, I could not find him.

"El! Help me!"

Mom turned around.

I already had Uncle Donald locked in a chokehold at the edge of the rooftop.

He was trembling uncontrollably.

So, he was afraid of death too. Then what about Dad?

When Dad was pushed under, again and again, did he feel more despair, more fear than what I'm seeing now?

All the cameras that had been poised to film the celebratory fireworks immediately focused on us.

Mom's face twisted with rage. "Mike, let go of your uncle! Is this how your father raised you? Bring him out here. I want to give him a proper lesson."

"I'm going to see Dad now. Mom, are you brave enough to come with me?"

A hollow, desperate laugh escaped me as I dragged Uncle Donald backward.

The reporters around us cried out in shock.

Suddenly, a fruit knife was thrust straight through my hand.

Mom pulled it free and yanked Uncle Donald back from the rooftop's edge.

My body tipped over the edge, and I fell straight backward.

"Mike!"

Mom's voice tore through the air above me.

Just then, the underwater fireworks erupted on schedule.

The moment I hit the water, the blast shook the riverbed, and a skeleton rose up from the depths.

Around its neck was Dad's pendant—the one he never once took off.