Rex stared at a crack in the ceiling, his face turning pale. Concrete dust was constantly falling from the fissure.

"T…This doesn't look right. Mr. Williams, the beam looks like it's about to come down. We can't fit the window frame in."

Tom was holding his phone, filming a video for social media.

When he heard that, he looked up impatiently. "What are you scared of? It's just a little crack! Patch it up with some filler! Hurry up and install it! I want to capture the panoramic view before sunset!"

Barbara had changed into a bright red dress. She stood at the edge of that unprotected drop, posing in various dramatic positions.

"Tom, take a picture of me! Let those broke neighbors see what class looks like! This is what you call luxury living!"

She posted a nine-photo collage on social media with a caption.

[A 270-degree unbeatable river view. Some people can only dream of it!]

One of her friends, who understood construction, left a warning in the comments.

[Barbara, that looks like part of the building's structural support. It's extremely dangerous. You should leave right away!]

Tom saw the comment and grabbed her phone to reply to that comment.

[Get lost! Mind your own damn business. Keep talking nonsense, and I'll block you! A bunch of broke idiots who can't stand seeing our family doing well!]

In the surveillance footage, I watched Rex start packing up his tools. He was a veteran who could sense danger.

"Mr. Williams, I'm done with this job. You can keep the money. This building is about to collapse!"

He threw down the jackhammer and called to his workers to leave.

Tom blocked his path and grabbed him by the collar. "Where do you think you're going? Trying to skip out on the job? Nobody leaves until the work is done, or I'm going to make sure you pay for it badly!"

The two men started shoving each other. Just then, a crisp cracking sound came through the surveillance feed. It was not loud, but it cut through the chaotic argument with piercing clarity.

Everyone froze in place.

The tiles in the corner suddenly shattered, and a large chunk of concrete crashed down next to Tom's feet. Next, the floor started tilting.

A glass sitting on the table slid off and shattered with a loud crash.

The residents downstairs seemed to have noticed something was wrong, too. Soon, a crowd of people ran up and pounded frantically on the door.

Someone roared, "Open up! What's happening in there?"

"My floor is cracking! I can't even open my door anymore!"

Another yelled, "Stop what you're doing! It's going to collapse!"

Barbara shouted back through the door. "Are you insane? If your floor is cracked, that's because the material is cheap! How's that our fault? Are you trying to scam us? Keep it up, and I'll sue you for everything you've got!"

She pressed her body firmly against the door, refusing to let anyone in.

I watched the surveillance feed, my fingers lightly tapping the table. Then, I picked up my phone and made one last call to Tom.

This was a final test and also to create the perfect evidence.

The phone rang for a long time before he answered. "What do you want? Can't you tell I'm busy?"

He sounded furious and unhinged.

I said, "Honey, my right eyelid keeps twitching, and I feel really anxious. Maybe you should stop for now and get someone to reinforce it? Safety first, right?"

Loud background noise came through the phone, along with the screeching sound of twisting metal.

"Shut your damn mouth! You're nothing but bad luck. Always cursing me!"

Then, he immediately hung up.

I put down my phone and pressed the save button on the recording.

In the surveillance footage, the ceiling crack suddenly widened. Several pieces of rebar could not withstand the enormous pressure and snapped.

The video feed shook violently, and the signal cut out instantly.

Nonetheless, I did not need the surveillance anymore because it was happening right across from me.

On the 28th floor of the building opposite, a massive cloud of dust suddenly erupted. Countless pieces of rubble and furniture rained down like hail.