Isabella's wailing pierced my eardrums like needles.

She clung to Vincent's icy hand, her voice trembling. "Grandfather, wake up! Please wake up!"

I watched the farce unfold with cold detachment.

Kyle's sharp voice cut through the air. "Take your theatrics elsewhere!"

The menace in his gaze silenced her instantly.

Her hands fluttered to her pockets before she suddenly remembered something. She turned and bolted toward the main house.

When the pink figure disappeared, Kyle nudged the man on the ground. "Enough with the act."

Vincent's eyes fluttered open, a flicker of surprise in their cloudy depths.

"A man who swam the Yangtze in his youth wouldn't drown so unconvincingly." Kyle wrung water from his sleeve, his tone certain.

Vincent burst into laughter and pushed himself upright.

"That girl's been spoiled rotten." He wiped water from his face. "If I don't teach her a lesson, she'll keep causing trouble."

Kyle arched an eyebrow. "You saw through it?"

"Sophia's careful—she wouldn't just slip and fall." Vincent spoke slowly. "Isabella can swim, yet she screamed for help. Clearly staging a performance."

He sighed. "Saving both was the fairest solution. Women never forget grudges."

Kyle helped him up. "You're quite the expert."

"My two daughters fought like cats and dogs their whole lives." Vincent's smile dimmed. "Evelyn was like Sophia, Victoria like Isabella..."

His words trailed off.

I knew he was thinking of his eldest daughter in the psychiatric hospital.

Kyle remained silent, guiding him toward the guesthouse.

"Call Isabella." Vincent pointed to the landline. "Before she actually summons an ambulance."

After the bathroom door closed, Kyle dialed. "Cancel the 120."

Isabella's panicked voice crackled through the receiver. "Why?"

"Unnecessary." He ended the call abruptly.

Meanwhile, in the main house...

Isabella clutched at Victoria, her face ashen. "Mom! Grandfather—"

"Why are you crying on his birthday?" Victoria frowned.

"He drowned saving me and Sophia!" Isabella trembled violently. "Kyle said not to call an ambulance..."

Victoria seized her shoulders. "What did you say?"

"It's Sophia's fault!" Isabella shrieked hysterically. "If she hadn't—"

"Quiet!" Victoria dragged her outside. "Where is he?"

Only a damp patch remained by the pond.

They scurried through the courtyard like headless chickens.

In the guesthouse...

Wrapped in a towel, I accepted the ginger tea Ethan offered.

"Is Master Vincent alright?"

"Kyle says he was acting." Ethan took the empty cup. "Just teaching Isabella a lesson."

I didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

The old man chose his birthday for this charade?

As the hairdryer hummed, Jack brought fresh clothes.

Ethan selected a set for Jack to deliver to Kyle.

Five minutes later...

Jack found the smoking man outside another guestroom.

The orange glow illuminated his sharp profile.

"Mr. Grant, this is from Mr. Sullivan."

Kyle stubbed out his cigarette. "Thanks."

He changed into the tailored suit and typed a message to Ethan.

The phone screen brightened, then darkened.

The unsent message vanished beneath his thumb.