The entire garden fell silent.

Victor Hart's eyes never left the young woman clinging to the edge of the swimming pool.

His tailored shoes carried him forward without hurry, yet every step seemed to steal the confidence from the people around him.

"Who pushed her?"

His voice was calm.

Too calm.

No one answered.

Mason forced a laugh.

"Mr. Hart... this is just a misunderstanding. We were joking around."

Victor didn't even acknowledge him.

Instead, he removed his own black suit jacket and handed it to the chauffeur.

"Help the young lady out."

The chauffeur immediately knelt beside the pool.

Elena hesitated.

She had spent her entire life refusing favors from strangers.

But something in Victor's eyes reminded her of the kindness her mother once described.

She accepted the chauffeur's hand.

The scarlet gown clung heavily to her body as she stepped onto the marble deck.

Without saying a word, Victor draped his jacket over her trembling shoulders.

The guests gasped.

Nobody had ever seen Victor Hart offer such tenderness to anyone.

Mason frowned.

"Sir... surely you don't believe her story?"

Victor slowly turned.

"My story?"

Elena whispered.

"I never told anyone a story."

Victor looked at her quietly.

"No."

"You never had the chance."

His words confused everyone.

Including Elena.

He reached inside his pocket and removed an old silver locket.

"I gave this to a woman twenty-five years ago."

Elena's breathing stopped.

Because hanging around her own neck—hidden beneath the soaked red dress—was the exact same locket.

She touched it instinctively.

Victor's voice became barely audible.

"What was your mother's name?"

"...Grace Hart."

The world seemed to freeze.

Victor closed his eyes.

A single breath escaped his lips.

"I've spent twenty-four years searching for both of you."

Mason staggered backward.

"No..."

One of the elderly guests whispered,

"Grace... the waitress who disappeared."

Victor nodded slowly.

"She never disappeared."

"I failed to protect her."

For the first time in decades, the billionaire everyone feared looked like nothing more than a father who had arrived far too late.