It's Your Turn To Cry and Beg, Dear Uncle
Chapter 20: Bloody Banquet (2)

Chapter 20: Bloody Banquet (2)

"KYRA!!"

James’ terrified scream echoed through the private room just as Kyra’s body tipped over the balcony railing. His vision blurred with panic, and his body moved instinctively before his mind could fully grasp the situation. He bolted toward the balcony, extending his hand over the railing, but it was too late.

His outstretched hand caught nothing but air before a deafening splash erupted below. A fine spray of water dampened his skin, but what happened next left him rooted to the spot.

The lake beneath him was soon dyed in crimson, the ripples spreading like blossoming lotus petals. The vivid, haunting scene struck James to his core, rendering him completely paralyzed.

Inside the room, the sudden scream had startled everyone. Some nearly spilled the content of their bowl out of shock. Creighton was about to voice his irritation, but before he could speak, James had rushed past them like a streak of lightning.

Then came the splash, followed by a series of horrified screams from outside. Jane’s maternal instincts took over instantly. She slammed her bowl onto the table and ran toward the balcony.

Her eyes darted frantically over the scene, but there was no sign of Kyra. Her pupils dilated, and a cold wave of dread gripped her as her heart leaped into her throat.

"K-Kyra? Where is Kyra?" she stammered, her voice trembling with fear. "Where is my baby?"

Reaching the railing, Jane leaned forward. But James, who was shaken back to his senses by the commotion, quickly moved to block her view. He completely shielded his grandmother from the terrible sight below. Afterwards, he pulled her away from the railings.

The rest of the people inside also went forward but James hollered, "Don’t come here!"

Although they did stop, they were still able to see the scene of the balcony from the opened door. Lila was on the ground shaking, her face pale and her eyes were wet with tears. James was holding onto his grandma with one hand blocking her view.

However, Creighton could still detect the trepidation in his eyes. Then, his sharp gaze scanned the scene to find that Kyra was nowhere in sight. Before he could ask, someone downstairs was already shouting the answer to his question.

"Quick! Someone has fallen from the second floor!!"

Cressida covered her mouth in shock while Vincent stared in disbelief.

In that instance, Creighton’s old body swayed and hit the edge of the table. He held on with all the strength he had left. Gone was his usual sternness, his intimidating posture crumbled to dust. There was only a badly shaken old man.

"What..." He could barely breathe as he shot at his son and daughter-in-law, "What are you doing just standing there?!"

His eyes reddened as his trembling finger pointed to the door, screaming. "Hurry! Go down and help your niece!"

Both Cressida and Vincent immediately exited the private room and went downstairs to check. Meanwhile, Jane, whose suspicion had also been confirmed, broke down in tears. If it weren’t for James, the old lady would have long fallen to the ground.

She struggled to break free from James’ grip, shouting Kyra’s name like a mad woman, but he held her tightly. His own condition was no better. Tears streaked his cheeks, and his legs were beginning to give way.

A myriad of questions drown his mind, his thinking muddled and the scene of Kyra lying in the lake growing increasingly clear. Panic clawed at him, but he fought to stay composed for his grandmother’s sake.

He couldn’t let her witness the nightmare unfolding below. It would completely destroy the old lady.

"It’s okay, Grandma. She’ll be okay. The distance between the second and the first floor isn’t big," James held her as he continuously comforted her, "It’s okay. Don’t worry."

Unbeknownst to himself, he was also trying to comfort himself. There was no way—no way he could lose her like this. She had been in his arms just two hours ago, sitting beside him only moments before. This had to be a cruel joke. She was fine, everything was okay.

But the more he reassured himself and his grandmother, the more the image of the crimson lake haunted him, relentless and vivid. The sight of her drowning in the lake replayed over and over until he could no longer resist.

In the end, his hold loosened and Jane broke free. She quickly turned around and looked down before James could stop it.

The scene downstairs was chaotic, with a crowd gathered around the lake. Cressida and Vincent had just arrived, and fear gripped them immediately. Suddenly, Cressida felt her legs give out, her entire body going numb as her eyes fixed on her niece, who was being gently pulled from the water.

Her long ebony hair hung limp above the lake, its tips dripping with crimson droplets. Her lips were ashen, her eyes closed, and her body lay lifeless in the arms of a stranger.

Abrasions of varying severity covered her skin, but the most striking injury was the gaping wound on her forehead. The torn flesh revealed a deep split, blood seeping steadily from it.

The lake wasn’t deep but was strewn with hidden pebbles, while the decorative stones lining its edges made the area even more dangerous. To ensure guest safety, the owner had even placed warning signs around the lake to prevent anyone from getting too close.

"Move!" The security guards pushed through the crowd, clearing a path for two colleagues carrying Kyra. One of them carefully supported her head to keep it steady.

"Someone calls an ambulance, now!"

"I-I’ll do it!" The receptionist, pale and visibly shaken, quickly pulled herself together and made the call.

"In the meantime, is there a place where we can lay her down?"

The manager immediately prepared to lead the guards to an empty room when Vincent stepped forward. He had broke out of his daze when Kyra was carried back into the restaurant.

"She’s my niece. I’ll take her directly to the hospital," Vincent said, his voice laced with nervous urgency. He extended his arms to take Kyra, but the guard stopped him.

"I’m sorry, Sir, but we can’t allow that. We don’t know the extent of her injuries. From the wound on her forehead, it’s clear she may have hit her head hard. Moving her without paramedics could be dangerous."

Hence, Vincent could only follow them to the employees’ break room where they lay Kyra’s body on the couch. At the same time, the manager brought the first aid kit and they began treating her. The most important thing was to stop the bleeding on her head.

From the balcony, Jane had witnessed everything. She saw her granddaughter being pulled from the water, unconscious and deathly pale. If not for the resilience she had built during the tumultuous political battles during her husband’s era, the sight alone might have caused her to faint. Yet, the ache in her heart was undeniable.

Creighton approached his wife, wrapping her trembling body in his arms with a touch that was both tender and unyielding, as if holding her together by sheer will. "It’s alright, Love," he murmured, his calm voice masked the brewing storm within him.

His hand stroked her white hair ever so gently, a stark contrast to the darkness clouding his eyes and the gloomy aura surrounding him. Without looking, he gestured for James to check on Kyra.

James nodded but paused before heading to the door. His gaze shifted to Lila who was still sobbing in the same spot. However, instead of sympathy, his expression twisted deviously. As he lowered himself to her level, a quiet yet dangerous whisper left his lips.

"Heed my words, Lila. Try to run and I’ll hunt you down myself," he hissed, his breath cold against her ear. "Don’t you ever think for a second that you can hide from me. I will find you even if I have to chase you to the end of the world. I’ll drag you back, piece by piece if I have to. And by then, you can imagine the punishment awaiting you."

His lips curled into a cruel smirk. "I’ll make you beg for death instead."

Lila’s sobs hitched, her eyes widening in terror. She turned to look at him, only to be met with a gaze so void of humanity it chilled her to the bone. The warmth she once clung to had been replaced by an abyss of malice, his eyes glinting with murderous intent. They bore into her, stripping away any shred of hope.

Her body quaked under the weight of his words, the darkness emanating from him sinking into her very soul. At that moment, Kyra’s voice rang in her head.

"In that case, we’ll have to wait and see if they will continue to like you..."