Luke lifted his foot.
Manny surfaced from the water, desperately clutching the fishing rod, and gasped for air, "I can't swim; let me up, please."
"Sorry, I misspoke; no one is an idiot."
"Since it's already been said, there must be an idiot."
"I'm the idiot, I'm the idiot; please pull me up." Manny's voice carried a hint of pleading.
"Why should I pull you up? Give me a reason."
Manny choked out, "It was you who yanked me off the platform."
"Wrong answer." Luke lifted his foot and pressed down on Manny's head again, his face devoid of any pity.
He had driven him to the lake for fishing, even kindly helped him to retrieve fish, only for the kid to kick him into the lake. Fortunately, he could swim, otherwise the consequences would have been unthinkable.
Some minors really don't deserve sympathy.
This kid named Manny was a spoiled little tyrant.
There was no need to be polite to him.
Manny quickly shouted, "I fell by myself, I fell into the lake by myself."
Luke lifted his foot, "That's more like it. You're only getting out of the water if you're smart."
"I'm so cold, I feel like I'm going to get sick, please pull me up."
"Don't play the pity card with me, I'm not buying it."
"Then what do you want to pull me up?
Do you want money? My mommy has lots of money; whatever amount you want, I can have her give it to you."
"Why does it feel like you're trying to tempt me into committing a crime? You're quite the bad seed," Luke lifted his foot again.
"No, no, no, please don't, I'll do whatever you want.
I feel like I'm going to drown; don't step on my head anymore."
"As long as you hold onto the fishing rod, you won't drown. As long as you answer my questions properly, I'll pull you up."
"Ask away. I'll tell you everything."
"Was that threatening letter placed on the windowsill written by you?"
"Was it handwritten?"
"Tell me the content of the threatening letter."
Manny recalled for a moment and said, "'Mr. Cruise.
I don't think getting engaged is a wise decision. You're just temporarily blinded by that woman.
She's not as good as you think; she's been deceiving you, and she came with a purpose...'"
Manny's recount matched the content of the threatening letter closely; Luke could be certain that Manny indeed wrote the letter.
Luke continued to ask, "Does your mother know about this?"
"I didn't tell her before I wrote the threatening letter, but later... she found out and scolded me.
But I could feel that she was happy."
"How can you prove you wrote it?"
"I wrote it on my laptop and then printed it using the printer at my house; there should be records."
"Where is your computer?"
"It's at the villa in the estate; I usually carry it with me."
"If the engagement ceremony continues, what are you prepared to do to sabotage it?"
"I won't do anything; I just wanted to scare my grandfather into backing down, that's all."
"After you get back, go to Fuan Cruise and admit to this; you understand?"
"I got it, I will do as you say."
"If you dare speak nonsense, the next time you accidentally fall into the water, don't expect me to save you."
"I won't talk nonsense. It was during fishing that I accidentally fell into the lake, and then you saved me.
I'm especially grateful to you, and touched, so I told you about writing the threatening letter."
"Don't mention it." Luke pulled up the fishing rod, dragging him out of the lake.
Like a condemned man reprieved, Manny collapsed on the dock, taking deep breaths and sobbing quietly, "Wuu wuu..."
One learns from mistakes; perhaps being taught a lesson by Luke today wasn't such a bad thing.
Afterwards, Luke drove back to the estate.
At the moment, Fuan Cruise was standing at the estate entrance, as if expecting guests. Seeing the soaked Luke and Manny, he wondered, "Boys, what happened?"
Manny glanced at Luke, "I accidentally fell into the lake, and Mr. Lee saved me.
Grandfather, I have something to tell you."
Manny hesitated for a moment, "If I did something wrong, would you forgive me?"
Fuan Cruise smiled, "Making mistakes is not scary, as long as you correct them, you're still a good kid."
"I... I wrote that threatening letter."
Fuan Cruise paused, looked at Luke, then turned to Manny, "Why did you do that?"
"I don't like her, I don't want her to become my step-grandmother.
Sorry, I know it was wrong, and I won't do it again."
Fuan Cruise had a complex expression and sighed, "Does your mother know about this?"
"No, please don't tell her; I don't want to disappoint her."
"I can keep it from her, but you need to promise me one condition."
"You have to clean tonight's dinner plates."
"Why? Aren't there maids and dishwashers?"
"When you err, you must face punishment. If you're unwilling to do it, then I'll tell your mother to educate you."
"I promise, I'll do it."
"Remember, not to repeat."
"Have you forgiven me?"
But in exchange, you must respect Miss Chanel Karl in the future."