Elijah and Michelle quickly followed, driven by curiosity. The firefighters had covered the stretcher with a cloth. Although everyone knew a person lay beneath, their identity remained unknown. Maria, however, recognized a corner of clothing peeking from under the cloth.

"Ree..." She lunged onto the stretcher. Fabian didn't stop her as she threw herself down, the stretcher clattering to the ground. She inadvertently pulled the cloth away.

"Ah!" Her scream pierced the air as she saw the face. Michelle, directly behind, gasped in horror. Elijah swiftly covered Michelle's eyes.

"Don't look!" Even he, a strong man, felt his heart pound and his skin crawl at the sight of the corpse. The face was burned beyond recognition, almost to ash. A single glance would terrify anyone. Though Michelle's eyes were covered, she trembled in his arms. Maria, meanwhile, fainted after her scream.

Fabian quickly helped her up, avoiding another look. Fortunately, the firefighters had recovered the body. One said, "We found a corpse. A female, identity unknown."

"I see," the policeman nodded. "We'll leave that to forensics." "Several more bodies and body parts remain inside," the firefighter added, before re-entering the factory.

"Your wife said this is your daughter?" The policeman turned to Fabian.

Fabian swallowed, composing himself. "This dress resembles our daughter's, but...we can't identify the body after the burns." The policeman nodded. "The forensic doctor will identify the body. Your cooperation may be needed."

"Okay, I understand," Fabian nodded repeatedly. The events had been overwhelming. He struggled to process it all.

"Fabian..." Elijah, still holding Michelle, spoke, slightly embarrassed.

"Are you happy now?!" Fabian glared resentfully. "Ree might be dead. That's what you wanted, isn't it? Are you satisfied?!" Elijah considered refuting him, but seeing the couple's distress, he swallowed his words.

"Wait. That body may not be your daughter. If Rhea is resourceful, she might have escaped," he said softly.

"What do you mean?! Don't you want her dead?" Fabian snarled.

Elijah, choosing not to argue, embraced Michelle and turned away. "We'll leave you to this. We'll handle ours later."