“You approved the concept.”

“I didn’t approve you getting thrown across the floor by Santa Claus.”

Derek looked at his father.

For years, he had been trying to earn that man’s respect.

Now he was beginning to realize how impossible the task had become.

“You knew about the event.”

“Of course I knew.”

“You knew what Miles wanted me to do?”

Graham didn’t answer.

Derek turned toward Miles.

“Miles?”

His manager shifted uncomfortably.

“Look, everything was supposed to be controlled.”

“Controlled by who?”

“By the production team.”

“There wasn’t a production team. There was Brett, Jonah, and a bunch of shoppers!”

Miles looked toward Graham.

That glance told Derek something was wrong.

He stepped closer.

“What aren’t you telling me?”

Graham folded his arms.

“You’re being emotional.”

“No. I’m asking you a question.”

“Watch your tone.”

Derek’s voice rose.

“You sent me into that mall to fight an old man!”

“Nobody made you throw a punch.”

The words landed harder than Derek expected.

For the first time, he couldn’t argue.

His father was right about that part.

Derek had chosen to shove Santa.

He had chosen to punch.

He had chosen to attack again after being warned.

But something about the entire incident still didn’t make sense.

“Why him?” Derek asked.

Graham looked away.

“Why who?”

“Santa. Why that particular guy?”

Miles stopped scrolling.

Derek noticed.

“There are a hundred malls around here. A hundred different Christmas displays. Why did you pick that one?”

Graham walked to his desk.

“Because Northbridge is our next investment.”

Derek stared at him.

“What?”

Graham opened a drawer and removed a folder.

Then, perhaps out of arrogance, perhaps because he believed his son was too dependent on him to do anything with the truth, he placed the folder on the desk.

Inside was a photograph.

A younger man stood on a competition mat wearing a white martial arts uniform.

He had dark hair, powerful shoulders, and the unmistakable posture of someone who understood exactly where his center of balance was.

Beside him stood another athlete.

A championship trophy rested between them.

Derek leaned closer.