The Last Birthday Gift

• Family
• Urban

• Ep. 1
  On Fred Elmer’s 40th birthday, his former police colleague, Gwen Bishop, visits him at Imparial Biotech, seeking his expertise to identify a severely burned and mutilated victim. Fred agrees to help, mobilizing his team to extract and analyze data from the remains. As the investigation begins, Fred receives a distressing call from his mother, Mary Olson, informing him that his daughter, Bree, has been missing for 24 hours. Fred, frustrated and dismissive, accuses his mother of exaggerating, but Mary insists on the seriousness of the situation. Meanwhile, the forensic analysis progresses, and the team successfully reconstructs an image from the victim’s remains. To Fred’s horror, the image reveals the victim to be his own daughter, Bree. The shocking discovery leaves Fred devastated, realizing the grim reality of his daughter’s fate.
• Ep. 2
  Fred Elmer and Gwen Bishop discuss the significance of a phoenix red dress found at the crime scene. Gwen recalls that she gifted the dress to Zhao Duoduo last year for her birthday, emphasizing that it was Duoduo’s most cherished possession, worn only on special occasions. Fred, however, cautions Gwen against jumping to conclusions based solely on the dress, pointing out that many red dresses exist and it’s premature to assume the victim is Duoduo. Gwen reflects on a past conversation with Duoduo, who expressed her desire to wear the dress for her father’s birthday, hoping to make him proud. The tension rises as they debate the evidence, with Gwen’s emotional connection to Duoduo clouding her judgment. Meanwhile, Fred remains focused on the investigation, urging Gwen to approach the case objectively. The scene underscores the complexity of their task as they grapple with personal ties and professional responsibilities.
• Ep. 3
  Fred Elmer’s wife and daughter, Jiaojiao, surprise him with birthday wishes at his office. Fred, preoccupied with work, thanks them but asks them to wait outside as he handles urgent matters. He promises to treat them to a lavish dinner later. Jiaojiao expresses her fear after hearing about a brutal serial killer targeting young girls, especially after seeing the horrifying condition of a recent victim. Fred reassures her, advising her to stay safe and avoid going out alone. He even offers to arrange security for her and her mother. Despite the grim situation, Jiaojiao insists on staying by Fred’s side, finding comfort in his presence. The scene takes a darker turn when Fred’s wife questions why he shows such care for others but neglects their own daughter, Duoduo. Fred coldly dismisses the notion, declaring Jiaojiao as his only daughter, leaving a tense and unsettling atmosphere.
• Ep. 4
  Zhao Fei is consumed by anger and grief, blaming his daughter, Zhao Duoduo, for the death of her mother, Han Meng. He refuses to forgive Duoduo, believing her selfishness led to the tragic accident. His secretary tries to reason with him, reminding him that Han Meng’s death was an accident and not Duoduo’s fault. However, Zhao Fei remains stubborn, recalling how Duoduo’s demands for a cake late at night forced Han Meng to go out, resulting in the fatal crash. He accuses Duoduo of being the root cause of her mother’s death and dismisses her recent erratic behavior as attention-seeking. Meanwhile, forensic experts analyze a red dress and a bracelet found on a burned body. The bracelet matches one belonging to Duoduo, raising suspicions about her involvement. As the investigation unfolds, tensions rise, and the truth about the body’s identity remains uncertain.

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