When Léa delved into Mickaël's past, she discovered a dark and tragic picture that partly explained the birth of the serial killer nicknamed "Mickaël the Manipulator". His story began in the ashes of a fire that raged in the family home. His parents perished in the flames, leaving behind a traumatised and lonely young Mickaël.
After the fire, Mickaël was placed in an orphanage where he endured the loneliness, grief and frustrations of life without a family. He felt a deep resentment towards the world, wondering why he had been deprived of the love and security his parents should have given him. This period of his life sowed the seeds of the anger and confusion that were to grow within him.
One day, a wealthy family noticed him and decided to adopt him. But this seemingly ideal new home hid deep-seated dysfunction. The family was obsessed with outward appearance, social success and the perfect image. Mickaël quickly learned to play a role, to put on his best face in order to be accepted and loved.
However, behind his charming smile and polite manners, Mickaël still carried the burden of his tumultuous past. His need for control was a desperate attempt to avoid reliving the vulnerability he had felt after the loss of his parents. He saw manipulation as a way of defending himself against a world he saw as ruthless.
