At the head of the table, Frederick beamed and gazed at Dolan with sheer contentment. "It warms my heart to see how deeply you grasp the essence of our Xylon legacy, Dolan," he remarked. "Your words resonate with me as if they were my own. You're the rightful successor to this family, Dolan. If I were to depart this world today, I'd do so with absolute peace in my soul."Dolan found himself engulfed by an overwhelming tide of satisfaction as the warm currents of praise cascaded upon him. Each word of commendation served as a buoy, lifting his spirits higher and higher until he felt buoyant with elation. However, being keenly aware of familial dynamics and social decorum, he exercised prudent restraint, refraining from overtly displaying his genuine emotions in the presence of his father.With furrowed brows and a tinge of melancholy in his voice, he uttered, "Father, why speak of such things? You can't be thinking of leaving us so soon! I'm nowhere near as capable as you believe. I s
In the dimming hours of the evening, Benjamin strolled through the mall aisles alongside Valerie, their cart laden with kitchen essentials. A faint "ping!" echoed, heralding the arrival of a new message on his phone. Halting momentarily, Benjamin glanced down at the screen, where a message from Joshua awaited his attention."Master," the message from Joshua read, "Intel has just uncovered unsettling news: the head of the Scott family has met an untimely demise under dubious circumstances. Suspicions swirl around the notion that he was poisoned by an unknown intruder who infiltrated his hospital chamber and tampered with his IV tube."A solemn gravity settled over Benjamin's features as he processed the alarming revelation. He gently rested his hand on Valerie's shoulder and spoke in a hushed tone, "Val, I believe I need to excuse myself for a brief moment. I'll be back in five minutes." Valerie's gaze bore into Benjamin with suspicion, her expression sharp. "Just five minutes?" she q
Andrew's heart sank as he responded, "The CCTV technician informed us that the hospital's computer hard drive, where all the recordings are stored, sustained physical damage. As a result, a large portion of the data has either been lost or corrupted. Unfortunately, nothing can be salvaged if it's due to physical harm."Andrew continued, his tone weighed down with concern. "According to the family advisor, it's highly probable that the individual responsible for Dad's demise also breached the room and intentionally sabotaged the computer hard drive. Nevertheless, given the circumstances, there's little hope of recovering the CCTV footage from Dad's ward that fateful night—almost to the point of impossibility.""It's inconceivable for the hard drive to simply malfunction like that!" Adam exclaimed, slamming his fist against the table in frustration, aggravating the wound on his hand. "The CCTV room is under strict surveillance round the clock, so how could someone sneak in undetected an
For the first time in his life, a chilling sense of dread gripped Andrew's heart, tendrils of fear snaking their way through his veins. Never before had he confronted the specter of death with such stark immediacy, and the realization that the threat loomed ominously from his own flesh and blood sent shivers down his spine. The notion that danger could emanate from his own brother, his trusted kin, was a harrowing revelation that shook Andrew to his core, casting a pall of uncertainty over the once-familiar contours of their relationship."The situation shifted with startling rapidity. What had begun as a serene and harmonious family existence spiraled into a tempest of calamity within a mere day. What dark forces were at play? What malevolent twist of fate had descended upon us? What cosmic decree must we now confront?"The barrage of questions continued to fill his head, pounding his mind relentlessly, as Adam moved away from him.Andrew teetered on the precipice of tears, his emot
Haunted by the gruesome fate that befell his coworker, Shin harbored no inclination to conceal the truth this time. Acutely aware of Adam's formidable intuition, honed by years of astute observation and keen perception, Shin recognized the futility of attempting to deceive him. With the specter of Adam's unwavering scrutiny looming over him, Shin resolved to lay bare the depths of his involvement, sparing no detail in his confession. In the face of Adam's penetrating gaze, Shin understood that honesty was his only recourse, lest he risk suffering a fate akin to that of his unfortunate coworker.Shin's admission came swiftly. "Truth be told, we did have a sense of foreboding last night. However, we... we nodded off for a few minutes.""You dared to fall asleep?!" Adam's voice rumbled with fury as he pressed his blood-stained folding knife against Shin's throat. "I need no further justification to end you here and now!"However, mere moments before the razor-sharp blade could pierce Sh
Boris sought to elaborate further, "Master, it's imperative that you understand Joshua Wilson's background..." However, Adam interjected once more, curtailing Boris's words before he could conclude, "No need for explanations; I am well acquainted with his identity."Ethan approached with a grave countenance, expressing his viewpoint. "Joshua Wilson is the chief servant of the Frost family, presumably still overseeing their affairs," he began. "He ought to be aware that our father was a staunch adversary of the Frost family's hegemony in the central region. Thus, one must question his presence at our father's funeral.""You need not echo the inquiries already swirling in my mind," Adam snapped irritably. "By the gods, I initially surmised that Benjamin Frost, the primary suspect and eldest scion of the Frost family who vanished nearly a decade ago, was behind our father's demise. If Joshua Wilson has deigned to extend his condolences, does that not refute such an assumption?"Ethan's f
Adam surveyed the assembled crowd with an air of superiority, his chin held high in a gesture that unmistakably conveyed arrogance. Despite the cacophony of disparaging remarks directed towards him, criticizing both his reckless driving and inappropriate attire, Adam remained impervious to any semblance of contrition or remorse. Rather than offering an apology or expressing regret for his actions, he defiantly opted to amplify his arrogance, brazenly showcasing his disdain for societal norms in full view of the gathered onlookers."Well, what's the fuss about my driving?" he barked, his eyes sweeping the scene with a mix of arrogance and contempt. "Besides, my limited edition Maserati costs a pretty penny more than your run-of-the-mill cars!"A stunned silence enveloped the funeral guests as Adam's voice pierced the solemn atmosphere of the churchyard. Mouths agape, they stood frozen in surprise, their expressions ranging from confusion and disbelief to a simmering mix of anger and as
Adam replied solemnly, fixing his gaze on Mr. Wilson. "The truth about our father's passing is shrouded in tragedy, sir. That's why we've kept it guarded, waiting for the right moment to unveil it to the world. But you, as the esteemed head butler of the Frost household, hold a special place in our regard. So, we find no hesitation in confiding in you."Adam's voice quivered slightly as he continued, "It all began with a heart-wrenching moment, Mr. Wilson. Our father, he... he succumbed to a heart attack, triggered by a video he stumbled upon online. Perhaps you're familiar with it?" His eyes searched Mr. Wilson's face for recognition before pressing on. "And then, amidst the chaos of the hospital, a sinister hand manipulated the CCTV, administering poison to our beloved father."Adam's tone grew somber as he disclosed, "As it stands, the authorities and our private investigators are diligently working behind the scenes, shrouded in secrecy. Yet, despite their tireless efforts, tangib