Anderson Blackwell stood frozen in the dimly lit kitchen, the note in his hand and the phone pressed to his ear, but something didn’t sit right with him. The number he had just dialed remained uncalled, his finger hovering over the screen. His gut churned, a deep sense of foreboding washing over him."Why would they leave such an obvious trail?" he muttered to himself, the unease growing within him. The whole setup reeked of a trap, something designed to lure him into a situation from which he might not emerge alive. His intuition had saved him before, and he wasn’t about to ignore it now.He slowly lowered the phone, his mind racing. The stakes were too high to rush in blindly. If this was a trap, he couldn’t afford to fall into it—not with so much on the line. Mark’s life was important, but so was his own. He needed to approach this carefully, think several steps ahead of whoever was orchestrating this.Slipping the note into his pocket, Anderson made up his mind. He would bide his
The morning light filtered through the grand windows of the Montgomery mansion as Victor paced across his study. He barely noticed the subtle opulence that surrounded him—his thoughts were consumed by the approaching storm. The police were set to question him and his household tomorrow, a prospect that made his blood boil. But today was different. Today, they had received an unexpected invitation.A crisp, cream-colored envelope lay on Victor's desk, its contents as troubling as the looming investigation. His mother, Amelia, stood nearby, her expression as unreadable as ever."Anderson Blackwell," Victor muttered under his breath as he read the invitation again, the words almost searing into his mind. "The Blackwells are hosting a celebration tonight to formally welcome him home, just a month after his arrival. What a convenient time for them to make a move.""Indeed," Amelia replied, her voice cold and measured. "The Blackwells must be feeling confident, with their heir finally settl
Anderson returned home tonight, his body aching, his mind clouded with the events of the day. The grand halls of the Blackwell estate, usually a symbol of power and control, felt suffocating. His footsteps echoed in the silence as he made his way to the drawing room, fatigue evident in every step.The butler, ever vigilant, appeared almost immediately. His practiced eyes took in Anderson's disheveled appearance, the tension in his shoulders, the weariness etched on his face. “Master Anderson,” the butler greeted him, his voice a smooth whisper in the quiet room, “you look exhausted. Shall I have the maids prepare something for you to eat?”Anderson nodded without meeting the butler’s gaze. Moments later, a procession of maids entered, their trays laden with the finest offerings—roast duck, lamb chops, fresh salads, and decadent desserts. The aroma of the rich dishes filled the air, but Anderson didn’t even glance at them as he lost his appetite.“No,” Anderson said abruptly, his voice
Lena sat in the cold, sterile room, her heart pounding as she faced the two detectives across the table. The overhead light cast harsh shadows, making the space feel even smaller, more suffocating. She tried to calm her nerves, but her hands trembled slightly as she clenched them in her lap. The nausea that had plagued her the night before still lingered, but she forced it down, determined not to show any weakness."Miss Lena," Detective Crawford began, his voice low and steady, "we need to ask you some questions about Jacob Montgomery’s death. It’s important that you answer truthfully."Lena nodded, her throat dry. "I understand. But I don’t know how I can help. I didn’t have anything to do with Jacob’s death."Detective Crawford exchanged a glance with his partner, Detective Mason, who leaned forward, his eyes narrowing slightly. "We have reason to believe that you might have had a motive, Lena. Did you ever have any ill feelings towards Jacob? Anything at all?"Lena felt a cold swe
Anderson stood by the large windows in his study, gazing out at the night-cloaked estate. The moonlight filtered through the curtains, casting long shadows across the polished wooden floor. His mind was a storm of thoughts, each more unsettling than the last. The events of the day had left him exhausted, but sleep was a distant possibility. Just then, the butler knocked softly before entering the room."Master Anderson," the butler began, his tone carefully measured, "I’ve just received news. The Montgomery family will be facing court soon. It seems that Mark has been found."Anderson turned sharply, his expression unreadable. "Mark? Where did they find him?"The butler hesitated for a moment, gathering his thoughts. "He’s been placed in a secure hotel room under police watch. The suspect, according to reports, is Lena."A flicker of surprise crossed Anderson’s face. "Lena? That doesn’t make sense." He paused, considering the implications. "When is the court date?""The hearing is sch
Lena’s heart raced as she fumbled through her coat pockets, a growing sense of panic gnawing at her insides. She had just returned to her apartment, and the nagging feeling that something was missing had finally clicked into place—her purse. The small, black leather bag that held her most personal items, including her gun, was gone.“Where is it?” she muttered to herself, her voice tight with anxiety. Her mind raced as she retraced her steps, trying to remember the last time she’d seen it. She was sure she had it when she’d arrived at the hotel earlier that day. But after that…Her thoughts were cut off by a sudden, jarring knock on the door. It was too harsh, too insistent to be anything but trouble.Lena froze, her breath catching in her throat. Every nerve in her body screamed at her not to answer, to run, to hide. But before she could decide, the door swung open with a violent force, and several police officers burst into the room, their expressions grim and determined.“Lena T
The lavish drawing room was bathed in the warm, golden light of the early morning sun. Victor Montgomery stood by the grand window, looking out at the sprawling estate, a small, satisfied smile playing on his lips. The estate stretched out like a kingdom he had carefully built, brick by brick, scheme by scheme. Behind him, Amelia sat elegantly on a velvet settee, a crystal glass of champagne in hand, her eyes gleaming with approval they followed Victor's every movement."You’ve handled this beautifully, Victor," Amelia purred, her voice laced with admiration. Her words were slow and deliberate, like a cat savouring its prey. "Far smoother than I expected. Lena was always such a firecracker, but you’ve managed to snuff her out without so much as a flicker. It’s quite an accomplishment."Victor turned, his smile broadening as he met her gaze. "It was all about timing, Mother. Patience and precision. She thought she could outsmart us, but in the end, she played right into our hands."Ame
Anderson Blackwell sat in the dimly lit confines of his office, the weight of the morning pressing heavily on his shoulders. The gentle light filtering through the large windows did little to calm the storm of thoughts swirling in his mind. He drummed his fingers against the oak desk, the muted rhythm mirroring his scattered thinking. The financial reports were spread out in front of him, but the numbers no longer mattered.“Why did she get bail?” Anderson muttered, his voice low and edged with suspicion. Lena Thompson had pleaded guilty. A sentence was imminent. Granting bail—especially to someone accused of murder—was unprecedented. He rose from his chair, pacing with sharp, calculated steps. His gaze fell on the sprawling landscape beyond the window, but his thoughts were miles away.Victor Montgomery. Ruthless, meticulous Victor. He would never allow something so reckless as Lena’s release. It wasn’t his style. No, Victor always tied up loose ends. Lena should’ve been left to ro
Victor sat at his desk, fingers gliding across his tablet, reviewing the latest reports. The silence in the room was interrupted when Raul barged into his office, breathing heavily.“We received a tip, boss,” Raul said, urgency in his voice. “It's anonymous.”Victor raised an eyebrow and set his tablet down. “What’s that?” he asked, his tone sharp, eyes narrowing.“Here, boss.” Raul passed over his laptop.Victor’s eyes widened in shock as he scanned the contents of the screen. An encrypted message flickered before him. “Interesting...” Victor muttered, leaning back in his chair, a dark smile tugging at the corners of his lips. “What's the best way to attack your enemies?”“You strike them first,” Raul chuckled, a glint of mischief in his eyes.Victor shook his head, his expression hardening. “Not at a time like this. Don’t you think it’s better if we wait for some air to be cleared? Let them get a little peace of mind,” he said, tapping his fingers on the desk rhythmically, “and that
Lena sat in the spacious cinema room, the quiet hum of the Montgomery estate enveloping her. She had just finished breakfast and had found herself increasingly drawn to the large TV in the room, offering her a brief distraction from her tangled thoughts. Flipping through channels, she paused at the morning news.Her heart dropped.The headline read: VICTOR MONTGOMERY GETS AGGRESSIVE AT A PARTY.A sharp breath escaped her as a video played, showing Victor in the middle of throwing a punch at Anderson. His face, contorted with rage, was frozen on the screen. The scene was chaotic. Lena turned off the TV, her hands shaking. She had to find Victor. Now.She hurried out of the cinema room, her steps quickening as she navigated the long corridors of the Montgomery mansion. The morning light streamed in through the large windows, but the usual warmth she felt here was replaced by a growing sense of unease.As Lena passed by a couple of maids dusting the antique furniture, they stopped and g
A week before the party, Anderson strolled into the butler’s room with the usual nonchalance he carried. But something stopped him cold—the object resting innocuously on the polished mahogany desk. His breath hitched as his gaze locked onto the small, intricate piece of jewelry: Amelia’s locket. For a moment, time seemed to stand still. “Why is this here?”His mind raced, scrambling to connect the dots. This was with Amelia for years... even at death. He could almost hear the faint echoes of her last words “ Jacob“ with her bloodstained locket, hanging around her neck.Anderson’s furrowed his brow. Why was it here with the butler? Was there something he was missing? Was this why the butler was present that day? Who was he to them—an old friend, perhaps?Anderson’s pulse quickened as he slowly approached the desk. His fingers hovered over the locket, but instead of picking it up, he pulled out his phone.” I can’t risk touching it. Not yet.” He snapped a few quick photos, the came
Raul walked into the car park at the Montgomerys, the dim lighting casting long shadows over the ornate flowers. He had been waiting for Victor outside, but as soon as he turned his head, he saw that Victor had zoomed off—alone. Without him. Without his bodyguards.“Boss is probably very hyper today,” Raul muttered, smirking as he started the engine of his own car. He drove slowly, enjoying the quiet hum of the engine as the streets passed by, each one more crowded than the last.When Raul arrived at the location, he stepped down, the crunch of gravel beneath his feet the only sound in the stillness. As he entered the gallery, he noticed something strange. There, in the middle of the room, was a bizarre painting—a man with a head six times larger than his body. The massive head seemed to weigh him down, as though it was his burden.Raul paused in front of the painting, staring at it with intrigue."Interesting, isn’t it?" A female voice called out from behind him, light yet confident.
Mariam headed to the grocery store, pulling the sleeves of her oversized hoodie down to hide her hands. Her hair was tied back into a messy bun, and she wore no makeup, her face bare and tired. Her worn-out sneakers made soft squeaks as she walked down the aisles, scanning the shelves distractedly.“So, what's left on the list?” she muttered to herself, pulling out her phone to check the shopping app.“Is this it?” A familiar voice startled her from behind. She turned to see Raul holding up a can of beef stew, a grin playing on his lips.“You—what are you doing here?” Mariam asked, her voice tinged with shock, her face paling slightly under the bright supermarket lights.“I should be asking you the same thing,” Raul said with a teasing smile, gesturing around with his free hand. “You look... different.”“I’m shopping. You can see I’m S-H-O-P-P-I-N-G,” she stammered, her words laced with a forced casualness. Her fingers tugged at the edge of her hoodie nervously, wishing she’d at least
"I'm afraid I can not eat this meal," Victor hissed, eyeing the dishes with distrust."Why?" Anderson asked, feigning innocence. "Did you think I poisoned it?""Have a bite from everything on the table," Victor continued, his tone firm and commanding.Anderson arched an eyebrow. "My head chef can handle that. You do your job," he replied coolly."No, you should have a bite first," Victor insisted, his eyes narrowing with barely concealed hostility.Anderson tightened his grip on his knife, the tension palpable. "If that will make our guest comfortable," he said with a forced smile. He sampled a bite from each dish on the table, his movements deliberate and calculated."Is our guest comfortable now?" he asked, his voice dripping with sarcasm as he wiped his mouth with a napkin.Victor ignored the question, starting to eat with an air of indifference. The room fell into an uneasy silence, punctuated only by the clinking of cutlery against china and the soft hum of the air conditioner."
“So that concludes today’s meeting,” Anderson announced, his voice steady as he called the gathering to a close. The low hum of murmurs filled the room as the board members shuffled their papers, ready to leave.Before anyone could stand, a voice from the back spoke up. “One more thing,” the head of marketing said, leaning forward with a raised brow. “We need to finalize the decision on the website.”The room grew quiet. Anderson, standing at the head of the table, paused for a moment. “The website, yes.”“We’ve been discussing the benefits of a more interactive platform to engage with the public, especially after the recent press coverage,” another board member chimed in. “It could help boost our reputation even further.”Evelyn, who had been sitting in for Uncle Judas, leaned back in her chair with a smug expression. “A website? Do you mean to stroke Anderson’s already inflated ego?”The room chuckled lightly, though there was a hint of tension beneath the surface.“It’s not just ab
“Today’s the last day of your check-up, yeah?” Victor asked Raul, pacing back and forth, his eyes flicking toward Raul’s arm.Raul, casual as ever, swung the arm Victor had once shot in a wide arc, flexing his muscles slightly. “Yep, it’s perfectly fine now.” He gave a confident grin. “See? All good.”Victor, unconvinced, scowled. “You know it wasn’t just a flesh wound, right?”Raul chuckled, grabbing his jacket. “Come on, Boss, I’m not made of glass. I’ll be back in a bit. Maybe you’ll buy me a drink to celebrate?”Victor grunted, his eyes tracking Raul as he headed for the door. The soft click of it closing left an uneasy silence in the room.At the hospital, the sterile smell of antiseptic filled the air. Raul tapped his foot impatiently, his leg bouncing as the low hum of medical equipment buzzed around him. Nurses murmured in the distance, their voices blending with the soft beeping of machines. The waiting room was eerily quiet, but Raul’s mind raced.He glanced toward the corri
“Fifty per cent well-done, other fifty... booo!” Anderson’s spirit hissed, his form flickering between shadow and solid in front of Jacob’s face.Jacob recoiled, his fists clenched as he backed away, eyes wide with confusion. “Why are you still here?” he asked, his voice edged with frustration.Anderson’s spirit drifted closer, its presence suffocating, the air thick with menace. “Arrogant, aren’t you?” The words dripped with cold malice. “Is she dead?”Jacob tried to steady himself, his breath quickening. “You can’t just turn me into some... perfect killer.”Anderson’s spirit towered over him now, the temperature around Jacob dropping with every word. His voice became a chilling, unnatural whisper. “Kill her or be killed. DIE! KILL EVEL... OR YOU. SHOULD. DIE!” His voice cracked, growing more inhuman, the echoes rattling inside Jacob’s mind like the chains of a nightmare he couldn’t escape.Jacob clutched his head, his thoughts spiralling out of control. “Arrrggh!” he screamed, his v