The old mansion loomed ominously under the moonless sky, its silhouette a jagged puzzle against the inky backdrop. Inside, the annual gala was in full swing; laughter and jazz mingled, oblivious to the impending doom. Guests sipped on crisp champagne, their conversations a symphony of mirth and decadence. Amidst the revelry, the host, a reclusive tycoon, grinned enigmatically, his eyes alight with secrets. Suddenly, a scream shattered the merriment, reverberating through the grand halls. The music screeched to a halt, and silence cascaded over the crowd. There, on the marble floor of the ballroom, lay a figure frozen in an eternal dance. Detective Lila Frost, a guest herself, pushed through the throng, her instincts sharpening with each step. Kneeling beside the body, she confirmed the unthinkable; the host was dead, his life extinguished by an unseen hand. The detective's eyes darted around, assessing the potential suspects. Each face told a different story, a mosaic of masks concealing truths. Murmurs of shock and suspicion began to ripple through the crowd. As the first responders arrived, Lila knew the night was far from over. She quietly studied the scene, her mind racing with possibilities. The game was afoot; the murderer lurked among them, ready to strike again.