The clock struck midnight, echoing through the empty, silent mansion. A scream pierced the night, shattering the eerie, tranquil silence. Detective Harper arrived promptly, his coat flapping in the wind. The butler, pale and trembling, pointed towards the grand staircase. Bloodstains marked the steps, leading to the master bedroom door. Inside, Lady Evelyn lay lifeless, her eyes wide with terror. A shattered vase lay nearby, its pieces scattered like confetti. Harper knelt, examining the scene with a practiced, meticulous eye. "Who found her?" he asked, voice steady despite the grim discovery. The maid, sobbing, whispered, "I did, sir, just moments ago."