Late autumn darkness enveloped the old mansion, hiding its secrets within the whispering wind. Inside, a storm mirrored the tense atmosphere as guests gathered for a reading of the formidable patriarch's will. Suddenly, a blood-curdling scream echoed through the grand hallway, halting the gathering in shock and fear. At its center, the body of the once-respected elder lay, motionless and lifeless, the source of that chilling sound.