The night was dark and stormy, with rain pounding against the windows of the old, Victorian mansion. Inside, the guests had gathered for a dinner party, unaware of the tragedy that was about to unfold. The host, Lord Ashcroft, stood at the head of the table, his eyes darting nervously around the room. As the clock struck eight, a bloodcurdling scream echoed through the halls, sending a chill down everyone's spine. The guests rushed to the source of the sound, only to find Lord Ashcroft's body lying in a pool of blood.