The grand manor stood silent beneath the moon’s pale glow. Lightning cracked across the sky, illuminating dusty portraits along hallway. A single candle flickered, casting shadows dancing menacingly against walls. Footsteps echoed softly somewhere beyond the library’s heavy oak doors. A chilling silence followed, broken only by distant thunder’s rumble. Detective Marlow stepped inside, observing the scene with careful scrutiny. Bloodstains glistened under candlelight beside a pale, lifeless, open-eyed corpse. A broken pocket watch lay motionless next to sprigs lavender. Marlow knelt slowly, examining the watch’s cracked glass face carefully. He whispered, “Someone here tonight orchestrated this macabre, calculated act.”