Chapter 2 :
Shadows of the Past
The dinner conversation is stilted and formal, with polite inquiries and guarded answers. But as the evening wears on, snippets of conversation begin to reveal hints of the guests' pasts and their possible connections to one another. Florence D'Angelo quietly questions Dorothy about a scandal that rocked New York high society, causing Dorothy to shift uncomfortably. Meanwhile, Archie seems to flinch every time Joseph Conway mentions occult studies, hinting at a prior association with the scholar.
Antoinette, observing these dynamics, notes the mounting tensions and the sense that each guest is harboring a secret. Mr. Lennox interrupts the meal to announce that their host will be revealed soon but that, until then, they must enjoy the manor's luxuries and abide by its rules. He hands each guest a small, intricate key and warns them: "Do not, under any circumstance, use these keys until the final night. To break this rule is to tempt fate."
The chapter ends with the guests dispersing, and Antoinette sneaking off to explore the manor alone, finding her way to a grand library filled with dusty tomes and curiosities from around the world. As she browses, she notices an ancient-looking book open on a desk, its pages filled with strange symbols. Her curiosity piqued, she hears a faint whisper—a woman's voice calling her name. Turning, she finds herself alone in the dim, silent room, the whisper still echoing in her ears.
YOU ARE READING
Whispers of the Gilded Manor
Mystery / Thriller"Whispers of the Gilded Manor" In this 1800s mystery, opulent guests are drawn to a grand estate for a weekend of lavish parties, only to find themselves entwined in a deadly game. When a guest is murdered on the final night, it falls to Antoinette...
