The Heiress of Casedona

Chapter One : The Night

In the quiet town of Sherlock, a dark cloud hung over the Casadona family's mansion. As the night crept on, tensions flared between the eldest son, Don Fabian, and his younger sister, Señora Margareth. She was known to be a cold and selfish woman who valued only the company of the rich and powerful, while Don Fabian was a kind-hearted man who embodied the same honor and humility as his father, Don Romualdo Casadona. He had fought valiantly for the town of Sherlock when it was threatened by neighboring forces, and had become a beloved soldier and father.

But on this particular night, the once-peaceful mansion was consumed by a heated argument between the siblings. Don Fabian was outraged by his sister's demand that the hardworking farmers who tended the Casadona family's land be forced to pay for it. "Why are you doing this to our beloved farmers?" he roared. "They work hard to survive, and you would force them to pay for what is rightfully theirs?"

Señora Margareth's response was cold and calculated. "Why not? If we let them have the land, it will be our loss. They won't serve us the way they should."

Don Fabian shook his head in disbelief. "That's the whole point. Father will know about this. When he returns from Scotland, he will hear what you've done."

Señora Margareth just smirked. "My dear brother," she purred. "Do you really think Father will know?"

Don Fabian grew increasingly uneasy. "I...don't understand," he said.

Señora Margareth approached her brother and embraced him. "I'm so grateful for everything you've done for me, Fabian," she said. "But there are some things you shouldn't do for me."

Don Fabian was about to respond when suddenly, a gunshot rang out.

In an instant, everything changed. Señora Margareth screamed for help, and the mansion erupted into chaos. Don Fabian lay lifeless on the floor, a victim of the bullet that had ended his life.

"Guards! Help us!" Señora Margareth cried out, her voice filled with fear and desperation.

The other residents of the mansion were stunned and confused. They had just lost a man who had dedicated his life to protecting them, a man who embodied all that was good and honorable.

As Señora Margareth wept over her brother's lifeless body, her son Joaquin stumbled into the room. He was disoriented and frightened, unsure of what had happened.

"Mother, what's going on?" he asked, his voice trembling. "Is everything okay?"

But there was no comfort to be had in his mother's embrace. "Your uncle has been killed, my son," she whispered, her voice choked with sorrow. "But everything will be fine. Tomorrow, everything is yours."

Joaquin felt a shiver run down his spine at his mother's words. There was something in her tone that made him uneasy, but he couldn't quite put his finger on what it was.

"Go back to your room and never go out," she commanded, breaking the embrace. "Never."As Joaquin made his way back to his room, his mind was racing with questions. Who could have done this to his uncle? Why would anyone want to harm him?

Meanwhile, in another part of the estate, the wife of Don Fabian burst into the room, her eyes wide with panic. "What's happening? Where is my husband?" she demanded, her voice trembling with fear.

"Our lady, we heard a gun," the maid replied, her voice barely above a whisper. "Your husband is gone."

The wife's legs buckled beneath her and she collapsed onto the floor, her sobs echoing through the silent room. Don Fabian was the only man she had ever loved and now he was gone. But as she lay there, consumed by her grief, she couldn't help but wonder what would become of their newborn child.

Suddenly, the door burst open and Señora Margareth stormed into the room, her eyes blazing with anger. "You did this! You killed my brother!" she accused, pointing an accusing finger at the wife.

The wife recoiled in shock. "What are you saying?! Fabian was the only man I ever loved! This is tragic! Why are you accusing me?!" she cried.

But Señora Margareth was relentless. "Never ever believe this bitch!" she spat, her voice rising in fury. "She is just a peasant's daughter! I am pretty sure that she never loved him! I know, I know her! You are a murderer!" And with that, she turned to the guards. "Take her to the dungeon!" she commanded.

As the guards dragged the wife away, everyone in the room was left reeling with shock. Who had killed Don Fabian? What was the motive behind this senseless act of violence? And who would be the one to unravel the truth behind the tragedy?