Benton's eyes locked onto Emily's portrait. Who was this mysterious woman, and what was her connection to his great-grandfather?
He began researching Emily's past:
- Born in 1895, Willow Creek
- Daughter of a prominent businessman
- Married Silas Williams in 1915
A local archive revealed a shocking article:
"Tragedy Strikes Williams Family: Emily Williams Dies in Mysterious Fire, 1922"
The fire Silas mentioned in his journal.
Benton visited the local historical society, meeting:
Ms. Thompson, an expert on Willow Creek's history
"Ah, the Williams family," Ms. Thompson said. "Their legacy is built on ashes and secrets."
She revealed:
"Emily was more than Silas' wife. She was his partner in business and life. Her death changed Silas, drove him to make choices that would haunt your family for generations."