The following morning, Ethan arranged for the mysterious vial to be sent to one of his trusted contacts in the city, a renowned toxicologist named Dr. Hensley. The man owed Ethan a favor, and Ethan was confident in his ability to analyze the substance discreetly.
As he sealed the package, Amara entered the study. She looked more composed than she had the day before, her determination once again shining through.
"Is it on its way?" she asked.
Ethan nodded. "Dr. Hensley will have it by tomorrow. If anyone can identify it, it's him."
Amara sat beside him, her expression thoughtful. "What do we do while we wait?"
"Keep digging," Ethan replied. "There's more to uncover about Cecilia and her plans. We can't stop now."
The two of them spent the morning poring over the remaining letters and estate records. One letter, in particular, caught Ethan's attention. It was written in a rushed, almost frantic hand, detailing a secret meeting Lady Rowe had planned to confront someone about their schemes.
"This was written just days before her death," Ethan said, frowning. "She was planning to confront someone—likely Cecilia."
Amara's hands trembled as she held the letter. "And she didn't survive long enough to expose the truth."
"Which means we need to find out what happened during that meeting," Ethan said. "If we can trace where it took place, we might find evidence."
After lunch, Ethan decided to question some of the older estate staff who had been present during Lady Rowe's time. He and Amara summoned Mrs. Whitlock, the head housekeeper, who had worked at the estate for decades.
"Mrs. Whitlock," Ethan began, "do you recall anything unusual in the days leading up to Lady Rowe's death?"
The older woman's face clouded with sorrow. "It was a difficult time. Lady Rowe was under a great deal of stress. There were whispers of disagreements, but she didn't confide in us."
"Do you know if she left the estate to meet someone shortly before she passed?" Amara asked.
Mrs. Whitlock hesitated, then nodded. "I do remember her leaving one evening, though she didn't tell anyone where she was going. She seemed anxious but determined."
"Did she take anyone with her?" Ethan pressed.
"No, sir. She went alone. It wasn't like her to keep secrets, but I sensed she felt she had no choice."
Ethan and Amara exchanged a look.
"Thank you, Mrs. Whitlock," Amara said. "You've been very helpful."
That evening, Ethan reviewed the estate's old travel logs, looking for any record of Lady Rowe's movements around the time of her death. One entry stood out: a carriage dispatched to a secluded property on the outskirts of the village.
"This must be where she went for the meeting," Ethan said.
Amara leaned over his shoulder to look at the log. "That property... I think it belonged to Cecilia's family."
Ethan's eyes darkened. "If she was meeting Cecilia, then this could be where everything began—or ended."
Ding!
New Task Unlocked: Investigate the Abandoned Property
Objective: Visit the location where Lady Rowe's secret meeting took place.
Reward: 4000 Pampering Points + Skill: Enhanced Perception.
Early the next morning, Ethan and Amara set out for the property. The air was cool and crisp, the forest path leading to the house shrouded in shadows.
The building itself was dilapidated, its once-grand facade now crumbling with age. As they approached, Amara shivered, clutching her coat tightly.
"This place feels... wrong," she murmured.
Ethan placed a reassuring hand on her back. "Stay close. We don't know what we'll find."
Inside, the house was eerily silent, the floorboards creaking under their weight. Dust covered every surface, but it was clear the place had been used recently.
Ethan's sharp eyes caught faint footprints in the dust leading toward a back room. He motioned for Amara to stay behind him as they followed the trail.
In the back room, they discovered a large desk covered in papers. Most were too faded to read, but one stood out: a ledger detailing financial transactions between Cecilia and various unknown parties.
"This is it," Ethan said, holding up the ledger. "Proof that Cecilia was siphoning money from the estate."
Amara stared at the ledger, her fists clenched. "She betrayed us... all of us."
Ethan placed the ledger in his bag, then turned to examine the room further. In a corner, he found a small, locked box.
Ding!
Task Progress: Investigate the Abandoned Property
Discovered: Financial Ledger.
Progress: 50%.
"We'll need to open this later," Ethan said, tucking the box under his arm.
As they prepared to leave, Amara noticed something etched into the wall—a faint carving of a crest she recognized.
"This is my family's crest," she said, her voice trembling. "Why is it here?"
Ethan frowned. "It's possible your family's history with Cecilia goes deeper than we thought. We'll need to investigate this further."
Ding!
Amara's Emotional Update: Determined and Furious
Current Mood: Resolved to Uncover the Truth.
Reward: 1200 Pampering Points.
That evening, back at the estate, Ethan began analyzing the ledger while Amara sat beside him, staring at the locked box.
"Do you think this could hold more answers?" she asked.
"I do," Ethan replied. "We'll open it soon. But for now, this ledger confirms Cecilia's involvement in the estate's financial decline."
Amara's eyes burned with anger. "She won't get away with this."
Ethan reached over, placing his hand over hers. "Not if we have anything to say about it."
Ding!
New Task Progress: Investigate Cecilia's Schemes
Evidence Gathered: Financial Ledger.
Progress: 60%.
As the night stretched on, Ethan and Amara worked side by side, their bond strengthening with each discovery. Though the shadows of the past loomed large, they were determined to face them together.
End of Chapter 25