The eldest son of Earl Lauren, Eric, daughter Marjorie, and even some elder collateral relatives, were not spared.
The atmosphere within the castle was tense, with rumors spreading amid oppressive silence.
Especially after the investigators confirmed the second son, Calvin, had indeed committed suicide due to a mental breakdown, the verdict overseer, Malcolm, looked at Earl Lauren with a more profound meaning in his eyes.
That gaze seemed to say, "Silencing witnesses? A good tactic, but... this does not hide much."
The net of the investigation tightened ever more, and Earl Lauren felt like an insect trapped in a spider's web; every struggle only caused the cold silk to bind tighter.
The letter he presented to the Knight Hall pleading guilty appeared so pale and feeble in the face of this meticulous examination procedure.
