Chapter 1: The Heritage Crisis
On the third day after Thomas' death, under the gloomy sky, the ancient castle stood like a huge shadow on the barren land. In the hall of the castle, the atmosphere was oppressive and tense, as if it could tightly bind people. The huge chandelier emitted a dim yellow light, making the ancient portraits on the walls even more eerie.
Thomas' eldest son James, second son David, daughter Alice, and his wife Margaret have all arrived. James was dressed in an expensive custom-made suit, with a slightly distorted expression on his face due to anxiety and greed. He spoke up first, 'Most of my father's inheritance should belong to me. I have paid the most for the family business in recent years!' His voice was loud and urgent, echoing in the empty hall, shaking the dust on the walls.
David, the second son, was dressed in casual attire, but could not conceal the ambition in his eyes. He immediately retorted, 'You're just relying on your identity as the eldest son, and I've made a lot of contributions to the family! My efforts are no less than yours.' His voice was filled with anger and unwillingness, and his fingers clenched tightly into fists.
Alice was wearing a black dress and silently stood aside crying. Her shoulders trembled slightly as she muttered, 'How could all of this be like this?' Tears slid down her pale cheeks and dripped onto the carpet beneath her feet, creating dark flowers.
Margaret sat quietly on the sofa, dressed in a black suit that made her particularly dignified. There was a hint of subtle cunning in her eyes, but a faint sadness lingered at the corner of her mouth. She cleared her throat lightly and said, 'Children, stop arguing. The most important thing now is to find out the cause of your father's death and how this inheritance should be distributed.' Her voice was gentle but carried an unquestionable majesty.
At this moment, Detective Jack walked into the hall. He is tall and steady, and his neat suit adds to his spirit. His gaze was sharp and profound, as if he could see through all disguises. Jack looked around at everyone present and cleared his throat, saying, "Everyone, I have been commissioned to investigate the cause of Mr. Thomas' death and assist in resolving the issue of inheritance distribution. I hope everyone can cooperate with my work
James glanced sideways at Jack and snorted coldly, "Hmph, what can you find out? Father passed away suddenly, and this inheritance should be divided according to what I said
David also said unwillingly, "Don't listen to him, detective. You must conduct a fair investigation
Alice lifted her head and looked at Jack with teary eyes, pleading, "Detective, please, do justice to your father
Jack nodded slightly and said, 'Don't worry, miss. I will do my best.' He walked up to a portrait of Thomas and gazed at the majestic face in the painting, pondering in his heart: what secrets are hidden behind this seemingly ordinary family dispute?
There was a brief silence in the hall, only the heavy breathing of the crowd and the whistling wind outside the window intertwined.
Chapter 2: Mysterious Death
The night sky is like a thick black curtain, tightly enveloping the castle. The wind outside the window howled, like a group of wild ghosts screaming recklessly. The sound was sharp and piercing, as if telling endless sorrow. The dim yellow chandeliers in the hall appeared particularly faint on this pitch black night. They tried their best to illuminate the space, but only made everyone's faces appear more uncertain in the light and shadow, like twisted masks.
Jack stood in the center of the hall, his gaze firmly sweeping over everyone present. His calm and powerful voice broke the oppressive silence: "Did anything unusual or different happen before Mr. Thomas passed away? Everyone think carefully, any details could be key
James frowned, his hands clasped in front of his chest, lost in thought. After a moment, he spoke slowly and said, "Father has been locking himself in the study lately, not letting anyone disturb him. Sometimes when I pass by the door of the study, I can hear the sound of searching for things and flipping through papers inside, and I don't know what he's really busy with." His tone was tinged with a hint of dissatisfaction and doubt.
David narrowed his eyes slightly and then said, "I once saw my father in a corner of the garden having a secret conversation with a stranger. That person was wearing a black robe and couldn't see his face clearly. My father's expression was very serious, as if he was arguing about something important." He gestured as he spoke, as if he wanted to recreate the scene at that time.
Alice timidly interjected, her voice trembling and weak: 'Father seems to have had new ideas about the distribution of the inheritance, but every time I want to ask the truth, he always hesitates and doesn't have time to tell us.' She tightly grabbed her hem, her eyes filled with helplessness and fear.
Margaret let out a soft sigh as she elegantly sat in a corner of the sofa, her hands crossed on her legs, and said, "I only know that he has been feeling unwell lately and always appears tired. He often sits alone by the window, lost in thought, with deep worries in his eyes." Her voice was gentle, but it was particularly clear in this quiet hall.
Jack listened attentively to everyone's answers while carefully observing their expressions and eyes. Every subtle change, every subtle emotional fluctuation that is not easily noticeable, was all within his sight. His brain was running rapidly, trying to piece together fragments of the truth from these few words.
At this moment, a servant hurriedly ran over, his face pale as paper, and his eyes filled with fear. He gasped heavily and said with a trembling voice, "Detective, I'm sorry, I found a strange letter in Mr. Thomas' bedroom
Upon hearing this, everyone's hearts were shaken, and they immediately followed the servant to the bedroom in a hurry. The bedroom was filled with an old-fashioned atmosphere, and the large bed looked particularly eerie in the dim light. I saw an unsigned letter quietly placed on the bedside table, like a mysterious curse waiting to be uncovered.
Jack carefully picked up the letter, his fingers gently caressing it, as if he could feel some hidden power in this thin sheet of paper. He slowly opened the letter, and when he saw the blurry handwriting on it, his brow furrowed: "Death is about to come, and the inheritance will be cursed
Jack's heart suddenly quickened, knowing that there must be a significant secret hidden behind this letter. Who exactly left this behind? Is it the provocation of the murderer, or is it intentional chaos created by someone? His gaze swept across the faces of everyone, trying to capture a hint of strangeness.
At this moment, a sinister howl of wolves came from outside the castle, piercing through the night sky and piercing straight into everyone's ears. It made people shiver with fear, and their fur stood on end. The wind seemed to be stronger, blowing the windows with a creaking sound, as if a pair of invisible hands were shaking hard.
Chapter 3: Strange Clues
The atmosphere inside the castle became increasingly solemn, and everyone's heart felt like a heavy stone weighing down. Jack decided to conduct a more in-depth investigation of the castle, leaving no corner that could hide any clues.
Jack first arrived at Thomas' study, which was filled with the scent of old books. The tall bookshelf is filled with various books, and messy papers are scattered on the desk. Jack carefully flipped through the papers and found that some of the accounting records seemed to have problems, with unclear flow of funds and some mysterious symbols and markings that left people confused.
Just then, James walked in with a hint of anxiety in his eyes: "Detective, have you found anything? My father is always meticulous in his work, and these chaotic records are too abnormal
Jack frowned slightly and didn't answer immediately, continuing to rummage through the drawers of his desk. Suddenly, he found a small key with a peculiar shape, unlike an ordinary door key.
David also followed into the study and saw the key in Jack's hand. He was surprised and said, "I've never seen this key before. Is it the key to something important that my father is hiding
Jack put away the key and turned towards the nearby cabinet. Upon opening it, he discovered a hidden compartment containing a yellowed diary.
Alice also leaned over and whispered, "Could this be my father's secret diary? Maybe it contains the answer we want
Jack carefully opened his diary, but the words on it were written in a strange password that made it difficult to decipher for a moment.
Margaret stood at the door with a gloomy expression and said, 'It seems that things are getting more and more complicated.'
Jack remained silent, but his doubts grew deeper and deeper. Where does this series of strange clues point to?
The wind outside the window still howls, and the branches sway in the wind, as if they were claws stretched out in the darkness.
Chapter 4: Clouds of Doubt abound
Jack left the study with the mysterious key and password diary, constantly pondering the possible connections between these clues in his mind.
The crowd followed behind him and arrived at the basement of the castle. The basement is dark and damp, emitting a pungent musty smell. The torches on the walls swayed, and the light and shadow danced on the faces of everyone, making their expressions even more sinister and terrifying.
Jack carefully explored the basement and suddenly discovered a safe hidden in the corner. He took out the key and tried to insert it into the lock, only to hear a "click" sound as the safe was opened.
Inside, there are some files and a delicate small box. James eagerly approached, picked up the documents and flipped through them, his face turning pale in an instant. 'This... how could these documents be here?'
David also looked curiously at the document and exclaimed, "This seems to be a transaction record between my father and some mysterious organization
Alice covered her mouth in fear, her eyes filled with terror: 'Is my father's death related to this?'
Margaret appeared particularly calm and said, "Don't panic for now, take a look at what's in that box
Jack opened the box and inside was an ancient badge with complex and mysterious patterns.
Just then, a loud noise suddenly came from outside the castle, as if someone was arguing fiercely. Everyone hurriedly ran out to check, only to see a few strangers at the castle gate, their eyes filled with hostility.
One of them shouted, 'Hand over the things, otherwise none of you will be able to handle it well!'
Jack stepped forward and asked, "Who are you? What do you want
The strangers didn't answer, just stared at them fiercely.
The dark clouds over the castle grew heavier and heavier, as if a huge storm was about to come.
Chapter 5: The Truth Gradually Reveals
Faced with these ill intentioned strangers, Jack's gaze instantly became as firm and sharp as an eagle's. He straightened his spine and said in a calm yet powerful voice, "No matter what you want, no one can be reckless here until you figure things out. This is Mr. Thomas' castle, you can't be wild
A burly man with a chubby face among the strangers took a step forward, his footsteps heavy as if about to shatter the ground. He shouted in a gruff voice: "Don't pretend. We know that Thomas hid important things in this castle and handed them over. It will save everyone time. Don't force us to do it!" He waved his strong arm and his eyes were full of threats.
James was furious, his face turning red and veins bulging on his forehead. He angrily shouted, 'You bandits, my father is already dead, and you are still causing trouble! We will never surrender to you!' His voice echoed in front of the castle, filled with endless anger and determination.
David, on the other hand, appeared somewhat flustered, with his eyes wandering and fine beads of sweat oozing from his forehead. He tugged at James' hem and spoke in a trembling voice, "Big brother, don't act impulsively, let's take a look at the situation first. They don't look easy to deal with, we can't act rashly
Alice hid behind everyone, her petite body constantly trembling like a startled deer. She tightly grasped Margaret's hem, trembling with fear, tears welling up in her eyes as she spoke with a sobbing tone, "What should we do? They're so scary
Margaret, however, appeared particularly calm, lifting her chin slightly and staring firmly at the strangers. She said calmly, 'What exactly is the important thing you're talking about? If we don't explain it clearly, how can we know if it's true or not. Don't think that just a few words of intimidation will make us obediently submit.' Although her voice was not loud, it carried an unquestionable majesty.
At this moment, Jack took the opportunity to carefully observe the expressions and movements of these strangers, trying to find a loophole in them. His sharp gaze swept over everyone's faces, not missing any subtle changes. He noticed that one of the people, who was small in stature and had a sly gaze, always unconsciously glanced towards the direction of the castle tower. Although it was only a brief moment, Jack still caught this unusual action.
Jack's heart stirred and he calmly said to everyone, "I'll go up and take a look." After saying that, he quickly turned around and ran steadily towards the tower. His figure appeared particularly agile in the dim light.
When he reached the top of the tower, a fierce wind whistled past, making his clothes rustle with hunting noise. The top floor of the tower is filled with an old atmosphere, and dust is flying in the wind. He carefully searched every corner and finally discovered a hidden compartment behind the wall.
Jack's heart raced as he carefully opened the dark compartment, revealing a handwritten letter from Thomas lying inside. The paper of the letter has turned yellow, as if carrying the weight of time. He opened the letter with trembling hands and scanned the text eagerly.
The letter detailed the truth of the matter. Originally, Thomas discovered a shocking secret about his family's inheritance by chance. Many years ago, one of the ancestors of the family made an unsavory deal with an evil organization. This transaction involves the core interests of the family and may lead the entire family into an irreparable situation. Thomas is aware of the seriousness of this matter, and has been secretly investigating to try to prevent this impending disaster. And those strangers were sent by evil organizations to steal evidence, they wanted to cover up the truth and continue their conspiracy.
Jack took a deep breath, calmed down, and hurriedly went downstairs with the letter. His footsteps echoed in the hallway, as if the drumbeat of fate.
When he returned to the crowd, everyone's eyes were focused on him. Jack gasped heavily and loudly said, 'I have found the truth!' Then he told everyone the contents of the letter.
The wind around the castle continued to howl, as if lamenting the convoluted truth. However, at this moment, there is a glimmer of hope in the hearts of everyone. They know that as long as they unite as one, they will be able to overcome evil and protect the dignity and heritage of their family.
Chapter 6: Ultimate Duel
After learning the truth, the emotions in everyone's hearts were like surging waves, intertwined with anger and firm fighting spirit.
James clenched his fists, his joints turning pale, and gritted his teeth as he said, "These bastards dare to threaten our family like this. We must not let them go easily! Father's spirit in heaven will not allow us to retreat." His eyes seemed to be burning with flames, and every word seemed to be squeezed out of his teeth.
David's originally panicked expression now became resolute and resolute. He looked ahead with a firm gaze and said, "Yes, big brother! We cannot let their conspiracy succeed. The family honor that my father guarded throughout his life must not be destroyed in the hands of these people." He straightened his spine and grew into a brave warrior who could stand on his own in an instant.
Although Alice's face remained pale with fear, there was a glint of determination in her eyes, and her voice trembled as she said with strength, "I will fight with everyone too! Even if I can't do much, I won't back down
Margaret's expression was serious, with a calm and composed look in her eyes. She nodded slightly and said, "Then let's face it together. As long as we unite as one, there is no obstacle we cannot overcome
Jack quickly laid out his strategy, his voice low and powerful: "Listen everyone, this is a difficult battle, but we can't afford to lose our composure. James and David, please attract their attention from the front, show bravery and fearlessness, but also be careful to protect yourself. Margaret and I are looking for opportunities to subdue them from the side. Alice, find a safe place to hide and don't put yourself in danger
Everyone nodded in agreement, their eyes filled with determination.
Without hesitation, James and David strode towards the group of strangers with firm and powerful steps. James shouted loudly, "Come on, you scoundrels! Today is your end
David also shouted, 'If you want to take away what belongs to us, you can't do it!'
The stranger was infuriated by their momentum, and the burly man in charge roared, "You ignorant fellows, since you toast and refuse to eat or drink, don't blame us for being impolite!" After saying that, they waved their weapons and rushed over.
For a moment, both sides were caught in a fierce struggle. Fists intersect with each other, making a dull sound; The collision of weapons sparks dazzling sparks. The open space in front of the castle was covered in dust, as if forming a chaotic battlefield.
Jack and Margaret took the opportunity to quietly approach from the side, their footsteps light and cautious, their eyes tightly fixed on the enemy's every move.
Suddenly, Jack noticed the weakness of the burly man in charge, and his movements became somewhat slow due to anger. A hint of decisiveness flashed in Jack's eyes as he rushed forward like a cheetah and threw him to the ground with a fierce pounce. Taking advantage of the moment when the burly man fell to the ground, Jack quickly snatched the weapon from his hand, pointed it at the other enemies, and shouted loudly, "Don't move
Margaret was not to be outdone, she cleverly avoided the enemy's attack, dodged, and took the opportunity to snatch another person's weapon. Her movements were agile and elegant, unaffected by the tense situation.
The battle is becoming increasingly fierce, and everyone is doing their best. Sweat soaked their clothes and their breathing became rapid.
Just then, the sound of police sirens came from afar. The siren sounded sharply outside the castle, breaking the noise of the battle. The stranger immediately panicked upon seeing this, their eyes filled with fear and despair.
Not good, the police are here, run! "Someone shouted.
But with the joint efforts of the crowd and the police, they ultimately couldn't escape. The police quickly brought the situation under control and handcuffed these lawbreakers one by one.
The afterglow of the sunset spilled on the castle, casting a warm golden hue on this building that had weathered the wind and rain. The traces of battle still remain on this land, but the joy of victory has permeated everyone's heart.
Chapter 7: Dust Settles
As the police took away all the criminals, the tense atmosphere inside the castle finally receded like a tide. James and David seemed to have been drained of all their strength and collapsed on the ground, panting heavily. Their chests were heaving violently, and sweat flowed down their tired cheeks like beads with broken threads, gathering into a small puddle on the ground.
Alice cautiously ran out of her hiding place, her steps unsteady, tears of excitement in her eyes, and her voice filled with tears as she said, "Brothers, it's great that you're okay! I've been worried to death, afraid of losing you." She ran over to James and David, crouched down, and tightly held their hands.
Margaret walked calmly towards them, with a relieved smile on her face like a spring breeze. She said softly, "Everyone is safe and sound, this is the most important thing. This nightmare is finally over, thank God." She looked up at the sky outside the window, her eyes filled with the emotion of surviving a disaster.
Jack looked at everyone, although his face was also tired, it was more of a determination and relief. He said, "Although the criminal has been caught, we cannot take it lightly. We need to organize all the evidence to ensure that this case can be handled properly and the truth can be revealed to the world." His voice was not loud, but full of strength and determination.
Everyone nodded in agreement. James struggled to stand up and said, "That's right, we must make those guys receive the punishment they deserve. We can't let our father sacrifice for nothing." David gritted his teeth and stood up, saying, "I'm going to sort out all those documents now
In the following days, a tense and orderly atmosphere permeated the castle. Under Jack's leadership, everyone was busy shuttling between various rooms. In the study, books and documents were reclassified and organized, and Jack and James carefully compared each piece of information, not missing any detail. David was diligently recording important information on the side, unable to wipe away the sweat on his forehead.
Alice and Margaret searched for potentially useful clues in the bedroom, carefully examining every drawer and wardrobe. The sunlight shone through the window on them, reflecting their focused and determined figures.
Finally, they sorted out the documents, diaries, and various clues found in the castle left by Thomas and handed them over to the police.
The police have thoroughly uncovered the conspiracy of that evil organization based on these detailed and powerful evidence. Originally, they not only coveted the vast inheritance of the Thomas family, but also attempted to use the family's resources in business and politics to engage in illegal activities. Their ambition was astonishing.
In the solemn court, criminals have no way to argue in front of iron evidence. The judge's gavel fell heavily, and the voice of justice echoed throughout the entire courtroom. They received the deserved trial and paid a heavy price for their crimes. Justice has been upheld, and the dignity of the law has been defended.
The Thomas family has finally emerged from this terrible crisis. The castle has regained its former tranquility, with sunlight shining through the colorful glass windows into the hall, creating a dazzling array of light and shadow. A gentle breeze brushed over the curtains, bringing the fragrance of flowers in the garden.
James stood in the center of the hall and said with emotion, "After experiencing so many ups and downs, we must be more united in the future, protect the honor and wealth of our family. We cannot let such a tragedy happen again
David walked up to him, patted his shoulder, and said, "Yes, big brother. Thanks to everyone's joint efforts, we were able to get through this difficult time. No matter what difficulties we encounter in the future, we must face them together
Alice smiled and said, "In the future, our family will never be separated again. We will always support and accompany each other
Margaret looked at them with tenderness and hope in her eyes, and slowly said, "I believe our family will get better and better. This ordeal will make us stronger and cherish our current life even more
From then on, the Thomas family lived a peaceful and happy life. The castle is filled with laughter and joy, and every corner is filled with warmth and harmony.