VEIL OF OBSESSION

ng. Inside a dimly lit apartment, Olivia Hart hunched over her laptop, the glow from the screen casting shadows a

s.

vening at Blackwood Manor. A car will arrive

Nolan B

d about in hushed tones at corporate gatherings and splashed across headlines in rumors laced with both admiration

reaching

orld of investigative reporting. She had spent years digging up truths about powerful men, but No

ut her curiosity burned hotter. There was

a stone-faced man in a crisp black suit, wordlessly opened the door. Olivia hesitated for a

Blackwood Manor loomed like a forgotten castle. As they approached, the estate came into vi

. Olivia stepped out, her heels clicking against the wet stone. The grand double

way,"

of elegance and mystery: dark marble floors, towering bookshelves

she s

jawline half-shadowed by the dim light. He wore a tailored black suit, his tie loosened just enough to suggest cont

ice like silk laced with steel. "

e it was optiona

ng that wasn't quite a smile

arms. "Why am I h

g back layers she didn't know she had. Then he stepped

omething darker, "I have a story for you. Bu

rawled dow

emand answers, the lights flickered

ine. The storm outside howled against the mansion's walls, and for a

slowly measure

muscle in her b

voice steady despite the

e, casting eerie golden hues. Nolan Blackwood stood exactly where he had been before,

e," he mused, his voice carrying

react with mild annoyance or call their sta

t normal?"

er of his lips. "Nothing a

n the way he said it as if the walls aroun

said, forcing her voice to remain steady. "Yo

ble where an intricate crystal decanter sat. He poured himself

estigate something

"You want me to

omeone." He swirled the liquid in his glass. "I need th

s exposing the powerful, but none of

uth?" sh

eighing his words

was murdered

ead through

r, had died in a tragic accident three years ago a car crash

was an accident?" Ol

o. And I have a reason to believe the per

ks in his composed exterior. "And why c

hing that wasn't quite a s

ugh to make people disappear if he wanted. If he truly believed s

you expecting me

said simply. "Or rather

choed through the halls a low, distant creak. Oliv

ay leading deeper into the mansion. He didn't move for a mom

murmured, "we

barely left

NG

ring glass exploded

faster, grabbing her wrist and pulling her into the shad

spered, his breath w

ion. Someone or something

she had just stepped into something far