Chapter 8 - THE HOUSE OF LIESThe Hayes mansion looked beautiful in daylight.
That was what made it frightening.
Every room carried the illusion of happiness.
Family photographs.
Awards.
Champagne glasses.
Portraits.
A life carefully displayed.
Ethan walked through his father's study.
He found hidden financial records behind a painting.
Offshore transfers.
Insurance policies.
Payments to shell companies.
And one recurring name.
Northstar Holdings.
Marcus studied the documents.
“Maria wasn't working alone.”
Ethan felt the room turn cold.
“Who is Northstar?”
“I don't know.”
Then a floorboard creaked.
They turned.
No one.
But on the desk sat an envelope Ethan hadn't seen before.
His name was written across it.
He opened it.
Inside was a photograph.
His father standing beside an unknown man.
On the back:
ASK YOUR FATHER ABOUT THE NIGHT IN BLACKWOOD VALLEY.
Ethan stared at the picture.
He had never heard of Blackwood Valley.
He called the hospital.
His father's eyes widened when he mentioned the name.
“Where did you hear that?”
Ethan showed him the photograph.
His father looked terrified.
May you like
Then whispered:
“Maria doesn't know everything.”
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