By evening, the news had spread like wildfire.

Televisions blared the headline. Phones buzzed nonstop. Social media erupted with speculation, theories, outrage, fear.

“Prominent Vale Family Found Dead in Mansion.”

“Suspected Poisoning.”

“Daughter-in-law Serena Missing, Now Prime Suspect.”

Rumors twisted the story into a hundred different shapes. Some called her a monster. Others whispered about revenge. Some claimed she had snapped. Others insisted she had planned it for ...