Episode 3: Beneath the Falling Blossoms

Before Lin Yi could respond, she was gone, leaving him with more questions than answers. He pulled out the photograph again, studying his mother's worried expression. What had she discovered about the Harringtons? And more importantly, could he trust Edith's apparent desire to help, or was this all part of a more sinister plan?

As the first bell rang, Lin Yi noticed something he hadn't before – in the background of the photograph, barely visible through one of the mansion's windows, was a young Edith, watching his mother with an unreadable expression.

The bell's echo faded, leaving Lin Yi with a chilling realization: he wasn't the only one seeking answers. But who was really pulling the strings in this deadly game of cat and mouse?

The final bell echoed through empty hallways as Lin Yi made his way to the old cherry blossom tree, the crimson-tinged photograph burning a hole in his pocket. His footsteps crunched on fallen petals, each step bringing him closer to what he hoped would be answers – or what could be a carefully orchestrated trap.

Edith was already there, her slender figure half-hidden behind the ancient trunk. Pink blossoms drifted around her like snow, creating an eerily beautiful scene that made Lin Yi's heart skip. But something was wrong. Her usual composed demeanor was shattered, her face pale with fear.

"Lin Yi," she whispered urgently, grabbing his arm and pulling him behind the tree. "We don't have much time. They know I found the files."

"Who knows?" Lin Yi demanded, but Edith pressed a finger to his lips, her eyes darting to the school building's windows. Following her gaze, he caught a glimpse of movement – a shadow retreating from view.

"My father's personal secretary, Mr. Chen," she breathed, her voice trembling. "He's been watching me all day. But that's not the worst part." She reached into her designer bag and pulled out a leather-bound journal, its edges worn and pages yellowed with age. "I went back to my father's study during lunch. This was hidden behind the newspaper clippings – it's your mother's diary."

Lin Yi's world tilted on its axis. "What?" He reached for the journal with shaking hands, but Edith pulled it back.

"Wait," she said, her eyes filling with tears. "There's something you need to know first. I... I recognized her handwriting because I'd seen it before. In letters she wrote to my mother."

Lin Yi's back hit the tree trunk hard. "Letters? What letters?"

"They were friends, Lin Yi. Best friends. Until..." Edith swallowed hard, "until my mother betrayed her."

A gust of wind sent cherry blossoms swirling around them, and in the distance, a car door slammed. Edith jumped, nearly dropping the diary.

"My father's home early," she whispered, panic creeping into her voice. "He never comes home this early unless..." Her eyes widened in horror. "The safe '.

STILL CONTINUED!!

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