The Blade in the Mist

The night in Greystone was once again covered by a thick fog, and the streetlights appeared especially hazy in the fog, as if they were covered by a thin veil. Ethan sat alone in his study, a glass of whiskey in his hand, staring blankly ahead. His mind kept replaying the conversation with Alison and the cold, determined look in her eyes.

He knew that he could no longer escape. Sarah's death, the Jacksons' secret, and Allison's vengeance were like an invisible net that had entangled him tightly. He had to make a choice, no matter what it entailed.

"Ethan," came a low voice from behind him.

He turned his head and saw Jackson standing in the doorway, a faint smile on his face. "What are you doing here?"

Jackson took a few steps closer, a hint of probing in his gaze. "I heard Allison came to see you. What did you talk about?"

Ethan's heart sank, but he quickly cooled down, keeping his face calm. "Nothing, just a little talk about the past."

Jackson sneered, a hint of sarcasm in his voice. "The past? Ethan, do you expect me to believe that? Allison's a smart girl, she wouldn't come to you for no reason."

Ethan was silent for a few moments and finally sighed, a note of helplessness in his voice. "Okay, Jackson. She found out something about Sarah."

Jackson's expression turned cold, and a hint of anger flickered in his gaze. "Sarah? That girl is dead, Ethan. We don't need to talk about her anymore."

Ethan looked him in the eye, a hint of determination in his voice. "Jackson, Sarah's death wasn't an accident. We both know that it had something to do with your family."

Jackson's expression hardened, a hint of warning in his voice. "Ethan, you'd better watch what you say. There are some things that are better left unchallenged."

Ethan didn't flinch, his eyes filled with determination. "Jackson, I can't be silent anymore. Sarah's death, Allison's revenge, this has to end."

Jackson sneered, a hint of sarcasm in his voice. "An end? Ethan, what do you think you're going to change? My family has all the power in this town, and you're just a little man who doesn't matter."

Ethan's heart sank, but he quickly calmed down, a hint of icy determination in his voice. "Maybe, Jackson. But I've decided that I'm on Allison's side."

Jackson's expression changed to a grimace, his eyes filled with anger and disappointment. "You betrayed me, Ethan. You betrayed our friendship."

Ethan was silent for a moment and finally nodded, a hint of pain in his voice. "Yes, Jackson. I betrayed you. But this is my choice and my atonement."

Jackson said nothing more, but looked at him coldly, his eyes filled with anger and hatred. He turned and left the study, leaving Ethan standing there with mixed emotions.

Ethan knew that the game had entered a new phase, and he would have to face the next storm.