Case Title: The Deadly Dinner Party

 

Detective Evelyn Shaw was called to the sprawling Lakeview Manor after its owner, the reclusive billionaire Vincent Holloway, was found dead at the head of the dining table during a small dinner party.

He had been poisoned, and the room was locked from the inside. The only people in the manor at the time were the four guests Vincent had personally invited for dinner. Each had a potential motive.

The Suspects:

Isabella Holloway (his estranged sister): She had been feuding with Vincent over their father’s will and claimed she was unfairly excluded from the family fortune.

Victor Rhodes (his business rival): He had recently lost a major contract to Vincent and was on the verge of bankruptcy.

Sophia Mendez (the personal assistant): She had just been fired earlier that day after years of loyal service and was furious about being treated unfairly.

Marcus Quinn (his lawyer): He was rumored to have been embezzling money from Vincent's accounts and feared exposure.

The Statements:

Isabella (sister): "I was in the library reading while waiting for dinner. I didn’t even know Vincent was dead until the butler screamed."

Victor (business rival): "I was in the parlor enjoying a brandy. Why would I poison him? That would only make me look guilty."

Sophia (assistant): "I was setting the dining table. I barely even touched Vincent’s drink or plate."

Marcus (lawyer): "I was upstairs in my room preparing for a meeting Vincent and I had scheduled after dinner."

Detective Shaw examined the room, the victim's cup, and the dining setup. She noticed a small yet significant detail that helped her solve the case.

Suddenly, she pointed to one of the suspects and said, "It was you!"

Who did the detective accuse, and what was the clue that revealed the killer?