The entrance to the mansion was overrun with weeds. The once well-tended rose wall was now merely a bare framework, and the fallen leaves remained untouched on the ground.

As Ariana and Holden walked onto the property, Ariana reminisced about her early days here, when the mansion exuded an atmosphere of wealth, though not as great as the Fredrick estate. It was always lively, with gardeners cleaning the yard and roses that bloomed vibrantly.

Now, everything was different. The Anderson family had lost their status; their once flourishing prosperity felt like a distant, hollow memory. Even the person beside her, Theodore, was a mere shadow of his former self.

Holden, giving Ariana's hand a reassuring squeeze, finally said, "Let's go inside."

He unlocked the door, and they entered the overgrown garden. The iron furniture was rusted, the fountain was filled with dead leaves and dust, and the pipes gave off a stale odor of decay.