JUGULAR ─── original

In the cutthroat world of elite ballet, the Taureau Academy is the undisputed pinnacle, a hallowed ground where stars are forged. But when Aria Huynh, a rising prima ballerina poised for ultimate stardom, is found brutally murdered on the opening night of her final performance, the stage is set for a chilling mystery. Who silenced the 'belle of the ball' and why? Uncover the dark secrets, bitter rivalries, and scandalous affairs hidden beneath the graceful facade of Taureau. Every dancer is a suspect, every secret a potential motive. Can you unmask the killer before the next curtain call?

The air in the Taureau Academy was thick with anticipation, a blend of nervous energy and the sweet scent of rosin. Tonight was the opening of 'Swan Lake,' a night that promised to solidify Aria Huynh's place as the undisputed queen of the stage. Backstage, the organized chaos of dancers stretching and technicians making final adjustments hummed with a deceptive calm.

Then, a piercing scream shattered the illusion.

The frantic cries of a junior dancer echoed through the hallowed halls, drawing a small, horrified crowd to Aria's private practice room. The door stood ajar, revealing a scene that would forever stain the academy's pristine reputation.

Aria Huynh, the prima ballerina, lay still on the polished wooden floor, her white Odette leotard starkly contrasted by the crimson bloom beneath her. Beside her, a dainty silver dagger glinted under the harsh stage lights, its blade a cruel, silent testament to the violence that had just unfolded. Her jugular, the very vessel of her life's rhythm, had been cleanly, brutally severed.

The academy, a temple of grace and beauty, had become a slaughterhouse.

JUGULAR ─── original

Murder Mystery Secrets Ballet Rivalry Dark Academia