**Blackwood Creek, Maine –** A scene of escalating tension at the Hotel Desire has unfolded after resident artist Julius Moreau dramatically altered the portrait of guest Antonia Bellweather earlier this evening. The revelation, occurring during a private sitting, has sent ripples of suspicion and unease through the already volatile atmosphere of the isolated establishment.

According to multiple eyewitness accounts, Mr. Moreau, known for his meticulous and often unsettling portraits, began applying a particularly vibrant shade of crimson to Ms. Bellweather’s left eye. Initially, the change was subtle, described by hotel staff as “a deepening of the color.” However, within minutes, the entire eye appeared to shift, revealing a previously concealed image beneath the painted surface. Initial reports suggest the image depicts a man, wearing a distinctive military uniform and holding a small, ornate box.

“It was… unsettling,” stated head housekeeper, Mrs. Higgins, visibly shaken. “One minute she was smiling, the next… this just appeared. It wasn’t a reflection, it was *there*, like a memory etched into the paint.”

Ms. Bellweather herself remains largely unresponsive, exhibiting a state of profound distress. She was found huddled in her room, repeating the phrase, “He knows. He *always* knew.” When pressed for details, she simply stated, “That man… he’s connected to everything. To the hotel, to my past… to *him*.”

The incident has prompted an immediate investigation by Detective Harding, who arrived at the hotel shortly after the transformation was observed. “We’re treating this as a serious matter,” Detective Harding stated. “The sudden alteration of Ms. Bellweather’s portrait is highly unusual, and the circumstances surrounding it are deeply concerning. We’re currently examining Mr. Moreau’s work history and attempting to identify the man depicted in the image.”

Mr. Moreau, when questioned, offered a cryptic response: “Some portraits reveal more than they intend. The canvas simply holds what is already present.”

The revelation has undoubtedly intensified the existing paranoia surrounding the Hotel Desire, a location already steeped in local legend and whispers of forgotten tragedies. As investigators delve deeper into the mystery of the painted image, one question remains: what secrets is the hotel desperately trying to conceal?