The fictional shockwave that tears through Genoa City begins the moment Holden’s long-buried secrets come roaring to the surface, exposing a darkness far more sinister than anyone imagined. For months, subtle clues hinted that something about Holden never quite aligned with the man he pretended to be. He was charming, soft-spoken, helpful in all the right ways, and always present at the perfect time—almost too perfect. But now, the façade crumbles violently as evidence emerges linking him to a series of murders that have haunted the town from the shadows. Tension skyrockets when Matt, one of the few people who began suspecting the truth, suddenly turns up dead under mysterious circumstances. The news sends panic through the community and raises one horrifying question: was Matt the next name on Holden’s deadly list?

This fictional storyline deepens when Chance discovers a hidden compartment in Holden’s old workshop, leading to a chilling collection of items—photos, burner phones, newspaper clippings from past unsolved disappearances, and handwritten notes that appear to track each victim’s movements. It becomes clear that Holden has not just been involved in one crime, but in a pattern of calculated, ritualistic killings disguised as accidents or tragic coincidences. His victims were all people he encountered through work, volunteering, or social circles, each selected for reasons the police have yet to understand. The revelation sends shivers through everyone who ever trusted him, especially those who now realize how close they came to danger without ever knowing it.

Meanwhile, Matt’s death becomes the emotional centerpiece of the unfolding chaos. Only hours before he died, Matt met with Sharon, telling her he had discovered “something big—something dangerous.” His message was cryptic but filled with urgency, promising that he would reveal everything once he gathered more proof. Sadly, that moment never came. Matt was found lifeless near the lake, initially declared a tragic accident, but the timeline makes investigators suspicious. He had no reason to be there, no activity planned, and no signs of distress earlier that day. When autopsy reports indicate inconsistencies, the police begin treating Matt’s death as a potential homicide—instantly drawing a straight, unavoidable line toward Holden.

The Newman family becomes entangled when Victoria learns that Matt was planning to confront Holden directly. Her guilt consumes her, believing she could have stopped him if she had insisted he bring someone else into the investigation. Nick, on the other hand, becomes consumed with rage, furious that a dangerous murderer was roaming free right under their noses. As more evidence unfolds, it becomes apparent that Matt had uncovered Holden’s link to two earlier victims, and his discovery may have cost him his life. The tragedy leaves Abby devastated, Chance conflicted, and Sharon struggling with the guilt of being the last person Matt confided in before his death.

The storyline grows even darker when Holden disappears without a trace, leaving behind a blood-stained jacket and a cryptic message etched into a piece of metal: “You should have left it buried.” Genoa City descends into fear as residents question whether he is planning another attack or fleeing town to avoid justice. The police intensify their search, using psychological profiling to understand Holden’s next move. The unsettling truth is that Holden is not a reckless criminal—he is precise, patient, and eerily intelligent. His murders were not crimes of passion; they were calculated acts carried out with chilling calmness. And now, cornered, he may be more dangerous than ever.

What terrifies the community most is the idea that Holden could have accomplices or admirers. Online chatter emerges as amateur sleuths dig through his past, uncovering childhood trauma, strange writings, and rumors of a mentor figure who may have influenced him. Whether these whispers are true or merely speculation, the tension fuels the town’s growing paranoia. Every shadow feels threatening, every locked door insufficient. Even Victor begins reallocating Newman security resources to protect the family, quietly fearing that Holden may return to finish whatever twisted mission he believes he began.

Matt’s memorial becomes one of the most emotional scenes of the storyline, with the entire community turning out to honor a man who lost his life trying to uncover the truth. Sharon delivers a heartbreaking speech filled with love, regret, and the painful acknowledgment that Matt’s courage came at a devastating cost. Chance stands silently in the back, torn between duty and grief, his determination hardened to bring Holden in alive—or not at all. Meanwhile, unknown to everyone, Holden watches the service from a distance, hidden beneath a hood, studying the people mourning the man he silenced.

The next twist arrives when forensic experts decode the sequence of numbers carved onto the metal plate Holden left behind. It turns out to be coordinates—coordinates pointing directly to an abandoned property once owned by one of Holden’s relatives. Inside the collapsed structure, investigators find remnants of what appears to be his “planning room,” including a detailed board mapping his past crimes and potential future targets. Horrifyingly, Matt’s name is listed under a column labeled “redundancy.” This discovery confirms everyone’s worst fears: Holden viewed Matt as a threat and eliminated him with precision. Even more disturbing, the final column shows several names under the heading “pending.” Though blurred and damaged by fire, it’s clear that more lives were at risk.

Now the entire town waits, breath held, for Holden’s next move. Is he preparing to strike again? Will he target someone connected to his investigation? Or is he spiraling, desperate for control as his empire of secrets collapses around him? Tensions rise as the Newman, Abbott, and Rosales families tighten security, knowing any of them could be next. Sharon, grieving yet determined, vows to ensure Matt did not die in vain and urges the police to release information that might help the public identify Holden if he surfaces again.

As the hunt intensifies, one thing becomes clear: Holden is a man who believes he is smarter than everyone else—a predator who thrives in silence and shadows. Matt’s death may have exposed him, but it also unleashed his most dangerous version yet. And until he is caught, Genoa City will live in fear, haunted by the knowledge that a murderer is still out there, waiting to strike again, driven by secrets only he fully understands.