Born the oldest of twin boys, Hugh Black survived, while his brother was
presumed to have died at childbirth. Hugh and his sisters Margaret and
Coral were lonely children. They grew up within the shadowy confines of
the family estate. Raised by nannies and educated by private tutors, they
had little chance to experience the joys of childhood. Their mother, Priscilla
and their father, Benjamin, spent considerable time bickering. Over time,
Hugh and his sisters grew to resent each other. Their parents divorced when
Hugh was 22 while he was in medical school. Their mother left town suddenly,
never to be heard from again. A year later, Hugh accompanied his father to
Africa. It was there that Hugh’s father died mysteriously while on safari. Hugh
and his sisters found little to bring them joy in their inherited estate.

In 1975, Hugh started a medical practice, while Margaret married Samuel
Boddy. Coral never married and withdrew from her siblings. She
moved to Georgia. Hugh's child by his maid, Mrs. White was born in 1981.
In 1983, Hugh’s sister and her husband disappeared without a trace while in
Egypt. Their only son, John, had no other family, so he came to live with
Hugh. But Black hadn’t a clue how to raise a child. So, he sent young John
off to boarding school. He paid for the finest education, and during holidays
insisted that Mrs. White take full responsibly for the child.

Hugh never had many friends, only business acquaintances. Many owed
considerable sums of money. Hugh’s self-serving business practices and
underhanded methods earned him considerable cash and numerous enemies.
After retiring he went to England, where he met Argent Silver. He became Sir Hugh Black when he was knighted by the Queen
after saving the life of Lord Alfred Grey. Hugh and Mrs. Silver fell in love and his entire outlook changed, with Hugh trying to
right some of his past wrongs. In 2004, Hugh asked Mrs. Silver to marry him, much to the surprise of Black's staff. On the
night of the couple's engagement party, Miss Vivienne Scarlet found Hugh Black murdered at the bottom of the cellar stairs.
Hugh's body is entombed in the Black Family Crypt on the Black Estate.