2025-01-05 21:33:47Manchester felt as if he had been punched in the guts, he couldn't believe what he had just heard. Mel, the mother of his child, the woman that he had shared his life with had moved on so quickly and was even engaged to someone else without getting a proper divorce.
Something wasn't right, it was either all of these had been going on behind his back, or Mel was just lying to keep him away for a reason that he was yet to understand. "What did I do wrong?" He really couldn't get an answer, he wasn't the poorest man, especially when compared with a lot of people he had seen in the city. Manchester was living very comfortably and he was quite the provider no matter how hard things got. If there was anything he could point out that Mel disliked about him then it was his temper, getting very agitated could be a turn-off for a lot of women but he was working on that as well to save his marriage, only to end up losing it. It just didn’t make any sense and how she left as well wasn't adding up. He looked down at Nelson, his small body hooked up to machines and wires, his heart broke thinking about how to face this alone. Just then, the doctor walked back into the room, "I see you've had a chance to speak with your wife." He said, "No offence, it was never my intention to eavesdrop on your conversation, but I was just outside the door going through a file and I overhead." Manchester shook his head, feeling a lump in his throat, "she's not coming." He said, his voice barely above a whisper. The doctor nodded his head, expressing his understanding. "I am sorry. We will do everything we can to help you, and I am hopeful he'll make a full recovery. I don't know if this is the best time to give you this?" The doctor handed a file over to Manchester and as soon as he gazed upon the heading, his face fell. It was more bills. This time, the owner of the car whom he had bumped into at the red light has fined him for a large sum of money in other to fix the damages that were done. And Manchester was no fool to not know that the bill for the damages thrown at him was enough to purchase a brand-new car. "How am I supposed to pay for this?" He asked, his mind reeling with the implications of the damages done. The doctor's expression was sympathetic and firm, "I understand that it is a very difficult time for you, but the law is clear. You were at fault and must take responsibility for the damages. Manchester's face fell, he felt a wave of anger wash over him but he couldn't afford to lose his temper, not now. The doctor's expression softened as he watched the young man struggle to keep his emotions in check. "We will do everything we can to take care of Nelson for now. The best advice I can give to you is to go home and strategise. If it's possible, find the man whom you bashed his car, and negotiate with him. He'd probably give you a longer time to pay." Manchester nodded in agreement, there was no other option than what the doctor had suggested. He suddenly started to feel the pain from the wound he had on the left side of his head, the constant movement had opened up the wound. The doctor reacted quickly when he noticed the bleeding, and he advised Manchester to rest a bit. But the young man was in a hurry to leave the hospital. He needed to get home and plan because he certainly couldn't make money while he was in the hospital. ------- As soon as he walked into his apartment, Manchester collapsed onto the couch, feeling overwhelmed. He wanted to come up with a plan but his mind was nothing but a jumble of emotions and worries. He got up and walked into the kitchen, searching for something to calm his nerves, and his eyes landed on a bottle of pills that a friend had prescribed for him a while back. They were meant to help him relax, but Manchester had never taken them before because he feared getting addicted to any substance especially since he was just starting a family at the time, gone were those teenage year where anything just goes without significant consequences. "I can't believe this is still here," he muttered, "It's been two years now, if not more." Desperate to relieve himself of the worry and think straight, Manchester popped a pill into his mouth and swallowed it, he placed his hand on the slab and kept his head low as the pills started to take effect. "Well, that was fast." He uttered, feeling slightly uncomfortable. Instead of feeling calm and relaxed, Manchester started to feel a strange sensation wash over him. His body began to feel heavy and his mind started to spin. He held tightly to the edge of the slab to stop himself from falling to the ground, and immediately after a slight rumbling of his stomach, Manchester threw up in the kitchen sink. "What the hell?" He uttered and slowly walked back to where the pills were. He picked it up and checked the expiry date, but his vision was blurred making it difficult to read, but with the way he felt, Manchester had no doubts that the pill was expired. He fell to the kitchen floor unable to hold his weight, and his freshly treated wound started to bleed again from the impact. Manchester felt himself being pulled into a dark vortex, and he tried to struggle, but it was too late. He passed out immediately, unaware of what was happening to him. But as he lay unconscious, a strange glow began to emanate from his body. The air in the room became humid all of a sudden and a holographic screen flickered to life in front of him. // I-Mode System Activated ! //
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I-Mode: Becoming A Famous Detective With A System 5. I- pray this is not a dream
A few minutes passed and Manchester's eyes fluttered open, the room was still blurry and a wave of dizziness washed over him. He just lay down there staring at the kitchen ceiling that he could barely see, his mind reeling with thoughts."Am I dead or alive?" He remembered taking a pill to relieve himself, but at the moment he felt worse, his head hurt so much and he couldn't tell if he was hallucinating but a holographic screen flickered to life before his eyes.Manchester wasn't startled, he just closed his eyes and tried to relax, whatever that thing was he knew it wasn't something to worry about. But then all the incidents over the past two days flooded his mind and Manchester suddenly remembered why he had come back home in the first place.He sat up Immediately, holding his aching head and hoping that his vision was better. He could thank God now that he was alive and had learnt a valuable lesson about pills. But then again why was this holographic screen still in front of him?
I-Mode: Becoming A Famous Detective With A System 6. I- don't trust Atkinson
In a few minutes, Manchester arrived at Bellvue Manor, a grand estate nestled in the heart of the city in a simple vehicle similar to that of a police officer. His driver was also dressed in uniform making it appear as though it was official police business.Along the way, Manchester had gotten a couple of messages from what appeared to be a research team who were ready to support him through the investigation, and as weird as it may seem, Manchester played along.After speaking with the security guard at the entrance to the manor, Manchester was directed to the living room by a butler, and there he met the wealthy man who seemed to have been waiting for him. "Detective Duke," He exclaimed,"It's such a relief that you are here." The wealthy businessman man with a receding hairline stood on his feet, stretching his elderly hand for a handshake which Manchester received with a warm smile."How does he even know my name... ""Sit down." Mr. Richard Langley gestured to the couch that
I-Mode: Becoming A Famous Detective With A System 7. I- will tell you what I heard him say over the phone
Mr Richard Langley led Manchester to the security room and asked the butler to wait outside while the detective did his job. Manchester could see a glint of anxiety in the butler's eyes and he took a mental note of that. As a detective, all kinds of reactions were important to him. With the doors closed Manchester was faced with two large monitors hanging on the walls, a desk with a keyboard and mouse, along with two chairs. He sat down and Mr. Langley did the same, watching the young detective skillfully scroll through the visual images on the screen. //Transferring security footage via wireless network// //Transfer complete // // You may select footage Vid_123 // Manchester scrolled down the screen and as soon as he spotted the videos, he clicked on it. It was a two hours long footage so he put it on fast-forward until he spotted someone in it. This footage was from a surveillance camera in the garden, and it was ten minutes to the hour of theft, it captured someone lurking be
I-Mode: Becoming A Famous Detective With A System 8. I- begged him
"I still don't believe you," Manchester's voice echoed off the walls after listening to Emma's seemingly made-up explanation."This is all nonsense especially after you said that you didn't hear anything and now you are saying that Atkinson was speaking with someone about a business deal ... we will settle all this at the station.//Do you wish to arrest the suspects?//"Yes."// Sending in the team //Within a minute, a knock was heard on the door and Manchester opened it to let the team of three cops into the room, and he pointed the suspects out to them. Emma continued to beg, and swear that she was saying the truth while Atkinson willingly offered himself to be taken away."Don't worry Mr. Langley I will get to the bottom of this before the end of the day..."Please do," Mr. Richard Langley uttered before Manchester could finish speaking,"In the meantime, I'd search for something similar in case I don't find it today." "Very well," Manchester nodded before walking out of the roo
I-Mode: Becoming A Famous Detective With A System 9. I- know who it is
"When I was in the garden, I caught her listening to my conversation, and I had no choice but to tell her the truth. However, she was scared of getting into trouble too and wanted to tell Mr Langley. So... I threatened her... or rather I blackmailed her with something I'd rather not talk about if that's okay with you sir."Manchester shrugged, he couldn't care less about the blackmail."This is what I am going to do." He said,"You will remain detained until we find the necklace, since we have your phone coupled with what you just told me, this case would be easier to solve. If what you have just said is the truth, then the necklace must be in the manor somewhere."Manchester was about to leave the room when he remembered something and turned to ask him,"Is there anyone in the manor that you suspect? Someone that holds something against you enough to want to get you fired."Atkinson thought about this question for a while, but he shook his head when he couldn't think of anyone. "I
I-Mode: Becoming A Famous Detective With A System 10. I- am sorry sir
Back at the Bellvue Manor, Mr. Langley was anxiously anticipating Manchester's return. "Does he have answers, has he found the the thief?", these questions ran through his mind and it was impossible to sit down. "Ah, Mr. Detective," he exclaimed the second the butler ushered Manchester into the living room. Mr Langley couldn't help but notice that both Emma and Atkinson came in along with him, and he started to question if they were innocent all along, or perhaps they had come to confess. "Do you have answers?" He asked, "Please tell me that you have answers. My wife's plane would land in an hour, and I'd have to go pick her up soon, so if you don't have answers yet, you can leave it while I... "We have answers, Mr. Langley, " Manchester interjected, his tone was firm and certain. He felt that it was rude to cut the man off while he was still speaking, but knowing Mr Richard Langley's loquacious nature, it was for the best. "So?" Mr. Langley asked, still standing. "Well, sir." M
I-Mode: Becoming A Famous Detective With A System 11. I- can win you back home, Mel
Now alone in the living room with the detective, Mr. Langley took a deep breath and stared at the young man in the eyes. "Is it true?" He asked, gesturing for Manchester to sit on the couch opposite him. "She left without a reason?" "Oh, that!" Manchester let out a faint smile. This isn't a subject he'd love to discuss with anyone, and the only reason he mentioned it in the first place was to prove to the butler that he could relate to the hurt he felt on the inside. "I'd rather not bother you with it, sir," He added before taking his seat and stapling both fingers together, "And your son?" Asked Mr. Langley, "Where is he?" Now, Manchester doesn't mind the show of concern, but he wishes that Langley would read his body language and end this conversation or at least change the subject. "I left him at the daycare," he lied "I'll pick him up on my way home." Mr. Langley soon noticed that Manchester had no interest in proceeding with this conversation, and he understood. It was
I-Mode: Becoming A Famous Detective With A System 12. I-need an overview of the area
Just as he has said to Mr. Langley, Manchester headed for the hospital first to complete the payment from Nelson's treatment and words couldn't describe the wave of relief that washed over him when all that was cleared. Nelson's health was a priority to him because losing his child just after his wife had left would eventually cause him to end up at a rehabilitation centre. "We are doing everything we can, and he will be fine." The doctor assured him with a firm nod, before taking him to Nelson's ward for a few minutes. The one-year-old was yet to awaken, so Manchester did what always made him feel relieved, and that was to take Nelson's tiny hand in his, and talk to him as though he was awake and listening. "Don't worry, I'll get mummy back home." These were Manchester's last words to his unconscious child before leaving the hospital to rest. However, Manchester's depression worsened as soon as walked through the front door. He wasn't coming home to his family as usual, but
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56. I- watched take a step
With one interview after another, Manchester was finally able to get to the bottom of the case, at least lost of it. It turned out that what Alex did was entirely true, and every one them them knew the grandmaster made them such dirty tasks. But still, they had a hand in kidnapping and murdering the manager and must face the law. The consequences of their actions range from a life sentence to a death sentence. Through the Interrogation session, Manchester learned about how these four met and became friends even before they met the grandmasters. These four had a very dark history and robbed a few stores and restaurants on their own. They claimed that it was the only way they could survive at the time and that the only reason they gave in to working for the grandmaster was because he accommodated them in his home and promised to protect them. One thing that Manchester still didn't have an answer to is the restaurant owners were about. He couldn't help but wonder if these four
55. I- killed him.
"Okay, now that I am done drinking, and not getting drunk, I can deal with these ones," Manchester muttered, bracing himself for one of the longest Interrogation sessions he's going to have in a long time. Speaking with all four men individually and compiling their words to find out if they correlate seems like a lot of work, but he had two hours before it's six o'clock, so why not start now? "Alex," Manchester started with a smile, his eyes fixed on the young man who didn't believe he'd catch the others. "Let me start by saying, I did it! I caught your friends, all of them, in one piece. I don't just say things, I get them done." Alex sighed, his face fell with embarrassment; perhaps this was when the reality hit him in the face; he had been caught, and so were his friends. "Did you attack Hi n BYE on the evening of ... "Yes," Alex replied before Manchester could finish his words, "Yes, I did." Shocked by how quickly he responded, Manchester glanced at his partner, So
54. I- would rather be single forever.
They arrived at the station, and all three men were immediately detained; Manchester couldn't believe how quickly he completed this task. Even Sophia Patel's disappearance took longer than a case that appeared to be more difficult. "I can't believe it," Detective Jameson uttered. This is probably the hundredth time he had made that statement, and each time he did, Manchester smiled. "It's for the people," Manchester said, sipping from the bottle of wine that stood on the table separating him from Jameson. He's had quite a hectic day, from the court to fighting with Alex to catching the others. Overall, the entire police department detained twelve men, excluding the trio that Manchester was focused on finding. He immediately wanted to rush in for Interrogation, but Jameson pulled him from the shoulder and forced him to the cafeteria. Bought some bottles of wine, one for himself, one for Manchester and one extra. "Relax," he said, "Seventy per cent of the work is done; no need to
53. I- haven't fought like this in a while
With a deep breath, Manchester dashed into the grand hallway, the echo of gunfire behind him fading beneath the pounding of his own heartbeat. His mind was locked. Every inch of this place screamed luxury, from the paintings in gilded frames to the marble floors, even a chandelier. But Manchester knew could smell the criminal acts that purchased them all.// System Notification: Six remaining hostiles detected. Two on the ground floor and four in the basement.//“System, keep me updated. I don’t want any surprises.” Manchester muttered, bracing himself for the fight he was about to experience. He had faith in the system's strength, but at Level 1, he believed that most of his efforts would be required.As if in response to his statement, the system highlighted a figure moving around the corner just ahead, so Manchester lowered his body and silently advanced. The man stepped out with a silenced pistol, but Manchester was faster. He grabbed a bronze statue from a side table and slammed
52. I- will take all of them
"Number thirteen, Haven Crescent," Manchester muttered as he peeped through the partially rolled-down car window. His eyes glance at the apartment, and the house number that hung near the gate. The apartment was magnificent, simple and classic from the outside, it was obvious that whoever lived there wasn't struggling, and then it occurred to him that Alex had said that it wasn't their home. With a long sigh, Manchester rolled up the tinted glass and walked out of the car. He wasn't alone; two cops were with him, and there were four others on standby in case of emergency. Manchester tapped the doorbell sign on the gate and waited; the gateman, a man in a white shirt and pants, stepped out and asked. "Who are you looking for?" Manchester flashed his ID immediately and replied, "Detective Duke, I would love to speak with the house owner immediately. If he delays or declines, we have a permit to search the house and wouldn't hesitate to do so." At his words, the gateman sneered, s
51. I- fought with a suspect
“So can I,” Alex replied, the menacing grin on his face along with his messed-up brunette hair made him appear fierce, but Manchester wasn’t impressed. Before now, he was a well-trained military personnel, and the only reason he deviated into the investigation department was that Mel didn’t want to be married to him if he was going to constantly put his life at risk in the military.Manchester inched closer to Alex, his fist itching to release yet another punch, but he had to be careful to avoid killing him.“Why did you do it?” He asked, now standing only a few feet away from Alex.“I didn’t...“Lie!” Manchester cut him off and delivered yet another punch that Alex couldn’t dodge.“You are only this powerful because my hands aren’t free,” Alex yelled, groaning in pain as he tried to grab onto his hurting stomach.“If only I were free, you would have been dead by now.”“You are truly violent,” Manchester said and let out a broad smile. He found Alex’s words very useful and immediat
50. I- can do this all day and not be tired.
The same day, after dropping Valerie off at her parent's apartment, Manchester returned home with Nelson and stayed with him for a while, hitting long enough for the Nanny to show up so that he could leave. He couldn't help but worry about his child and what they might go through, he feared for his safety and wished he could shield him from all this drama. If only Mel had not left him the way she did, if only she hadn't gone to be with Cain behind his back, he wouldn't be trapped I'm this mess. In the end, he is grateful for the system, because it has given him a glimpse of hope, he doesn't care what else wants to happen, because as long as he completes his task, he will be rewarded and he will be wealthy in no time. As soon as the Nanny showed up, Manchester left without any trouble. The good thing about Nelson is that he gets familiar with anyone who takes care of him very quickly, so even in his father's absence, he's comfortable in the hands of another person. It took nearly
49. I- want the result to favour me
"Manchester!" Valerie snapped. "I think a peaceful negotiation with him might be a lot better. You could lose everything if you chose to fight with him. I don't mean this in a bad way but you can not match up with him in that level even if you know the law." Manchester's face fell, her words hurt but she was right, he wasn't as wealthy as Cain, nor as powerful. But he wasn't going to fold his arm and do nothing about it, and he also wasn't going to waste his time negotiating with a man who didn't seem interested. "I'm sorry," Valerie apologised, wishing that she never let those words off her lips. It isn't her intention to mock anyone of lower status and it has never been. "You are right," Manchester replied, "I can not match up to him, but at least I can keep my son safe, even if it is the last thing I do. Please, Valerie, I will hire a nanny, two nannies if you want me to, they'll take care of him while he's with you. You don't have to lift a finger, I just don't want him to b
48. I- am going to do this the hard way.
After the samples from Manchester and Cain were taken, the young detective left immediately along with Valerie and Nelson. Valerie had a driver, but she asked him to go back, stating that Manchester would drop her back home after everything was complete. But the true reason she waited behind was because of what that mysterious lady had told her about this case. She just couldn't get it off her mind and needed to communicate it with Manchester, but not in front of all these people."Thank you so much Valerie for waiting, I'm sure you had a lot of things to do today that you gave up to be here." Manchester acknowledged her as soon as they got into the car. "It's okay," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper, Nelson was peacefully sleeping in her arms and she didn't want to risk waking him up."I'm off today, so it doesn't matter. And by the way, I needed to talk to you about something, I just needed us to speak privately."At those words, Manchester's heart skipped a beat."i
