14. I- will have wine instead

// Exp 1200/ 1000 //

//Congratulations! Case 3, unlocked! //

// Earn 600 Exp to unlock the next case//

//Exp 0 / 600 //

Manchester knew that he couldn't proceed with this task until he had gotten some Intel from the Everglow company, so he put the case on pause and headed for the hospital to spend the rest of his day with Nelson.

At past 5pm the same day, in a part of the city, the halls and decorations were all set up for Mr Langley's wife's birthday celebrations.

It was her fiftieth birthday, so it is no surprise that he made it so elaborate and grand.

From 5:30 pm, cars were already at the parking lot, and the chairs in the hall slowly got occupied until Mr. Langley and his wife arrived, marking the commencement of the occasion.

He had hired a stand-up comedian to anchor the celebrations. As expected of him, the event kicked off with a few laughs, sarcastic roasts, and recognition of some important guests.

At this time, Manchester showed up at the entrance, he wasn't bothered by the security personnel because he handed them the invitation card before they could even ask.

Manchester dressed his best for the occasion, a black tuxedo with matching black shoes and a red bow tie. He had also spent some time on his hair, ensuring that there wasn't a loose strand.

To add to the mix, Manchester had arrived in a clean-looking cab, a ride that cost him a hundred dollars but for the sake of blending in with others, he didn't mind.

"I will take you to your seat, sir." Said a familiar voice, and Manchester shifted this gaze to the chief guard.

"Oh thank you, Mr. Atkinsons." He uttered with a smile and followed him from behind.

"How did it go with you and the butler?" He asked, curious to know what Mr. Langley had done to them.

"We both got to keep our jobs," Atkinson replied, making his voice as audible as possible, in hopes that it would overshadow the sound coming from inside the hall.

"I believe he will still talk about it later when things are less hectic." He added.

"How about Emma?"

"She also gets to keep her job." He answered,

"She has been so busy with the preparation but hasn't stopped talking about how we owe it all to you. If not for you, we were all going to be toast."

"My pleasure," Manchester retorted with a firm nod,

"I am only doing my job." He added.

Their discourse ended after Atkinson had shown Manchester where he was to have his seat. The table was closer to the front, and it was reserved for three people whose names were written on a laminated card and placed on the table.

Manchester sat down after exchanging pleasantries with those on his table, and during the process, his hand touched the lady seated behind him, and he quickly turned to apologise.

"Oh, I'm so sorry about..." Manchester's words hung in the air as he stared at the figure seated behind him, his mouth open ajar and his eyes fixed on hers.

"It's fine, no need to be so dramatic about it. It was an accident, I know." Mel's words were brief, she kept a smile the whole time and didn't even act as though she knew who Manchester was.

She turned away from him, and held hands with the man seated next to her, fidgeting with his fingers as she listened to Anchor who was telling yet another joke.

"Mel?" Manchester wanted to call out to her, this was the first time he had gotten a chance to see her face since the day of the incident, but after today, would he even have that chance again?

However, Manchester was no idiot to cause a scene in front of so many people, regardless of how tempted or how ill-tempered he was.

With an awkward expression, Manchester took his seat, his heart beating so fast in his chest, and for a moment he had even forgotten where he was.

He wondered who the man was, and he was holding onto his wife's hand in that manner. Does he even know that she is married? And that her husband was in the room with him.

"Just water thank you," Manchester said, as the waitress approached him with a tray.

"Alright, I will get back to you soon." She said and immediately went off after serving the others on his table.

The urge to turn around again was too strong to override, making him uncomfortable with each passing second. Then again, he was too shy to stand up and leave especially now that the hall was silent and everyone's attention was on the stage.

"Breathe," he told himself and took a deep breath,

"System who is the most approachable influential man in the hall?"

//Scanning //

//Results://

_Adam Smith

_Collen Nicholson

_Aiden Lamar

_Henry Hart

//The figures mentioned above are a list of influential men who do not require a medium to approach them.//

//Adam Smith and Aiden Lamar are known to be very friendly, and recently Aiden Lamar donated a million dollars to Darson Oils, a partner to Everglow //

"Aiden Lamar it is." He mumbled

"Where is he seated?"

//Two tables ahead of you. The man with grey hair in a black tuxedo//

Manchester stole a glance in that direction and nodded his head. He hoped that he could focus on the true why he had come here even with Mel sitting behind him. While also praying that he gets a chance to speak with Mel before they leave this hall.

Manchester was ready to fall to his knees and beg if he had to, just a few seconds was all he wanted from Mel, no explanation was required, he just wanted her back to fix his crumbling home.

"Here is your water sir," the waitress returned with a bottle of water as Manchester had requested, but he said,

"On second thought, I think I will have the wine instead."