15. I- need your help with an investigation

The party stretched on for what seemed like an eternity, and Manchester just couldn't wait for it to come to an end. He stole a glance at his wife now and then, but Mel didn't seem to do the same or notice him.

It hurts so much how she appears to have forgotten about him entirely to the point that she acts uninterested even in his presence. Or was he overthinking the situation?

Three hours passed and it was 8:45, the celebrations were officially over, but as expected, not everyone would leave immediately. A number of them wanted to see Langley and congratulate his wife, while others just sat back to enjoy a few drinks before leaving.

The whole time, Manchester had been tracking his wife and Aiden Lamar's movement simultaneously, it was a difficult task but he was up for it. As soon as he got a chance, seeing that Aiden Lamar was less crowded by people, he approached the elderly man with a humble and polite greeting.

"Good evening, sir." He stretched forth his hand with a warm smile, and Mr. Aiden complied also with a smile and a pat on the young man's shoulder.

"How are you, son?" He asked as he was fond of referring to every young man as a child.

Without hesitation, Manchester replied,

"I am fine sir. If it not too much bother, may I speak with you very briefly on something?"

Manchester was quick to make his request before Aiden got crowded again by his admirers.

"Sure, sure," the man replied. He turned to his daughter for a second and handed the car keys to her.

"You can tell the driver to drop you off at home, I might be here for a while." He said, and his last daughter who is already a young adult responded by kissing him on the cheek before leaving him alone with the detective.

Turning back to Manchester, and gesturing for them to stand outside where the music wouldn't interfere, he asked,

"What is your name, son, and what can I do for you?"

Manchester heaved a sigh of relief,

"At least he is going to listen to me." He thought, before proceeding to respond.

"My name is Manchester Duke, I am a detective for a little police unit in the city...

"Oh nice," Aiden cut him off,

"You want a job?" He asked, taking Manchester aback for a second. Mr. Aiden Lamar was used to young men approaching him for a job, so he wanted to make this quick.

"Oh no sir," replied Manchester,

"Not that. But I need your help with an investigation if you don't mind?"

"Am I a suspect?"

"No sir. You aren't."

"Okay, I'm all ears."

'Finally!' Manchester exclaimed in his head.

"I am investigating the disappearance of Dr. Sophia Patel, the scientist. My team and I were hoping to meet with the CEO of Everglow, as he was the lead sponsor of the research before her disappearance. However, he had declined every request to meet with him."

"And you need me to?" Aiden asked with a raised brow,

"Son, I am an old man, just get to the point, I may not remember everything you've said. I know who Dr. Patel is, and I have heard about her disappearance on the news, but I do not know what you need me for."

Manchester continued,

"I was getting there sir. We know that you have met a lot of influential people, and have recently donated a lot to a company that partners with Everglow. Is it possible to meet the CEO of Everglow through you?"

With a straight face, Aiden asked,

"I thought he has denied all requests to meet with him? Isn't there a report that says that Everglow has nothing to do with her disappearance?"

With this, Manchester already deduced that Mr Aiden Lamar follows the news more than he does, and it might be a lot harder to convince him to help.

"I am a detective sir," He said,

"We get bribed a lot to conceal the truth. I may be wrong, but, strangely, all two teams on the case were denied access to the CEO, yet the next day, the press released the news that Everglow has nothing to do with her disappearance."

"Corrupt system," Aiden scoffed,

"Mr. Detective, I do not know who the CEO of Everglow is in person, I have never met him, nor have I ever gotten into a contract with his company. So I may not be of much help to you."

Manchester's shoulders fell when he said those words, now he felt that it wasn't such a good idea to have put all his hopes on one man.

"However," Aiden continued, once again, raising Manchester's hopes.

"Since you say that Darosn Oils are partners of the Everglow, I will contact their CEO on your behalf. He happens to be a very good friend of mine, so I am sure there is something he can do."

"Thank you very much, sir," Manchester expressed his gratitude with a satisfactory smile,

"I appreciate it."

"This is my card, my phone number is on it. Send me a text at 7am tomorrow, and I will get back to you before the end of the day. Keep it in mind that I am only helping you because I love to see people who still uphold their integrity amidst all the corruption."

Manchester couldn't help but smile as the old man complimented him. He received the card and placed it in one of his suit pockets before shaking hands with him one last time.

"Thank you so much, sir."

"No worries son. Just keep fighting for the truth." Aiden replied.

Having accomplished that, Manchester had one more thing on his list and that is to speak with Mel. He was lucky that she hadn't left, because her new man had to talk with several people. But now that he was ready to make the move, he saw them leaving the hall and had no other choice but to run after them.