Transmigrated to Game World with SSS Wife-Chapter 101: Tutorial... Over?

Victor's veneer of calm began to slip. "We followed all the necessary protocols. There's nothing to investigate."

Mark could sense the tension in the room, the air thick with unspoken truths. "The financial records tell a different story. I've seen the discrepancies, Victor. Money changing hands where it shouldn't be."

Victor's eyes narrowed, a flicker of anger flashing across his face. "You're barking up the wrong tree, Detective. If you want to continue this charade, you'll find yourself in a very uncomfortable position."

The threat hung in the air, heavy and palpable. Mark recognized it for what it was—a warning to back off. But he had come too far to retreat now. With every layer he peeled back, he uncovered a more intricate tapestry of deceit, and he was determined to expose the truth, no matter the cost.

Mark's investigation led him to the local newspaper, the Eldridge Herald. He met with an ambitious journalist named Lisa Carter, whose tenacity matched his own. Lisa had been following the money trail related to Titan Build, connecting dots that others had overlooked. Together, they formed an unlikely alliance, their shared goal driving them deeper into the labyrinth of corruption.

"Jenkins was about to blow the lid off this whole operation," Lisa said, her voice low as they huddled in a dimly lit café. "He had evidence of kickbacks, and I think he was planning to take it public."

Mark nodded, piecing together the timeline. "If that's true, someone wanted to silence him. We need to find out who else was involved."

Their investigation intensified as they uncovered a network of politicians, business leaders, and even law enforcement officers who had turned a blind eye to Titan Build's practices. The deeper they dug, the more dangerous their pursuit became. Threats loomed, and the walls seemed to close in around them.

One evening, as Mark was leaving the precinct, he felt the weight of eyes on him. A black SUV idled across the street, its tinted windows concealing its occupants. He quickened his pace, sensing the threat that lingered just beyond his line of sight.

"Mark!" a voice called from behind him. It was Lisa, breathless and wide-eyed. "We need to talk."

"What's wrong?" he asked, glancing back at the SUV.

"I received an anonymous tip about a meeting happening tonight. It's at the old warehouse by the docks. They're planning something big."

Mark's heart raced. This could be the break they needed. "Let's go. We need to document everything."

They arrived at the warehouse, a decrepit building that had seen better days. Shadows danced along the walls as they crept closer, their breaths shallow with anticipation. The sounds of hushed voices drifted from within, and they exchanged glances, knowing they were about to witness something dangerous.

Peering through a crack in the door, Mark and Lisa watched as a group of men gathered around a table strewn with documents and cash. Victor Harrington stood at the center, flanked by several city officials. The tension in the room was palpable, and Mark's instincts screamed that they were about to witness a transaction that would further entrench the corruption in Eldridge.

"Jenkins was getting too close," Victor said, his voice low and menacing. "We need to make sure this doesn't get out. The last thing we need is for the media to sniff around."

Mark's stomach twisted. They were discussing the very thing he had feared—an orchestrated cover-up to silence Jenkins' legacy. He could feel the weight of their betrayal, the lives they were willing to ruin for profit.

As they listened, Lisa discreetly recorded the conversation on her phone, capturing the damning evidence they needed. Suddenly, the atmosphere shifted. The sound of footsteps echoed down the hallway, and Mark's instincts kicked in.

"Run!" he hissed, grabbing Lisa's arm as they bolted away from the warehouse. Adrenaline surged through their veins as they raced into the night, the sounds of chaos behind them.

They ducked into an alley, hearts pounding, the reality of what they had just witnessed settling in. "We need to get this information to the authorities," Lisa said, her breath coming in quick bursts.

Mark nodded, his mind racing. "But we can't trust anyone right now. They're all in on it. We need to find a way to expose them without putting ourselves in danger."

They returned to Mark's apartment, barricading themselves inside as they strategized. The weight of the evidence they had gathered was heavy on their shoulders. They knew that exposing the corruption in Eldridge would come at a cost, but they couldn't stand idly by while innocent lives were manipulated for greed.

"Let's create a comprehensive report," Mark suggested. "We'll compile everything we have—the financial records, the recordings, and any documentation we can find. Then, we'll leak it anonymously to the press."

Lisa nodded, her determination unwavering. "We can't let fear dictate our actions. If we do this right, we can bring these criminals to justice."

This chapt𝒆r is updated by frёewebηovel.cѳm.

As the sun began to rise, casting a pale light into the room, Mark and Lisa worked tirelessly to piece together their findings. Hours turned into a blur as they crafted a narrative that highlighted the corruption embedded in Eldridge's leadership.

But just as they finished compiling their report, a loud bang echoed through the apartment. Mark's heart raced as they exchanged panicked glances. "What was that?" Lisa whispered, fear creeping into her voice.

"Stay quiet," Mark instructed, moving cautiously toward the door. He peered through the peephole and saw shadows moving in the hallway. "We're not safe here. We need to get out."

They quickly gathered their things, their minds racing with plans. As they slipped out the back entrance, Mark couldn't shake the feeling that they were being hunted. The stakes had never been higher, but the fire of justice burned within him.

They navigated through the labyrinthine streets of Eldridge, avoiding the main thoroughfares as they made their way to a safe house where they could regroup and finalize their plan. As they arrived, they collapsed into a moment of silence, the adrenaline slowly fading.

"Do you think they'll find us?" Lisa asked, her voice barely above a whisper.