Chapter 241: Suspects

Words : 1284 Updated : Sep 27th, 2025

Chapter 241: Suspects The thing about general security alarms was that they never had the decency to accuse just one person. No. They attacked everyone—especially those who were only partially guilty, but rarely those who were really at fault. And that was precisely why, at the break of dawn, the Kyros Manor was in complete and utter chaos. *REEEEE! REEEEE! REEEEE!* Blaring, wailing, and screeching in unidentified accusations, the alarms resounded like an offended choir. Every corner of the vast estate echoed with their shrill grievances, and yet the most horrifying part? There was no immediate crime in sight! Naturally, the security team, which thought it knew everything about the newly upgraded system, scrambled. Was it a malfunction? Because, surely, no sane estate would trigger that many alarms all at once without reason, right?! But, alas, the poor system wasn’t to blame. For, unbeknownst to the residents of the Manor, four distinct crimes had indeed occurred that night. While the AI had tried its best to respond in real time, some complex technology delayed the House AI’s cries of justice. But the moment the system recovered—well, it decided to deliver everything at once. And that was how the whole estate woke up to the sound of their supposed collective guilt. __ But that was not the case for those who barely slept. Like one Prince who had to time his exit and re-entrance after delivering and watching over his passed out little chipmunk. While he got a few hours to peacefully cuddle with Luca, Xavier knew better than to be extremely greedy, especially not in the territory of one particular father. And it proved to be the right decision, for when the alarms blared, everyone’s first stop was the room of the most precious heir. And one could just imagine what could’ve happened if he had not been there. But he was. Now, the only regret was how Luca woke up to the sounds of people’s footsteps that could’ve been mistaken for an infantry march. And it would’ve been one if not for Luca opening the door to check it out himself. It was a rather awkward yet joyous event as the people who were prepared for the worst stopped their rush the moment Luca’s head poked out from the door. And the Duke, for one, was suddenly embarrassed and regretful that they had woken up his son from his sleep this early in the morning. However, such alarms could not be taken lightly, and everyone had been asked to go to the Manor’s Training Hall for a general meeting and investigation. Luca was still a bit groggy and confused as someone who had just woken up, but his entire being awakened when he heard that the alarms had been blaring because it noted down several crimes. ’!’ Crimes? What crimes?! It was a recurring question that, once finally answered, earned the people’s collective gasps. For how could they not when the Manor’s AI displayed the following violations: 1. Trespassing 2. Littering 3. Burglary 4. Destruction of Property But if the AI knew of the atrocities, why was such an investigation being held? It was because the Manor had never needed such a system upgrade. Since the establishment of this House, no one has been stupid enough to attempt anything since the first thieves were burnt to a crisp. And because of the Duke’s affections for his wife, it was mortally impossible to surround the interior with security cameras unless people wanted their eyes gouged out. So, in a bid to maintain privacy while beefing up the security for their Young Lord’s arrival, the consensus was to update the Manor’s AI. It was just that they never thought they’d use it this soon? And with four crimes to boot! But what to do when the criminals themselves don’t know they are guilty and those not guilty have resigned themselves to the life of a criminal? Just like the first offender who committed the crime of tresspassing by triggering the motion alarms for the newly added Sanctuary. It was midnight when a certain red-headed lad emerged from the Dungeon-linked space with a refreshed mind and a joyous gait. Jax, apparently a dedicated instructor, had decided to prepare for his upcoming plant appreciation lectures by bringing several of his children over. Now, none of that was problematic as he had entered through Luca’s space; the problem was after setting up his makeshift lecture zone, the unassuming instructor exited the Sanctuary through the Manor’s gate. But how was he supposed to know that such a thing would trigger the alarm? Of course, he didn’t—for no alarm sounded when he did so. But if Jax only trespassed, then who could be blamed for the three other crimes?! Who else but a group of loyal vassals who had convinced themselves that it was only right for them to leave offerings of gratitude to avoid scaring their shy Young Lord? And so, in the dead of night, these people had come toward their favorite statues to leave offerings of jewels, precious minerals, and even family heirlooms. But by the time the last vassal had come to give his offering, the area had already looked like a minefield. And the Manor’s AI was eagerly trying to push the alarms for this blatant littering! But there was nothing. Not even when one Duke, who was banned from the Manor’s newly added kitchen based on his past culinary crimes, had boldly attempted a crime against his own house. At an ungodly hour, the Duke snuck through the shadows, determined to prepare this thing called breakfast for his precious son. It was that same fish dish that he had learned and practically the only one he could successfully make. And so he started the preparations, only to realize that he had forgotten to get the oil he had stashed for this very event and went back to Luca’s space to get some. Only for him to return and find that something had been seriously amiss. Duke Leander’s eyes narrowed at the situation before him. The ingredients were gone. Specifically the fish. "!!!" The Duke stood in disbelief. How could this be?! Who dared to interfere with his plans? But he never got to find out as the alarms, which they’d never really heard activate outside of the regular maintenance checks, started blaring. *REEEEE! REEEEE! REEEEE!* And the Duke, who now had the most valuable person in the whole universe in this house, paled in fear as he ran to his son’s room only to be greeted by several people who were doing the same. However, unbeknownst to these frantic people, the fourth crime that had actually started since earlier was still on-going, only to be discovered by one blonde mop who had been allowed to sleep for longer as he had a solid alibi. Ollie actually slept through the alarms that could’ve woken up the dead. But if anyone asked him, his argument for this was because he had almost died in a room that was likely being haunted (not). At first, the excited guest had chalked the sounds up to the sounds of nature, but when the scratching sounds worsened, Ollie decided that the best course of action was to flee. And he did, but only Jax, his next-door neighbor, didn’t answer. And that left him with the last person he knew on the same floor. Kyle. And it was the same guy who had to sleep at the foot of his own bed who had to submit Ollie’s alibi. But maybe he should’ve stayed with him longer, as soon enough, the Manor would be shaken by the screams of a frantic guest.

Chapter 241: Suspects

Comments (0)