Single Mother of a Werewolf Baby novel Chapter 136

Chapter 136: The Stockport Scandal

All major news channels suddenly cancelled their scheduled late-night programs and switched to live coverage from Stockport. Initially, they had been cautious after receiving a tip-off... shockingly, from within the opposition party... about potential criminal activities involving one of their own MPs, Oliver Brown. Only a few networks sent news crews to the area around Oliver Brown’s house, choosing a wait-and-see approach rather than breaking the story prematurely.

That changed rapidly.

A large police convoy unexpectedly arrived at Oliver Brown’s residence and cordoned off the entire area. Floodlights were switched on, armed officers formed a perimeter, and forensic teams moved in. That was all the confirmation the media needed. Almost every major outlet went live at once.

Within minutes, newsrooms across the country received a press release from the Chairman of the Opposition Party. The statement confirmed that Oliver Brown had been temporarily removed from all party positions. Whether he would be permanently expelled would be decided after a full investigation. The timing of the statement was deliberate, designed to align perfectly with the start of the police operation.

Inside the house, police discovered a shocking amount of evidence. A vast collection of stolen antiques... pieces presumed lost from the National Museum was hidden in a concealed underground vault. Alongside the artifacts, officers found significant quantities of illegal drugs, bundles of cash in multiple currencies, and a treasure trove of financial records that hinted at a broader criminal network.

As the Financial Crimes Division began verifying the documents, the Chief Superintendent of Greater Manchester Police’s Stockport Division stepped outside the cordon to address the press. Standing before the flashing cameras and shouting reporters, he delivered a preliminary briefing:

"Yes, the tip-off had come directly from the opposition party."

" Yes, they had found damning evidence."

"And yes, the investigation was now being escalated to national authorities."

The announcement sent a ripple of shock through the political world. Within minutes, phones began to ring across the Kingdom’s political elite. Government officials scrambled to understand why the opposition party would turn on one of their own so decisively... and publicly.

The answer came quickly.

Following the police statement, senior opposition leaders began appearing on multiple news channels. Calm and collected, they explained that internal suspicions had prompted a discreet investigation into Oliver Brown’s activities. When their findings became undeniable, they had chosen to cooperate with law enforcement rather than protect a criminal.

Their narrative was clear: "The party valued the integrity of the Kingdom above all else, even above political unity."

The public reaction was swift. The opposition party’s approval ratings skyrocketed as people saw what appeared to be a rare instance of political accountability. Analysts began speaking of a "historic moment" and praised the party’s transparency.

But not everyone was feeling patriotic.

Inside the homes of those connected to Oliver Brown... politicians, bureaucrats, and businessmen... the atmosphere was one of fear and panic. Many had done business with him, directly or indirectly, and now found themselves at risk of exposure. Desperate calls were made, but none reached Oliver. He and his secretary had vanished without a trace.

An hour after the initial police statement, the Chief Superintendent returned for a second briefing. His tone was more serious now.

He confirmed that Oliver Brown was suspected of being part of a nationwide criminal syndicate. In addition to the museum heist and drug trafficking, evidence of money laundering and tax evasion had been discovered. Surveillance footage from the surrounding area had been tampered with, strongly suggesting that Oliver had fled in advance.

All house staff were taken into protective custody for questioning. The Chief Superintendent announced that the local investigation had concluded and that the case would now be handled by the National Crime Agency (NCA), in collaboration with the Cyber Crimes and Financial Crimes divisions.

Just as the police concluded their field operation, a relatively unknown news channel dropped a bombshell.

Claiming to have "exclusive insider information," they released a scrolling list of fifty names allegedly linked to what was now being dubbed "The Stockport Scandal." The list included politicians, high-ranking civil servants, corporate executives, and other public figures. Although most of the politicians were from the opposition party, several from the ruling party were named too. Among the most shocking names were the current Leader of the Opposition and a handful of sitting ministers.

Even members of the opposition party not directly involved in the investigation were caught off guard. Phones rang nonstop as party members demanded answers and next steps. But those already briefed by the shadow team remained composed.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify