11: Chapter 11 Madison Montgomery

With Shaun's bold statement, the atmosphere of the date truly seemed to turn ambiguous.

However, Madison didn't seem to have any intention of continuing to heat things up.

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She put down her wine glass and suddenly said, "That girl, Nell."

"The problem with her is more serious than you think."

"I saw something—the things clinging to her aren't just ordinary ghosts."

Madison's expression became uncharacteristically serious.

Shaun's heart sank.

"What do you mean?"

Madison shook her head. "I can't say for sure. But our leader—I mean Cordelia, not Fiona—she should be able to see it."

"She has an ability to see the essence of things."

"If you need help, you can go to her."

Shaun was silent for a moment.

"Thank you."

Madison waved her hand. "Don't thank me. I'm not helping you; I just think that girl is quite pitiful."

She paused, then showed that sly smile again. "Alright, business is over. Let's continue the date."

It had to be said, Madison had indeed spent time in Hollywood.

Just looking at this speed of changing faces, Shaun could barely keep up.

But seeing how flighty Madison was, clearly without malice, Shaun 'stepped on the gas' and quickly followed suit.

...

French food was indeed delicious, the wine was good, and the atmosphere... how should I put it, was much better than he had imagined.

Shaun had originally thought eating with a moody witch would be an ordeal, but Madison was quite normal throughout, except for that 'confession session' just now.

You could even say it was quite interesting.

When she complained about Hollywood producers, those jokes were more brilliant than those of stand-up comedians.

She talked about daily life at the witch academy: how Queenie was recently researching how to use Voodoo dolls to prank an annoying neighbor, how Zoe had recently locked herself in her room listening to sad music, and how Fiona had a fight with Cordelia yesterday, shaking three chandeliers down in the living room.

"And then?" Shaun asked.

"And then Misty had to fix them," Madison rolled her eyes. "You know Misty, right? That hippie living by the swamp who can resurrect the dead."

"She said with a look of displeasure... 'I'm not a repairman,' but she still put the chandeliers back."

"That's how it is in our witch academy: the Supreme Witch loses her temper and breaks things, and everyone else is responsible for cleaning up the mess."

Listening to her, Shaun suddenly felt it was a bit surreal.

He was chatting with a witch about her daily life, just like ordinary people talking about colleagues or roommates.

Dessert arrived.

Soufflé, baked just right, melting in the mouth.

Madison took a bite and suddenly asked, "By the way, where do you want to go for tomorrow's date?"

Shaun was stunned for a moment. "Tomorrow?"

"Yeah, isn't today not over yet?" Madison said as if it were a matter of course. "The date must continue, obviously."

Shaun looked at her. "You're free tomorrow too?"

"For you, I can be free," Madison said, winking.

Shaun was silent for two seconds.

He was wondering if she was serious or joking.

But Madison's expression told him she was at least half-serious.

Since the atmosphere was just right, how could he refuse?

If he refused, he was afraid his date would blow her top!

So Shaun immediately said, "Fine, you decide tomorrow."

Madison smiled with satisfaction.

Afterward, Shaun didn't remember things very clearly.

He only remembered drinking a second bottle of wine, Madison taking his arm as they walked out of the restaurant, and the night breeze of New Orleans blowing over, carrying the scent of jazz and barbecue.

He remembered Madison saying, "Take me back?"

He remembered himself saying, "Okay."

Then the car didn't head toward the outskirts.

Madison gave the directions.

"Turn right ahead."

"Turn left again."

"Stop, right here."

Shaun parked the car in front of an old-fashioned townhouse.

It wasn't Robichaux Manor, but a house deep in the French Quarter with wrought-iron balconies.

"Where is this?"

"My place. I come here when I'm tired of living at the manor. What, don't want to come up and sit for a bit?"

Shaun looked at her.

Under the moonlight, Madison's blonde hair had a silvery luster, her eyes held a hint of tipsiness, a hint of a smile, and something else he couldn't quite name.

So he agreed as if possessed, "...Alright."

Afterward, Shaun really didn't remember things very clearly.

He only remembered the wrought-iron stairs, the sound of the key when she opened the door, the dim light in the living room, and the way she turned around to look at him.

Then Madison said, "You know, I rarely bring men home."

And Shaun replied, "Then I should be honored?"

Then Madison smiled, her face leaning directly toward him.

Afterward... there wasn't much need to remember clearly.

...

Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the curtains, falling on the bed.

Shaun woke up first.

He opened his eyes, stared at the unfamiliar ceiling for three seconds, and then his brain slowly began to function.

Unfamiliar room.

Unfamiliar bed.

Unfamiliar angle of sunlight.

Then he felt someone beside him.

He slowly turned his head.

Madison was sleeping right next to him, her blonde hair scattered on the pillow, her eyelashes long and thick. When she was asleep, that face actually looked a bit... sweet.

No bitterness, no slyness, no expression of being ready to scheme against someone at any moment.

Just an ordinary young woman, sleeping soundly.

Shaun didn't move.

He looked at that face, many thoughts flashing through his mind.

He slept with a witch last night.

A witch who could pin him to the wall with just a look.

A moody, cold-blooded witch.

A witch who... actually looked quite good when she smiled.

Was he crazy?

In his mind, the golden book flipped open automatically.

A line of text appeared on the page...

[Madison Montgomery's Favorability: 35 -> 75]

Shaun almost bounced off the bed.

How much?

75?

He stared at that line of text, thinking he had misread it.

But the numbers on the page were clear...

75/100

[Note: This increase is abnormal. Either she really likes you, or she has other motives.]

Hmm...

The system's reminder was correct, but obviously, the system didn't know the current situation.

In fact, Shaun hadn't expected that just after one night's sleep, Madison's favorability could increase by so much!

After all, according to the setting, Madison Montgomery was a character full of "bitchiness." It was hard to imagine that just sleeping for one night could add so much favorability.

"Mmm..."

A soft hum came from beside him.

Shaun turned his head and found Madison moving.

She frowned, her eyelashes fluttered, and then she slowly opened her eyes.

Those blue eyes went from hazy to clear in about three seconds.

Then she saw Shaun.

"Morning, Officer." Her voice carried the raspiness of having just woken up.

Shaun: "...Morning."

Madison propped up her upper body, the quilt sliding down to reveal her bare shoulders, her eyes bright.