17: Chapter 17 Parting on Unhappily

Ballard saw it clearly and asked directly, "Do you know him?"

Madison looked up, the smile returning to her face. "No, I've never seen him before."

She handed the photo back.

Ballard took the photo and looked at Madison.

"You hesitated just now."

Madison's smile stiffened for a moment.

"I didn't hesitate."

"You did!"

Ballard took half a step forward, looking somewhat aggressive.

"When you saw the photo, your pupils dilated slightly and the corners of your mouth tightened for less than a second. That's a classic micro-expression of recognizing someone."

Madison's smile vanished completely.

The entire hall fell silent.

Shaun could feel the change in atmosphere—an invisible pressure, like the stifling heat before a storm.

Although he had never seen Madison angry, he knew what she was capable of.

So... he stepped forward and whispered into his new partner's ear, "Ballard, can we speak privately for a moment?"

Ballard didn't look at him.

She was staring at Madison.

Madison was staring back at her.

The two women locked eyes—one as cold and hard as iron, the other as dangerous as fire.

"Miss Montgomery," Ballard's voice remained calm, "I'll ask one more time: have you seen this man?"

The corners of Madison's mouth curled up slightly.

That smile was different from before; it wasn't sweet or sly, it was...

Shaun's heart skipped a beat.

That was killing intent!!!

"I said," Madison said, emphasizing each word, "I. Have. Not."

Something was coalescing in the air.

Shaun could feel it; his [Primary Magic] was sounding a frantic warning, like someone screaming in his ear.

Ballard seemed to sense something as well.

Her body tensed slightly, and her right hand moved slowly toward her holster...

Just as the atmosphere reached a breaking point, a weary female voice came from the side.

"Madison."

Turning to look, it was Cordelia standing there, her face pale. "Madison, go back to your room."

Madison looked at her and didn't move.

"Now."

Cordelia's voice carried a hint of a tremor—not from fear, but as a command.

She sounded like that whenever she exerted effort to speak.

Madison and she locked eyes for three seconds.

To Shaun, those three seconds felt like an eternity, fearing Madison might suddenly lash out.

Fortunately, Madison just smiled, then turned to Shaun and winked at him.

"Shaun, don't be late for our next date."

Madison threw out this bombshell of a sentence and, ignoring everyone's reaction, turned around and headed upstairs.

As she passed by Shaun, her hand lightly brushed his arm.

The touch was light, but Shaun felt something like an electric current surge through his body from that point—it wasn't a metaphor; there was a real energy fluctuation.

[Primary Magic · Passive Activated: Magic energy residue detected]

Ballard stood there, watching Madison disappear at the top of the stairs.

Then she turned to Cordelia and said, "Ms. Foxx, I need you to cooperate with a formal inquiry. Not now, but tomorrow, at the police station."

Cordelia nodded without hesitation. "Fine."

Ballard put the photo away, glanced at Shaun, and prepared to leave.

"Let's go."

She walked out.

Shaun found it baffling.

That was it?

He followed her out.

As he reached the door, he looked back.

Cordelia stood in the middle of the hall, her eyes closed wearily.

Zoe and Queenie gathered around her, whispering something.

And above the stairs, in the shadows of the second floor, was a small figure... Nell.

She stood there, wrapped in a bathrobe that was clearly too big for her, watching Shaun.

Shaun gave her a slight nod.

It wasn't a good time to talk or ask questions, but he believed she should be safe here with the witches.

Nell nodded back, indicating she was okay.

Seeing this, Shaun also turned and walked out the door.

Ballard was already in the car, starting the engine.

Shaun opened the door and sat inside.

The moment the door closed, he heard Ballard ask, "That blonde—what's your relationship with her?"

Shaun was silent for two seconds.

He couldn't exactly say he'd slept with her, could he?

After thinking for a moment, he answered honestly, "I had dinner with her last night. There were some things I needed her help with, that's all."

Ballard turned her head and looked at him.

That look... how to put it... it was a look of incredulous scrutiny.

Then she said, "Do you know she wanted to kill me?"

A chill ran down Shaun's spine.

He had felt it, of course; he just hadn't expected Ballard to be so perceptive.

"...She wouldn't have."

After a long pause, Shaun could only manage that weak assurance.

Fortunately, Ballard didn't press him further. She looked away and stepped on the gas.

Without a word, she drove the car away from the manor.

Shaun was actually quite puzzled. Ballard had made such a big deal of coming here, only to ask two questions?

However, Shaun didn't want to get involved in the first place, so he naturally didn't ask about Ballard's plans.

Since his partner had already told him to stay out of it, it suited him perfectly.

In the rearview mirror, the old white house grew smaller and smaller.

Shaun leaned back in his seat and closed his eyes.

In his mind, the golden book flipped open.

[Renee Ballard Favorability: 8 → 12]

[Remark: You told the truth, and she gave you points for it. But she suspects you're still hiding many things.]

[Madison Montgomery Favorability: 78 → 80]

[Remark: You stood up for her in front of others. She remembers.]

Shaun stared at those two lines, unsure of how to feel.

Just then, Ballard suddenly spoke, "That Foxx woman is not simple."

Shaun opened his eyes and feigned ignorance. "What do you mean?"

Ballard snorted. "I've seen all kinds of people—judges, politicians, mob bosses, serial killers."

"Some people, when they stand in front of you, you can just tell there's something wrong with them. It's not a matter of evidence; it's something in their bones."

She paused, then continued, "That Foxx woman has that vibe."

Shaun said nothing. He was determined to keep playing dumb.

"But she's not a bad person," Ballard changed her tune. "I don't know how to explain it... it's just a... feeling."

Shaun looked at her, but internally he was scoffing.

"This woman, clearly sensing the other party wasn't to be trifled with, still invited her to the police station, which looks like even more trouble..."

...

The car left Robichaux Manor and drove back the way they came for about ten minutes. Suddenly, Ballard slowed down at an intersection and turned on her signal.

Before Shaun could ask, Ballard said, "We're going to the scene now to see where White was found."

Shaun naturally couldn't refuse.

The car turned into a small side road.

The road became narrower and narrower, and the buildings on both sides changed from residential houses to warehouses, and then from warehouses to abandoned factories.

Finally, Ballard parked the car next to a row of rusty iron fences.