37: Chapter 37 The Manor Butler

"Th-this is your house?"

Stunned for a long while, Fiona finally reacted and couldn't help but ask.

Shaun gave a wry smile and shrugged.

Everyone looked shocked after seeing that he owned a manor; he was getting somewhat used to it.

Fiona, however, seemed a bit agitated: "You told me you were a police officer."

Shaun answered calmly: "I am."

"An ordinary police officer?"

"Sort of."

"An ordinary police officer living in a manor?"

Shaun thought about how to explain it, but in the end, he gave up.

"Simply put, this manor was gifted to me by someone."

Well... to some extent, it was indeed gifted to him; after all, Shaun hadn't paid a single cent for it.

Fiona stared at him.

That look was as if to say: Do you think I'm stupid?

But Shaun didn't explain. He walked to the main entrance of the manor, pushed the door open, and entered directly, looking every bit the owner.

Fiona followed him inside.

The foyer was large, high, and empty.

Sunlight shone in from the high windows, illuminating the dust-covered floor.

The old furniture was covered with white sheets, faded oil paintings hung on the walls, and the air was filled with a musty scent.

This was the arrangement Shaun had made before leaving, and at the same time, he had secretly "ordered" the manor to switch to the appearance of an ordinary manor.

He also strictly controlled himself, making sure not to "awaken" the manor, so as not to scare anyone else.

For example... absolutely do not ask in his heart if the manor had anything...

...

Fiona stood in the center of the foyer, turned around, and looked at her surroundings.

"How long... has it been since anyone lived in this place?"

Shaun thought about it; it hadn't been that long since Nell's family ran out, so he answered: "About a dozen years or so..."

Fiona nodded and walked to the window. She wiped the windowsill with her finger, looked at the dust on her fingertip, and said: "It needs cleaning."

Shaun watched her.

Sunlight shone through the window, illuminating her.

Her profile looked exhausted, but those eyes seemed to be appraising a property, thinking about "how to fix this place up."

Come to think of it, what Fiona was best at might just be cleaning up messes.

Whether it was a mess created by people or a mess of a house.

Although... sometimes he himself would become a mess...

Thinking of this, and since Shaun already had a plan, he asked: "Fiona, have you thought about staying here for a while?"

Although Fiona was somewhat prepared, she still asked hesitantly: "Stay here?"

"Yes," Shaun said, "Help me manage this manor."

Shaun's idea was simple. Since Fiona had nowhere else to go and his manor really needed someone to manage it, he might as well ask her to do it.

Fiona stared at him, her gaze complex, and only after a long while did she ask: "Just manage the manor?"

"Yes," Shaun nodded, "Look at this place, overgrown with weeds, furniture covered in dust, no one has lived here for decades. I'm a police officer, I don't have time for this."

"You need a place to stay, I need someone to work. A fair trade."

Fiona didn't hesitate much and asked directly: "Room and board included?"

"Included."

"Is there a salary?"

Shaun thought about it. Providing both housing and a salary seemed like he would be at a loss, so he paused and said: "We'll talk about that when I have money."

Fiona gave a wry smile upon hearing this: "You guy, you have such a huge manor, and you still want to save on this little bit of salary!"

As she spoke, she changed the subject: "But... Shaun, do you know? You are the first person who has brought me home but made me feel like you don't have any bad intentions."

Heh...

Shaun understood the meaning behind Fiona's words, but he couldn't say that something had actually happened, fearing that Madison would rush over and slaughter Fiona in an instant.

While Shaun was thinking about this, Fiona had already agreed: "Fine! Anyway, I have nowhere else to go. Helping you fix up this broken-down house is better than sleeping on the streets."

She said, scanning the surroundings, and frowned: "But the workload here is huge."

Shaun smiled: "Take your time."

Fiona quickly got into character and began rolling up her sleeves: "Are there any brooms?"

Shaun suppressed the urge to consult the "manor" in his heart and just said: "You'll have to look for one; I really don't remember."

Fiona rolled her eyes: "Seriously, it's so big, how am I supposed to find one!"

Although she said that, she still obediently went to look for it herself.

Shaun stood where he was, watching her back.

【Fiona Gallagher Favorability: 25 → 55】

【Note: You didn't ask about her embarrassment + 5】

【You brought her to the manor + 5】

【You let her stay to manage the manor + 10】

【You gave her a place to stay + 10】

【Current Favorability: 55 / 100】

【She won't say thank you.】

【But she will repay you with actions.】

【This woman never owes anyone any favors.】

Shaun had to admire the powerful influence of this manor. Any woman who came here to take a look would have their favorability increase by at least a few dozen points.

At this moment, Fiona's voice came from the utility room.

"Found it! This broom of yours is older than I am!"

Shaun walked over upon hearing this.

Sunlight shone in from the window, illuminating Fiona.

She was holding a broken broom, frowning and examining it.

Shaun leaned against the doorframe, watching this scene.

Thinking to himself... this old house that had been silent for decades finally had a living person in it.

...

After leaving Fiona at the manor, Shaun drove to the police station.

When he left, Fiona was rolling up her sleeves, rummaging through things in the utility room, muttering things like "This place needs to be aired out first," "These rags all need to be thrown away," and "Is there a lawnmower?"

Shaun didn't disturb her and headed straight for the police station.

The situation with Ballard was still the current priority.

In the rearview mirror, the old house stood quietly in the sunlight.

One of the second-floor windows was open; Fiona was airing the place out.

Shaun withdrew his gaze and stepped on the accelerator.

Forty minutes later, he parked his car in front of the Second Precinct.

As soon as he pushed open the glass door, he felt that something was wrong.

Several colleagues in the reception hall were huddled together, whispering about something. Seeing Shaun enter, they exchanged a look and quickly dispersed.

Shaun frowned and walked inside.

Before he even reached the Major Crimes Unit office, he heard voices.

"On what grounds? I've been chasing him for three years! Three years! And you're just letting him walk away like this?"

It was Ballard.

The voice was an octave higher than usual, sharp as a knife.

Shaun quickened his pace.

Pushing open the office door, he saw Ballard standing by the window, clutching a document, her face flushed red.

Standing opposite her were two men in suits, clearly lawyers. Their polished leather shoes and slicked-back hair were completely out of place in this dilapidated office.

One of the lawyers was also holding a document, with that standard fake smile on his face.

"Detective Ballard," the lawyer said, "I understand your emotions, but my client is a legitimate businessman who suffered an unknown attack last night and has sustained serious mental trauma."

"He has the right... to be released on bail!"