76: Chapter 76 Turmoil

Shaun and Madison sat for a while longer, having two more rounds of drinks.

Madison's face flushed, and she became more talkative, starting to complain about those Hollywood producers, saying how stupid and shameless they were.

Shaun listened, occasionally chiming in.

The jazz music in the bar changed from one song to another, and waves of customers came and went.

The night outside the window grew deeper.

Suddenly, Madison leaned over, resting her head on Shaun's shoulder. "Shaun, you've been great today."

Shaun was a bit confused: "Great in what way?"

Madison explained: "When you're with me, your attention is entirely on me."

Shaun thought about it; it did seem like he had been quite focused when dealing with Madison today.

His heart stirred, and he turned his head to look at Madison.

The light shone on her face; her blue eyes were half-closed, and her eyelashes cast a small shadow on her cheeks.

Her lips were slightly pursed, as if waiting for something.

Shaun lowered his head, preparing to kiss her...

"Officer Sean?"

A voice cut in from the side, like a knife, shattering the atmosphere into pieces.

Shaun's movements froze in mid-air.

Madison opened her eyes, frowned, and turned to look at the source of the voice.

Max stood at the other end of the bar, holding a beer, her expression as cold as ever.

Beside her stood Caroline, wearing a pink sweater, her hair tied in a ponytail, with an awkward smile on her face that seemed to say, "Did I interrupt something?"

"Max? What are you guys doing here?"

"We work here." Max gestured toward the back of the bar. "Caroline found a part-time job bartending, and I came to mooch some food."

She glanced at Shaun, then at Madison, her gaze shifting between the two: "Did I interrupt?"

Madison's face flushed slightly, but her tone was sharp: "If you knew you were interrupting, why haven't you left yet?"

Max ignored her.

She looked at Shaun, her expression suddenly turning serious: "Officer Sean, you'd better be careful tonight."

Sensing Max's seriousness, Shaun frowned: "What's wrong?"

Max tilted her chin toward the back of the bar, and Shaun followed her gaze.

Sitting around the large round table at the very back of the bar were four or five men.

They were wearing dark clothes, with sturdy builds; one look was enough to tell they weren't there just to drink and chat.

They weren't laughing or chatting; they just sat there, their gazes piercing through the dim light and landing on Shaun.

Shaun recognized one of them!

Hector, Scarface.

The scar on his face was particularly striking in the dim red light, extending from the corner of his eye to his chin, like a twisted centipede.

He was holding a glass of whiskey, not drinking it, just watching Shaun.

A chill ran down Shaun's back.

Max lowered her voice: "They've been here for almost an hour. They haven't ordered drinks or chatted; they've just been sitting there. Caroline went to ask what they wanted, and they didn't even look at her."

She paused: "I thought they were waiting for someone else, but now it looks like they're waiting for you."

That was impossible.

Because he had only come here after receiving a last-minute notice from Madison, it was impossible for Hector to be waiting for him.

If they were waiting... they were waiting for someone else.

Caroline added in a low voice: "When you walked in earlier, that Scarface was staring at you. I almost thought about calling the police..."

She paused, her face turning a bit red: "I forgot you're a police officer yourself."

Madison also saw that group of people.

Her body instantly tensed up; she released her hand from Shaun's wrist and placed it on the bar counter.

Shaun knew she was preparing her telekinesis, ready to act at any moment.

"Don't move." Seeing Madison about to act, Shaun quickly pulled her back, "There are too many people here; don't do it here."

Madison looked at him; her hand didn't release, but she didn't move.

The people at Hector's table didn't move either.

They just sat there, watching Shaun.

Like a pack of wolves waiting for their prey to stray from the flock.

Shaun picked up his glass and took a sip.

The drink had gone warm; it wasn't spicy or fragrant, just bitter.

He put the glass down and stood up.

Madison grabbed him: "What are you doing?"

Shaun replied coolly: "Going to say hello."

Madison frowned: "Are you crazy?"

"They know where I am. Instead of letting them follow me, it's better to clear things up face-to-face." Shaun looked at her, "Wait here for me."

Madison stared at him for three seconds before letting go: "Ten minutes. If you don't come back, I'm coming to find you."

Shaun nodded and turned to walk toward the back of the bar.

The lights grew dimmer and dimmer, and the jazz music was still playing, but the sound seemed to have faded.

He could feel the gazes of the people at that table, pricking his body like needles.

Hector watched him approach, his expression unchanged, but he moved his hand from the table to his knee. Shaun knew that position was closest to his belt, where he might have a gun.

Shaun stopped at their table.

Hector looked up at him.

The two men stared at each other, neither speaking.

The few people beside him didn't move either, sitting like statues.

Finally, Hector spoke first.

His voice was hoarse, with a thick accent: "Officer Sean!"

Shaun replied: "Hector."

The corners of Hector's mouth twitched, not sure if he was trying to smile or something else, but he said: "You have a lot of guts."

Shaun didn't respond, waiting for what this guy had to say next.

Hector picked up his whiskey, took a sip, and put it down: "Do you know why we're here?"

Shaun smiled: "I'm afraid you were waiting for someone else and didn't expect to see me."

Hector was taken aback, seemingly not expecting Shaun to be so smart and not intimidated by him at all.

However...

On second thought, Shaun had that "Ghost Manor," so he must have some abilities; it was normal for him not to be afraid.

Hector paused internally, but didn't show it on his face, staring at Shaun: "You ruined our plans, regarding that thing."

Shaun knew "that thing" referred to the Bat Monster.

"That thing was ours, we raised it. It cost us a lot of money and a lot of time. You killed it, and we are very unhappy."

Shaun immediately emphasized: "Elizabeth killed it, it has nothing to do with me."

Hector's expression changed slightly.

The change was subtle, but Shaun saw it.

Clearly, this Scarface was also terrified of that name himself.

"That's none of your business." Hector paused, his tone leveling out a bit, "But you'd better be careful. Don't touch things you shouldn't touch again."

"Be good, stay quiet for two weeks, and everything will be normal. Don't lose your life because you're too curious."

Huh?

Why did it sound like this Colombian was also almost finished with his business?

Shaun felt this guy was implying something and immediately took note of it.

And Hector didn't seem to have any intention of attacking today either. He just stood up and said: "We won't touch you today; the boss said not to cause trouble."

He picked up the whiskey on the table, downed it in one gulp, and put the glass down: "But remember, in life... don't be too curious!"