77: Chapter 77 Mission Complete?

After Hector finished speaking, he didn't care about Shaun's reaction; he simply turned around and walked toward the door.

The remaining few people stood up and filed out.

When passing by Shaun, some glanced at him, but it was just a fleeting look, and most didn't even dare to look at him at all.

The bar door opened and closed, letting in the night wind and bringing a bit of chill.

Then the door shut, the jazz music started playing again, and the guests continued drinking and chatting as if nothing had happened.

Shaun walked back to the bar, pondering the meaning behind Hector's words.

Madison stood up and looked at him: "What did they say?"

Shaun shrugged, showing he didn't care much: "A warning."

Madison frowned: "Warning about what?"

Shaun didn't answer.

He looked at Max and Caroline; both girls didn't look too well.

Shaun asked with concern: "Are you two okay?"

Max shook her head: "We're fine, they didn't give us any trouble."

Caroline said softly: "Officer Sean, those people..."

"Don't worry about them," Shaun said. "Just focus on your business. If they come back, call me."

Max looked at him, curious: "Can you take them?"

Shaun smiled: "They probably don't want to fight me."

Max nodded, half-understanding.

Shaun turned to Madison: "Let's go, I'll take you back."

Madison looked at him. She had been pouting the whole time while watching Shaun and Max interact.

Especially when she saw that blonde girl, who even looked a bit like her, Madison felt even more annoyed.

Seeing Shaun talking to her again, she quickly grabbed her bag, took Shaun's arm, and walked out.

...

The two walked out of the bar.

Madison held Shaun's arm, her high heels clicking crisply on the paved road.

She didn't speak, and neither did Shaun.

The two just walked like that, their shadows overlapping in the moonlight.

When they reached the car, Madison stopped and looked at Shaun: "Are we still continuing the date?"

Shaun confirmed: "Yes."

The corners of Madison's mouth curled up, but she didn't smile, waiting for what came next.

"But we need to change locations," Shaun opened the car door. "We're going to Robichaux Manor; I need to talk to Fiona about something."

Madison was stunned: "Now?"

Madison didn't hesitate and sat directly in the passenger seat: "Anyway, you promised to continue the date, so anywhere is fine."

Shaun walked to the driver's seat, got in, and started the engine. The car drove out of the French Quarter and headed toward Robichaux Manor.

Madison leaned back in the seat, took off her high heels, curled her feet onto the seat, and huddled up.

She looked at the night scenery outside the window, clearly in a good mood, but asked: "Shaun, what are you looking for that Old Hag for?"

Shaun thought for a moment and answered honestly: "Something about the treasure."

Madison turned her head and looked at Shaun: "Are you really helping her investigate?"

Shaun nodded.

Madison clicked her tongue: "You really keep your word."

She paused, then added: "But she hasn't been in a good state lately."

"Cordelia says she locks herself in her room all day, doesn't come out, and doesn't see anyone."

"If you go knock on the door, she might not open it."

Shaun smiled: "If I go, she will definitely open the door."

Madison glanced at him and didn't speak again.

The car sped through the night, the light of street lamps flashing across the windshield one by one.

Madison's breathing gradually relaxed, but her hand still rested on Shaun's thigh.

After about twenty minutes, the car drove into the gates of Robichaux Manor.

The lights along the oak-lined driveway lit up one by one, as if welcoming them.

Madison opened her eyes and yawned: "Are we here?"

"We're here."

Shaun parked the car in front of the main house. Madison put on her high heels, pushed the door open, and took a deep breath.

"The air at the manor is just better than outside." Madison stretched, looked back at Shaun, and said: "Go find her, I'll wait for you in my room."

As she spoke, she took a step forward, stood on her tiptoes, and kissed Shaun on the cheek: "Don't be too late."

Then she turned, pushed the door open, and walked into the house.

Shaun walked deeper into the manor.

Fiona Goode's room was at the very end of the third floor.

Shaun had never been there, but he knew where it was.

Cordelia had mentioned it once, saying it was the room her mother lived in when she was young, then she moved out, and recently moved back in.

He climbed the stairs, passed the second floor, and continued upward.

The third-floor hallway was darker than below; only half of the wall lights were on, the other half were dark.

The door at the end of the hallway was closed, with a sliver of light seeping out from under the crack.

Shaun walked over and stood at the door.

He knocked three times.

No one answered.

He knocked three more times. "Fiona, it's me, Shaun."

There was silence inside for a long time.

Then a voice came, hoarse and weary, not like the always elegant and composed Supreme Witch.

"Come in."

Shaun pushed the door open.

The room was very dark, the curtains drawn tightly. Only the small lamp on the bedside table was on, its dim yellow light shining on the vanity and on that ruby necklace.

Fiona was sitting on a chair by the window, back to the door, wearing a dark bathrobe, her hair down, without makeup.

Her shoulders were narrower than before, and she was curled up in the chair, looking a size smaller.

"Close the door."

Fiona's tone was very suppressed...

Shaun closed the door and stood at the entrance, not moving forward.

"What do you want with me?" Fiona didn't turn around.

Shaun took the hand-drawn map out of his pocket and unfolded it: "That police officer... Joseph White found the location of the treasure. This is the map he left behind."

Fiona's back stiffened.

She turned her head slowly, looking at the map in Shaun's hand.

There was a hungry glint in her eyes.

"Bring it here!"

Shaun walked over and handed her the map.

Fiona took it and looked down at the hand-drawn map.

The swamp, the church, the dried-up riverbed, the red X, and that symbol.

Her fingers traced the symbol lightly, her fingertips trembling slightly.

"This is it." Fiona's voice was very soft, as if she were talking to herself. "Searched for so long, finally..."

She didn't finish, instead folding the map, clutching it in her hand, and looking up at Shaun.

There was no makeup on her face, the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes were deeper than last time he saw her, her lips were chapped, and there were dark shadows under her eyes.

But the light in those eyes was brighter than anything Shaun had ever seen.

Then her voice suddenly pitched higher: "That's great, Shaun. You've been a huge help to me. The Supreme Witch will not forget your kindness."

Shaun probed: "When are we going?"

Fiona stood up, walked to the vanity, picked up the ruby necklace, and slowly put it on.

The gem rested against her collarbone, shining with a dim light in the yellow lamp light.

She looked at herself in the mirror, smoothed her hair, and turned around.

That posture, she had changed back into the Supreme Witch.

After doing all this, she turned her head and said: "Tomorrow, before daybreak."

Shaun nodded.

His mission was already accomplished. As for accompanying the Supreme Witch, that was unlikely.

Shaun didn't want to get into such big trouble...