Chapter 10 Chance Encounter

• Riding in the police car driven by Eleanor, the two quickly arrived at the municipal police station.
• “Name?” Eleanor asked while maintaining a strictly business-like demeanor.
• “Chadwick Woolley,” Chadwick responded with a pout.
• “Age?”
• “Twenty-three.”
• “You're only twenty-three?” Eleanor raised an eyebrow.
• “What's the matter? Do I look old?” Seeing Eleanor's clearly incredulous expression, Chadwick was instantly angered.
• “You don't look that old, but if someone were to say you're in your thirties, I doubt anyone would argue,” Eleanor said, her face expressionless, yet her eyes sparkled with a hint of retribution.
• “You're ruthless.” Chadwick sighed lightly, leaning back in his chair with an air of utter desolation.
• Because Eleanor was also present at the scene last night, the process of taking the statement went very smoothly and quickly. Soon, Eleanor had filed away the completed notes and, at the same time, said, “All right, you can get lost now.”
• “Hey, is there really a need for you to speak like this? What have I done to offend you?” Chadwick finally erupted in dissatisfaction. Throughout the entire process of taking the statement, Eleanor had been constantly finding ways to mock and belittle him. Chadwick had endured again and again, but in the end, he could bear it no longer.
• “What have you done to offend me? Figure it out yourself.” Recalling the terrifying joyride from last night, Eleanor glared fiercely at Chadwick.
• She let out a cold laugh, abruptly stood up, and locked eyes with Chadwick. Then, she sneered, “You better not give me any leverage against you, or else...”
• Eleanor didn't finish her sentence, but the threat within her words was already crystal clear.
• Chadwick was somewhat frustrated. Although, in his view, Eleanor's threats held no credibility, anyone would likely be upset if they were inexplicably targeted by the police.
• Just then, the door to Eleanor's office was abruptly pushed open.
• A young police officer walked in, his face beaming with a smile. He said to Eleanor, “Captain Fitzgerald, you were quite impressive last night.”
• The words of the young police officer left Eleanor somewhat puzzled, prompting her to quickly ask, “What are you talking about?”
• “I'm talking about the kidnapping case last night. Not only did you eliminate four fully armed villains, but you also saved the daughter of the Castillo family! Captain Fitzgerald, did you know? Just a moment ago, Chief Jensen said he was going to recommend you for a first-class merit.”
• The young police officer grew more and more excited as he spoke while Eleanor's face turned increasingly red. However, Chadwick's expression became filled with profound mirth.
• Finally, the young police officer left after he felt satisfied that he had made a good impression in front of his superior. Only then could Eleanor finally breathe a sigh of relief.
• However, when she saw Chadwick's face, which bore an amused expression, she once again felt embarrassed. “T-That... I-I didn't...”
• “Are you trying to say that you didn't take all the credit for yourself?” Chadwick raised an eyebrow, his smile becoming even more radiant.
• “Exactly! That's what I meant!” Eleanor nodded repeatedly. She added, “I reported everything exactly as it happened last night. I don't know why it turned out this way.”
• The parties involved were clearly aware of what had transpired. As one of the parties involved, Eleanor naturally knew what had happened the previous night. Apart from giving directions to Chadwick, she hadn't been able to help even a little bit.
• Therefore, when the enormous credit fell upon her, she did not feel secretly excited. Instead, she felt an overwhelming sense of shame.
• She felt so ashamed that she could hardly meet Chadwick's gaze.
• “Whether it's a merit or not, it doesn't concern me. However, Officer... this matter should be considered as a favor you owe me, right?” Chadwick gently tapped his fingertips on the table, his smile inscrutable.
• Before Eleanor could respond, Chadwick continued, “Let's not even mention the merit of single-handedly taking down four thugs. Just by saving the daughter of the Castillo family, her family wouldn't be ungrateful, right? Tsk, tsk. If it weren't for your young age, I'm afraid you'd be promoted to at least the level of a deputy chief or something similar. This isn't something that can be covered with a simple expression of gratitude.”
• “What do you want, then?” Eleanor seemed to have been driven to anger. She slammed her hands on the table and questioned Chadwick.
• “I told you before. You owe me a favor for this,” Chadwick said with a smile. “As for when I'll use this favor, that will depend on my mood.”
• After a moment of silence, Eleanor eventually gave a nod. “As long as it doesn't violate the law or my own principles, I can help you once.”
• “Thank you.” Having received a satisfactory answer, Chadwick contentedly rose and headed outward.
• “I'll see you out.” Seeing Chadwick preparing to leave, Eleanor seemed to feel apologetic and quickly stood up to accompany him.
• However, as the two were passing through the municipal police station office area, the sudden sound of an argument unexpectedly caught Chadwick's attention.
• A thug was pointing at a young girl and threatening her in a cold voice, “You b*tch! You better wait for me! No one has ever taken my goods without paying!”
• The young girl's gaze was somewhat evasive. Her heavy makeup made her look unbearably tacky, but her exquisite figure was striking.
• “Francis, I've been a bit strapped for cash these past few days. As soon as I get some money, I'll pay you back immediately,” the girl said, her voice lacking confidence.
• “As soon as you get some money? You've already owed me seventy to eighty thousand. What are you going to repay me with?” As Francis Lattimer spoke, a lewd smile spread across his face, and his expression became increasingly sleazy. “Of course, if you could obediently keep me company for a few nights, perhaps I might just write off your debt.”
• As soon as he finished his sentence, a clear look of disgust surfaced on the young girl's face. She didn't say anything more, but her refusal was already implied without words.
• On the other side, Chadwick, who had witnessed that scene, felt no interest in meddling. However, he couldn't help but ask in confusion, “Aren't you going to intervene? I think the 'goods' that guy mentioned is possibly something like drugs, right?”
• Eleanor tightly pursed her lips. She had already witnessed such situations numerous times at the municipal police station, yet she still found it impossible to turn a blind eye.
• However, she had no choice but to pretend she didn't see it.
• “The waters run deep here. I'm just a humble leader of the Criminal Investigation Division.” Eleanor didn't possess a passionate sense of justice, but the bitterness and helplessness in her words caused Chadwick to raise an eyebrow.
• It seems the waters here in Strico run deeper than I imagined. Chadwick mused to himself.
• At that moment, it seemed that the conversation between Francis and the girl had turned south. Francis waved his hand dismissively and said, “Juliette Seymour, you'll know what's coming to you!”
• Having said that, Francis turned and left without any hesitation, leaving Juliette trembling in fear.
• Watching Francis' retreating figure, Juliette surveyed the surroundings of the municipal police station. Despite the presence of so many police officers, not a single one was willing to speak up for her.
• The fear in Juliette's eyes morphed into despair and defeat. She lifted her chin slightly in a hint of mockery and said, “Officers, remember to collect my corpse when I'm dead.”
• After the officers listened to her words, putting aside others' responses, Eleanor's face had already turned extremely unsightly at that point. Her hands were tightly clenched into fists, and her whole body trembled incessantly.
• She lifted her gaze toward Chadwick, only to find that Chadwick was staring intently at Juliette at that moment.
• “Her name is Juliette Seymour?” Chadwick murmured to himself. After pausing briefly, he continued, “What a coincidence... But she really does resemble her brother.”
• As soon as he finished his sentence, Chadwick hurriedly gave chase in the direction where Juliette had left.