Twilight painted the sky in hues of orange and purple as I arrived at my doorstep, knocking as a formality before pushing the door open.

As usual, Rose Hightower was in the living room. She peeked out from the doorway, her appearance a stark contrast to the previous day's wet hair and unfit clothes. Today, she was a vision in white, a flowing gown that accentuated her ethereal beauty. If only her delicate features weren't marred by the constant anticipation of food, the drool threatening to spill from her lips, she could truly pass for an otherworldly enchantress.

"Ah, I smell meat!" she exclaimed, her eyes lighting up. "Is it payday already?"

She eagerly snatched the takeout containers from my hand, placing them on the table and eagerly lifting the lids.

I observed her, a pang of envy tugging at my heart. Whether she was devouring simple toast or indulging in a lavish feast, her joy remained unadulterated. Had I possessed such an uncomplicated appreciation for life's simple pleasures, perhaps my own journey wouldn't have been so fraught with hardship.

"Bloodstains again," Rose commented, her tone teasing as she reached for the succulent duck leg. "Are you out fighting vamps every day?"

The aroma of crispy skin and savory juices filled the air, her smile widening with each bite.

I rolled my eyes, taking a swig of Merlot straight from the bottle.

But suddenly, Rose's nose twitched as she looked at the lavish spread of food, her eyes filled with concern.

She peeked at me through half-lidded eyes, her eyelashes fluttering as she nibbled on her duck leg. "If you are bored of toast, you could buy some raw meat and soy sauce tomorrow," she suggested tentatively. "I'll cook for you. No need to resort to... stealing and robbery."

"You can cook?" I asked, genuinely surprised.

"I'd starve to death if I couldn't," she retorted, a hint of amusement in her voice. "There aren't restaurants everywhere, you know... Are you even listening to me?"

She ticked off items on her fingers. "A pound of beef is only a couple of dollars. If you budget your salary, including gas and groceries, you could have meat almost every day. I can also sew and mend clothes, so there's no need to buy new ones."

I watched her in silence as she meticulously planned a budget, a stark contrast to Mr. Hightower's casual display of wealth.

"Are you really Miss Hightower?" I couldn't help but ask.

"Are you deaf?" Rose retorted, exasperated. My obliviousness was starting to frustrate her.

A sergeant earning a decent salary, wasting his potential on gambling and petty extortion... It was a waste of talent. In the past, she would have twisted my ear off.

But now, her pouting appearance was quite adorable.

I tossed a stack of bills onto the table, interrupting her lecture. "Your father gave me this."

Rose froze, her eyes darting between the money and my bloodstained uniform.

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.

"You went to find her?”

Without waiting for me to reply, she stood up suddenly, leaned over and put her pretty face in front of mine, and said anxiously: "Do you know how serious the problems are? They are not as simple as you think. The North Cliff fox clan has a visiting elder. At this point, the reason why she hasn't come to the city is because she is concerned about my identity! But if you really kill her junior and make her completely angry, no one can protect you!"

Her anxiety was palpable, her breath catching in her throat.

I leaned closer, the subtle fragrance of her blonde hair filling my senses. "So," I said, my voice a low murmur, "who are you, really?"

Rose's words died in her throat, a long silence stretching between us. Finally, she spoke, her voice barely a whisper. "That's the most important thing you gleaned from everything I said?"

I stood up, my expression hardening, and without hesitation, extinguished the flicker of romantic feeling that had arisen in my heart. This woman was hiding something, something far more dangerous than I had initially suspected.

"Let's eat," I said, my voice devoid of emotion as I returned to my chair.

Sensing my withdrawal, Rose sat back down, her appetite clearly diminished. She poked at the sea bream with her fork, her voice barely audible. "I'm on the people's side, you can be sure about that."

"Is my father alright?" she finally asked, her voice trembling slightly.

"For now," I replied, understanding the turmoil she must be feeling. "The foxvamp isn't at the mansion, but she brought another vamp in."

"Thank you," Rose whispered, her hands shaking as she lifted a spoonful of soup to her lips.

The blood on my clothes and the cash on the table spoke volumes.

She took a deep breath, trying to compose herself.

I remembered her earlier words, she must live… it turned out that the more precise meaning was that she must live even if the fate of her parents were unpredictable.

According to Rose, the elder foxvamp was hesitant to enter the city because of her identity. The stakes had clearly changed.

"I'm raising my price," I declared, my voice firm.

"What?" Rose looked up, surprise etched on her face.

I carefully wiped the scabbard with a cloth, my gaze meeting hers. "Two First Realm manuals aren't enough. I want two Wave Realm manuals instead. And I want one upfront, as a deposit."

Rose stared at me in silence, actually accepted such exploit without any resistance.

With a resigned sigh, she picked up her fork again, spearing a piece of fish. "I can only recall one at the moment," she admitted. "Provide me with paper and pen, and I'll have it ready in three days."

She chewed the fish vigorously, trying to mask the grievances in her eyes. She wasn't accustomed to showing vulnerability in front of anyone.

But then, my voice cut through her thoughts.

"Does your earlier offer still stand?"

"What offer?" Rose mumbled, her mouth full of fish. She averted her gaze, hoping to hide the tremor in her voice.

"Cooking," I reminded her.

Despite her enigmatic speech, I had pieced together the puzzle.

The foxvamp, wary of Rose's true identity, hadn't killed her, but instead conveniently dumped her on my doorstep. No matter how powerful those foxes were, they couldn't keep a constant watch on her.

The fox's motive was clear: to dispose of Rose through my hands.

But what made me so special?

The only logical explanation was my police uniform, from which I could easily deduce the fact that Rose was trying to hide.

It dawned on me: the Hightower family had sent their precious daughter to train under a master, a path that ultimately led to H.A.R.M., didn't it?

What she feared most wasn't some foxvamp, it's clearly me. If harm befell her at the hands of a corrupt police officer, the fox clan could easily wash their hands of the matter.

Had I acted on my initial impulse and killed her, a member of H.A.R.M., the consequences would have been dire. The thought of becoming a wanted fugitive across New Terra sent a shiver down my spine. I cursed myself for my earlier blindness.

How could I have been so reckless when it comes to women?

Unaware of my internal turmoil, Rose finished her meal, sniffing delicately. "Sure," she said, her voice hoarse. "I'll cook."

Just cooking, huh? she thought with a smirk. I'll feed you till you burst!

The clinking of cutlery in her hands grew louder, a silent vow echoing in her mind. Once she found a way to break the seal on her powers, she'd be sure to prepare a large basin of dishwater, hold my nose and pour directly down my throat... the image brought a smile to her lips.

Feeling a sense of satisfaction, she grabbed the wine bottle and drained it in a single gulp.