The next day, before dawn, Roger heard a faint argument coming from downstairs. He got dressed, opened his bedroom door, and made his way down the stairs.
"Amanda, you are not allowed to go anywhere today. Just stay at home and behave!"
Adeline's voice was filled with restrained anger, "This morning, your aunt called to tell me that you didn't come back to stay overnight!"
"This was our agreement, no matter how late you stay out, you must come home that day!"
"Look at your state right now!"
Adeline lost her usual poise and calm.
"Why should I come back?"
A crisp female voice floated lightly through the air.
"You're not even home anyway, what difference does it make if I come back to this kind of home or not?"
Hurried footsteps resounded, and a young girl with messy red hair suddenly appeared at the top of the stairs.
Obviously, she didn't expect someone else to be on the stairs, and she nearly bumped into Roger in her surprise.
She looked at Roger with a face full of amazement.
"Why are you in our house?"
At that moment, Adeline also followed, and upon seeing Roger, a flicker of embarrassment passed over her face. She quickly introduced, "This is Roger, and this is my daughter, Amanda..."
Before she could finish, Amanda let out a light laugh, "Is this your new boyfriend?"
"He seems much better than that silly Greg!"
Adeline nearly growled through clenched teeth, and seeing her mother's genuine anger, Amanda realized her joke had gone too far. She shrank back and made a face at Roger.
Then she stomped upstairs.
"Get changed, then come down for breakfast!"
Amanda yelled loudly.
Turning her gaze to Roger, Amanda looked apologetic, "I'm sorry, did our conversation disturb you?"
"This girl is getting more and more out of line, she'll be the death of me one day."
"Mom... I can hear you, you know."
Amanda's voice came from upstairs.
Adeline decided to ignore her and waved at Roger, "I've made breakfast, come down and join us."
Roger nodded and didn't stand on ceremony.
The breakfast was simple, with fried eggs, milk, bread, and some homemade blueberry jam.
Before long, the girl named Amanda had changed her clothes and came down to the dining room.
Her bright red hair was tied into a pretty ponytail behind her head, her skin was very white, her arms looked slender but her face was a bit plump.
Underneath her pale skin, the few freckles on her cheeks were particularly noticeable. But it didn't spoil her beauty, instead, it added a mischievous youthful charm to her appearance.
"What are you looking at?"
Amanda rolled her eyes at Roger and said irritably.
"Amanda!" Adeline glared at the girl.
Amanda continued to spread jam on her bread as if talking to herself, "How can you be someone's mother? Someone is harboring ill intentions towards your daughter, and you just sit there doing nothing..."
"Shut up and eat your food!"
Adeline tapped the table neither too hard nor too softly.
"It's the weekend, so don't go running around. Stay and take a walk around town with Roger. It's his first time here, and he isn't familiar with Baytown at all."
Amanda was about to refuse with a pout, but her face suddenly lit up with a smile when she saw the several banknotes Adeline laid on the table.
"Don't worry, Mom, I promise I'll get the job done."
Adeline turned to look at Roger. "The Sheriff's office hasn't received any notification yet, so don't be in a hurry. Take advantage of the rest day to have a good look around Baytown for a couple of days. As soon as there's news, I'll inform you right away."
"Thank you, Ms. Adeline."
Roger was genuinely grateful for the woman sheriff in front of him.
With the matter of his own identity unresolved, Roger had not intended to wander around aimlessly, but on second thought, he knew nothing about this world and might as well take the opportunity to learn more. Additionally, he could look for a place to relocate the Hunter's Cabin.
Last night, on his way back, he had quietly tested, and not a single house along the way met the relocation criteria.
What was more disheartening was that Roger knew nothing about the requirements for relocation. Now he was utterly in the dark and could only go out and try his luck.
Before leaving, Adeline pulled Amanda aside and whispered something to her. When they returned to Roger, Amanda's attitude had softened considerably, and she no longer made those playful jokes that were neither here nor there.
The two of them rode their bicycles along the shaded path, idly wandering around the town. Roger noticed that Amanda took him to relatively secluded places.
Once they were out, the redhead girl didn't talk much, and Roger's attention was all on the surrounding houses. In silence, they roamed all morning , one after the other.
"Did you really live on an island with a murderer for nearly a month?"
Sitting in a fast food restaurant by the street, Amanda asked curiously while stuffing fries into her mouth.
Given his understanding of Adeline, even if she were to explain his background, she probably wouldn't touch upon the specifics of the case.
Seeing his confusion, Amanda nonchalantly explained, "I sneaked a peek at the files she brought home, so I know what she'll be doing the next day."
Roger hadn't expected the seemingly careless girl in front of him, who appeared to clash with Adeline on the surface, to actually pay a lot of attention to her inwardly.
Roger nodded his head.
He didn't want to elaborate on this issue because the more he said, the more likely he was to slip up.
Amanda laughed and gave him a thumbs up.
"Tell me, what did you guys do on the island?"
She stared at Roger with a quirky face. "Although you've lost weight and don't quite fit my aesthetic, I think in the eyes of some greasy middle-aged men, you must be..."
"Heh, did he lay a hand on you?"
Amanda's curiosity was almost etched on her face as she leaned forward eagerly asking.
Did she get fries stuck in her brain or what?
Roger's face was lined with exasperation. How could someone ask questions ? If he had really experienced something on the island, he might have a breakdown right on the spot under her relentless questioning, right?
Just as he was unsure how to respond, Amanda's phone on the table suddenly vibrated.
Amanda answered the call. After a few words, her face showed a hint of hesitation. "Today?"
She glanced at Roger and shook her head. "I'm afraid that won't work."
After hanging up, Amanda tentatively looked at Roger.
"Something the matter?" Roger asked tactfully.
"If you cover for me with Mom, I'll take you to a mysterious place later and introduce you to a few beauties along the way," Amanda offered enticingly.