Patricia was taken aback by Inspector Derrick's unexpected visit. She hadn't anticipated him showing up at her doorstep.

"What is he doing here? Does he suspect something, as Patrick predicted? This is not good... I must find a way to solve this problem before things spiral out of control," she thought to herself.

Putting on a forced smile, she tried to act normal as she addressed him.

"W... What brings you here, Inspector? I hope everything is okay," she said, her voice slightly shaky.

"I have something to ask. Can we talk for a moment?" Inspector Derrick replied.

"It's okay," Patricia responded, her mind racing with worry.

"Do you prefer that we speak at the door?" he inquired.

Patricia hesitated for a moment, not wanting to invite Inspector Derrick inside, but she realized she didn't have much of a choice.

"Oh, I'm sorry... Please come in," she said reluctantly.

Derrick entered the small house, glancing around as he stepped inside. He noticed only Patricia's mother, father, and little sister Paige present, while the boys were outside chopping wood as usual.

"Thank god Patrick is not here. He would get mad if he saw the inspector entering our house," Patricia thought to herself.

She led Derrick to the kitchen and offered him a chair to sit down.

"I'm sorry... as you can see, our house is small... We..." Patricia began, feeling embarrassed.

Derrick smiled, understanding her discomfort.

"It's okay, I should be the one apologizing. I came without notice..." he reassured her.

Patricia stood up in front of the stove, preparing some tea for the unexpected visitor.

"So, what brings you to our humble house? It must be something urgent," she asked, trying to maintain a polite demeanor.

Derrick continued to look around, his eyes taking in the smallest details of the house. When he finally looked at her, Patricia sensed a mix of admiration and doubt in his gaze.

"We interrogated the gang members, and they confessed their crimes. Thanks to your testimony, we were able to catch the whole gang and stop their criminal deeds," he explained.

"I'm happy to hear that," Patricia replied, trying to keep her tone neutral. She hoped that the inspector's visit was merely to express gratitude, but a nagging feeling told her there was more to it.

After placing the cup of tea in front of him, she took a seat with a forced smile. "Please, have some," she offered.

The inspector took a sip before continuing. "When the officers arrived at the house, the three men were unconscious, and one of them lost his memory when he woke up."

Patricia's heart skipped a beat, and despite her efforts to remain composed, Derrick seemed to sense her unease. "Did someone else help you or..." he trailed off, his tone insinuating suspicion.

Patricia took a sip of her tea before replying with a smile, "It was me, I knocked them out. All by myself."

Derrick's expression remained unreadable, though he didn't seem surprised by her admission. "Well, I was curious because it is not normal for a lady to do that. Especially one as beautiful as yourself," he remarked.

Her smile faltered, and Patricia shot him a glare. "So, are you implying that because I'm beautiful, I should be weak?" she challenged.

Derrick held her gaze evenly. "Women, in general, are seen as fragile creatures," he stated matter-of-factly.

Patricia's eyes flashed with indignation. "So, I must sit and smile like a dumb doll until a man comes to my rescue whenever I'm in trouble?" she retorted.

Derrick didn't anticipate such a swift shift in Patricia's demeanor. Her sudden hostility caught him off guard.

"I'm... I'm... sorry, I...I didn't mean to imply..." he stammered, trying to backtrack, "I'm just curious to know how you managed to defeat them on your own. Either you are very skillful or..."

"Or what?" Patricia interrupted, her tone sharp.

Derrick met her gaze, searching her blue eyes for any hint of emotion. "Or you used magic..." he suggested cautiously.

Patricia burst into laughter. "HAHAHAHA, do you think I'm a wizard?" she exclaimed incredulously.

Derrick maintained his composure. "Anyone in my position would consider it a possibility. It's a more rational explanation than the alternatives," he responded evenly.

Abruptly, Patricia rose to her feet and leveled a sword at Derrick without a moment's hesitation.

"I believe you want to witness it firsthand. I'll demonstrate my innocence to you, Inspector," she declared firmly.

Derrick found himself taken aback. That wasn't the direction he had intended for the conversation to take. All he had sought was to corroborate the criminals' statements. Yet, the lady showed no inclination to deny or conceal her actions. On the contrary, she seemed to wear them as a badge of honor.

"I had thought perhaps the criminals had exaggerated, or that another party had intervened using magic to save her," Derrick reflected inwardly. "But it seems I was mistaken. Those fiery eyes betray no deceit."

He rose, adjusting his attire as if preparing to depart.

"It's alright, I trust you. I'll take my leave," he stated, intending to end the conversation there.

But Patricia showed no signs of backing down.

"I can see doubt lingering in your eyes. Would you like me to dispel it?" she challenged.

Derrick found himself captivated by her audacity.

"And how do you propose to do that?" he inquired, intrigued.

"Inspector Derrick, I've heard tales of your prowess as a swordsman. Let's settle this with a duel," she proposed.

Initially, Derrick was inclined to decline her offer. Yet, something about her determination compelled him to accept.

"No matter how inconceivable it seems, I cannot fathom a woman of such beauty engaging in combat. I must witness it for myself," he reasoned inwardly.

"Very well, show me what you're made of," he acquiesced.

In that instant, their mother entered the kitchen, alarmed by the commotion.

"Patricia, what are you doing to our guest?" she exclaimed.

"Don't worry, Mother, I'm simply fulfilling his request," Patricia reassured her.

Derrick adjusted his hat and tie, preparing to depart. "I believe this isn't the appropriate moment. I'll return at a later time," he suggested.

Patricia's frustration grew. The last thing she desired was his return. "No, let's settle this now," she insisted firmly.

Approaching her with a smile, Derrick couldn't help but comment on the tension. "Why do I sense that I'm not entirely welcome here?"

Patricia struggled to maintain her composure, "That's not true, I simply wanted to dispel any lingering doubts," she asserted.

The inspector gallantly kissed her hand before departing, "We shall cross paths again, my lady. Be prepared, for I won't hold back," he declared before leaving.

Patricia felt a strong urge to stop him, but she restrained herself.

"I suppose I should anticipate our next encounter. I'll be ready for him. Should I inform Patrick? No, he'll likely be furious. I'll keep it to myself for now," she resolved silently.

The mother, still puzzled, questioned Patricia about the unexpected visitor, "Patricia! Who was that man? And what does he want from us?"

"He...he's someone we owe some money to," Patricia responded quickly.

"Really?" her mother replied, taken aback.

"Yes, please don't mention his visit to Patrick. It will only upset him," Patricia requested.

"Alright," her mother agreed reluctantly.

Meanwhile, the inspector departed in a hurry, unaware of the turmoil he left behind. Patricia's audacity had intrigued him, leaving an indelible impression on his heart.

As he journeyed back, memories of Patricia's captivating eyes and resolute demeanor lingered in his mind.

"What's come over me? Why did I agree to her absurd request? Was I truly so eager to witness her in combat, or was it merely a pretext to encounter her once more? I must remain composed. There's a sense that she's concealing something, and I'm determined to uncover it when we cross paths again..."