Mr. Temperance Has This Side Too

"Audrey, don't forget the ball tonight."

Earl Hall said to her daughter, setting down her bone china teacup, "The Royal Family and the Duke Negan will be attending tonight's ball."

". OK."

Audrey obediently agreed, but a feeling of resistance welled up inside her. For a moment, even the fragrant black tea in her cup seemed to taste bland.

Since the Royal Family attends the ball, it means that I will inevitably run into several princes.

The other princes were alright, just Pride, chauvinistic, and looked down on women. The third prince, in particular, kept bothering me, always talking about self-righteous and pointless topics, forcing himself to be funny. Audrey felt uncomfortable just thinking about it.

"Audrey, I know you don't like those people at the Sodela Palace."

Her mother said earnestly, "But your coming-of-age ceremony is coming up soon, and you absolutely cannot make any mistakes in etiquette during this period, okay?"

Don't worry, Mom.

Audrey smiled in response, "I understand."

"Also, now that you're an adult, you should find something to do. Do you have any ideas?"

"Pat-pat-pat!"

A series of hurried footsteps suddenly came from outside the door, accompanied by screams from the servants in the corridor.

Thump!

The golden retriever slipped on the ground, nudged the door open with its nose, and darted in with its tail between its legs, its face showing visible panic.

"Woof!"

Susie opened her mouth, intending to speak, but seeing the Earl was also present, she could only let out a loud bark, burrowing under Audrey's skirt and trembling, just as she would have whine to her before she became intelligent.

What happened?

The Earl, slightly displeased by Susie's behavior, said, "Is your dog being so unruly these days?"

"It's alright, Mom, Susie's probably just scared by something."

Audrey quickly explained, reaching out to pat the golden retriever Soothing.

She also felt strange; Susie's trembling was transmitted through her stroking hand, clearly indicating genuine fear. But it was now an extraordinary creature, and an ordinary person couldn't possibly elicit such a strong reaction from it.

What exactly did it encounter?

"Honestly, you're too lenient with it, just like your father," the Earl scolded her, then, seeing the dog still refusing to leave, she got up helplessly. "Anyway, remember to behave well tonight."

"Don't worry, Mom."

After seeing her mother out of the room, Audrey closed the door and turned away.

"Audrey!"

Before she could ask, Susie spoke up, "That horrible person is here again! He's even more terrifying than before!"

A scary person?

Audrey took a moment to process what was being described. "You mean, Mr. Anderson?"

Indeed, Susie seemed quite frightened when she first met him. Was it animal instinct?

"It's him! He sent me to find you!"

The golden retriever opened and closed its mouth in fear and panic, shaking the air, "It says it needs to see you!"

[Temperance] Sir, do you wish to see me?

Audrey thought with surprise and some confusion.

Reception room.

"No need for black tea, I can't tell the difference between good and bad."

Luther Zedao.

The extraordinary guards at the Earl Hall's mansion were only at Sequence 7 at most, and they couldn't detect him at all. After being welcomed by Audrey, he concealed himself for a moment and then entered openly.

"No, we still need to prepare, otherwise it would be very impolite."

Audrey smiled and poured him a fresh cup of black tea.

Including the brief glimpse at the "Mr. A" gathering, this was the second time the two had met since that incident. Because she knew his identity in the Tarot Club, she naturally felt trust and closeness towards Anderson.

Susie cowered at her feet, too afraid to move, while Luna, curious, perched on the table opposite them, her tail dangling from the edge and swaying back and forth.

Two people, a cat, and a dog.

"I'm sorry, I'm not familiar with those aristocratic etiquettes, so I'll be frank," Luther Door Opening, getting straight to the point. "Miss Audrey, would you be interested in cooperating on a factory project?"

"Set up a factory?"

Audrey asked curiously.

Mr. [Temperance] still has interest in developing businesses?

"That's right, I took in some homeless people in the East Borough."

Luther began his narration.

He omitted some key information, only saying that he needed to set up a factory to support these people.

Audrey found it both funny and touching.

Mr. Temperance is usually crazy and cold at Tarot Club, but I never expected him to have such a kind side.

Are you short of money right now?

She asked.

"Lack of money is one issue, but the main problem is the lack of relevant channels and technology."

Luther said frankly, "I heard that your family is one of the wealthiest in Backlund, and your father is a very capable banker. You must be quite well-off, right?"

No, I lack

Audrey thought to herself.

She still owed Mr. Fool's family Pound, and the Tarot Club also had a Beyonder Item waiting for her to purchase. Even someone as wealthy as her couldn't avoid some financial difficulties. Although she nominally possessed a considerable amount of assets, they were all under trusteeship and couldn't be used at will.

However, as Mom just said, if I can get their support, maybe I can do some things after I become an adult?

Audrey thought for a moment.

Setting up factories to provide jobs for the poor in the East Borough so they wouldn't starve—not for profit, but simply to keep the factories running with enough surplus—is essentially a form of charity.

Moreover, compared to putting on a show, this method can actually get the money to those who need it. After all, people can only receive wages after they have actually done their work, instead of filling out some forms and letting the money flow into the hands of unknown people through procedures.

That's a good approach.

Audrey made her decision.

"Mr. Anderson."

She looked up and asked, "I think your idea is great, but there are still quite a few problems in putting it into practice. For example, I need to convince my parents that you are a reliable and legitimate organization. Also, setting up a factory is quite expensive, and I can't cover all of it."

Audrey's father was a successful businessman, and through his influence, she learned some basic principles.

"You won't have to pay for everything yourself."

Seeing a glimmer of hope, Luther nodded.

Actually, he only recently thought of a source of cash – the properties left behind by the Aurora Order. Putting everything else aside, the house where Mr. A held the party is worth a lot, after all, it's a detached house in Empress Borough, and if it sells well, it could be worth tens of thousands.

That would be best.

Audrey nodded. "Let me think about how to convince my parents."

At her feet, Susie had somewhat recovered from her tension. She looked up and immediately saw a black tail swishing back and forth on the edge of the table. Reason and instinct arose at the same moment; the former reminded her to be mindful of the situation, while the latter urged her to catch her moving prey.