Empress Borough, Earl Hall's residence.
"Papa, you're home so early today?"
Having just completed a pleasant transaction, Audrey returned home in excellent spirits, only to find her father resting with his eyes closed on the sofa in the spacious, bright drawing room. She could not help feeling surprised.
As an influential member of the upper house and Bavart Bank's largest shareholder, her father would ordinarily be busy at the bank or parliament at this hour, or discussing the political situation with politicians at a private club. Why had he returned so early today?
"I have some other private matters to attend to, so I came home to make preparations." Earl Hall put down the documents in his hands and offered a brief explanation.
"Audrey, you seem very happy today." Looking at his daughter's radiant smile, he felt a little more relaxed himself.
"Yes, my dear Earl." Audrey lifted her skirts and stepped lightly over to sit on the sofa opposite her father.
"I went shopping at a department store in Cherwood Borough today. They've just received a new shipment of Southern Continent silk fabrics, and the patterns are absolutely beautiful. Then I stopped by the Four Seasons Gift Shop to order some presents..."
As a competent Spectator, Audrey lied without batting an eyelid, perfectly concealing her transaction involving Beyonder Characteristics.
Just as father and daughter were enjoying their conversation, a footman in a tailcoat approached briskly.
He first nodded to Audrey, then hurried to Earl Hall's side and whispered something in his ear.
Earl Hall's eyes shifted slightly as he listened to the report. As a Spectator, Audrey keenly noticed that the brows her father had kept knitted under the pressure lately relaxed a little. Even the corners of his mouth curved into a meaningful smile.
*Has something good happened