Chapter 141: Communication Without Leaving a Trace

Chapter 141: Communication Without Leaving a Trace

After entering the front door of 22 Phelps Street, Audrey immediately saw Dawn Dantes coming out from a side corridor.

This refined, good-looking gentleman was dressed in black formalwear and holding a gold-inlaid cane. He seemed to be discussing something with a foundation staff member beside him.

As though sensing Audrey’s gaze, Dawn Dantes naturally turned his head and looked toward the entrance. His eyes brightened slightly, as if startled by beauty or as if he had seen treasure. Then he revealed a smile and gently nodded in greeting.

Audrey responded with a shallow smile that no teacher of etiquette could find fault with, nodded once, and followed the staff member of the Loen Charity Educational Assistance Fund who had come to receive her, walking along the steps toward the second floor.

During this process, although she did not look in that direction again, both a woman’s natural instincts and a Spectator’s instincts told her that Dawn Dantes’s gaze had been secretly following her figure until it was blocked by the wall beside the stairs.

“A performance difficult to criticize! He fully expressed the reaction that a gentleman with little resistance to beautiful women, yet sufficient depth and cultivation, ought to have upon meeting me for the second time—as if we really had only met once, at that charity banquet… This is exactly as I imagined. He can even make his eyes brighten abruptly…

“Is this a skill brought by his Beyonder pathway, or is it an ability he possesses naturally? I must say, Gehrman Sparrow—no, it should still be Mr. Gehrman Sparrow—is truly a professional, no, an outstanding actor. And unlike those stage performers, he is not overly exaggerated…”

Audrey praised him inwardly. Immediately afterward, she saw several newspaper reporters waiting on the second floor to interview the establishment of the Loen Charity Educational Assistance Fund.

She was not a noble young lady who liked seeing her photographs appear in newspapers. While instructing the male servant who had accompanied her to go over and communicate, informing the other party in Earl Hall’s name that no photographs could be taken, she brought her personal maid Annie into the VIP lounge.

Earl Hall was friends with the owners of several newspapers, had made corresponding investments, and held no small amount of shares. If Audrey wished, she could completely exchange part of the property she had been assigned for ownership of a fairly sizable newspaper.

Inside the VIP lounge, Audrey—who felt it was not suitable to bring a dog to such an occasion—greeted the noble youths, wealthy daughters, and relatives of church clergy whom she knew. Then, out of habit, she found a place where she could see the entire room and sat down, waiting for the establishment ceremony to officially begin and for the first board meeting to convene.

She swept her gaze around, then said to the female staff member who was receiving her, “Lovisa, this is my first time participating in the actual operation of a charity organization. I would very much like to know what we should do.”

The woman called Lovisa was under thirty. She also had blond hair. Her skin looked rather coarse and had many sunspots, but her smile was very bright and warm, making her quite approachable.

Hearing Audrey’s question, Lovisa introduced the situation without holding anything back.

“The preliminary plan for now is not to hurry to expand the scale. We will focus on Backlund first, going deep into public elementary schools, Sunday schools, and night schools to publicize the foundation to all students so that those in need can apply to us.

“After receiving applications, we will immediately organize staff to conduct detailed reviews. This does not mean only confirming their basic circumstances through the government. We will also carry out on-site visits to understand the applicants’ actual situations.

“Once the review is approved, we will issue educational assistance funds to help those poor people who long to change their fates through knowledge…”

Lovisa had only spoken to this point when a magnetic male voice interrupted.

“I have two suggestions.

“First, we should organize people today to go to the various Sunday schools, night schools, and public elementary schools to publicize this, because June is the examination season. It is the key period for entering higher-level schools. If we are not efficient enough, many students from poor families will certainly give up taking the examinations because of money. Even if they learn of the educational assistance fund afterward, they still cannot bear the loss of wasting an entire year, and will thus lose the chance to change their own fates.

“What we are doing may seem simple, but it truly affects the lives of one child after another. Therefore, we must begin as soon as possible and cannot waste time.”

The person speaking was Dawn Dantes, who had just come upstairs into the lounge. His expression was gentle but serious as he shared his thoughts.

Ah, right. June is examination season. Whether one wants to enter a grammar school and prepare for university, or enter one of the technical schools to build professional skills, now is a critical period. Once they give up the corresponding entrance exam, they will have to wait until next June… I actually completely forgot this just now. Lovisa and the other foundation staff members seem to have overlooked this too… Mr. Dawn Dantes actually noticed this detail and thought of those children who are now close to giving up their dreams… In truth, he is someone very gentle deep inside, isn’t he?

Audrey suddenly gained a new understanding of Dawn Dantes—of Gehrman Sparrow.

This was a Spectator’s harvest from the moment.

An outwardly cold killer and adventurer actually has a gentle heart? Unfortunately, the intelligence I can currently access about Gehrman Sparrow all describes the mad side of him, so I cannot find confirmation…

Audrey blinked and listened attentively as Dawn Dantes continued.

“The second suggestion is that the issued educational assistance funds would best be placed in corresponding bank accounts. When paying tuition, the students can bring proof documents to us and handle the withdrawal procedures. As for small expenses such as food or lodging, there is no need to make them so troublesome. They can withdraw once per month or once per week, at a fixed amount.

“This is to prevent the applicants’ parents, brothers, and sisters from spending the money. For a poor family, this is a temptation they cannot resist. Likewise, one account should correspond to one person. Regardless of the withdrawal method, the person themselves must be present. This can effectively prevent everyone from constantly being tested by the demon of greed.”

After saying this, Klein pressed a hand to his chest and said to Audrey and Lovisa, “My apologies. Please forgive my rash interruption of your conversation.”

Audrey smiled faintly.

“Mr. Dantes, your suggestions are very good. They have made me discover that I have failed to consider many things thoroughly.

“The only problem is that saying these things to us does not have much meaning. I was merely listening to Miss Lovisa introduce the situation.”

Lovisa followed with a smile.

“That is right. You should speak about these matters at the first board meeting later.”

Isn’t this precisely because I deliberately came over to persuade Miss Audrey ahead of time? With Justice’s participation, I can ensure there will be no objections at the board meeting. Otherwise, someone might find an excuse to delay things or alter the plan—for example, by citing insufficient manpower…

Klein made an expression of sudden realization and regret, lightly clapped his palm, and said, “It is because I am too anxious over these matters. Once I had the opportunity, I could not wait to turn them into reality, to the point that I forgot the occasion.”

Mr. Dawn Dantes’s acting here is a little exaggerated… He should know this cannot escape my eyes. Mm, he deliberately came over and, without leaving a trace, communicated these two suggestions with me in advance so I would support him?

Audrey instantly read the other party’s intent. The smile on her lips became increasingly obvious, increasingly pure.

Even if the World had not given such a “greeting,” she would still have supported a Tarot Club companion later. Still, communicating in advance made her rather happy, because through this she felt that the other party was placing her on equal footing.

After “forgiving” Dawn Dantes’s rashness and watching the gentleman head toward the long table in the lounge where wine, drinks, desserts, and bread were arranged, Audrey withdrew her gaze and said to Lovisa, “The matters I am responsible for are fundraising in different settings and communicating with the government and Parliament?”

“For you, that should be a simple matter,” Lovisa answered frankly.

That was precisely why the Church’s charity department did not oppose, and even strongly desired, Miss Audrey Hall’s participation.

Audrey nodded thoughtfully.

“If I have free time, may I join you when you go to the various schools to publicize this? May I participate in the reviews of applicants?”

Lovisa originally did not wish to agree, worried that those environments would not be suitable for Miss Audrey. But when she saw the other party’s clear, emerald-green eyes and felt that irresistible pleading behind them, her heart suddenly softened. She felt that such kindness should not be blocked or isolated from the reality of the lower classes.

If Miss Audrey has seen true suffering and ugliness and is still willing to help those poor people, then she will certainly be able to play an even greater role, preventing the upper classes from always formulating unrealistic bills…

Lovisa quickly found a sufficiently persuasive reason. Sighing, she smiled and said, “No problem.

“However, you cannot wear dresses like this or wear any jewelry.”

What about Lie? Turn it into an armlet and hide it under my sleeve?

Audrey thought briefly, then responded with a shallow smile.

“Alright.”

…

With Miss Audrey Hall’s support, the first board meeting after the establishment ceremony of the Loen Charity Educational Assistance Fund ended smoothly. Klein returned to 160 Böklund Street in a very good mood.

Following his usual routine, close to two o’clock, he entered the master bedroom and prepared to nap.

Inside his hazy dream, Klein suddenly became lucid, feeling vigilant.

Someone was attempting to invade his dream!

Who is it this time? Can my afternoon naps no longer be left undisturbed?

As Klein grumbled, he made the dream transform into the half-open room with the large balcony.

Then he saw Leonard, with black hair, green eyes, and a shirt casually hanging loose, climb in from outside the window.

Does this fellow not know how to use the front door? He suddenly came over. What could it be about? Remember to leave a contact method this time…

Klein mentally organized himself.