Writer 1879: Solitary Journey in France

Chapter 235 Blackmail
After returning from "Charpentier's Bookshelf", Lionel's mood was no longer heavy.

Although he was certainly unhappy to learn that he had been inexplicably targeted by two pro-republican publishing houses;

But thinking about the cooperation agreement he had just reached with George Charpentier, he couldn't help but grin.

"Hachette" and "Behring" have gone to great lengths to create such a large cake. If they don't take the opportunity to take a big bite themselves, wouldn't that be a waste of 140 years of experience?

Whether or not one's article is selected for the "French Reader" is not that important...

Another benefit was that George Charpentier had agreed to sign a royalty-sharing agreement with him regarding the standalone edition of "The Curious Cases of Benjamin Buton".

The initial royalty is 12%, which can fluctuate up to 18%—he will have his notary connect with Charpentier's notary tomorrow.

But when Lionel returned home, he noticed an unusual silence in the living room.

Usually at this time, you can hear either Alice typing away on her keyboard or Patty humming softly in the kitchen as she prepares a late-night snack.

You can even hear Debussy's piano music echoing in the air.

But tonight, he saw Patty and Alice sitting side by side on the sofa, both with their heads down and their shoulders tense.

Petty curled up into a ball, her fingers tightly twisting the edge of her apron.

Alice was also worried, her blue eyes filled with unease. She stood up first and said, "Good evening, Leon."

Petty also stood up, but couldn't speak, only sobbing softly.

Lionel's heart sank slightly.

Over the past year, he has almost grown accustomed to the increasing rosy cheeks and smiles on Petty's face.

The girl who was pale and thin a year ago, with eyes as frightened as a little mouse, has stubbornly stretched out under the nourishment of ample food and the protection of a good home.

She has grown taller and her hair is shinier. Not only is she a great cook, but she can even play simple melodies on the piano.

What has caused this child's face to cloud over again?

Lionel walked to the armchair by the fireplace and sat down. "What happened, Patty? Did someone bully you?"

Petty shook her head violently, but her tears fell even more fiercely, and she choked up, unable to speak.

Alice sighed: "Leon, it's...it's Petty's mother. She came to see you this afternoon."

Lionel frowned. That vulture-like, snobbish woman? He had never been late with his monthly "food allowance" of 15 francs!

Lionel's voice turned cold: "What did she say?"

Alice hesitated for a moment before answering: "She...she said she heard someone read in the newspaper that the country is about to implement a new law that all children as old as Patty must go to school."

She asked... what you plan to do? Will you keep Patty here... or... or send Patty home and... send her to school for 'education'?

Petty finally couldn't hold back any longer, her voice filled with fear and grievance: "She doesn't want me to go to school at all! Sir, you know! She just thinks I'm 'useful' now, and 15 francs a month is too cheap!"

When I went home for my last day off, I brought my younger brother some cookies that I had baked. She... she kept asking me what I ate, what I did, and how much money I earned here... Her eyes lit up when she heard that I sometimes got to learn piano from Mr. Debussy!

She said... she said that someone like me, if 'trained' a bit, could be sold to a better... place..."

At this point, Petty choked up again, her thin shoulders trembling.

That nightmarish past seemed to be attacking her again.

The warmth here in Lionel is like a beautiful, fragile bubble; the arrival of her mother is like a sharp needle, ready to burst it at any moment.

Alice quickly put her arm around Patty's shoulder and gently comforted her, while explaining to Lionel, "Her mother's words implied that she felt the money was too little."

She said times have changed, and girls with "skills" and "good manners" are more valuable... implying that if they wanted to keep Patty, they'd probably have to... pay more. Otherwise, she would "act according to the law," and once the bill passed, she would take Patty back to "school."

Lionel wasn't worried about the other party asking for more money—money was a minor issue for him at the moment, so he didn't even ask Petty's mother how much money she wanted.

He knew that the other party didn't care about his daughter's education at all; they only saw a "legal basis" to extort more money from her.

Lionel simply felt that fate was mocking him—

He was originally a supporter of the "Ferry Act," and whether in interviews or in the choir, he cleared obstacles for the bill's passage.

But what was the result?

First, he was betrayed by a Republican "ally" because of a conflict of interest; then, he was blackmailed by a foolish woman because of the bill's provisions.

The most enjoyable time was writing "The Decadent City," where money was exchanged for goods...

Lionel did not immediately respond. He pondered for a moment, then turned to Petit, his gaze becoming unusually serious.

But his voice remained gentle: "Patty, don't be afraid. Tell me, what do you think? Forget your mother, forget any external demands, just ask your own heart—"

Do you want to stay here and continue your current life and work, or... would you like to go home and try the path of education?

Petty said almost without hesitation, “I’ll stay here! Mr. Lionel, please, don’t make me go back! Here, I can eat and stay warm, you and Miss Alice are both good to me, and I can learn so much…”

Go home? My mom will only beat and scold me, make me do endless chores, and then...and then she'll sell me to a complete stranger sometime in the future! I know that!

I'd rather stay here every day, mopping the floor, doing laundry, and cooking than go back! School... school might be nice, but if my mom sends me there, it definitely won't be a good thing!

Hearing this answer, Lionel's tense nerves relaxed a little.

Undoubtedly, Petty's answer would be this, but he had to let Petty say it herself, so that she would feel that her wishes were respected and listened to.

Over the past year, Lionel has been subtly telling her that she has her own value and that her ideas are important.

He reached out and gently patted Patty's head. "I understand. As long as you're willing to stay, this will always be your home. I'll take care of your mother. Don't worry, everything will be alright."

He paused, then continued, “But Patty, you have to understand. Staying doesn’t mean giving up on learning altogether. Education is important. Even if you don’t go to public school, here you can still learn to read, write, and do math…”

I hope that from now on you will be more than just a kitchen maid, do you understand?

Patty nodded vigorously: "I understand, sir! I'm willing to learn! I will definitely learn well! I want to become... to become the kind of 'respectable Ms. Patty' you mentioned!"

Lionel smiled. “Very well. Then leave this to me. Alice, take Patty to wash her face, then have her go to the kitchen and see what else we have to eat. I think everyone needs some hot soup to calm down.”

Alice breathed a sigh of relief and a smile appeared on her face. She quickly pulled the profusely grateful Patty away from the living room.

Lionel sat alone in the armchair, lost in thought.

This matter cannot be completely resolved simply by paying more money.

That woman is insatiable. She succeeded this time, but she'll find a new excuse next time.

We must use legal means to pull Petty out of that quagmire once and for all.

He stood up, went back to his study, took out a sheet of paper, and dipped his quill pen in ink.

He had to write several letters and schedule several meetings first—the laws and administration of Paris were like a labyrinth, and he also needed a reliable guide.

First, he needs to make a greedy woman understand that some schemes are not something she can simply execute at will.

(End of this chapter)