1836: I Became a Literary Giant in Great Britain

Chapter 91 Michelle also supports me

It's a full 150 miles from Wilkesworth, Derbyshire, London.

In an era without direct railway access, this was undoubtedly a test of both physical strength and willpower.

Robert almost pushed himself to the limit.

He changed his mount at the post station, but not his rider, and used strong liquor to ward off the cold.

Aside from necessary rests, he hardly closed his eyes...

Unlike in ancient China, British post stations could be used privately.

As long as you can afford it...

Neither the muddy roads nor the icy rain could stop Robert's steps.

Just thinking of Mr. Michel's instructions and his trusting eyes warms my heart and instantly dispels all my fatigue.

He wasn't doing it for the money, but to save the people of a small town!

Fortunately, Robert grew up in the pastoral areas of Sussex, and horseback riding was practically his second home.

This is precisely why he was able to compress a journey that would normally take two or three days into a single day and night. This is also why Michelle insisted that Robert take the lead...

As the outline of Wilkesworth emerged in the dawn light, Robert felt like he was about to fall apart.

Despite being extremely tired, he still followed Michel's instructions and asked the villagers along the roadside for LeBron's address.

He led his weary horse to the house with its small garden.

When Anna opened the door, she saw a young man covered in mud and looking exhausted.

Although he looked disheveled, his eyes shone with a fiery intensity.

"Hello, is this Miss Anna?" Robert's voice was a little hoarse.

"I was sent by Mr. Michel."

Upon hearing Michel's name, Anna and Bella, who came out after hearing the sound, immediately invited him into the house.

The atmosphere at home was somewhat heavy.

Charlie was sitting by the fireplace, sullenly smoking his pipe, without even lifting his head.

Clearly, the past few days of waiting had been incredibly frustrating for him...

Robert didn't exchange any pleasantries. He took out an envelope tightly wrapped in oilcloth from his inner pocket.

"This is a letter from Mr. Michel home."

Anna took the letter and eagerly opened it.

However, the contents of the letter completely stunned her.

In the letter, Michelle, contrary to her expectations, did not denounce Vincent's scam; instead, she expressed "admiration" for her father's investment acumen.

...Father's decision is not without reason; North American railroads are indeed the most promising investment area today, and we should not miss this opportunity. Enclosed is fifty pounds to show my support for Father.

'

"However, fifty pounds is not a small amount, so a separate contract will still be needed..."

'

"This is not only a legal guarantee, but also a symbol of our family's identity..."

'

Anna could hardly believe her eyes.

How could Michelle... how could he support such a flawed scam?

This is simply... adding fuel to the fire!

"What did the letter say?"

Bella also came over and asked anxiously.

Anna looked grim as she handed over the letter.

"let me see."

Charlie finally reacted; he put down his pipe and snatched the letter from his wife's hand.

When he saw the words "support" and "praise" in the letter, especially the genuine fifty pounds, the gloom that had been on his face for days vanished.

A triumphant glow returned to his face.

"Ha ha ha ha!"

Charlie couldn't help but burst into laughter, his laughter filled with long-suppressed smugness.

"Did you see that?! Did you see that?!"

He waved the letter forcefully in front of his wife and daughter.

"I told you I had the right eye! Even Michel is optimistic about this project! He's based in London and has seen a lot; he thinks this is a great opportunity!"

Charlie straightened his back, feeling that all the grievances and doubts he had suffered these past few days had vanished in that instant.

He's right! He's the head of the family!

"Michel even sent back fifty pounds! He told me to go ahead and submit it! Now what do you have to say?"

As he spoke, he continued reading the letter.

Immersed in the joy of being recognized...

Anna and Bella stared at each other, completely bewildered by this sudden reversal.

What is Michelle thinking?

Has the allure of London caused him to lose his basic judgment?

Just then, Robert quietly approached them and said in a very low voice, "Ladies, may I have a word with you in private?"

Robert's words instantly dispelled the gloom in Anna and Bella's hearts.

The two exchanged a glance and immediately understood.

Bella stepped forward and stopped Charlie, who was in a state of excitement.

"Charlie, don't get agitated. This gentleman has come from a long way and must be exhausted. Let's let him go in, have some water, and rest for a bit."

Anna then led Robert into the kitchen and closed the door.

Charlie was so immersed in the immense joy of being recognized by his son that he completely failed to notice the subtle actions of his wife and daughter.

He held the letter, muttering to himself, already imagining the huge profits from a successful investment.

In the kitchen, Anna and Bella watched Robert nervously.

Robert pulled another tightly wrapped letter from his inner pocket.

"Mr. Michel instructed that this letter be given only to the two of you."

Anna took it with trembling hands and quickly opened it.

"Dear Anna and Bella, don't try to wake someone who is pretending to be asleep."

"What we need to do is put a heavy shackle on his dream."

"Let Father squander those 50 pounds! Believe me, every penny will be a nail driven into Vincent's heart!"

When Anna and Bella finished reading the letter, their astonishment turned into sudden realization.

In this letter, Michelle recounted the truth of the whole affair in a calm and clear manner.

From that conman named Vincent, to the underground printing workshop on Fleet Street, and then to that moldy basement office on the edge of the City.

All the evidence was clearly presented to them.

"My God...he really is a liar..."

'

Bella couldn't help but let out a soft gasp, then covered her mouth.

But what shocked them even more was Michelle's next plan.

"My father has a very strong sense of pride. If we forcefully expose the deception now, it will not only fail to convince him, but will also arouse his rebellious mentality and even make him do something more irrational. Therefore, we must go along with him and let him believe that he has made the right decision."

"Bringing Vincent to justice on fraud charges would be a lengthy process, and by the time the official investigation is complete, he would have already disappeared. But civil debts are different. As long as he signed the contract and it wasn't fulfilled, we can detain him through the sheriff as quickly as possible."

Attached to the end of the letter was a performance-based agreement.

Michelle shared a piece of legal knowledge that was not widely known in the countryside with her mother and sister.

Debtor's Prison!

Michelle's goal was not to support Charlie's investment at all.

Instead, we should use a method that is almost rogue but completely legal to keep this swindler pinned to the spot!

It's important to understand that in 19th-century Britain, being in debt was an extremely terrible thing.

The infamous Marshallsey Correctional Facility was specifically used to detain debtors.

Yes, that's the prison where Dickens' father was held...

As long as the creditor takes the IOU to the sheriff, without any complicated investigation, the debtor can be thrown into an extremely harsh prison until he pays off the debt...

In this way, even if Vincent cannot be arrested on charges of "fraud".

Michelle can still use the debt dispute of "owing Charlie £50" to legally and reasonably seize Vincent along with the money!

Anna's heart was pounding.

She never imagined that legal provisions could be used in this way.

Looking at her brother's familiar handwriting on the letter, she could almost see him calmly and confidently planning things out in London.

This once shy and introverted younger brother seems to have undergone a complete transformation in London.

Not only is she exceptionally talented, but she also possesses an indescribable and unique charm.

It's as if there's nothing he can't solve.

This plan is bold, meticulous, and highly feasible.

Bella breathed a long sigh of relief. She looked at her husband, who was still gloating in the living room, and her eyes held a complicated expression.

She knew that this plan wasn't just about recovering the money she'd been swindled out of, but also about protecting Charlie's pitiful and fragile self-esteem...

This was to teach Charlie a profound lesson.

Michelle's intentions were truly commendable.

"We... will do as Michelle says."

Bella was the first to calm down, her eyes filled with trust in her son.

Anna nodded emphatically.

The mother and daughter exchanged a glance and made up their minds.

The two carefully put the letter away, adjusted their expressions, and walked out of the kitchen again.

They returned to the living room.

Bella handed Charlie the fifty pounds and the agreement that Michel had brought.

Her face showed a mixture of helplessness and resignation.

"Since Michelle has said so, we'll listen to you. However, the letter also mentioned that, just to be on the safe side, you need to get Mr. Vincent to sign this agreement."

Charlie took the money, feeling as if he had regained control of the family's lifeline.

He didn't even glance at the agreement, thinking it was just a new trick his son had learned in London to make the investment seem more formal.

"Of course! That's for sure!"

"A respectable family like ours absolutely needs a contract!"

He tucked the money and the agreement into his pocket, feeling that his life was once again full of hope.

"I'm going to find Mr. Vincent right now! Let's secure a bright future for the LeBron family!"

"Just you wait!"

Charlie walked out of the house with his head held high and his footsteps were much louder than usual.

Anna and Bella stood at the door, watching their father's energetic back, their hearts filled with mixed emotions.

It's hard to imagine how Charlie would react if he knew the truth.

A good show is about to begin...