As soon as Audrey stepped through the door of 22 Peasefield Street, she spotted Daven Touta emerging from the side corridor. The well-dressed gentleman, wearing a black suit and holding a gold-handled cane, was engaged in conversation with a staff member from the Foundation. Noticing Audrey’s gaze, Daven Touta naturally turned his head toward the entrance, his eyes brightening with a touch of astonishment—like having discovered a treasure—before offering her a warm, graceful smile and a slight nod as a greeting. Audrey returned a polite, unremarkable smile, nodded in acknowledgment, and followed the staff member from the "Lun Foundation" who had greeted her, ascending the stairs toward the second floor. Though she did not look back, her innate sense of grace and the instinct of an observer told her clearly that Daven Touta’s eyes had been quietly following her every step, until they were finally obscured by the wall beside the staircase. "An outstanding performance! He fully embodied the reaction of a gentleman—charmingly attentive to beautiful women yet deeply refined—would naturally have upon encountering me for the second time, as if we had indeed met only at the last charity gala. This was precisely as I had anticipated; he even managed that sudden, brightening of the eyes. Was this a skill born of his exceptional path, or an innate ability? Undoubtedly, Germán Sparro—yes, Mr. Sparro—is a professional, indeed an exceptional actor, and unlike many theatrical performers, he remains remarkably understated." Audrey thought this with approval, then noticed several reporters waiting on the second floor, ready to interview about the establishment of the "Rune Charity Scholarship Fund." She was not a lady accustomed to having her photograph featured in newspapers. As she sent her male servant on ahead to speak with the guests on behalf of Lord Hall, formally requesting that no photographs be taken, she herself entered the lounge with her personal maid, Anne. —Lord Hall was friends with the owners of several newspapers and had made corresponding investments, holding significant shares; should Audrey wish, she could very well exchange some of the property she received for a substantial newspaper publication. In the lounge, Audrey, who felt dogs were out of place in such formal settings, greeted the noble sons, wealthy offspring, and relatives of clergy members she knew, and settled into a seat with a clear view of the entire room, waiting for the official ceremony to begin and for the first board meeting to take place. She glanced around and said to the female staff member who had been welcoming her: “Lovisa, this is my first hands-on involvement in the actual operations of a charitable organization. I’d like to know—what should we do now?” The lady known as Lovisa is under thirty, with the same golden hair, her skin appearing somewhat rough, marked by several sun spots, yet her smile is bright and warm, and she is very approachable. Upon hearing Audrey's question, Lovisa responded openly: "Our current preliminary plan is to start small, focusing primarily on Beckland, and to deeply engage with public elementary schools, Sunday schools, and evening schools, promoting the foundation's work to all students so that those in need can apply to us. Once applications are received, we will immediately organize personnel to conduct detailed reviews—this involves not only verifying basic information through the government but also visiting applicants to fully understand their individual circumstances." "Once the review is approved, we will distribute the scholarship fund to help those poor individuals who aspire to change their lives through knowledge..." As Lovisa was just speaking, a strong, magnetic male voice interjected: "I have two suggestions: First, we should organize personnel to promote the initiative at all Sunday schools, evening schools, and public elementary schools today, because June is exam season—the critical period for advancing to higher-level institutions. If our efficiency is not high enough, many students from financially struggling families will likely forgo the exams due to financial constraints. Even if they later learn about the scholarship fund, they will not be able to afford the one-year opportunity loss, thereby missing the chance to transform their lives. The work we are doing may seem simple, yet it has a tangible and profound impact on each child's life. Therefore, we must act swiftly—we cannot afford to waste time." It was Daven Tangtse, who had just entered the lounge, speaking gently yet seriously about his thoughts. Ah, yes—June is exam season. Whether one aims to enter a grammar school, prepare for university, or pursue specialized training at various technical institutions, now is the crucial time. Once one decides to forgo these entrance exams, one must wait until next June. I had completely overlooked this point—Miss Lovisa and the foundation staff seemed to have missed it as well. Yet Daven Tangtse had noticed such a detail, thoughtfully considering the children who are now on the verge of giving up their dreams. He truly is a deeply compassionate person, thought Audrey suddenly, gaining fresh insights into both Daven Tangtse and Germán Sparo. This was a harvest of perspective for the observer. The seemingly cold killer and adventurer, in fact, harbors a warm heart. Unfortunately, the information I currently have about Germán Spalro focuses solely on his eccentricities, and I haven't been able to find any supporting evidence... Audrey blinked, listening intently as Daven Tantrès continued his account: "The second recommendation is that the scholarship funds be deposited directly into the corresponding bank accounts. When paying tuition fees, applicants should come to us with documentation to draw the funds. For smaller, routine expenses such as food or accommodation, such a formal process is unnecessary—these can be withdrawn monthly or weekly, with a fixed amount each time. This helps prevent the applicant’s parents, siblings, or relatives from losing the money, which would otherwise be a powerful temptation for a working-class family. Moreover, each account should be linked to a single individual, and regardless of the withdrawal method, the person themselves must be present. This ensures that applicants regularly face the trials of the greedy demon." At this point, Caine placed a hand on his chest and said to Audrey and Lovisa: "I'm sorry—forgive my impertinence in interrupting your conversation." Audrey smiled slightly. "Mr. Thénardier, your suggestion is excellent—it has helped me realize how many aspects I've overlooked. The only issue is, you've made these points to us, yet they carry no weight, for all I've been doing is listening to Madame Lovisa's presentation." Lovisa chuckled in agreement. "Indeed, you should bring these up during the first board meeting." Didn't I come here intentionally, to persuade Miss Audrey in advance? With the addition of 'justice,' I can ensure there's no opposition at the board meeting. Otherwise, they might find excuses to delay or revise the plans—such as, staffing shortages. Cline looked puzzled and regretful, gently patting his hands. "It's just that I've been so anxious about these matters, that every opportunity I've had, I've felt compelled to make them real immediately, and as a result, I've forgotten the setting." "Mr. Dautin Thomsen's performance was a bit exaggerated... He should have known this wouldn't escape my notice. Indeed, he had come deliberately, subtly preparing me in advance with these two suggestions, hoping for my support, hadn't he? Audrey immediately picked up on his intention, her smile growing more evident and more genuine. Although the 'world' might not make a formal announcement, she would still support the Tarot Circle's colleagues afterward—still, the preliminary communication brought her great satisfaction, as it conveyed to her that he valued her as an equal. With a gesture of understanding, she forgave Mr. Dautin Thomsen's impulsiveness, then watched him move toward the long table in the lounge, where drinks, beverages, and pastries were arranged. Turning her gaze back to Lovisa, Audrey said: "My responsibilities involve fundraising across various settings, and communicating with government and parliamentary bodies?" "For you, this should be a straightforward task," Lovisa replied calmly. This is precisely why the Church's charitable department neither opposes nor even eagerly welcomes Miss Audrey Hall's involvement. Reflecting thoughtfully, Audrey asked, "If there's time available, could I participate in your outreach visits to the various schools and also join the review of applicants?" Lovisa had initially hesitated, concerned that the circumstances might not suit Miss Audrey, but upon seeing the clear, green gaze of the young woman and sensing the compelling sincerity in her tone, she suddenly softened. She felt that such kindness should not be obstructed or isolated from the realities of everyday life. If Miss Audrey, after witnessing genuine hardship and poverty, still chose to assist the disadvantaged, she would undoubtedly make a greater impact—helping to ensure that the upper echelons did not continue to enact impractical policies. Lovisa quickly found convincing reasons and sighed, smiling, "That's settled. However, you will no longer be able to wear such dresses or any jewelry." What to do with "lies"? Turn them into armrings and tuck them beneath the sleeves? Audrey paused briefly before offering a gentle smile, "That sounds good." This time, do make sure to leave a contact number... Caine sat down with a mixture of annoyance and amusement in his expression, gazing calmly at his poetry classmate. "This isn't a polite visit." Leonard responded, bowing slightly with a slightly imperfect form of etiquette. "Mr. Tang-Taise, I have a question I'd like to ask you." Inquiry? That's quite a pleasant tone, and it doesn't sound like a major matter... Caine murmured to himself, giving a soft "hmm." "What's the matter?" Leonard took a chair and settled in, carefully asking, "You were involved in the case of Caron's suicide—do you think you know who the real culprit is?" I really need to know—I've already passed on Frank's mushrooms! Still, it's not entirely unclear, or else it would look unprofessional... Caine, accustomed to such situations, smiled smoothly and instead asked, "What have you found out so far?"