Chapter 19: A Salary of 10 Pounds, A Drink Bill of 30 Pounds

Chapter 19: A Salary of 10 Pounds, A Drink Bill of 30 Pounds

10 gold pounds!

The strong scent of ink, that's the smell of money.

hastur flicked the 10 gold pound note with his right middle finger, producing a vibration unique to paper currency.

Although 10 gold pounds wasn't much, it was, after all, the first money he had earned himself, even if it did somewhat resemble living off someone else.

"Shall we have a drink after work?" As the end of the workday approached, Harley, with a smile, came over to invite him.

This was because hastur had told him that starting next week, he would temporarily stop working at the bank, relieving Harley from the worry of finding suitable business deals.

The statement sounded a bit awkward, but Harley was happy nonetheless. The sooner hastur left, the better, so he wouldn't have to be distracted every day.

"It's a good choice."

hastur nodded in agreement. After all, it was the first time he had received a salary in this world, and it was indeed worth commemorating.

He should also invite Gray, since it was he who had arranged this job for him.

hasturasked Harley to inquire if Gray had time tonight to join them for a drink.

"Tonight will surely be as you wish."

Harley left with a spring in his step, the smile on his lips betraying his inner joy.

That was Gray, the heir to the Duke of Kenigan, a great personage whom Harley rarely had the chance to meet. Even the order to take care of hastur had been relayed by a vice president who was on good terms with him.

"Mr. Joel will be free tonight, won't he?"

"Even if he isn't, he wouldn't miss the opportunity to get closer to Mr. Gray."

"Should we also invite Mr. Burton?"

"Let's not. Having just Mr. Joel and myself tonight is enough; too many people might not be conducive to fostering closer relations."

Harley thought to himself, feeling as if he had become an important person.

…

At eight o'clock in the evening, in the luxurious private room of the Crown Bar located in the business center of Hils town District, six people were seated.

The host of tonight's bar gathering was Hastar, the person responsible for contacting the guests was Harley, and the guest of honor was Gray. The other three were high-ranking officials from the Bavarte Bank.

Faced with Hastar's inquiring gaze, Harley looked embarrassed and restless.

He had originally planned to invite only Mr. Joel, as the president had been very kind to him. However, to his surprise, the other two presidents had heard the news and came along with Mr. Joel.

This was unexpected, but since they had come, he couldn't just send them away, could he?

Hastur felt the same way. Considering that he wouldn't be working at the bank for a short while, he didn't mind.

Gray sat next to Hastar, leaning on the sofa, his eyes twinkling with amusement as he gently swirled a glass of Monica in his hand.

He understood that those people had come for him tonight, but he didn't like those who lacked a sense of propriety.

Gray remained silent, and hastur wasn't fond of dealing with strangers either. After a few pleasantries, the conversation dried up. Sensing the subtle atmosphere, Harley fully utilized his ability to liven up the mood.

Soon, the sound of drinking and chatting grew louder.

Around ten o'clock, Gray left first, asking hastur to attend his banquet next Sunday before departing.

Half an hour later, the other three bank executives also left, leaving only hastur and Harley.

"I apologize for not considering things thoroughly tonight."

With no outsiders present, Harley stood up, his previously tipsy demeanor gone, and bowed deeply with sincere apology.

hastur waved his hand and smiled, "I believe it wasn't your intention, and I won't blame you for anything. Besides, a lively gathering is quite nice."

Harley breathed a sigh of relief, then prepared to go out and pay the bill for Hastar, but Hastar, knowing his intentions, stopped him.

The gathering tonight wasn't long, but the expense was indeed substantial. He wouldn't let Harley pay for him; it was his own gathering for Gray. Even Gray hadn't offered to pay the bill, allowing him to be the host for the evening.

At the front desk, hastur paid the bill of 30 pounds and 8 sullers expressionlessly.

It was not just a week's salary, but three weeks' worth! Indeed, the luxury bar located in the business center justified its price.

Gray's smiling, silent gaze seemed to have foreseen this scene.

Harley also took a deep breath when he saw the bill.

After leaving the Crown Bar, hastur hired a carriage to go home, looking out the window to sober up.

He hadn't drunk much, but he felt a bit dizzy, mainly because Gray had kept inviting him to drink, and he was somewhat overwhelmed.

He was actually somewhat relieved that Harley had invited the other three guests; otherwise, Gray would have surely drunk with him until midnight or later.

Upon returning home, hastur took a comfortable bath, finally recovering from his earlier dizziness.

After the bath, it was already eleven fifty, and he had no desire to continue reading, feeling quite sleepy. Lying on the soft bed, he soon fell asleep.

Before sleeping, he habitually whipped the Wishing Lamp.

…

The next day, hastur didn't wake up until half-past ten. After freshening up and taking another bath, he changed into a new set of clothes and went out.

The Metropolitan Family Servant Association, a highly professional association, excelled at providing suitable butlers and other staff for nobles or tycoons.

Today, a light rain fell in Beckland, and hastur stepped down from the carriage with a black umbrella.

He had come here today mainly to hire a suitable butler to take care of all the household chores.

At the reception desk, Belin caught sight of hastur folding his umbrella and walking towards her, a flash of admiration in her eyes.

His neat and elegant attire, slightly curled golden hair, and a face that one couldn't help but take a second glance at, along with a hint of youthful naivety emanating from him.

Could it be the young Baron Campbell?

Belin speculated in her heart, straightened her dress, and then, with a smile, left the reception desk to approach him.

"Good morning, sir."

"Good morning, madam."

"Sir, how may I assist you? Oh, by the way, how should I address you?"

"hasturCampbell, I need a professional and good butler."

Belin's eyes lit up, and she inwardly sighed, indeed it was the young Baron Campbell!

He was even more handsome in person than the rumors suggested.

Some time ago, after the young baron's butler passed away, their Metropolitan Family Servant Association received the news and had been waiting to introduce a good butler to the baron.

Unfortunately, the baron had not come, and instead, he had dismissed the servants at home.

"Baron Campbell, please have a seat over here."

Suppressing the astonishment in her heart and with a blush on her face, Belin led hastur to the reception area and pointed to a fabric sofa.

"Please wait a moment, I'll have someone bring the relevant documents for you to choose from."

"Thank you, that would be great."

"Do you prefer coffee or tea?"

"Tea, please."

She asked hastur to sit for a while, gave a few instructions, and then briskly walked into the back room to brew a cup of Marquis tea.

Hastur took a small sip and said softly, "Nice tea."

"I'm glad you like it."

Belin smiled even more happily, as this was a special tea she reserved for herself, which she wouldn't normally serve to others.

Soon, someone brought a stack of documents, and Belin, with a smile, said, "There are three butlers who meet your requirements, they are…"

Belin gave a brief introduction of the three butlers. hastur listened quietly, and after she finished, he spoke: "They all seem like excellent butlers, and I can't make an immediate decision. Have them come to my residence at nine o'clock tomorrow, and I'll make a decision after the interviews."

"That's a wise and smart decision," Belin said with a smile.

After a brief conversation, hastur took his leave, as he had to attend a lecture at Beckland University in the afternoon.

"Ah, if only I were a butler, taking care of such a master's daily life would be a nice thing to do."

Belin felt a sense of regret, as staying by the side of such a young baron would be much better than working as a receptionist here.

…

At four o'clock in the afternoon, Professor Wayne, who had finished teaching, asked hastur to stay for a moment.

"I have some matters to attend to in the dock area this Friday, do you have time?"

After hastur nodded in agreement, Professor Wayne smiled and said, "No matter how much law you learn, it's no substitute for experiencing life firsthand. Beckland is not just about nobles."

Hastur understood the professor's meaning; he wanted to take him to the dock area for a practical lesson.

"The law is meant to benefit more people. If a law only benefits a minority, then it's not a good law," Professor Wayne said with a sigh.

The lives of the lower-class citizens, unable to ensure that they can have three meals a day, and the brilliance of the law seems unable to reach that shadowy area.

He had a feeling that this young baron would go far in the future, so he wanted him to understand the stark disparities in the world.

Perhaps he could make a difference in the future.

(End of Chapter)