Chapter 6 – Part 4

“It’s over for me. If my father finds out the truth, he might expel me from the family. No, worse than that, I’ll never be able to be in charge of any business for the rest of my life.”

Liam Morrison was sitting alone in the corner of the empty tavern, running his hands through his hair in distress.

It was already half past one in the afternoon, and the tavern was empty. He was the only one in the corner, muttering to himself.

Kristin saw him, and their eyes briefly met, but he seemed to have no intention of escaping.

Even if Liam Morrison despaired and tried to flee, it would only add to his crimes. If he attempted to run, the Imperial Bureau of Administration would surely catch him.

In the Union Empire, a dedicated department oversaw the lives and movements of the nobility. They meticulously monitored all noble activities to maintain order and reduce crime, operating without distinction between day and night.

However, despite their efforts, they couldn’t prevent all the crimes nobles committed against commoners. Nobles found ways to evade surveillance, indulging in corruption and heinous crimes.

The Emperor of the Union Empire had endeavored to protect commoners from such crimes, but the results had been far from satisfactory.

This failure included not being able to shut down the illegal gambling houses that had once been interested in Kristin’s father. The remote regions, like the region where the mine was located, were not effectively monitored.

“It’s over. It’s all over. There are workers trapped in the collapsed mine, and what can I do? If they die, my crimes will increase. It’s driving me crazy. I have nothing left. And I can’t ask those Merchant Association for help.”

Thud. Thud.

The sound of him banging his head on the table echoed repeatedly.

As Kristin tried to approach him, Lenci grabbed her sleeve. She held on tightly, her grip crumpling the fabric of Kristin’s dress. Lenci was worried about her.

Liam Morrison was lost in self-pity, surrounded by empty bottles. Kristin could only click her tongue in disapproval at the sight of him sitting alone.

Beatrice Charlotte, standing beside her, felt the same way.

It was so pathetic that they couldn’t help but be amazed that he would make such an accident and then drink while complaining about it.

“My Lady, are you sure you want to speak with him alone? Someone of such noble status may have a questionable character. Perhaps I should try talking to him instead, in case you get into any trouble,” Lenci suggested worriedly.

But Kristin firmly grasped Lenci’s hand.

“It’s all right, Lenci. I need to speak with him. I understand you want to help, but it could be dangerous.”

“But I’m worried about you, My Lady,” Lenci insisted.

“Lenci, don’t worry. I’m fine. I’ve faced worse situations before, haven’t I?”

Beatrice Charlotte then spoke up, “I’ll go with you, Kristin.”

* * *

Beatrice Charlotte approached Marquis Liam Morrison slowly and began to speak.

“Are you, by any chance, the manager of the Levi Mine, Marquis Liam Morrison?”

Kristin followed, “I would like to speak with you, Marquis.”

Liam Morrison, his head hanging, barely looked up. At the sound of Kristin’s voice, he slowly raised his head, meeting her dark eyes.

Seeing Kristin, with her red wavy hair, a wide-brimmed hat, elegant posture, and calm-colored dress, Liam Morrison stood up abruptly. His body stiffened as if time had stopped.

“Marquis Liam Morrison,” Kristin continued, “I am aware of the situation at the Levi Mine.”

Beatrice added, following Kristin’s words.

Liam Morrison couldn’t comprehend the situation. He had heard of the Imperial Bureau of Administration employing countesses and baronesses to manage nobles.

These women, who often participated in parties and enjoyed high society, were well-suited for such undercover roles due to their close connections within the nobility. Hence, there were many noblewomen secretly working for the Bureau.

Seeing Beatrice Charlotte, he was startled and began to apologize repeatedly.

“I’m sorry. Please, I will compensate the workers and their families somehow. Just let me keep my title as a Marquis.”

Liam Morrison pleaded with Beatrice, but he seemed to be mentally unstable. Although he appeared out of his mind, he seemed guilty of not ensuring proper safety management.

His father had insisted on rigorous mine management and had provided funds for safety operations through bank transfers. It wasn’t just the workers but their families as well.

If the families of the workers found out he had embezzled funds, how could he ever atone for his sins?

Despite being wealthy, the loss of reputation from this incident would impact his business endeavors. Even if he managed to provide compensation, what would come next? He couldn’t undo such a significant disaster.

Now, the choice he had to make was to kneel and beg for forgiveness with a repentant heart.

He stood up, walked towards Kristin and Beatrice Charlotte, and then, trembling, he knelt before them.

“I admit to all my wrongdoings. I have no excuses,” he said in a shaking voice.

Kristin sighed deeply as she looked at him. She thought about the current state of the workers and their families. She recalled the time she had once faced death.

They must be trapped in a bleak reality, engulfed in darkness, with dirt and rocks filling their mouths, ears, and eyes. Yet, Liam Morrison, their manager, had been drinking away in a pub during their plight.

As she contemplated this, Kristin, who was about to acquire the mine, questioned whether she should buy it under such circumstances. Profiting from others’ misfortunes would make her no different from Raphael Rodney.

Kristin glanced at Beatrice, who nodded in response, urging her not to hesitate any longer. They had traveled more than an hour from Willington Street to this place solely to purchase the mine.

Kristin pondered for a moment and then spoke to him.

“Marquis Morrison, do you truly understand the gravity of your mistakes? If you had ensured proper safety management, the workers wouldn’t have been harmed.”

“I apologize. I must have been out of my mind,” he replied.

“Currently, you are the owner of this mine, correct?” she asked.

“Yes, but how did you come here? Are you really from the Imperial Bureau of Administration?” he questioned, his hands now trembling.

“No, I’m not from the Imperial Bureau of Administration. I came here with a proposal,” Kristin stated.

“A proposal?” he echoed, the intoxication somewhat leaving his face.

He likely had no idea why Kristin wanted to buy the mine. However, she could not leave it in his incompetent hands, knowing he would repeat the same mistakes.

“Marquis Morrison, though you are the son of a wealthy man, you won’t be able to cover all the compensation for the victims. Let me help. Transfer the Levi Mine to me,” she proposed.

“Why would you want to buy a mine where an accident has already occurred?” he asked, puzzled.

“Because I believe I can manage it better than you, and I need a steady income,” she replied.

“But if my father finds out I sold the mine, he’ll kill me,” he said.

“If you were afraid of your father’s wrath, why did you neglect the mine’s management in the first place? You failed your responsibilities as a manager,” she countered.

“That… that’s…” he stammered.

Kristin continued, “Wouldn’t it be better to sell the mine? In return, I will handle all the compensation for the workers.”

Marquis Liam Morrison looked at Kristin with a perplexed expression.

“Think about it,” Kristin added.

“Selling the mine to me will provide you with the means to compensate the workers and their families without ruining yourself. It’s a solution that offers some redemption for your failures.”

“I’ll give you some time to think it over.”

Liam Morrison seemed to weigh his options, his face reflecting a mix of fear, regret, and a glimmer of hope.