Chapter 55 Chapter 55 Oti / The dragonfly seems to be back again...
"Mr. White...please listen to my explanation. This is not what you think..." Pete trembled as he held the afternoon tea tray. The cups collided with each other, making a crisp sound, which was exactly like his mood at the moment.
Hermann didn't give him any mercy in his eyes, and walked forward with his silver cane.
Audrey heard the noise and turned around. The moment she saw the person coming, all her anger suddenly turned into grievance.
"Hermann."
Hearing the call, Hermann stopped.
His dark grey eyes watched her running towards him, his fair cheeks flushed with anger. "You're just in time! They've gone too far!"
A hand in a long-sleeved glove was holding his arm, and his mouth was opening and closing, talking very intensely.
Pete argued in vain, crying bitterly with his nephew, completely losing his previous arrogance.
Herman didn't look at them from beginning to end. He was staring at Audrey's red eyes and the cotton wool falling all over her hair.
She was completely oblivious, thinking Herman's silence was a sign of judgment. She retorted even more angrily, "He's lying! I saw his nephew hitting someone with my own eyes. This must have happened more than once before. Herman, believe me, you must..."
Before she could finish, a pair of slender knuckles reached out and removed the lint from her blond hair, saying, "Charles."
Charles immediately stepped forward, stood before the steward, and said politely, "Sir, you are fired."
The manager begged excitedly: "No! No! Please listen to my explanation! I was only acting according to the factory rules! I didn't know it was Mrs. White... If I had known..."
"This has nothing to do with Mrs. White. You committed malicious assault and we have reported you to the sheriff." As a loyal assistant, Charles only needed a glance from his employer to arrange everything.
Pete still wanted to plead for his nephew, so he walked up to Audrey.
"Mr. White, Mrs. White, our lives are not easy either. We cannot be deprived of our jobs just because of a small mistake. Please!" Pete begged Herman, but in fact, he knew very well that the ruthless capitalists would not be shaken by this. Such a pitiful gesture could only threaten compassionate people.
Hermann stroked his cane and looked at Audrey.
It is obvious that this is a lady with kindness written on her face.
For him, the fate of a subordinate was not important. He was more curious about what choice the blonde lady would make.
In the sight, those water-blue eyes indeed flashed with struggle.
Pete also didn't miss her hesitation and almost sang a hymn of victory in his heart.
The next moment, she said, "Mr. Pitt, you said you had a hard time, but the Royal Black Tea you served me cost three Ceylon peso per pound, and the Oriental Black Tea was even more expensive, five Ceylon peso. If you add the exquisite pastries and your treasured bone china cups and saucers, then this afternoon tea is equivalent to the average worker's annual income."
After the words fell, Peter's expression froze, "I... I just want to entertain you well..."
"Really?" Charles suddenly interrupted, slowly pulling out a stack of documents. "According to the information provided by your assistant, you abused your power for personal gain, selling factory goods and withholding workers' wages. In just one year, you embezzled 5,000 Ceylon rupees."
The evidence hit Pete in the face and he turned pale.
Now, it no longer matters that his nephew is facing dismissal because he himself is about to go to jail.
In fear, Pete no longer dared to argue. He cried and apologized, begging Herman to let him go.
"Save that for the judge." Herman said calmly, extending his arm to Audrey.
Audrey was a little slow and quickly grabbed him.
The sheriff arrived at the right moment, and heard a man's shrill shouting behind him.
Audrey tried to turn back, but a hand held the back of her head.
"The matter has been concluded. Some scenes do not need to be watched."
Audrey looked at Herman secretly and said tentatively: "Kevin is injured. He is our friend."
Herman frowned and thought for a moment before he remembered who Kevin was.
The poor freckled boy who lived in the town had the opportunity to enter Winston Manor to attend the wedding thanks to the kindness of the two ladies of the White family.
Can such a person be considered a friend?
He didn't think so, but he didn't want to contradict his wife.
"The factory has its own rules and regulations, and someone will be responsible for compensation." His dark grey eyes scanned Audrey, and his voice was cold. "There's no need for Mrs. White to worry about it."
Audrey lowered her head, distracted.
Just as she let go of Hermann's hand and was about to return to the carriage they had come from, the man called her, "Come here."
Herman opened the car door and motioned for her to get in.
Audrey was confused.
Charles smiled and said, "When you came, the arrangements were too hasty. That carriage was too small. It's not as spacious as this one, which is suitable for accommodating the hem of a lady's skirt."
Audrey's eyes lit up and she became happy again. She carried her large skirt and got into the car: "Thank you."
She squeezed herself into the car, considerately moved aside, patted the seat and waved, "Hermann, come here."
Herman, who wanted to go to another car, looked at the one-third of space that was barely left: "..."
Charles, sitting opposite, said with a smile, "Oh, sir, please sit down and don't let your wife down."
In the carriage, the goose yellow lace skirt was still covered with dust and cotton wool. She patted it lightly, and white snow flew up and fell all over her head and body.
Just as he was about to speak, he sneezed as he opened his mouth: "Ha Qiu!"
"Come here...Haqiu..." With her head full of flying cotton wool, she looked like a kitten rolling in a cotton ball. Even with such difficulty, she still opened her bright blue eyes and invited, "Haqiu...sit."
Hermann was speechless, moved by her indomitable spirit.
So he lifted his noble foot and got on the car, sitting upright in the one-third seat.
The car started its return journey, gradually leaving Haddonfield.
Audrey was still sneezing. Herman looked at the mess of cotton wool all over her body and his obsessive-compulsive disorder kicked in again. "Lower your head."
Audrey was puzzled but did as she was told.
The fresh scent of cedar wafted into her nose, and in her sight, slender hands touched her hair and shoulders, slowly and patiently picking off the cotton wool one by one.
Audrey was stunned, and felt that Herman was a little gentle at this moment.
Thinking of the snow all over the factory, she thought for a moment and asked tentatively, "Herman, the factory environment is terrible. The workers have to breathe in so much dust every day, which will have an impact on their health. Can you install a few fans to at least circulate the air a little, or..."
The dark grey eyes paused for a moment, and Hermann took off the last piece of cotton wool.
"I told you, the factory has its own rules and regulations." His expression returned to indifference, interrupting Audrey, "It's not your charity playground."
Audrey frowned. "How can this be considered charity? If workers are sick, they can't provide you with labor, right? Ensuring their safety is also ensuring your productivity."
"If you lose your labor force, you'll be laid off. Survival of the fittest, that's the law of Haddonfield." Herman said expressionlessly, "Once the machine of capital is in motion, it won't stop for anyone. Even if that's your... 'friend'."
"We went to bonfire night with Kevin, remember? He was a happy young man, and he was going to get married soon..."
"What does that have to do with me?" Herman looked at her. "I don't have your kindness and goodness, Ms. Norman."
Audrey was completely stunned.
She stared at Hermann, a little bit unable to believe that he had said such utterly ruthless words.
No, it should be said that it was the brief but wonderful time they spent together at Winston Manor that made her forget what Herman looked like at first - he was a robber who broke into Norman Manor late at night and openly forced them to pay debts.
When she first arrived in Kent, she was very clear that she was just Herman's tool, and even now, she has not completely gotten rid of this attribute.
At that time, Hermann felt only disgust and alienation towards himself.
She is open-minded and doesn't care, but that doesn't mean she doesn't understand the situation at all.
Audrey lowered her head, stopped talking, and just looked out the window.
Hermann unconsciously clenched his cane and looked to the other side with a serious face.
Silence spread in the carriage, as they faced opposite directions.
Outside the car window, the sky was still dark and suddenly thunder roared.
When Audrey thought about it, she was still hoping that the sky would clear up, which shows that the ending of everything is not always what you want.
And Herman was like the cloudy sky over Haddonfield—as they spent time together, she could feel the clouds gradually dissipate.
Audrey saw his gradually gentle behavior, his efforts, and his changes.
She knew that this person probably no longer hated her and would occasionally make concessions for her.
But human nature is always fragile, just like my sister said, pride comes from love.
Audrey felt that this was the situation for her now.
Would she have dared to ask Hermann for the same thing she had just done when they first met? She wouldn't have, because she knew exactly where the limit was.
And it was precisely because of the slight sign of clearing up after the dark clouds dispersed that she blurred the boundaries at this moment.
What is the difference between Mrs. White and the cats and dogs in Winston Manor? When he likes them, he can be infinitely tolerant. Once he no longer likes them, or the cats and dogs mistakenly think that they are really their owners, then the day they are abandoned is not far away.
Of course, if she were alone, her future wouldn't matter. But she still had responsibilities to the Norman family, and her sister had even gone to the Duke's Palace to face an even more dangerous situation. So, the title of Mrs. White wasn't something she could just throw away.
Audrey stared out the window absentmindedly, then forced a smile: "Cheer up, Otti, at least you understand this truth today. And he doesn't hate you now, and won't mind your momentary slip of the tongue."
"Mrs. White," said Charles suddenly, and the old man, who was always fond of joking, now seemed very serious. "Perhaps you will listen to me for a few words?"
Audrey smiled: "Of course."
"I understand your sympathy for the workers, but the factory's rules and regulations can't be changed by one person; they represent the standards of the entire industry." Charles' eyes were full of meaning. "Today, Mr. White has been elected as the leader of the industry, but if he takes the lead in betraying the industry, those who supported him will unite to deal with him."
"Charles, that's enough." Herman interrupted coldly, "She doesn't need to know this."
Charles sighed and said no more.
But Audrey already understood.
The capitalists work together to make the rules and create a world that belongs to them, and everyone, including the leaders, must maintain the balance in it.
Capital pursues profit, and increasing workers' treatment is equivalent to increasing costs. If a factory sets an example, it will not become a role model, but will instead become a thorn in the eyes of others.
After a long silence, Audrey forced a smile: "I understand."
Her smiling face and Hermann's tense profile were reflected in the car window.
She paused and looked at Herman: "I'm sorry, Mr. White, I shouldn't have questioned you just now."
Hermann stared at her, his brows slightly furrowed.
"Oh, you finally laughed." Charles breathed a sigh of relief and said with a smile, "Young husbands are always foolish. I was like that in my youth, always annoying my wife. I hope you are not angry with Mr. White."
Audrey smiled and glanced at Herman, her expression normal: "Of course, I'm not angry."
She didn't lie.
Even without Charles' explanation, Audrey figured it out.
In fact, from Herman's point of view, he did nothing wrong.
If a capitalist who climbed from the bottom to the top still had kindness and compassion, he would probably have been wiped out long ago.
This is his way of survival, and it is also his true background when he puts aside his life and fights on the battlefield.
Was she wrong? No, she was not wrong either.
Thinking of the thick smoke billowing from the chimneys, the artificial snow in the factory, the pale and thin faces with lifeless eyes, and the series of coughs, she did not think that the world was only made up of money and power.
Outside the golden cage jointly built by capitalists, those defenseless flesh and blood can only allow machines to crush their bodies and become the dust of the times. Don’t they deserve to live a good life?
Of course not.
Having been taught by her sister since she was a child, Audrey was extremely sure of this answer.
From each other's point of view, they were both right. What was wrong was that she shouldn't have used her own thinking to kidnap the other party, especially the impulse at that moment, which came from the illusion of being favored.
Did Hermann like her? Maybe a little. But that was beside the point.
I like this word. Sometimes it is precious, and sometimes it is light and airy.
Suppose one day in the future, Herman's "love" evolves to be significant enough, even heavy enough that he is willing to give everything for her, but that so-called "everything" also belongs to him.
Love or not, give or not, it all depends on him.
Like a bird in a gilded cage, she could certainly pretend to know nothing, enjoy the comfortable life he bestowed upon her, and occasionally even show off his favor. But she also had to understand that if she wanted to change, to fly out and see the world, she could only rely on her own wings.
Audrey looked out the window, thinking, and didn't notice the sight behind her.
Herman looked at her, trying to read another emotion from her calm face, in order to judge whether her previous statement of "not angry" was a lie.
But contrary to her wishes, she seemed to be telling the truth.
Hermann lowered his eyes and frowned.
Thinking back to the beginning, she was angry and ran towards him with grievance, and then thinking about her smiling face just now, everything seemed to be unchanged, Miss Norman was still the good-tempered girl.
But his sixth sense told him that something was different.
What it is exactly, is unclear.
He didn't want to admit that he wanted to see the other person's vivid anger more than a gentle and calm expression.
Hermann looked out the window, his face gloomy.
Was his tone too harsh just now? Would a different tone be better?
But even if I changed the tone, the content I wanted to express would still not be to her liking.
Of course he could use words to disguise his inner thoughts, but what was the point?
The blonde girl is indeed kind, but her attitude towards Pete shows that her kindness also has principles.
In her eyes, right and wrong are clearly distinguished.
And what about him? Born in darkness, he couldn't even remember how much blood was on his hands. From the moment he painted his father's portrait, he was certain that everything he did would never be considered clean in her eyes.
This is the real him, the one who cannot be concealed.
Just like in the argument just now, Brusen was unwilling to lie dormant and had been watching closely. At this critical juncture, he could not make any mistakes, let alone agree to her request.
If there is a conflict of ideas in this regard...he has no way to deal with it.
His eyes paused, and the scar on his left hand burned hot.
——Conflicting concepts represent each other’s underlying colors.
How can black and white blend?
So, after discovering his true face, you finally felt scared and decided to stay away from him?
Herman slowly closed his eyes. His boiling emotions subsided at this moment, becoming as calm and peaceful as the original appearance of Mount Morpheus.
The simple drawings tucked between the pages of the book, the hairband hidden at the bottom of the box, the vows made in the auditorium, the dance under the moonlight... and her drunken kiss that night, the heartstrings that had been plucked by all of this could finally stop trembling.
Let's stop here so that both sides can stop their losses.
Outside the car window, the cloudy sky in Haddonfield finally ended, revealing the truth hidden by the clouds.
The wind was howling and heavy rain came suddenly, and the continuous water droplets hit the roof of the car with a dull sound.
Herman raised his eyes secretly, and saw Audrey's face reflected in the glass window. One was in the light, the other in the dark.
Just as he predicted when he came, once people have seen the true darkness, no one would want to stay in a place where even the sun cannot shine.
Those pure eyes saw his darkness, even just a little bit, and retreated.
If one day she saw everything, she would only be more scared.
If she wanted to leave, it wasn't too late. At least now, he was willing to let her go.
The wheels rolled forward, carrying them away from the industrial center covered in smog.
As we approached Winston Manor, the sky suddenly cleared up.
There seemed to be no dispute in the carriage, and everything returned to the starting point.
Audrey was lost in thought, her fists clenched, thinking about something, and she didn't realize the car had stopped.
Hermann took one last glance at his reflection in the car window, regained his cold expression, and pushed open the car door.
From this moment on, everything will be back on track.
The cane fell to the ground, and before he took a step forward, a crisp sound suddenly sounded behind him.
"Mr. White, wait."
Hermann was stunned for a moment.
This voice was no different from before, just as passionate and energetic as when they first met, and without the forced gentleness just now.
He paused for a moment before turning back.
Audrey said cheerfully, "I've been thinking this over and finally came up with a solution that's the best of both worlds. If I can improve the textile machines, increasing production while also fundamentally improving the workers' environment, then wouldn't everything be solved?"
Herman remained silent. Charles spoke first, "That's a good idea. No factory would refuse to improve its machinery. Reducing pollution isn't important. As long as it increases production, I think everyone will pay for the blueprints."
"But... I'm not questioning you, ma'am." Charles frowned and said carefully, "Just like you told the poor, the best way to get out of poverty is to become rich. Everyone knows that we need to become rich, but how can we achieve it?"
"Ever since the advent of the first steam engine, the world has been transformed. Only a small group of people have led this transformation." Charles sighed and spoke encouragingly. "Mrs. White, I know you have some talent for handicrafts, but improving machinery is no easy task. Currently, the most cutting-edge technology is in the hands of the church, and they haven't succeeded. How can you be so confident?"
Hearing this, Audrey looked a little confused.
Before this, her knowledge came from her sister's teaching and the exploration of her own interests, which was a very natural way.
The Norman family had always been non-religious, and Lawson County was relatively isolated and underdeveloped. Audrey was unclear about the role of the church in Haddonfield. Nor was she clear about what the so-called "cutting-edge technology" referred to.
She saw the machines operating in the factory and began to disassemble their structure in her mind. If she could obtain detailed data and study them carefully for a period of time, Audrey did not feel that she was completely unsure.
But facing Charles's questioning, she couldn't produce any evidence to refute it, so she could only mutter: "I just have confidence."
Charles was still trying to dissuade her from doing so, but Audrey quickly looked at Herman and shook his arm: "Herman, don't you believe me either?"
Herman glanced at her hands imperceptibly, staring into those blue eyes. "Is this all you've been thinking about in the car?"
Audrey tilted her head back: "Yeah!"
Hermann examined her. "Nothing else?"
Audrey lowered her eyes, paused for a moment, then quickly raised her head and smiled: "No, really not. Answer me first, are you willing to believe me?"
Her smile was sincere, without a trace of falsehood.
Even if a little bit of haze sneaks into the heart that is bright with sunshine, it will always disappear quickly.
Hermann looked at her hand holding his arm again - the dragonfly seemed to have returned, landing on the tip of his heart, causing a secret tremor.
He couldn't tell for a moment whether his beating heart conveyed the regret of severing ties or the joy of regaining what he had lost.
"I believe you," he heard himself say.
After receiving his answer, Audrey glared at Charles arrogantly: "Just wait and see, old Charles, be prepared to apologize for your contempt for me."
Charles smiled bitterly: "Oh, can I apologize now, ma'am?"
Audrey laughed and walked forward with Herman on her arm, as cheerful as ever.
The wind blew away the clouds, and it seemed as if the haze had never come. Only the rain on the ground reflected her momentary loss.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
