He Opened A Matchmaking Agency In 18Th Century London [EN]: Chapter 72

72. Alex Parker’s End 2

Nobles recognize nobles.

From head to toe, his attire screamed luxury, and his demeanor oozed arrogant confidence.

Even the polished appearances of his servants and attendants hinted that nothing about him was ordinary.

Anyone could immediately sense that his status was untouchable.

Earl Burns’s unrestrained demeanor shook not only Alex Parker but also caught the attention of Chief Magistrate Culp.

They desperately wanted to know his identity but were too intimidated to even ask.

Step. Step.

Thud-

Earl Burns settled into the seat next to Theo, crossed his legs, and looked down at Alex Parker and the chief magistrate.

“I couldn’t help but overhear as I entered, and I must say, I’m quite displeased. Do you even realize who Lord Sanderson is that you speak so carelessly in front of him?”

The chief magistrate shot a resentful glance at Alex Parker upon hearing the title “Lord.”

He realized things were spiraling out of control.

However, Alex Parker, instinctively knowing he’d be ruined if he backed down, feigned courage.

“Lord Sanderson, you say… Hmph, what does that even mean? I don’t know who you are or why you’re interfering, but I am the eldest son of the Parker Earl family, and my information is solid.

That man deceived me by pretending to conduct business in London, but I discovered he’s a mere matchmaker. And I distinctly remember that until recently, he was a commoner. Suddenly, he’s a lord?

If you’re joking in such a serious situation, you should both be prepared to face jail time for impersonating nobility. Hmph.”

Earl Burns scoffed derisively.

“Hmph, impersonating nobility? This dimwit truly has no clue what’s happening.”

“What… what did you call me? Dimwit?”

Earl Burns raised his voice, as if scolding a child.

“Well, if you’re not a dimwit, what else can I call you? Lord Theo Sanderson here is the savior of Duke Manners, the one who restored honor to the Kent family, and…”

The chief magistrate’s head snapped up at the mention of Duke Manners and the Kent family.

“He is favored by His Majesty King George and was even granted the title of baronet [a hereditary title below a baron] a few months ago!”

When the name of George III was invoked, the chief magistrate visibly startled and straightened his posture.

He swallowed hard and cautiously inquired, “Excuse me… who are you referring to…?”

Then, a stern-looking servant standing beside Earl Burns rebuked the chief magistrate.

“Ahem— How rude! This is Earl Anthony Burns, the 5th Earl of the Kent family, the most noble family in Kent!”

“What? The Kent family…? An Earl, you say?”

“!”

Alex Parker felt his vision swim at the mention of the Earl of the Kent family.

Although both families held the title of earl, their status was worlds apart.

The Parker Earl family, already teetering on the brink of ruin, was a lowly existence, not even worthy of a knight in London.

However, the Kent family was one of the most esteemed earl families in Europe, possessing wealth and prestige that even most ducal families envied.

Such an earl was openly supporting Theo Sanderson and praising him highly.

Moreover, he claimed Theo was favored by King George. Alex was bewildered by the implications.

Chief Magistrate Culp, his lips suddenly dry, stood up and bowed deeply.

“Earl Burns… I have heard of your esteemed name. It is an honor to meet you in this manner.”

Earl Burns, wearing a displeased expression, rebuked the chief magistrate.

“Save the pleasantries for later. Shouldn’t we deal with this piece of trash first? I heard from Lord Sanderson about the atrocities he committed, and just listening to the evidence makes my blood boil.

He harassed his fiancée, who was grieving her father’s death, and plundered all the money from the family vault, even before they were married, and squandered it on gambling and his mistress’s house! Where else in the world would you find such a despicable character!”

Alex Parker, sweating profusely under Earl Burns’s harsh reprimand, desperately tried to assess the situation.

‘The chief magistrate is completely paralyzed and can’t act against that Earl Burns. Damn it, why are that Sanderson guy and the Earl at the Osborne’s house?

It was a grave mistake to come here without proper investigation, driven by my desperation for money.

This is a disaster. I need to stay calm. I have to escape and hide somehow. If I fail, I might actually end up in jail and die.’

The chief magistrate bowed deeply to Theo, offering a groveling apology.

“Lord Sanderson, I sincerely apologize if I have been disrespectful. I only listened to Lord Parker’s account and failed to properly assess the situation.”

Theo’s expression remained cold.

“Yes, it certainly appears that way. More importantly, when Miss Osborne personally brought numerous pieces of evidence to your office, you took no action. But when that shameless Alex Parker came forward, you rushed here immediately. Your actions deserve both moral and legal condemnation.”

“Lord… Lord Sanderson, it’s a misunderstanding. That’s… not the case…”

Theo gestured for Blake, the butler, to bring forth all the collected evidence.

Soon, a mountain of evidence related to Alex Parker’s misdeeds was spread across the table.

“Just by examining this, you can see that Lord Parker purchased his mistress’s house with the stolen funds. The testimonies of the broker and the seller regarding the house sale are all here.

Furthermore, all the testimonies from the gambling house are gathered here for your review. And the antiques that Mr. Osborne sold…”

The list of Alex Parker’s transgressions seemed endless.

“According to all these testimonies and evidence, the money that the penniless Alex Parker has been spending lavishly in recent months closely matches the stolen funds. Combining the 120,000 pounds pilfered from the vault and the value of the various antiques, he must compensate for at least 150,000 pounds in damages.”

“Ah… yes. Yes. That’s correct.”

“Therefore, we must immediately launch a thorough investigation into his fraudulent activities, imprison him in debtor’s prison [a prison for people who are unable to pay their debts], and force him to compensate for all the damages.”

The chief magistrate bowed repeatedly to Theo, promising swift action.

“Yes, yes! Of course, we must do that. Of course!”

But then,

Alex Parker, who had been anxiously waiting for an opportunity, suddenly leaped up from his seat.

Splat-

He shoved the table aside and bolted towards the entrance.

However, he barely managed a few steps before Earl Burns’s burly servant seized him by the scruff of his neck and hoisted him into the air.

“Where do you think you’re going, you rat!”

Alex Parker flailed in the air, a pathetic sight.

“Cough- Cough-”

Bang- Crash.

“Ugh!”

Alex Parker, thrown to the ground by the servant’s rough hand, screamed and writhed on the floor.

The chief magistrate, in an unusually solemn tone, ordered the investigators, “What are you waiting for! Arrest that Alex Parker immediately!”

“Yes! Chief Magistrate!”

As the investigators rushed to apprehend him, Alex Parker struggled and screamed.

“N-no, Chief Magistrate! Why are you doing this? Those people aren’t real nobles! Just a few months ago, they were swindlers pretending to be businessmen!

And His Majesty the King granted them a title… a baronet, not even a knight? It doesn’t make sense. That Earl Burns guy seems like a complete fraud too! Don’t be fooled! You have to arrest them and investigate! They’re all fake!”

However, Alex Parker’s desperate pleas fell on deaf ears.

The chief magistrate, glaring fiercely, shouted loudly, as if for Theo and Earl Burns to hear.

“Ahem— Lord Parker’s words are utter lies! The 100,000 pounds of dowry, and the 20,000 pounds he took, he claimed to have used for Mr. Osborne’s factory, but he bought an expensive mansion for his mistress and gambled it all away!

We need to investigate further, but what has already been revealed is enough for a severe sentence. In civil terms, he should rot in debtor’s prison for at least 20 years!”

Alex Parker’s jaw trembled, and he felt like he was losing his mind at the prospect of 20 years in debtor’s prison.

Being thrown into debtor’s prison during this harsh winter was practically a death sentence.

Rumors were rampant that over 300 people had starved to death or succumbed to infectious diseases in Marshallsea Debtor’s Prison in just three months.

Moreover, with the harsh winter setting in, the number of prisoners freezing to death was expected to skyrocket.

Alex Parker, dragged to this living hell, would regret his actions at Mr. Osborne’s house until his dying day, but it was already too late.

With no money and his own family disowning him, all that awaited him was a lonely and miserable death in prison.

◈ Early January 1777

Mr. Osborne gathered all the skilled workers who had previously left.

He paid twice the penalty to Enoch Redmond’s factory and rehired them.

He prepared generous compensation, bonuses, and lavish dinners for the Kent family’s artisans who had worked so diligently.

At one side of the banquet hall, Theo, Mr. Osborne, Earl Burns, and Lord Peterson gathered for dinner.

During their lively conversation, Earl Burns turned to Theo and asked,

“I was a bit surprised to hear that you’re suddenly leaving for Jamaica. Does that mean you’re entrusting the factory to Lord Peterson?”

“Yes. Actually, I had considered investing in the cotton industry from the beginning, but I never imagined I would become the owner of a textile factory. However, since Mr. Osborne will be assisting Lord Peterson with the operations, I trust them both and plan to start another venture.”

Lord Peterson asked with curious eyes, “May I inquire what kind of business you’re planning to pursue in Jamaica?”

“I’m thinking of trying coffee farming.”

Everyone expressed great interest in this unexpected revelation.

“Did you acquire a coffee farm?”

“Yes. That’s how it happened. But unlike this textile factory, the coffee farm is completely unprepared, so I need to go there personally.”

Earl Burns said with a smile, “Wow. Hearing Lord Sanderson, who is renowned for his keen insight, mention coffee, it seems like there will be significant profits from coffee in the future? Perhaps I should invest a little too? Haha.”

Lord Peterson said with sparkling eyes, “Coffee… I learned a bit about the coffee industry while studying in France. In France, the revenue from coffee accounts for over one-fifth of the total national wealth.

The coffee industry in England is currently insignificant, so even if we could capture a portion of that immense coffee revenue, it would be a huge profit.

However, France and the Netherlands currently dominate the coffee market, so I’m not sure how easy it will be to break into that market.”

“Yes, that’s why I’m going to assess the situation of the Jamaican coffee farm firsthand and then decide.”

“I see.”

As the business conversation drew to a close, Mr. Osborne spoke up as if remembering something.

“Oh, I heard news about Alex Parker this morning when I stopped by the mayor’s office.”

Everyone was curious about what had transpired.

“What happened to that scoundrel?”

“He was finally transferred to debtor’s prison two days ago. His father, Earl Parker, claimed he had no money and disowned his son. Since no one is willing to help him, the mayor said he’ll likely rot in prison for at least 25 years. And Chief Magistrate Culp was stripped of his position as a judge.”

With this year’s poor harvest, life inside debtor’s prison has become even more unbearable.

Rumors were rife that over 300 people had starved to death or died of infectious diseases in Marshallsea Debtor’s Prison in just three months.

Moreover, as the harsh winter began in earnest, the number of prisoners freezing to death was expected to soar.

Alex Parker, dragged to this living hell, would regret his actions at Mr. Osborne’s house until his dying day, but it was already too late.

With no money and his own family disowning him, all that awaited him was a lonely and miserable death in prison.

◈ A few days later, at Mr. Osborne’s mansion.

After Earl Burns and the Kent family’s artisans had departed, a grand engagement ceremony was held for Lord Peterson and Catherine.

Mr. Osborne deliberately moved up the engagement ceremony, which was originally scheduled for the spring, out of consideration for Theo, who was leaving for London in a few days.

Mr. Osborne, who had been chatting with Lord Peterson’s parents, came over to Theo’s seat and joined him.

♪~♬♪~♪♪~♬~

To the cheerful music, Lord Peterson and Catherine danced merrily.

Mr. Osborne, watching them with a satisfied expression, began to speak.

“Seeing that, I suddenly remember the day when I saw those children’s happy faces with Lord Sanderson.”

Mr. Osborne was referring to his birthday.

“Choosing Alex Parker… it seems like a nightmare when I think about it now, and I’m still baffled as to why I made such a decision.”

“Everyone’s judgment can be clouded by greed. When everything is going smoothly and seems perfect, the unwelcome guest called greed always whispers.”

“Yes. I believe that’s absolutely true. In that regard, I was incredibly fortunate. I had the opportunity to correct my misguided greed while I was still alive.”

Mr. Osborne looked at Theo and expressed his sincere gratitude.

“No matter how I analyze it, all these positive outcomes are thanks to Lord Sanderson. I don’t know how to express my gratitude adequately.”

“No. It’s thanks to Lord Ricardo, Lord Peterson, Earl Burns, Catherine, and Butler Blake… everyone worked together seamlessly.”

“You’re leaving for Jamaica soon?”

“Yes. I’m going to London and will depart for Jamaica as soon as the preparations are complete.”

“Don’t worry about the factory at all. Lord Peterson and I will take excellent care of it.”

“Haha, worry? It was Mr. Osborne’s factory to begin with, so I should be the one asking you for favors. To be honest, I still feel a bit guilty about taking over the factory that Mr. Osborne worked so hard to build practically overnight.”

Mr. Osborne shook his head.

“I may have built it, but it was Lord Sanderson who breathed new life into the factory when it was on the verge of collapse and saved it. If Lord Sanderson hadn’t intervened, the factory would have been mercilessly torn down long ago. The factory was like a child to me. It’s as if Lord Sanderson saved my child.”

“……..”

“Don’t concern yourself with this factory and focus on your other ventures. I will faithfully fulfill my role as the factory manager until the day I die. But you have to promise to pay me my salary. Hehehe.”

It was reassuring and deeply appreciated to hear those words.

“Of course. You’re the best employee in the industry. I promise you the best treatment in the industry. Hahaha.”

At that moment, Catherine approached Mr. Osborne with a radiant smile.

“Father!”

“Huh?”

Catherine held out her hand and said, “Dance one song with me.”

“Girl. What kind of dance are you expecting to do with a tipsy old man on this joyous occasion…?”

Catherine looped her arm through Mr. Osborne’s and acted playfully.

“Come on. I really want to dance with my father.”

Theo said with a smile, “Go ahead. When Mr. Osborne isn’t around, your daughter has mentioned how much she misses dancing with her father and how long it’s been.”

“Hehe… is that so?”

“The song has changed. Let’s go quickly, Dad!”

“Hehe, oh dear.”

♪~♬♪~♪♪~♬~

Theo couldn’t help but smile at the heartwarming sight of the father and daughter dancing together to the beautiful music.