All the students in the classroom focused their attention on Albert and Lionel.
Last week, Albert had challenged Lionel to a test of courage at the "Old Pit," only for Lionel to turn the tables and suggest "Hell Street" instead.
Everyone had seen this, but no one knew what exactly happened that day.
The students only saw Lionel come to school as usual on Monday, while Albert and his group took leave, and their absence lasted for several days.
During the first class on Monday, Lionel was called away again by Dean Duun, only returning close to the end of class—combined with Lionel's new outfit, one could roughly guess what had happened on Sunday night:
The mysterious, wealthy, widowed noblewoman "sponsoring" Lionel had made her move!
She had sent her butler and guards to give Albert a severe beating on "Hell Street"!
And at the Sorbonne, she "dispensed justice" for Lionel, forcing the academy to promise to protect his safety!
As for the well-made but slightly worn old clothes Lionel was wearing, they belonged to the noblewoman's prematurely deceased husband.
She liked Lionel to wear these old clothes when they sought pleasure together, reliving old dreams.
This deduction was simply flawless!
Even Edgar Allan Poe would deem it reasonable!
In the past few days, many students' gazes toward Lionel were no longer those of disdain, but envy.
In France, a young university student becoming involved with a rich woman was by no means a shameful thing; on the contrary, it could showcase one's charm and talent.
Although Albert's Rohan family had lost influence in Paris, their wealth, status, and connections were still there, meaning they weren't someone just anyone could bully—the noblewoman's power must have been considerable.
Even scions of noble or wealthy merchant families longed to win the favor of such a graceful and charming noblewoman at balls or salons.
So everyone was eager for something else to happen between Albert and Lionel.
Only Albert and Lionel knew that the image flashing in their minds was actually the same:
Albert, Michel Verne, and others were sitting on the floor of the "Bone Hall," still shaken and out of breath.
Several of them had wet their pants, and one of their hangers-on had simply rolled his eyes, frothed at the mouth, and passed out;
Only Lionel stood before them, smiling cheerfully, holding a gas lamp whose green light had faded, its flame returning to yellow-white.
This was the greatest humiliation in Albert's more than 20 years of life, but he no longer harbored any thoughts of revenge; his gaze towards Lionel held only awe.
In his opinion, having the guts to visit the "Old Pit" during the day to see the skeletons was already audacious, but Lionel could actually pretend to be a ghost there without batting an eyelid.
This went beyond the scope of a "prank."
Only then did he believe that this Alpine bumpkin before him was actually a true, fearless atheist.
He not only disbelieved in God but also in devils, evil spirits, witches... and all other supernatural beings.
His spiritual strength was far greater than what he showed.
Was Lionel perhaps a terrifying materialist?
Albert also felt the pressure of the other students' gazes.
He tried his best to control his expression and tone, approached Lionel, and extended his hand:
"Good morning, Mr. Sorel."
Lionel was a bit surprised too.
After a moment's hesitation, he shook Albert's hand.
Seeing that Lionel didn't reject him, Albert was somewhat agitated.
He turned to everyone and said,
"Mr. Sorel is a noble, brave, and wise gentleman, possessing extraordinary bearing and magnanimity!
From now on, he is a friend of the Rohan family!"
Lionel was somewhat taken aback.
He neither confirmed nor denied it, merely patted Albert's shoulder and asked,
"Where's Michel Verne?
Wasn't he supposed to transfer into our class?"
Albert breathed a sigh of relief.
Lionel's reaction, while not enthusiastic, wasn't bad either.
What he feared most was the other party revealing what had happened on Sunday night.
Hearing Lionel's question, Albert quickly replied,
"Michel has gone back to 'Amiens.'
He said Paris isn't suitable for him..."
Lionel finally couldn't help but laugh:
"Is it that serious?"
Albert's old face flushed, and he stammered, unable to speak—if his "home base" wasn't in Paris, and this incident wasn't too shameful to tell his family, he would have simply dropped out of the Sorbonne.
He had intended to grit his teeth and take a week or even longer off, but his father, upon hearing the news, sent a stern telegram, driving him back to class.
He wanted to say more, but Lionel didn't indulge him; he simply went to a back-row seat, sat down, and took out his textbook to read.
Albert could only sheepishly return to his seat.
——————
After class at noon, Lionel declined Albert's invitation for lunch and took leave to go to the "Orby Trading Company."
This time, that bear—Arthur the doorman—not only didn't ask him for any proof like an invitation letter, but also said,
"I wish you all the best, sir."
It was also Lionel's first time entering this large trading company, with an annual turnover of over 300 million francs, through its main entrance.
This time, he still first found the "Colonial Communications Office."
As soon as he pushed the door open, he saw Sophie Deneuve working at her desk.
Sophie heard the movement, looked up, and was surprised to find it was Lionel, whom she had met a few weeks ago:
"Why are you here?"
Seeing Lionel's new clothes, Sophie's expression relaxed considerably—Lionel's financial situation had improved, which meant he had successfully stopped the swindler named Emile.
Sophie was genuinely happy for Lionel.
However, Lionel's next words astonished her: "Sophie, I was still too late.
That 'Emile' has already run off with 5,000 francs from my family."
Sophie panicked—5,000 francs! That was her entire 5 years' salary! She couldn't imagine how tragic Lionel's family must be now after such a blow.
She stood up, clutching her chest, her voice filled with sympathy, pity, and determination:
"That's terrible...
I'm so sorry to hear that...
What, what can I do for you?"
She even prepared herself, thinking that if Lionel asked her for money, she could still manage 200... no, 300 francs.
Even though that was all the savings she had accumulated from two years of work.
Lionel took out an envelope from his pocket, then pulled out two pieces of paper from inside.
One had some words written on it, and the other had a portrait drawn on it.
Although the drawing was of average quality, one could still make out the general appearance: a handsome young man, looking under 30, with a faint, almost imperceptible smile at the corners of his mouth, appearing particularly approachable.
"Is this... that 'Emile'?" Sophie asked.
Lionel nodded:
"Yes, my family had the town's priest, who had seen him, draw this portrait. The name he used for swindling in the Alps was 'Emile de Dumont.'"
Sophie nodded, but she still didn't understand Lionel's purpose for coming today.
Hadn't it already been established that "Emile" was a swindler?
The remaining matters should be handed over to the police.
After she raised this question, Lionel gave a wicked smile:
"What does a swindler from the Alps have to do with the Parisian police?
Sophie, what I want to know is—
If 'Emile de Dumont' is a manager at 'Orby Trading Company,' but he swindled my family, which department should I report and complain to?"
Sophie completely failed to follow Lionel's line of thought.
"Emile" was impersonating a manager from her company, so how could a complaint against him succeed within the company itself?
Lionel continued to smile, explaining unhurriedly:
"How do I know 'Emile' isn't?
If 'Orby Trading Company' doesn't handle my complaint, they're protecting him, and that's something the Parisian police should look into!"
Sophie suddenly understood...
——————————
After enjoying dinner with Sophie again at "Seine Sunset," Lionel took a public carriage back to 12 Rue Antoine.
However, he noticed a female figure crouching by the steps at the entrance.
In the dim light of the streetlamp, she was hard to see, and only the doorman was vigilantly watching her.
As soon as he saw Lionel alight from the carriage, the doorman came forward and said,
"Mr. Sorel, she says she's a friend of yours..."
As soon as the girl heard the voice, she looked up, and upon seeing Lionel, she happily jumped up:
"Léon, you're finally back?
How did you move to such a fancy place?"
Lionel searched his memory before asking uncertainly,
"Alice?"
(End of Chapter)
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