After Old Clayton left Altair's room, he went straight to the castle's telegraph room.
Not long after, Amos Clayton, who lived far away in Tingen City, received a telegram from his father:
"Go to the... Import and Export Company, find Benson Moretti, and tell him to come to Morse Town tomorrow. Count Altair wishes to see him."
After reading it, an expression of disbelief appeared on Amos's face. He put down the paper, rubbed his eyes, and picked it up again to re-read the telegram's contents.
After confirming he wasn't hallucinating, he could only shake his head helplessly, get up to change in the dressing room, and then take a carriage to the Import and Export Trading Company.
Amos knew very well who Benson Moretti was, but he and his father had different philosophies regarding the matter of grooming him.
Old Clayton believed that although Benson Moretti came from a humble background and didn't have much of an education, he was hardworking, simple, kind, and polite. Furthermore, as a descendant of a soldier, he deserved to be "given a chance."
Amos Clayton, on the other hand, believed that Benson Moretti had long since become a 'talent of the past' and had lost the value of being groomed.
Even if the grooming were successful, there was no guarantee of recouping the investment. Moreover, Benson's own efficiency in'self-improvement' was simply too low.
If it were just his father requesting a meeting, Amos's carriage would currently be on the road back to Morse Town, rather than on the way to some import and export company.
But the telegram had specified that it was a summons from Count Altair, so he had no choice now but to go to the company to inform Benson Moretti.
When the carriage arrived at the company gates, Amos took his cane and walked straight into the chairman's office, then ordered someone to call Benson Moretti to the office.
Not long after, Benson Moretti knocked on the office door. Hearing the sound, Amos looked up and said, "Come in."
When the door opened, following Amos's gaze, one would see a man entering. He was dressed simply but neatly and decently, with black hair and brown eyes, and regular features. However, perhaps due to a receding hairline, he looked older than he was, appearing to be nearly thirty.
Amos casually pointed to a seat beside him and said, "Have a seat. Coffee or black tea?"
Benson was slightly stunned and subconsciously replied, "Black tea is fine, thank you, sir. No sugar."
After pouring the tea and handing it to Benson, Amos sat down and asked, "Benson, you've been with the company for over a year now, haven't you?"
"Yes, sir." After saying that, Benson thought for a moment and added, "It's been one year and nine months."
Looking at the man before him, Amos chuckled. "Benson, don't be nervous. I called you here today primarily for a private matter."
"You are aware of my status. Besides our own family property, we also manage some assets for the House of Sheffield."
"You might not be aware, but since Baron Sheffield passed away at the beginning of this year, his youngest daughter, Altair Sheffield, has inherited the noble title and has further become a Count."
"Count Altair has returned to Morse Town to spend the winter this year. Just now, she saw your family's records. She asked me to inform you that she wants to meet you tomorrow."
After speaking, Amos took out his wallet and pulled out a 10 gold pound note... but after looking at Benson, he thought for a moment and pulled out two more 10 gold pound notes.
Amos then pushed the 30 gold pounds toward Benson and said, "Your work for today ends here. Take this 'clothing allowance' and go buy a decent set of clothes and a small gift. Tomorrow, go directly to Morse Town to meet Count Altair."
...After leaving the chairman's office, Benson returned to his workstation, did a brief handover with his colleagues, and after explaining the work that had to be completed today, he left the company.
After walking out of the company gates, he didn't choose to take a public carriage but walked while thinking, as if contemplating something.
When he looked up again, he saw 'Crawford's Gentleman's Apparel'. He mocked himself internally: "I never expected the reason I'd get my first set of high-end formal wear would be just to meet someone younger than me."
He shook his head and, without stopping, walked straight into the clothing store.
As soon as Benson entered the store, a male clerk wearing a white shirt and a red vest approached him and asked politely, "Sir, is there anything you'd like to purchase?"
Benson looked around and saw that there were not only complete formal suits but also individual shirts, trousers, vests, ties, and other items. Even the glass cabinets were filled with pairs of high-end leather shoes and boots.
Confirming that it met his requirements, Benson responded to the clerk's inquiry, saying, "I need to purchase a decent formal suit."
Hearing Benson's answer, the clerk in the red vest gestured politely and led him further into the store to begin selecting clothes.
A shirt, trousers, vest, and a formal tailcoat set cost 6 gold pounds; leather boots were 8 sol; a top hat made of silk was worth 6 sol; a bowtie was 3 sol; and a silver-inlaid cane was 8 sol.
The clothes, which originally cost nearly 8 gold pounds, were bargained down to just 7 gold pounds and 5 sol by Benson's impressive haggling skills.
As for other gentlemanly accessories like watch chains, pocket watches, and wallets, he didn't choose to buy them, nor did the clerk offer them.
Then, based on his memory, Benson chose to buy another set of male formal wear and a female dress.
After leaving the store, Benson gripped the bags of clothes in his hand. This time, he had bought a total of two sets of male formal wear and one female dress, spending 21 gold pounds.
Spending so many gold pounds at once gave him the sudden sensation that he was still in a dream.
But he knew clearly that this was reality. Of course, if it were truly a dream, as long as he could be with his family and live such a good life, he would be willing to never wake up.
Carrying the newly purchased clothes, Benson waited by the roadside for a while until a public carriage arrived. He then took the carriage back to Iron Cross Street.
Before passing by "Slinn's Bakery," he stopped and smiled at the owner, Wendy Slinn. "Mrs. Slinn, 8 pounds of black bread... and three portions of Tingen biscuits and lemon cakes."
While picking out Benson's purchases, Mrs. Slinn asked with a smile, "Benson, why are you off work so early today? Usually, I don't see you unless it's a day off... But you've come at just the right time; I have some bread that's just come out of the oven."
Benson replied with a smile, "The company isn't very busy today, and my boss arranged other work for me, which is why I'm off so early."
After Mrs. Slinn prepared the weighed sixteen loaves of rye bread and three desserts, she looked at Benson and said, "Don't tell me you forgot to bring a bag again?"
Hearing this, Benson touched his forehead and sighed helplessly, "I forgot again."
"Fine, I'll find a bag for you. Honestly, your memory is worse than mine," Mrs. Slinn scolded him humorously.
Listening to her playful complaining, Benson could only scratch his large forehead awkwardly.
Before long, Mrs. Slinn handed the packed bread and desserts to Benson and said, "That'll be 22 pence in total."
After paying, Benson bid farewell to Mrs. Slinn and, carrying the paper bag of bread, headed for the "Lettuce and Meat" market a street away.
At the market, he spent 10 pence on a pound of good lamb, and bought some tender peas, onions, potatoes, and other items, totaling 20 pence.
He spent 3 pence at a vendor for three cups of ginger beer, then walked toward his rented house. After greeting his landlord, Mr. Franky, he entered the kitchen to prepare dinner before Melissa and Klein returned.