The Shadow of Great Britain-Chapter 674 - 329 New Turnaround

"Miss Defina contacted you again after the interview with ’The Times’?"

Harrison struck a match to light his pipe, took a puff, and spoke leisurely, "Mr. Hastings, it seems you’re a quite respectable gentleman who doesn’t often deal with this rabble, eh?"

Arthur borrowed a light from Louis, lit his cigarette, and replied, "I’ve had some dealings with them, but perhaps not as intimately acquainted as you."

The Great Dumas also spoke in all seriousness, "Mr. Harrison, I have read your pamphlet named ’Harrison’s Marvelous Journey,’ the travel guide to London. In my opinion, had it not touched upon sensitive matters, it could have been openly sold on ’The Times’."

Ladybird Harrison flushed at these words and retorted with a thick face, "If you regard it merely as a London travel guide, then you undervalue me. To tell you the truth, it covers the whole of England, including a great deal of Mediterranean flair and the experiences from my youth spent traveling in Germany."

"Germany?"

"Of course." Harrison explained, "It seems you’re unaware of the two main products exported by the German states. First, their high-quality, hard-fighting mercenaries. Second, the prostitutes from Germany."

Arthur said indifferently, "One sells the body, the other sells life; it seems both professions have a long history, and no matter the era, they always find their place."

Upon hearing this, Louis couldn’t help but jest, "Mr. Harrison, you’re in luck today. It’s a good thing our friend Heinrich didn’t come along, or he might have strangled you."

Harrison defended himself, "What I said in ’The Times’ interview wasn’t entirely off the cuff. I genuinely want to learn Polish, as I intend to expand my business to Poland. So, it’s rather necessary to proactively understand the demands of Polish ladies."

What piqued my interest in Miss Defina was her claim of coming from a high-class Polish family. She described to me the banquets she once attended, and as the conversation unfolded, I got enchanted by her tales. Naturally, our affection grew gradually... well, you understand, one cannot command one’s passion..."

As Louis listened and took notes, he remarked, "So, you were not just captivated by Miss Defina’s beauty but even more so by her talent?"

"Quite so, and of course, beyond talent, there was also the scent of gold coins."

Harrison remained true to his ambition, emphasizing, "I sincerely wish to do business abroad and build my own cosmetics empire, so I don’t always have to be an echo chamber behind those important figures. Do you think I naturally enjoy spouting such nonsense?" freewebnoveℓ.com

"Let me tell you, no! The reason I speak this way is solely because those so-called important figures are inherently dumb. Some things they are unwilling to say themselves, so it falls on someone as lowly as me to speak for them!"

Arthur nodded slightly and said, "That much is clear to everyone. At least, since you’ve been exiled by the Tory Party, you’ve started to speak more logically. However, Mr. Harrison, that’s not the crux of the issue. I’m more concerned about why Miss Defina would seek you out again."

"Lad, you’re simply too young to understand the nature of these harlots," Harrison sighed as he warmed his hands.

"Once they’re willing to become prostitutes, can you really hold any moral expectations of them? Don’t let their tragic life stories fool you; I concede that some ladies may indeed be unfortunate, but most are purely in it for the easy money."

"Unless you can fill their insatiable desires, or manage to breach their hearts, hardened like stone, their betrayal is just a matter of time or money."

"And quite evidently, you did not satisfy Miss Defina. Although she feared the power of Scotland Yard, in the end, her greed overcame her fear. She realized that I, the one she had framed, was the one who spent money most freely on her."

Arthur drew on his cigarette, pondered for a moment, and suddenly asked, "Are you saying Miss Defina continued to seek you out to continue doing business?"

Harrison snorted dismissively, "That’s right. But she probably didn’t dare tell you the truth. You’re aware, aren’t you, that Miss Defina later got entangled in a lawsuit? Scotland Yard spent considerable effort to settle it for her."

Recalling, Louis said, "You’re referring to the gentlemen who jointly sued Miss Defina? I remember their claim was that she had tortured them with various devices, um... ’devices’ might not be the right word, ’props’ would be better."

Harrison laughed, "Yes, that’s the case. All of those men were introduced to her by me. First, I spent some money to regain her trust, then I told her there were plenty of gentlemen in London who enjoyed such things. Next, I introduced her to a few carefully selected friends, and that led to the lawsuit."