My older sister is a villainous rich girl.

After several days of intensive study, Wayne has gained some basic knowledge about aristocratic families.

Various complex regulations have been gradually improved through generations of development, such as the employment system for maids. Initially, these servants existed like slaves, their lives and fortunes entirely dependent on their masters. However, now, specialized employment agencies have emerged in the capital, allowing maids to protect their labor rights by signing legally binding contracts. After the contract expires, they regain their freedom.

Well... this is just the situation that ordinary nobles or wealthy commoners would face.

For nobles of higher rank and longer lineage, such a transactional relationship filled with the stench of money naturally does not conform to their desired "etiquette." Therefore, the personal maids, attendants, or stewards of great nobles are basically close retainers, and this role is passed down from generation to generation.

In this way, the descendants of the master remain the master, and the descendants of the retainers remain the retainers. At the same time, the close ties between generations strengthen the bond of interests between them, making it a very convenient method of control.

However, Karen does not belong to this category.

This is only natural; otherwise, she wouldn't have been assigned to be Wayne's personal maid.

Meanwhile, the other hereditary retainers of the Duke's mansion had already placed their bets on Chris, sharing her fate.

"We're waiting for your return." Karen took a stack of booklets from the pocket of her large apron and handed them over, saying in a cool voice, "These are the homework assignments returned by the tutor today, as well as tomorrow's schedule."

"It's not important, we can talk about it tomorrow morning." Wayne hadn't expected it to be such a trivial matter.

He casually flipped through the homework he had handed in to the teacher yesterday. The questions were all very basic, and the few small red circles marked the places where Wayne had deliberately written them wrong.

"It may be a small matter for you, but it's a maid's duty." Karen took every task she handled very seriously. "Of course, I'll remind you of the schedule again tomorrow morning."

"Alright." Wayne closed the paper, then suddenly remembered something and asked, "By the way, how is that maid who was punished before, I think her name was Anna?"

Karen paused for two seconds before saying, "She has been expelled from the Duke's mansion."

"..."

How should I put it? I feel like my feelings are very complicated.

In a sense, the maid was indeed on her own side, and her fate was entirely her own fault.

But... what if she has her reasons?

For some reason, the phrase she kept repeating, "There's a sick younger brother at home," kept echoing in her mind.

Wayne looked up at the maid in front of him.

"Karen, can I trust you?"

Karen looked somewhat surprised, but said very solemnly, "Of course, Master Wayne."

"Come with me." Wayne took her hand and led her into his room.

Wayne took a book from his bedside table and tucked a 50-grande banknote into the inside of the cover—his entire savings so far.

—Actually, it was just a small reward that the Duke casually handed him when he first met Elliott Winchester.

At the time, he didn't even understand how much purchasing power the piece of paper had; he was simply told "don't lose it," and he kept it with great care ever since.

However, he has now figured it out. There are three types of banknotes in circulation in the kingdom. The Grand pound is the largest denomination. One Grand pound is equal to 20 shillings, and one shilling is equal to 12 pence. It is a very inhumane currency conversion system.

To use actual prices as a reference, a cow would cost approximately 6 shillings, a sheep 1 shilling and 5 pence, and a fine riding horse 10 granaries. Daily market prices, even with fluctuations, wouldn't differ significantly. Roughly speaking, 5 pounds would be more than enough for the living expenses of an average wealthy farmer for a year, and even a minor nobleman's expenses wouldn't exceed 12 pounds per year.

Of course, this level of consumption is completely different from the extravagant lifestyles of the nobility.

At least 50 Grand Pounds was just pocket change for the Duke of Elliott, which he could easily give to his descendants or even lose without much regret.

"Take this to Anna," Wayne said. "I haven't forgiven her for what she did, but her ailing family member is innocent."

"Take this money to treat her illness. Consider it a loan to her, and she can pay me back when she has the money in the future."

"Well, just tell her this: I hope you can be a helpful citizen in the future." Wayne tried his best to maintain his image as a generous and enthusiastic innocent boy.

It's clear that the young maid was simply following orders and made a mistake on her own. In the end, she didn't suffer any real loss, so let it go.

He didn't expect the person to repay the loan, since the amount of money was nothing, and the jewelry he was wearing was probably worth far more than 50 pounds.

Karen was genuinely surprised when Wayne handed her the brand-new banknotes.

"Young Master Wayne, do you know what 50 Grand Pounds means?"

"It's probably a very large sum of money."

Wayne unconsciously rubbed the book in his hands, and said somewhat embarrassedly, "But if it can save a life, it's not expensive."

Karen suddenly smiled gently, a hint of relief in her smile.

"As expected of Miss Chris's family, even this gentleness..."

Huh? This has to do with Chris?

Although I know you're portrayed as a die-hard fan of Chris, there's no need to be so dedicated, Wayne said in silence.

He dared not accept the title of "gentlemanly" reserved for the all-powerful protagonist.

The act of giving money was entirely intentional on Wayne's part. It was because he had an omniscient perspective and understood Karen's character that he dared to use this method to help the dismissed maid Anna without worrying that the money would be embezzled by the person handling it.

By the way, you can also improve your relationship with the important character Kallen, who is a heavyweight character who occupies most of the episodes in just twelve episodes!

Seeing her gazing at him with such affection, her eyes filled with tenderness, the effect should be quite good.

"But you're overthinking it."

Contrary to what Wayne had expected, Karen did not accept his money.

"Miss Chris has already sent a family doctor to treat Anna's brother and has also introduced her to another job that can support the family, although the income is not as much as it was in the Duke's mansion."

She lowered her head and apologized, "I'm sorry, I didn't tell you the full details before because I presumptuously assumed your character and personality. It was my fault."

"Huh?" Wayne was taken aback.

He quickly understood what Karen meant.

So it turns out he was afraid that he would become resentful towards Chris after finding out that she had helped his "enemy".

Wayne gave a wry smile. "Do I look that petty?"