Yes, Lady Funina!

Thinking of this, Richard gave Fur Nina a look that urged her to stay calm. Fur Nina understood what he meant and kept silent, watching Richard perform.

After spending a long time with Richard, Funina also understood one thing: silence is golden. Before things become clear, it is best not to jump out in a hurry, otherwise it is easy to backfire.

She has suffered a lot before and has learned her lesson.

"Thank you, Uncle Marcelle." Navia nodded, and at the same time she looked at Richard unconsciously.

Obviously, the young lady had no way to make a judgment and wanted to hear Richard's opinion.

Although they had only spent a short time together, judging from Clorinde and Funina's performance, it was obvious that Richard was the one in charge among them, or the external brain?

"I think this should be Lord Richard from the City Hall?" Marcelle said, following Navia's gaze and looking at Richard.

"You know me?" Richard raised his eyebrows.

Although his existence is no secret, most of the people in Fontaine who are unaware of the inside story only think that he is an ordinary civil servant. At most, he has a higher position and is in charge of more people. At best, he is the steward of the Minister of Administration, Lady Funina, and does not have much real power.

Only those who have real access to the core layer of Fontaine and who are very familiar with the operating logic of Fontaine know that ministers come and go but civil servants remain.

Few of these people know that Richard is a leader among civil servants. He holds far more power than his fellow permanent secretaries-general in other departments and has almost turned the entire city hall into an iron barrel.

Marcelle's behavior just now clearly showed that she knew Richard. Richard could even smell a hint of fear from her.

"Lord Richard, you are a noble man who forgets things easily. I was actually present at the banquet organized by Mr. Harbaugh last time. However, since the Cabriere Chamber of Commerce is not considered a big chamber of commerce, it is difficult to talk to a noble like you, so I could only attend the banquet with you."

"But even so, I have learned about your existence from many big bosses."

Marcelle did not lie. He did learn about Richard from the boss of a big chamber of commerce.

This Mr. Richard is a very powerful person. Although he does not show off his power on weekdays, he actually holds terrifying power, especially for the chamber of commerce bosses like them who make a living in Fontaine.

Its importance is even greater than that of the Fontaine's Department of Commerce. After all, the Ministry of Commerce is responsible for regulating the market and formulating the future business development direction of Fontaine.

But the City Hall is not only responsible for urban management, but also has the function of coordinating the various departments and units of Fontainebleau. In layman's terms, it is a bridge for communication between departments, and it is also a middleman and lubricant.

As businessmen, no one understands better than them how huge a role middlemen can play. What's more, the City Hall is also responsible for managing urban affairs, which naturally includes many trivial matters such as Fontaine's environmental improvement, urban appearance improvement, and fire safety improvement.

Although many of the functions will overlap with other departments and require cooperation from other departments, this alone is enough.

All they need to know is that if they mess with anyone while doing business in Fontaine, they must not offend the City Hall, otherwise… there will definitely be no good ending.

This was just the surface situation. The information Marcelle obtained was even deeper. It was said that in the early years, the City Hall was just a marginal and dispensable department in Fontaine. It could not be said that its department had made any outstanding contributions to the citizens of Fontaine, but at least corruption was a problem.

Even if they only have a little bit of power, those guys can use it to their advantage and squeeze out the most money. Anyone who comes to the city hall for help will be skinned alive by those officials.

However, at some point, a newcomer came to this marginal department. In just a few years, the entire department was completely renewed, and the power held by the department became increasingly greater. It gradually grew from a marginal department on the verge of dissolution to a "giant" second only to the Tribunal.

As for who the newcomer is, there is no need to say more. He is the current Executive Secretary-General, Mr. Richard.

The former civil servants were either killed or escaped, and those who could not escape settled in Mero Petersburg. But even if they were caught and taken to Mero Petersburg, no one dared to say that Mr. Richard was not a traitor.

"How do they evaluate me?" Richard asked with a chuckle.

"Good official, Mr. Richard is a good official and a good man, just like..." Marcelle paused, not knowing whether to say it out loud.

"Like...Careth." Richard said for him.

Volume 81: Chapter : Hidden Rules for Clorinde?

"I didn't expect that Mr. Richard actually knew Mr. Cares." Marcelle looked disappointed.

"【Unjust Cares】, the people who don't know this should be a minority, right? Comparing me with him, aren't you afraid that I will be angry?" Richard raised his eyebrows and asked bluntly.

You compare me with Navia's father. Have you asked Navia if she is willing?

"Since Mr. Richard has known Mr. Carres, he should know that he is a good man."

"Even if he is convicted? Can I assume that you are questioning the fairness of the trial in front of the Lord of Water?" Richard asked without any intention of letting Marcelle go, preparing to roast her over the fire.

Funina also looked at the president of the Chamber of Commerce at the right time.

"This... I dare not say that. What I mean is... well, no matter what, Mr. Cares has helped me. All my wealth comes from the kindness of Mr. Cares. To me, he is indeed a good man." Marcelle said sincerely.

"So, you also suspect that there is something fishy going on in the Cares case?" Richard asked again.

"..." Marcelle was silent for a moment, and then looked at Navia beside her, as if she understood something.

Richard and Finina in front of him must have been persuaded by Navia to overturn Cares's case. Although he didn't know what evidence they had, they came here now probably to ask him what happened that year.

And judging from their appearance, they should have looked for Florian and the others before coming to find me, and they didn't come just for me.

After thinking this through, Marcelle had already made up his mind. He looked sad and said, "Yes... I believe Mr. Cares is not that kind of person. As long as I can clear his name, I can accept any price."

"Are you sure?"

"I am sure."

Richard nodded after hearing this and said something that Marcelle didn't expect.

"In that case, Clorinde, take Mr. Marcelle to the Opiclay Opera House."

Wait! This isn't right, is it?

After hearing this, Marcelle suddenly looked up at Richard, as if she had not expected Richard to say that.

Richard added calmly, "Relax, Mr. Marcelle. I just asked you to testify in court. I don't mean to treat you as a criminal. Mr. Florent and Guard Thierry are with you."

"It's just that this trial is being held in secret, and all those appearing in court need to go to the Oprykle Opera House as soon as possible. Any leak of information could become a variable in this case."

"Since Mr. Marcelle is willing to pay any price for Mr. Cares's reputation, there shouldn't be any problem with just testifying in court, right?"

Marcelle also realized that his reaction just now was a bit too much. He quickly lowered his head and adjusted his expression while answering: "No, no problem."

Soon Clorinde took Marcelle to the Opiclay Opera House. Before leaving, Richard patted Clorinde on the shoulder and gave her a layer of protection to avoid accidents.

If Marcelle senses that something is wrong and splashes the original fetal sea water at Clorinde, this layer of protection will appear to block the deadly fetal sea water.

In addition, if you encounter other dangers, this layer of protection can also protect you.

There's no way. There aren't many people with such a useful tool. We have to protect it.

Clorinde didn't know what Richard had done, but after he patted her on the shoulder, she felt inexplicably relieved.

The aloof and cool lady pursed her lips, not knowing what the principle was. However, she once heard from a colleague that being patted on the shoulder by the boss was actually a kind of affirmation and reward.

The reason why she felt at ease was probably because of this... at least she didn't have to worry about this month's work evaluation report.

Clorinde quickly took Marcelle to the Opicle Opera House on a patrol boat and arranged for Marcelle to stay in the designated guest room. Her mission was completed.

The surroundings were full of spies arranged by Richard, including members of the Fatui, the Special Patrol, the Rose Thorn Society, and even Inazuma spies. Even if Marcelle was really the mastermind behind the "Les" sales gang, it was impossible for her to disappear without them noticing.

As it stands now, Marcelle will not disappear. After all, in his opinion, this trial is just some superficial evidence that Navia found to clear Cares' name, and it has nothing to do with him.

In fact, Cares died in the arena of the Honor Duel and did not actually stand trial. Naturally, Cares did not bear any real verdict.

The so-called "Unjust Carres" is actually the outside world's evaluation of the leader of the Thorn Rose Society who died in the duel.

As for whether this external public opinion is manipulated, directed, or promoted by someone, that is a matter of opinion.

"Ms. Clorinde, I would like to ask when the trial will begin. Of course, I don't mean to rush you, but the Gabriel Chamber of Commerce needs someone to take charge right now, and I can't be away for too long." Marcelle said.

"Don't worry, the trial will start soon. Given Richard's style of doing things, it should be over soon." Clorinde said, and at the same time she felt a little strange in her heart.

When she told Marcelle this, it felt like she was telling a prisoner about to be executed that the executioner's knife would be cut short and the pain wouldn't last long.

"That's good, that's good. Sir Richard is really as the legend says. He likes to plan before making decisions and doesn't leave any room for his opponents to resist." Marcelle sighed.

I don’t know who Richard’s opponent is this time. He is really unlucky. Anyway, it has nothing to do with him.

"Same as in the legend? What is he like in the legend?" Clorinde was a little curious. She didn't know what Richard was like in the eyes of these vendors.

"Of course he is extremely powerful. You have to know that before he came to the City Hall, the City Hall could be said to be a department in name only. How could it be as powerful as it is now?" Marcelle praised sincerely.

To some extent, Marcelle really regarded Richard as a great threat. When the leader of the treasure-stealing group was exposed in front of Richard and made the other party pay attention to "Les", he immediately cut off all the channels selling "Les" on the market and immediately lay dormant.

He didn't dare to show up until something happened at Fontaine Scientific Research Institute and all of Fontaine's attention was diverted there.

Now that she had actually met Richard and had a conversation with him, Marcelle also felt how difficult he was to deal with. For example, in the previous conversation, she was being led by him the entire time and had no chance to talk back.

This is enough to show his strength, otherwise he could have become the secretary-general of the Water God, and if I hadn't had that accident, I would probably still be just an ordinary adventurer.

Of course, if he had a choice, he would rather be an ordinary adventurer and live an ordinary life with Vinel, rather than becoming like this.

In fact, Marcelle was still somewhat pleased with herself. After all, even Richard, who was said to be so powerful, did not discover her true identity. This gave Marcelle a strange sense of accomplishment.

It can be considered as a defeat to some extent of the Secretary-General who is at the peak of his career.

——He has quite the Ah Q spirit.

It's a pity that the same method used against Cares can't be used against the Executive Secretary General. Marcelle clearly realized that there is an essential difference between Richard and Cares.

Cares has a weakness, but Richard doesn't, or it may be that he knows too little about him, but the gap in their identities is destined. Marcelle cannot deal with Richard the same way she dealt with Cares.

If Richard hadn't come to her on his own initiative this time, Marcelle wouldn't even be qualified to talk to Richard.

How can we deal with him if we can't even talk to him?

It is also said that Richard is not from Fontaine, which means that the original fetal sea water in his hand is also ineffective against him. It can be said that Richard is an unbeatable opponent for Marcelle at the moment.

Clorinde lost interest immediately after hearing Marcelle's general description.

How could she not know how powerful Richard was? Did she need you to tell her? Everything was clearly arranged for her.

"Have a good rest, Mr. Marcelle. If you feel bored, there is a concert at the opera house today."

"No, no, I'm old now, and my energy is not as good as when I was young. I'd better stay in the room and wait for the trial tomorrow."

"Miss Clorinde, anything else?"

"Gone."

"Then please go to bed early."

Marcelle hunched over and went back to her room, where she took out a Steam Bird newspaper to kill time.

Seeing this, Clorinde didn't say much. After helping him close the door, she prepared to meet up with Richard and the others.

When passing by the Opiclay Opera House, Clorinde unexpectedly met an old colleague from that year, the colleague who told her that "being patted on the shoulder by the boss is actually a kind of affirmation and reward."

However, when that colleague saw Clorinde, his expression was a little unnatural. After talking for a few words, he hurriedly found an excuse to leave the scene.

Clorinde felt a little strange, but she didn't care. They were just ordinary colleagues. Moreover, it was said that this colleague was promoted shortly after she became Funina's secretary. Now, it was said that she was no longer working on the front line, but had become an office clerk.

It is said that the position is not low, and he can be considered a small leader at least.

Clorinde was thinking this, and then she saw that her colleague had not walked far when a middle-aged woman in a dress took his arm.

And that middle-aged woman... was her colleague's direct superior.

Clorinde was stunned, touched her shoulder unconsciously, then shook her head to get rid of those unrealistic thoughts.

It's impossible. It's impossible no matter how you think about it, right?

"Is that your former colleague?" Linnett came to Clorinde and said.

Linnet's sudden voice startled Clorinde, but she quickly adjusted herself and answered, "Yes."

"I heard that a senior executive of Mo Mang Palace remarried recently. It was said to be an office romance. It turned out to be with your former colleague."

"What's wrong with this...?"

"Haha, no problem. Men want a better life, women want a partner they like, each gets what they want, there's no problem at all." Linnett was not surprised by this situation. To her, as long as Richard didn't do this, it didn't matter what others did.

"!!!" Clorinde was shocked. It was just as she thought.

So, could Richard patting her on the shoulder mean...

Seeing the tangled look on Clorinde's cold face, Linnet couldn't help but ask curiously, "What's wrong with you?"

"No, nothing, I was just wondering why he did that?"

Clorinde was talking about Richard, but Linnett thought the 'he' in Clorinde's words was the former colleague who was living off him.

"This is very common. It's nothing new when you see it so often." Linnet replied.

"What do you mean? Have you encountered this before?" Clorinde thought Richard had also patted Linnet's shoulder.

If you think about it carefully, it’s not surprising. After all, Linnet is really pretty, not to mention that she has cat ears and a cat tail…

Linnet thought about how she was betrayed by her adoptive father to a nobleman. Should this count as well?

So she nodded and said, "I have."

"Do you agree?" Clorinde asked again.

"I didn't have a choice."

In that situation, Linnet really had no power to choose. After all, she was not the same as she is now. She was just an ordinary little girl living with her brother. How could she have the power to resist her adoptive father and the nobles?