Chapter 148: Enrico Secretly Helps Her
“What are you doubting?”
Enrico wiped his hands with the warm towel, asking the question casually, as if he didn’t care.
“With her abilities, she could easily make a name for herself in other circles, yet she chose the Public Law Council, where the network was already well-established. She’s been enduring hardships there for two months. Although she’s risen quickly, she’s still just an assistant,” Rafael explained. “On one hand, she’s willing to endure these hardships, and on the other, she’s quickly cultivating people under her into well-known figures in various fields. Don’t you think she has some grand plan?”
Those in high positions naturally have a keen sense of caution. Although Rafael admired Paige, he couldn’t help but think more deeply. A girl as sharp as her wouldn’t do anything meaningless-she must have her calculations. If she’s grooming these people to become pillars of the nation, then whatever she plans to do in the future will come easily. If that’s the case, her ambitions might be quite significant.
“How would I know?” Enrico snorted coldly, tossing the towel aside after wiping his hands, steam rising from his fingertips.
“Butler.” Rafael suddenly became more interested and turned to the butler standing nearby. “Go check Joss’s background again, including what she’s done at the Public Law Council. Also, investigate the people under her-I want a comprehensive understanding of her.”
This was a decision to scrutinize her closely.
Enrico furrowed his brow. Although the background he had created for her was solid, it wouldn’t hold up under the detailed scrutiny of the presidential palace.
“Yes, sir,” the butler responded, bowing his head.
Enrico, sitting to the side, cast a cold, dark-eyed glance at Rafael and snorted. “Are you so bored that you need to investigate a girl in her early twenties?”
Hearing this, Rafael frowned. “But I just feel…”
“A student, a commoner-do you think she could turn the world upside down?” Enrico scoffed.
Upon hearing this, Rafael realized he might be overthinking it. He couldn’t help but laugh. “You’re right. What kind of grand ambition could a girl in her early twenties have? I’m sure she’s already thrilled to have gotten this far with the opportunities I’ve given her.”
After speaking, Rafael glanced at the butler. “Forget it. She’s just a young girl; no need to investigate. Next time, I’ll probe her intentions. If she’s willing to come to the presidential palace and do some real work, then she probably doesn’t have any ulterior motives.”Content rights by NôvelDr//ama.Org.
“Yes, sir.” The butler bowed respectfully and stepped aside.
Enrico sat there, his eyes narrowed, his expression dark. Paige’s rapid rise had aroused Rafael’s suspicion.
She was smart enough to know that standing out too much would only attract criticism, yet she still chose to do so. After the new slum laws were passed, she became even more desperate and frantic, eager to get things done.
She was so determined to accomplish that task, willing to pay any price, no matter the cost. Her focus was entirely on the slums.
To her, did Enrico matter less than a bunch of slum-dwellers?
Fool.
Without him, even if she managed to succeed, it would cost her dearly-didn’t she fear the pain?
But he didn’t want her to suffer.
…
“Congresswoman Beatrice, these are the documents just arrived from the court. Please review them.”
In the spacious office, Paige placed a document in front of Beatrice.
Beatrice sat there, her long hair neatly tied up, dressed in a women’s suit, looking formal and stern. She took the document from Paige’s hand and glanced at it. “Mm.”
“Then I’ll take my leave.”
Paige nodded to her.
“Wait.” Beatrice called her back. “Sit.”
Paige pulled over a chair and sat down in front of her.
Beatrice looked at the young girl before her, pure and translucent like a top-quality jade, making her instantly likable-rarely just a pretty face. With this in mind, Beatrice’s gaze softened as she said, “You’ve been working with me for a few days now. Do you have any thoughts?”
“I’m very happy to be learning from you, Congresswoman Beatrice,” Paige replied calmly, neither humble nor arrogant.
“Among the council members of the Public Law Council, my background isn’t particularly strong. You might have had reservations about coming to work for me, but unlike others, I don’t outright reject commoners. If you work hard, I’ll support you in becoming a council member.”
Beatrice spoke seriously.
Upon hearing this, a flicker of emotion passed through Paige’s eyes.
Becoming a council member would give her the right to propose amendments to the law at the Public Law Council.
She didn’t immediately show her interest but instead asked, “Can an ordinary commoner become a council member?”
“Securing capital makes it much easier,” Beatrice explained.
“But wouldn’t that still mean working for the capital?” Paige countered, her tone casual, without showing much protest.
In a place like the Public Law Council, powerless resistance was the last thing needed.
“This is how Country A works. I know the president thinks highly of you, but even if you go to the presidential palace, you’ll still be working for the president. Being a council member in the Public Law Council might give you more freedom. Just don’t go against the capital-it’s actually quite simple,” Beatrice said.
Back in school, students might have called for justice and fairness, but at the Public Law Council, those at the top would frankly tell you that capital is everything, and the oligarchs are like gods.
Beatrice genuinely admired Paige, which is why she was speaking so candidly.
Paige nodded. “I understand.”
“So, what do you think? If you acknowledge me as your mentor, I can introduce you to some major figures in the capital,” Beatrice offered, intending to pave the way for her, though not without expecting something in return.
Acknowledging Beatrice as a mentor would mean becoming part of her circle. No matter what disputes arose in the council meetings, Paige would have to stand by Beatrice and the capital behind her. That was the web of the Public Law Council.
“Congresswoman Beatrice, if I were to say that I want to rely solely on myself, would you think I’m being arrogant?” Paige asked, her words suggesting arrogance, but her eyes were incredibly calm-unwavering.
Beatrice looked at her without mocking her and simply said, “The path you’ve chosen will be difficult.”
“I’m still just an assistant and a student; I’ll take it slow,” Paige responded calmly.
“Very well, let me know when you’ve made up your mind,” Beatrice said, not pressing her further, and allowed her to leave.
That evening, when Paige returned to Rose Estate, she was pulled into playing a video game by Enrico, and she mentioned the conversation.
Enrico sat close to her as they played, the on-screen battles fierce and brutal.
“Beatrice is one of your people, isn’t she?” Paige asked as she focused on the controller, her eyes never leaving the screen.
Hearing this, Enrico smirked and didn’t deny it. “How did you figure it out?”
“The Public Law Council seems supreme, but it’s actually divided by oligarchs. I’m still just a student. No matter how much Beatrice admires me, it wouldn’t make sense for her to be in such a hurry to make me a council member,” Paige explained.
Paige said, “It’s obvious she has someone backing her. Do you really think I’ll work for you?”
Even though Beatrice claimed to have no major background, Paige saw through it.
“I want you to work for me in bed, how about it?” Enrico spoke boldly.