Chapter 114: Stella’s Powerful Background
As Davey prepared to establish his new Security Company—one of his most important projects—he naturally made sure to gather reliable information.
From Carrit, the manager of the Valentine Bank, he learned that there were two ways to set up a security company.
The first was to travel to the federal capital and handle the process personally, including preparing all necessary documents.
This route wasn’t expensive—only a few hundred dollars in processing fees.
But as for when the license would actually be approved? That was anyone’s guess.
You’d need a whole lot of luck. Two or three years, maybe five or six… and the message you’d likely receive in the end was: “Application denied.”
The second option was to hire a professional agent—a lawyer.
You’d entrust the entire licensing process to them, paying a significant sum for it.
The processing speed depended entirely on the lawyer’s connections—and on how much money you were willing to spend.
In theory, if the lawyer had truly solid connections, the license could be secured in as little as seven business days.
Naturally, such lawyers never charged less than $3,000, and often much more.
Applying and actually getting approved were two very different things.
So when Davey heard Stella quote $1,000, he immediately lost interest.
Maybe she did come from a strong family and genuinely had the ability to get it done—but he wasn’t willing to wait months, or even longer.
“Mr. Callander, you think my fee is too low and would slow down the process, correct?”
“And it’s not that the one thousand dollars itself is unacceptable?”
Stella finally realized what he meant, asking in disbelief.
She thought her price was too high—but it turned out it was too low, making him doubt her capabilities.
Davey didn’t hide anything.
“Exactly, Miss Stella. I need this Security Company license as fast as possible. From what I’ve heard, if everything goes smoothly, it can be done in seven business days.”
“I’m not interested in waiting too long, even if that means paying a higher commission.”
Stella’s eyes lit up.
She asked softly, “If… hypothetically, Mr. Callander… I could get that license approved in five business days, how much commission would you be willing to pay?”
That single sentence changed the way Davey looked at her.
Based on their earlier conversations, he quickly grasped Miss Stella’s situation:
A lawyer with powerful family connections—but a struggling practice.
Still, Davey had no intention of taking advantage. Whether one thousand or three thousand, it was barely pocket money to him.
“Three thousand dollars is what I consider fair—if it’s completed in seven days.”
“If you truly manage to get the license within five days, Miss Stella, I’m willing to add another five hundred.”
“But these terms must be written in the contract. And I’m prepared to pay a one-thousand-dollar deposit upfront.”
Davey spoke plainly and directly. There was no need for trickery—it would only undermine his own dignity.
And a lawyer with strong connections, even if due to family ties, would be extremely valuable to him in the long run.
“Alright, Mr. Callander—let’s sign the contract immediately. I believe this will be a very pleasant partnership.”
Stella practically felt like jumping into Davey’s arms and planting a big kiss on him.
This was simply too exhilarating.
$3,500.
A number she had never even dreamed of touching.
Such major cases were normally reserved for renowned attorneys in Saint Denis or even the federal capital.
The unique federal system, with its numerous legislative bodies, made the demand for lawyers extremely high.
Many top universities had opened law schools.
A typical lawyer earned around $2,500 a year—a very high-paying and respectable profession.
Top attorneys earned much more, but they monopolized almost all major cases, leaving junior lawyers to work under them.
In the later chapters of the game’s storyline from her previous life, gang member Tilly Jackson moved to Saint Denis and married a lawyer named Pierre—definitely a leap in social class.
Now, Stella only needed to complete this one case to earn $3,500, and she could barely contain her excitement.
“Miss Stella, although I’m eager to get this started quickly, don’t forget—it’s Friday today. Tomorrow and the next day are rest days.”
“So why don’t we enjoy a wonderful dinner first, fill our poor stomachs, and then sign the contract afterward?”
“Even if you wanted to return immediately, the last train to Saint Denis has already left.”
Davey said with a warm smile.
Hearing this, Stella instantly regretted her earlier decision.
If she had known, she would have rushed to Valentine the moment the telegram arrived. She thought the negotiations would be extremely difficult and had mentally prepared for a two-day battle.
She never imagined it would go this smoothly—almost unbelievably so.
“Mr. Callander, you truly are a gentleman.”
Tempted by the promise of thousands of dollars, Stella didn’t hesitate to shower him with praise.
Just then, the carriage rolled to a stop.
They had arrived at Land Farm.
Author's Note
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