Chapter 223: Mary’s Father
Inside the Saint Denis Grand Hotel.
The place offered not only lodging and baths, but also special areas set aside for gambling.
The crowd was loud and restless. Many people were smoking, filling the air with thick, choking fumes.
“Oh, fuck… how did this happen? My dollars… I never should’ve bet here.”
Gillis—Mary’s father—let out a voice full of regret.
Recently, he had become obsessed with drinking and gambling, especially the moonshine that had grown popular in Saint Denis. It was cheaper than branded liquor, yet its taste was hardly any worse—a blessing for drunks like him.
Staring at the empty pile of chips in front of him, Gillis felt increasingly irritated, his mind racing as he tried to figure out how to win his money back.
He swore to himself that once he recovered his principal, he would never come back here again.
“Mr. Gillis, oh… it seems luck hasn’t been on your side today.”
Just as Gillis was about to leave and get himself a drink, two burly men stepped forward and blocked his path.
Seeing them, Gillis’s gaze wavered, fear creeping into his eyes.
“Mr. Fox, I… I really did have bad luck today. But tomorrow will be better, I’m sure of it. Please believe me.”
Fox, the man in front, smiled faintly and walked closer.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Gillis, but I’m afraid you won’t be able to wait until tomorrow.”
“According to the rules, once your debt exceeds fifty dollars, it cannot be carried overnight.”
“And you now owe sixty-two dollars. I’d say I’ve been quite merciful already, wouldn’t you agree, Mr. Gillis?”
“So no matter what method you use, this sixty-two dollars must be repaid today.”
Gillis hesitated before speaking.
“But… Mr. Fox, you saw it yourself. I lost my very last cent.”
“I really don’t have any way to pay those sixty-two dollars right now. Please give me a little time, alright? I’ll definitely pay it back. Please trust me.”
Hearing this, Fox exaggeratedly patted Gillis on the shoulder.
“Oh, oh, oh, Mr. Gillis, are you joking with me?”
“These are the rules. Rules everyone here must follow. If you borrow money, you must repay it—no exceptions.”
“Of course, if you truly can’t pay, we can take part of you instead, to cover the debt, if that’s what you insist on.”
“You understand, Mr. Gillis—this isn’t a joke.”
As he spoke, Fox grabbed Gillis’s right hand and gestured at it, as if weighing where to cut.
Faced with such a threat, Gillis’s face turned deathly pale. He knew these men weren’t bluffing—they really would do it.
“No—no, please don’t do that, Mr. Fox! Just give me a little time. I still have some things I can sell. I’ll definitely be able to repay the money!”
The Gillis who had tried to evade the situation earlier could now only beg in terror.
Just as Fox was about to respond, someone entered the room.
Seeing who it was, Fox immediately let go of Gillis and hurried forward.
“Boss Mac. Mr. Abbas.”
The newcomer was Mac. The gambling and moneylending operations at the Saint Denis Grand Hotel were currently all under his control.
Standing beside him was Abbas, the brother of Elisa, Davey’s personal maid.
“What’s going on here?” Mac asked coolly. “You’re making quite a bit of noise. That’s bound to disturb the guests, Fox.”
“I believe I’ve already told you—many matters shouldn’t be handled here.”
Abbas scolded Fox.
This was the casino’s main hall, with gamblers everywhere. Aggressive debt collection here could easily disrupt the loan business.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Abbas,” Fox said immediately, bowing his head.
Abbas nodded, then followed Mac as they left.
Something this minor was clearly not worth Mac’s attention.
After Mac and Abbas were gone, Fox turned back to Gillis.
“Since you have things you can pawn, I can introduce you to a friend. His name is Ashton. He’ll offer a fair price—you won’t be disappointed, Mr. Gillis.”
At Fox’s signal, two subordinates followed Gillis as he was led away.
...
Meanwhile.
Arthur ultimately agreed to Mary’s request. Even though it was something he deeply disliked, he simply couldn’t bring himself to refuse her.
“Alright,” Arthur said. “So where are we going now? And what’s that lovable old bastard done this time?”
“Oh, Arthur,” Mary replied, “sarcasm really doesn’t suit your personality.”
“He gambles, drinks, and does other things…”
“Oh,” Arthur muttered. “A filthy piece of trash…”
“So where can we find him?”
Hearing Arthur talk about her father like that, Mary lightly slapped his chest.
“He said he was going to Theodore Eckhart Stables—something related to horses.”
“It’s in the warehouse district by the river, near the train station.”
Arthur raised his hand. “Then let’s go.”
“Don’t be a smug idiot, Arthur,” Mary added. “That doesn’t suit you either.”
“Oh? Should I go be one to your dad instead?” Arthur shot back.
“Don’t drag my father into this,” Mary said. “He’s suffered enough already.”
“In that case,” Arthur replied, “I suppose that gives me a bit of comfort.”
Mary fell silent for a moment, then suddenly said, “Oh, Arthur… I should have left with you years ago.”
Arthur answered calmly, “You wouldn’t have.”
“I didn’t… but…” Mary hesitated. “I don’t know.”
Arthur didn’t say anything else. He mounted his horse and then helped Mary up behind him.
He changed the subject.
“What do you think he’s gone there to do?”
Mary wrapped her arms around Arthur’s waist, suddenly feeling a sense of security.
“I’m not sure… He always says that someone of his status riding an old horse is an insult.”
Arthur didn’t bother responding.
“Status?” he said at last. “What status does a man have when he’s drunk all the time?”
Mary still tried to defend her father a little.
“Arthur, he wasn’t always like this. But… lately it’s been getting worse.”
“He drinks and gambles more and more, pawns more and more things, and mixes with all sorts of shady people.”
“I’m just worried something will happen to him.”
Hearing Mary’s concern, Arthur reassured her.
“Don’t worry. Whatever the problem is, we’ll handle it.”
As they talked, they arrived at the warehouse stables.
After dismounting, Mary peeked through a crack in the door and spotted her father, Gillis, inside.
“I’ll go in and see how he’s doing.”
Arthur nodded. “Alright. I’ll wait here. Good luck.”
“If you need help,” he added, “just scream.”
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