Chapter 41

On Sunday morning, Joshua and Funk arrived at the Hunter family's house one after the other.

Yesterday, because of Old Hunter's birthday, the two of them had to stay put and go nowhere. But today was Sunday, and they couldn't sit still anymore, so they came over to drag John to the factory for a look.

The newly purchased factory was on the other side of the river, about an hour's drive away.

"Maybe I won't go?"

John had no interest in these matters at all; he just wanted to receive his dividends honestly. Why would he want to go to some factory? Besides, he had been thinking about Miss Philip these past two days, feeling both curious and worried, so he was even less willing to go out.

But Joshua wouldn't let him off, patiently persuading him, "John, you're the major shareholder of the factory, but you've never been there since we bought it..."

"Right, right!"

Funk chuckled, forcefully pulling John up from the sofa and loudly said, "Come on, come on, how can you not go out and get some fresh air on such a nice day?"

Looking at the sunlight outside the window, John was speechless.

Under the insistence of his two friends, John had no choice but to inform his grandfather, who was in the study, and then got into Joshua's carriage, heading towards the factory. However, after just ten minutes, he started to complain inwardly. Although it was still early and the temperature wasn't too high, and the breeze from the carriage ride was quite comfortable, he couldn't enjoy the carriage ride at all and soon felt uncomfortable all over.

There was no turning back, so John could only obediently look at the scenery by the roadside to distract himself.

There was really nothing much to see in New York in 1880. It might be interesting the first time, but after staying for a while and going out more often, John found it very monotonous. The "ancient" buildings looked awkward, and the chaotic mix of carriages and pedestrians on the streets was a headache.

"Once bicycles are on the market, it will be even more chaotic."

Thinking of the future with bicycles, carriages, and pedestrians all mixed together on the streets, John suddenly grinned. The feeling of participating in and creating history was really great...

"Huh?"

Just as John's thoughts wandered to some distant time, a familiar figure caught his eye, and he immediately sat up straight.

"What's wrong?"

Joshua was startled and quickly asked.

Ignoring his friend's question, John leaned forward to look behind the carriage and then said, "Joshua, doesn't that carriage look like ours?"

"Your carriage?"

Joshua quickly turned his head and nodded repeatedly, "Yes, that is indeed your carriage... Hey, isn't your grandfather at home? Why is the carriage outside?"

"It's Henry!"

Almost simultaneously, both of them realized it. Henry, the Hunter family's coachman and valet, must have driven the carriage out.

But what was he doing here?

Watching the family carriage gradually disappear, John lost all interest in the scenery around him. His brows furrowed tightly, and he soon fell into deep thought...

...

"Mr. Elbert, do you know about Miss Philip?"

After the theology class on Monday morning, during lunch, John nodded to the butler, signaling him to come over, and then asked in a low voice.

"Well..."

Hans hesitated for a moment before responding in a low voice, "Sir, your grandfather has already handled the matter. I think you shouldn't be concerned about it anymore."

"This is my business. You only need to tell me what I want to know."

John had anticipated the butler's possible reaction, so he wasn't surprised. His voice was calm.

Although John's tone and expression showed no signs of emotion, Hans's heart skipped a beat when he heard this. As a butler, he naturally sensed John's determination and the unyielding tone.

This feeling was too much like Old Hunter!

This time, the butler hesitated for a longer time, taking a deep breath before saying in a low voice, "Sir, the day before yesterday, Mr. Hunter ordered me to find Miss Philip, give her 100 dollars in cash, and then notify her in writing that her position as a governess was terminated... I don't know much else."

100 dollars was exactly two months' salary for Miss Philip. Although Old Hunter had fired her, it wasn't overly harsh. If she was frugal, the money would be enough to live on for a few months.

"But you didn't go out the day before yesterday, right?"

After a moment's thought, John suddenly asked. The day before yesterday was Old Hunter's birthday, and Hans would have been at home all day preparing, so he definitely couldn't have gone out. John remembered this clearly.

Hans nodded and quickly added, "It was yesterday, I sent Henry yesterday!"

"Henry?"

John's heart skipped a beat, immediately recalling the carriage he saw on the road yesterday. However, he didn't press further, but instead exhaled and said, "Why did Grandfather fire her? Do you know?"

Shaking his head, Hans said very firmly, "I'm sorry, Sir, I really don't know anything else. I only delivered the cash and the termination letter."

Staring at the butler for a while, seeing Hans's calm face, John finally nodded and said softly, "Mr. Elbert, could you please write down Miss Philip's address for me?"

"Sir!"

Hearing this, the previously calm Hans's face changed dramatically, and he said urgently, "That place is not somewhere a gentleman like you should go. If you have anything to convey to Miss Philip, just tell me!"

Seeing Hans's anxious expression, John became even more puzzled. He frowned and asked, "Mr. Elbert, is Miss Philip's living environment very poor?"

"Yes, very poor!"

Hans paused slightly and then emphasized.

Seeing that John seemed unconvinced, Hans sighed, "Sir, Miss Philip's living place is not only poor but also dangerous, full of Italians, so..."

The butler didn't finish his sentence, but John understood.

In this era, Italians were synonymous with danger. Unlike the Germans, who were mostly skilled workers, Italians generally lacked education and skills, making it difficult for them to find well-paying jobs in America. With large families, many of them turned to illegal activities. Therefore, in New York, Italians, like the Irish, were people many avoided and didn't want to deal with.

Understanding this, John hesitated.

But after a moment's thought, he nodded at Hans and said, "Mr. Elbert, I need you to write down Miss Philip's address! Don't worry, I won't go there myself, but I want to understand some things..."

...

In the end, John didn't get Miss Philip's address.

On the one hand, the butler refused to give it no matter how John tried to persuade or pressure him. Hans was very clear that while John might be the future master of the Hunter family, the current household was still run by Old Hunter. On the other hand, on Wednesday afternoon, a letter from Miss Philip arrived via the postman.

The content of the letter was simple, just a few short lines: "Dear John, I'm sorry I can't return to the Hunter family. I will repay your 100 dollars as soon as possible. Thank you again for your help."

There was only a signature, no address.

Looking at the somewhat messy but unmistakably Miss Philip's handwriting, John's gaze darkened, and he couldn't help but worry about the governess...

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