Chapter 40
“Feel free to ask me anything.”
“I’m sorry to bring this up, but I heard you used to struggle with skin problems in the past. Yet your skin looks absolutely wonderful now. Do you have any secret to it?”
At those words, everyone’s eyes sparkled. It seemed they had all been curious about that very thing.
“Oh, that’s…”
Just as Harriet was about to open her mouth, a sudden thought flashed through her mind.
‘This is it! This is the idea!’
A way to make money for Saint Clarissa Convent. A way for her to earn money and gain fame.
‘Sell Saint Clarissa Convent’s soaps and herbs in Genoa!’
In the past, she couldn’t have drawn the nobles’ interest, but things were different now. She, Harriet Listerwell—the talk of the town in high society—would start spreading the word.
Harriet suppressed her urge to boast and flashed a playful smile instead.
“It’s a secret.”
“Pardon?”
The young ladies, who had expected a grand answer, asked in disbelief.
Harriet smiled brightly and gave a tantalizing reply.
“I hope to share it with all of you soon. But I really can’t say anything right now.”
“That just makes us more curious!”
“I’m sorry. I’ll save it for the next gathering.”
As Harriet smoothly steered the conversation toward proposing another meeting, Annabelle approached with a smile.
“Will you sit at my tea table again next time?”
“If you invite me, I’d be delighted to.”
Harriet was certain she had built valuable connections in high society today.
After the tea party ended, Harriet returned to Phelan Mansion and immediately sought out Roxana.
Roxana, who also worked as Trisha’s secretary, was a busy woman, but since Trisha had instructed her to consult Roxana on important matters, she didn’t refuse the visit. Though her expression didn’t look particularly pleased.
“What is it? I have to finish checking these ledgers by today, so I’m a bit busy.”
Undeterred by Roxana’s cold tone, Harriet boldly asked.
“Roxana, I’d like to know what procedures are needed to sell regional specialty products in the capital.”
“Do we have to discuss that right now?”
“Yes, it’s urgent.”
“Sigh.”
Roxana let out a deep sigh but pulled out paper and a pen.
“Should I just explain the distribution and sales process?”
“Yes. The products are excellent, but there’s no sales channel for them.”
“Whether they’re excellent or not is for you to judge, Miss Harriet. In any case, I’ll just answer your questions. To bring goods from the provinces to the capital, you need to contract with a distribution network or create your own…”
Roxana’s explanation, which lasted about an hour, was as clear as ever. In short, it all boiled down to spending money to make money.
“So, does that mean I need to borrow money from someone?” Harriet asked.
Roxana shrugged.
“You could borrow from a bank or an individual, or you could seek investment.”
“Investment?”
“Bringing provincial goods to sell in the capital is a business. And businesses usually attract investment. Of course, you’d have to guarantee returns higher than bank interest, but it’s still better than paying bank interest.”
“Why is that?”
“Because if the business succeeds and you give investors good returns, more investment will come pouring in for your next venture.”
Money begets money, and success breeds greater success.
“But what if it fails…?”
“Then you just become a failed entrepreneur. Unlike a bank loan, where you’re obligated to repay the principal and interest in full, investment doesn’t require you to repay everything.”
“Really?”
“Investment is the investor’s responsibility. They take the risk for greater returns. Of course, you should apologize as politely as possible.”
Harriet felt her mind growing more and more complicated.
Taking a bank loan might be the easier choice, but with her current credit, she wouldn’t be able to borrow enough to start a soap business.
But if she sought investment, who on earth would trust Harriet Listerwell enough to invest a large sum?
‘Still, nothing ventured, nothing gained.’
Harriet gritted her teeth.
She had no choice but to look for investors and leave it to luck. If it didn’t work, she could always try for a bank loan later.
“Thank you, Roxana. That was really helpful.”
“It looks like you’re about to dive into another headache…”
“I haven’t done anything yet, so no need to worry.”
“I see. But whatever you do, don’t cause trouble for Mrs. Phelon.”
With that, Roxana sat back down at her desk and opened the ledgers again, and Harriet gave a light nod before leaving Roxana’s office.
As she began to form a plan, all sorts of thoughts started flooding her mind.
‘Before looking for investors, I need to discuss this plan with Abbess Catherine.’
Time was pressing. Saint Clarissa Convent would soon need money, and Harriet had to act before her own popularity faded.
She immediately went to find Trisha.
“Grandmother, I’d like to visit Saint Clarissa Convent.”
Trisha raised an eyebrow with curious eyes but didn’t ask further.
“Go downstairs and have them prepare the carriage.”
Harriet breathed a sigh of relief and quickly packed a light bag.
“Harriet!”
“Abbess! Vice Abbess!”
Harriet ran to embrace Catherine and Agnes, who welcomed her warmly. The two inspected her from head to toe, checking if she had lost weight or had any injuries.
“I’m doing really well. You don’t need to worry so much.”
“Really, nothing happened? Viscount Listerwell was so intimidating back then.”
Catherine examined Harriet closely with worried eyes. But seeing her clear, bright expression, she finally relaxed.
“It’s only been two months, but it feels like years since I last saw you.”
“You’re right. But being back at the convent makes it feel like I was here just yesterday.”
Chatting warmly, they headed to Catherine’s room.
There, Harriet pulled out an envelope and handed it to Catherine.
“It’s not much, but I wanted to donate it. I hope it helps with the ongoing projects.”
“How could you… You haven’t even established yourself in the capital yet.”
“My living expenses are covered by my new guardian, Countess Phelon. So I want to use the money I have to help the convent.”
“Good heavens! Where did all this money come from…?”
Catherine knew Harriet’s situation well. The only money she had was the 5,000 dirams from Baron Billy.
But to Harriet, it wasn’t just money—it was Baron Billy’s goodwill.
And now, on the eve of a new ‘business,’ she didn’t absolutely need it.
“Abbess, the important thing right now isn’t this small donation. As I wrote in the letter, I can’t keep relying on Countess Phelon’s help forever. And the convent can’t depend solely on one-time donations to keep running the ‘girls’ shelter.’”
“That’s true, but you know how little money we make from our work.”
“That’s what we need to change.”
Harriet’s eyes sparkled, and Catherine tilted her head in confusion.
“What do you mean?”
“To put it bluntly, we start a soap business under the name of Saint Clarissa Convent.”
“What?”
“It’s possible. I’ll make it happen.”
But before Catherine could ask how Harriet planned to sell the soap, she hesitated at the thought of the nuns actually jumping into business.
“It’s true we’ve sold our products to cover operating costs, but it doesn’t feel right for those who’ve devoted themselves to God to dive into business for money.”
“Abbess, the nuns aren’t starting something new. It’s just expanding what you’re already doing to generate more revenue.”
“That’s true, but…”
Harriet stepped closer to Catherine.
“To be honest, I think helping the poor with money earned from selling goods made by the faithful aligns more with God’s will than relying solely on nobles’ donations.”
Agnes nodded in agreement from the side.
“Harriet has a point, Abbess. Of course, we mustn’t lose the essence of convent life and craftsmanship.”
“But with our limited production, would it even make sense to sell in the capital?”
