“Of course not. You did such a good job that I didn’t have anything to say.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

Cedric said as he neatly organized the documents with a relaxed hand.

“Between the two, who do you think was better?”

“Are you referring to Grace Smith and Irene Brown?” Deborah asked.

Cedric smiled as if he had expected her to confirm.

“Yes.”

“Both were exceptionally knowledgeable, so it’s hard for me to say who was better.”

Deborah replied with an awkward expression, giving a cliché answer. Cedric’s smile widened as he nodded.

“Understood. I’ll report today’s interview details to the master, so you don’t need to worry about this matter.”

“Thank you for your consideration.”

Deborah responded, thinking to herself.

‘Hmm, was that response a mistake?’

After this interview, Deborah felt she understood Cedric better. He was a good person but also one who ensured his own interests under the guise of kindness.

‘He doesn’t hesitate to deceive others.’

Of course, this was a special situation – an interview. And if Cedric truly was a mean person who enjoyed having power over others, he wouldn’t have behaved so blatantly next to Deborah.

‘Anyway, it’s best not to underestimate someone like him.’

As Deborah hurriedly tidied up her spot, Cedric watched her hands and her faint smile, thinking.

‘I think I understand what kind of person she is.’

She’s indeed a good person. Her smiling response wasn’t false. But it would be a mistake to think that her visible demeanor is all there is to her.

‘She answered that way because it doesn’t matter who gets selected.’

Not feeling the need to express her opinion, she simply covered it up with a smile.

‘This type is new to me.’

Cedric hadn’t lived very long but had met many people due to his somewhat special past career. Yet, someone like Deborah, stubborn yet not greedy, was a first for him.

Jen returned to the mansion in the wee hours, closer to dawn than night.

Cedric, looking impeccably groomed as if it were broad daylight, greeted him.

“Welcome back.”

Jen almost asked about Deborah but held back, instead asking another question.

“…How was the interview?”

As they headed to the study instead of the bedroom, Cedric explained.

“You don’t mind whoever gets selected as the governess, right?”

“What kind of question is that?”

“The candidates were all quite similar.”

Cedric recounted the day’s events. As Jen settled into his office chair, he frowned and asked,

“I thought I asked you to assist with the interview. Why did you take it upon yourself to do it alone?”

Jen imagined Deborah sitting uncomfortably next to Cedric, holding a faint smile.

“What are you talking about? I only stepped in because Deborah seemed burdened.”

Jen sighed and inquired,

“So, are both Grace Smith and Irene Brown not up to the mark?”

“No, they are both quite knowledgeable.”

“And?”

“Smith appeared confident, which was appealing, but she seemed likely to focus on irrelevant matters. Brown seemed more perceptive than Smith but her desperation to secure the position was too intense.”

The reason for keeping silent wasn’t due to a lack of curiosity. She was afraid to make a mistake, fearful of rejection.

“Does she have debts?”

“I haven’t looked into it, but she probably does. That kind of desperation isn’t common.”

“So, Brown would be easier to handle?”

A person desperate for money is easier to manipulate. Money solves problems. But Cedric certainly knew this simple fact.

“Why are you even contemplating between the two?”

“Well, Smith seems to have a better personality? Maybe she would make conversations more enjoyable?”

Cedric shrugged nonchalantly in response. Jen let out an incredulous laugh, thinking Cedric was joking. But Cedric was serious.

Cedric recalled Diah’s face, like a frightened mouse, wary of everything.

‘With someone as grim as Brown, she’d be terrified.’

But yes, as long as the governess taught well, that’s all that mattered.

As Cedric was organizing his thoughts, Jen asked an unexpected question.