Chapter 60: The Unraveling Deception

After some time, Camilla finally sensed that something was amiss.

More than five days had passed since she had handed over almost all of the Dumpty family’s assets, along with a colossal sum collected from other noble heirs, to Baron Charles Ponzi. Yet, she had received no reply from him.

Previously, Baron Ponzi would appear before the club members every two or three days, expounding on investment strategies, injecting enthusiasm, and dispensing comforting platitudes. However, since the day he took the money, he had vanished completely.

A few of the young nobles had approached her to confirm the situation. At the time, she still held considerable trust in Baron Ponzi, believing only that the investment required a little more processing time than anticipated. She had reassured everyone to remain calm.

Eventually, however, the son of a certain viscount grew suspicious and decided to investigate through his father’s connections. While he couldn’t directly contact Duke Faberlio to verify the supposed secret investment project, he could certainly inquire about “Baron Ponzi of Sharpspear Province.”

The results of his inquiry were deeply unsettling. According to reliable sources, there was indeed a baron named Ponzi in Sharpspear Province—a surname not particularly uncommon in the Empire.

However, that baron was over fifty years old, his name was not Charles, and he hadn’t left Sharpspear Province recently.

After the viscount’s son shared this information with the others, the investment club members immediately erupted into chaos. Almost all of them had invested nearly all their disposable wealth.

Some young ladies had sold off a portion of their jewelry, while others had specifically asked their parents and family members for money. A select few had even found channels to loan significant sums, and if the investment proved to be a total loss, they would face immense difficulty explaining themselves to their families.

When the crowd surged to the Dumpty residence to confront Camilla, she finally realized the gravity of the situation.

She herself could not explain Baron Charles Ponzi’s disappearance, nor the fact that this ‘baron’ simply did not exist. If anything, she was the one who had invested the most.

Yet, in the eyes of the others, their money had been given directly to Camilla, and the supposed Baron Ponzi was someone she had introduced. In essence, she and Charles Ponzi were inextricably linked.

Finally, Camilla had no choice but to confess how she had come to know Baron Ponzi. “Don’t be so anxious,” she pleaded. “Baron Ponzi is Lady Liddell’s business partner. I met him at the Liddell family ball, and Alice knows him too! We just need to inquire at the Duke’s residence, and we’ll know!”

The crowd regarded Camilla’s statement with profound doubt, as neither Camilla nor Charles had ever mentioned anything about the Duke Liddell’s family since the investment club began.

Camilla had even specifically instructed them not to disclose the investment club’s affairs to anyone outside of the members she invited. Since Camilla hadn’t actively invited Alice, they naturally hadn’t mentioned it to her either.

Of course, this was also because Charles had specifically told Camilla, “Lady Liddell opposed my establishing a branch here; she believes I should focus solely on the investors at the main office. So, you absolutely must not let Lady Liddell know about these investment matters here! It would also be best to keep our association a secret!”

But by now, Camilla could no longer afford such discretion. She, too, was filled with unease over Charles’s vanishing act.

The group quickly formed a delegation and visited the mansion purchased by the Duke’s family. Alice, who was “coincidentally” having afternoon tea there, warmly received them.

When Camilla directly questioned her about Charles, Alice showed a puzzled expression. “Baron Ponzi? Who is that?”

Camilla’s expression instantly froze.

The other members of the investment club were similarly petrified. Many of them, realizing the implications, turned their gazes towards Camilla.

Feeling daggers in her back, Camilla forced a dry laugh and looked at Alice. “Don’t joke, Alice. When I saw you at the ball that day, weren’t you speaking with Baron Ponzi? He said he was the Duchess’s business partner, and you knew him!”

“But Camilla…” Alice looked at Camilla with genuine confusion, delivering the answer that plunged her completely into an icy abyss. “I didn’t know the man who spoke to me that day at all!”

Upon hearing this, Camilla instantly grew anxious. “But I even asked you who that person was—”

She abruptly stopped mid-sentence.

She remembered that day when she had asked Alice who the man was, Alice had been called away by the Duchess before she could answer. Thinking back more carefully, the alleged Baron Ponzi’s connection to the Liddell family had been entirely the man’s word alone.

He had even deliberately used an excuse to prevent Camilla from confirming with the Liddell family! Everything had been meticulously designed; the swindler had spoken with Alice in front of others precisely to create the false impression of his association with the Liddell family to his prey!

“So, what exactly happened?” Alice feigned curiosity as she inquired.

Camilla remained silent, unable to speak. Another girl, unable to contain her impatience, opened her mouth and recounted everything to Alice.

Alice’s eyes widened, and she stood stunned for a moment before slowly speaking. “You… you weren’t scammed, were you?”

“Exactly! This is a complete scam! You’re the one who led us into this pit, Camilla!” The girl finally burst out, scolding Camilla.

Her words ignited a fuse, instantly unleashing the long-suppressed resentment of the crowd.

“She’s right!”

“How are you going to resolve this?”

“I took out a loan for this!”

In an instant, Camilla became the target of everyone’s ire. She looked at the crowd, utterly bewildered, until, cornered, she blurted out an excuse. “Wait, weren’t all the attendees at that ball invited by the Liddell family? How could I have possibly imagined there would be a swindler there?”

The others exchanged glances, some casting their eyes toward Alice. Hearing this, it did seem the Liddell family bore some responsibility, but no one among them dared to accuse Alice directly yet.

However, Alice had already sensed their thoughts and adopted a slightly aggrieved expression. “But at the time, many invited guests brought numerous relatives and friends, and the number of attendees far exceeded expectations. We couldn’t verify everyone’s identity individually.”

“Eventually, Mother said it was fine, as long as everyone enjoyed themselves. We even temporarily added extra food and seating for it.”

These words immediately left the young nobles speechless, as many of them were precisely the “relatives and friends” Alice spoke of. Among the families invited by the Liddell family, it was inevitable that a few overly proud ones would agree to friends’ or relatives’ requests.

Some even accepted money from less familiar acquaintances who hoped to be “brought along.” While speaking, Alice subtly employed her enchanting power as a “sorceress.” This power instantly earned her additional favor from everyone, making her slightly aggrieved expression and tone appear even more innocent and pure in their eyes.

How could anyone possibly cast aspersions on such a delicate, pitiable girl?