Lemoyne State, Rhodes Town.
Next to the central bank in the heart of town, a lavishly decorated café was hosting its grand opening.
Covering nearly two hundred square meters, the café was without question the most upscale establishment Rhodes had ever seen. In a western town like this, it stood unrivaled.
Luxurious lighting illuminated the space, with tapestries and paintings adorning the walls and intricate patterns carved into the ceiling, giving the place the air of a royal palace. Floor-to-ceiling glass windows offered a clear view of the interior.
This was a luxury coffee brand Davey had personally built, investing nearly seven thousand dollars into it.
Just one glance was enough to tell that nothing here would come cheap. Opening a business like this in a place such as Rhodes was something no sensible merchant would attempt—it was destined to lose money.
But Davey didn't care.
For him, the profits from a single day of bootlegging were enough to keep the café running for a long time. The largest expense had already been paid; the remaining wages were insignificant by comparison.
This wasn't a women-only café, but Davey had designed it specifically to serve the ladies of Rhodes Town.
All of the staff were women.
Davey had paid to send them to Saint Denis for professional training before bringing them back to work here.
"Mr. Land, I truly don't know how to thank you," Mrs. Calhoon said excitedly at Davey's side. "You've done so much for us—thirty-five jobs, each with a monthly salary of fifty dollars. That was something I never would have dared to imagine before."
"You know, sir, many people claim they support us, but very few are willing to take real action. At present, you're the only one who truly has."
"I believe every lady here is filled with gratitude toward you, Mr. Land."
The ribbon-cutting ceremony brought rare color and excitement to what was normally a dull, monotonous town. Nearly all the young women of Rhodes had gathered here.
And wherever there were ladies, men were sure to follow. Many young fellows hurried over as well.
More than a thousand people had gathered outside the café—an unprecedented level of bustle for Rhodes Town.
Still, the price list posted outside stopped many in their tracks.
Coffee starting at one dollar a cup, desserts at two dollars, bread at three dollars—prices like these were astronomical, almost unbelievable.
Even so, the café itself was already packed. Inside sat young ladies and women, along with several well-dressed matrons.
Davey had distributed a large number of tasting coupons that could be exchanged for coffee and desserts.
Clearly, most of those coupons had been handed out through Mrs. Calhoon.
The hiring of the café staff had also been entrusted to her.
Davey had printed many tasting coupons, but they were only valid for three days. He would continuously supply them to Mrs. Calhoon for arrangement. In addition, she held a ten percent stake in the café.
As for dividends—those weren't worth thinking about. The stake was little more than a title.
Hearing Mrs. Calhoon's words, Davey glanced at the crowd outside and at the young ladies inside who were casting him lingering, suggestive looks. He smiled faintly.
"Mrs. Calhoon, this is a very good thing, isn't it?" Davey said.
"I think this place will become a proper gathering spot for ladies and young misses from now on, rather than those unseemly meetings out in the countryside. That sort of thing really lacks decorum."
"Still, I didn't see Mrs. Berry today. I thought she might come."
The Mrs. Berry Davey mentioned was one of Saint Denis's leading representatives of the women's rights movement—and the most well-known among them. She also came from an influential political family in the East.
Mrs. Calhoon replied apologetically, "I'm very sorry, Mr. Land. Mrs. Berry had planned to attend today, but a large-scale march is currently taking place in Boston, and many representatives have gone there."
"I told Mrs. Berry about the help you've provided, and she is deeply grateful. After the Boston march concludes, I believe she will come to visit personally."
"She is also very much looking forward to meeting a compassionate person like you, Mr. Land."
Davey nodded. "I've only offered a small amount of help, Mrs. Calhoon."
"That said, I may be heading to Saint Denis soon. You know, I'm quite unfamiliar with the city, but I'd like to purchase some property there."
"So if possible, I hope to receive Mrs. Berry's assistance. Of course, I'm also planning to open several more cafés in Saint Denis, just like this one."
"I believe cafés in Saint Denis could turn a decent profit."
The trial date for the Callander brothers was approaching fast. Before long, they would be hanged on the gallows in Saint Denis.
That meant Davey's identity would be completely cleared. While a few hidden risks still remained, they no longer posed any real threat to him.
In the storyline of the game from his previous life, Saint Denis revolved mainly around Mayor Lemieux and Bronte's. But in the real Saint Denis, there were clearly many more powerful figures.
Mrs. Berry was undoubtedly one of them.
Compared to Mayor Lemieux, this connection was likely to be far more reliable.
The noblewomen of Saint Denis should never be underestimated. If their influence were properly leveraged, they could even force Mayor Lemieux out of office.