I Don’t Know the Original, I’m Too Busy Trying to Make a Living

Hamp Street was eerily quiet from the entrance. The alleys seemed ghostly, as though specters might emerge at any moment. The once-bustling street, teeming with nighttime revelers, was now abandoned, left to silence and shadows.

The Baroness of Halo must be far more ruthless than she appears.

Susan scowled. That vile woman had her claws in her daughter, practically sealing off any chance of a suitable marriage. Everything about her grated on Susan’s nerves.

At last, she stopped in front of a tavern—the only building on Hamp Street with its lights still on.

Creak.

As she pushed the door open, every man inside turned to look at her. They were all burly, each holding a mug of alcohol in their oversized hands.

“…”

Susan was momentarily taken aback but quickly composed herself. With her hood up, her face was concealed, making it unlikely anyone would recognize her.

A smooth voice broke the silence.

“What brings you here?”

Startled, Susan turned to find a red-haired man standing close by. She hadn’t even noticed him approach.

He wore a finely tailored suit and polished shoes—an outfit that seemed entirely out of place in this grimy, shadowy setting. Even more striking was his handsome face.

What is someone like this doing here?

For a brief moment, Susan found herself captivated by his appearance before she snapped back to reality.

“I… ahem, I came here looking for men to hire. Can I find anyone here to take on a task for me?”