Chapter 1406: 1312: Into the Trap

Capítulo 1406: Chapter 1312: Into the Trap

Two days later.

Archbishop Bovais peered at the two pages of paper in his mathematics advisor’s hands: “How is it? Did he get everything right?”

It was Angelique’s test paper, and he couldn’t understand it at all.

The mathematics advisor nodded, sighing, “Sir, not only did he get everything right, but his problem-solving approach is incredibly ingenious. Even my students might not do better. I can’t believe he’s only 12 years old.”

Bovais gestured for the advisor to step back, rubbing his hands as he looked at Archbishop Ase: “This child is indeed extraordinary. By the way, what’s his background?”

The other looked at the priest beside him: “Father Bonai, where did you find him?”

“He’s Italian,” said Father Bonai, “Originally came to Paris for his studies, but this summer his family’s business went bankrupt, and they almost couldn’t pay the rent. My nephew happens to live below him.”

“Wonderful!” exclaimed Archbishop Bovais excitedly to Archbishop Ase, “You’ve really saved me; I will definitely repay you.”

“Oh, it’s nothing.”

That very afternoon, Archbishop Bovais negotiated with Angelique’s family, giving them 3,000 francs as a benefit to let the child enter the church school on Saint Mary Church Corridor Street, and promised that if he achieved a top-three placement in the mathematics competition, he’d be rewarded with another 3,000 francs.

Meanwhile, Father Bonai returned to his residence and wrote a secret letter to be sent to the Intelligence Bureau headquarters.

The translated note contained only one line — The scorpion has crawled into the pillowcase.

Yes, his other identity was as an agent of the French Intelligence Bureau, and Angelique was precisely the one the bureau chief had him introduce to Archbishop Bovais.

Notre Dame de Paris.

Archbishop Beaumont was just about to enjoy breakfast when the cheers outside interrupted his peace.

“What are they shouting?” he turned to look at his attendant.

The attendant hurried out to check and returned shortly, bowing, “Sir, it’s some women, thanking the Church for establishing public daycares.”

Beaumont frowned, “Where did they get the news?”

He quickly thought of the answer, likely overheard from his conversation with the Crown Prince at the salon and then leaked to the newspaper.

He picked up his wine glass again, only to see a high-ranking cleric among his subordinates hastily approaching with a newspaper, bowing, “Sir, the newspaper says the Church intends to establish free public daycare institutions nationwide!”

Archbishop Beaumont waved dismissively, “Indeed, it’s at the Crown Prince’s request. But you need not worry; it’s a long way from actual implementation.”

He heard more shouts from the Notre Dame Plaza: “Thank Jesus,” and “Thank the merciful Church,” finding it somewhat amusing. Those people thought someone would help them look after their children, unaware that even when their children have children of their own, there would likely only be a few kindergartens in Paris.

The high-ranking cleric, however, handed the newspaper to him eagerly, “You should take a look at this first.”

Archbishop Beaumont impatiently glanced at him, opened the Paris Commercial News, and saw the front page headline: The Church has promised the Crown Prince to establish public childcare institutions nationwide.

He frowned and continued reading.

The article detailed how the Church would invest heavily to set up “church kindergartens” in all dioceses of France, where all children aged 3 to 5 could attend and be cared for while their parents worked. And the fees would only be the price of two meals of bread.

Annoyed, Archbishop Beaumont tore off his napkin and ordered his subordinate: “Go immediately and tell Baron Denico that this plan is only in the early stages, and he should not report on it lavishly anymore.”

“Yes, Sir.”

Yet the next day, when Archbishop Beaumont received the Paris Commercial News, he found the front-page headline still read: Public Kindergartens, a Gift from Jesus to Countess Pierre.

Below, it detailed the promising prospects of public kindergartens, even describing the accommodation and food conditions. It also mentioned that it was expected within two to three years, kindergartens could cover all of France.

Major newspapers like Paris News and The Citizen’s Daily reprinted the Paris Commercial News article, some even expanded on it…

Archbishop Beaumont could no longer contain himself and immediately summoned Denico.

At four in the afternoon, the editor of Paris Commercial News arrived as scheduled at Notre Dame de Paris.

After a few simple pleasantries, Archbishop Beaumont tossed the newspaper before him: “You must have misunderstood regarding the public childcare issue. It’s merely under discussion.”

Denico was astonished: “Just a discussion? But I heard from the Crown Prince that the Church has already promised to promote public childcare nationwide. It seems I must go back and verify this with the Crown Prince…”

Archbishop Beaumont was taken aback, hurriedly waving his hand: “Oh, no, it’s my wording that was imprecise. What I meant was the Church is discussing the establishment of kindergartens.”

“Then it’s not incorrect,” Denico nodded with a smile, “How could I not share such good news with everyone?”

Speechless with anger, Archbishop Beaumont took a long moment before continuing, “But you shouldn’t fabricate rumors like ‘nationwide coverage within two to three years’ and ‘each meal includes bread and vegetables.’ The Church has never made such decisions.”

“You probably didn’t read the content of the article carefully,” Denico flipped open the Paris Commercial News, pointing to the third line on the front page, “Here, it’s clearly written — ‘according to journalists and experts, it is believed that…’

“So these are just speculations, assumptions, not rumors.

“Oh, if you are very concerned, I can add a section at the end of tomorrow’s article — the above analysis content has not yet been confirmed by the Church. Would that work for you?”

Archbishop Beaumont was no match for this editor who had learned the “21st-century social media tactics” from Joseph, feeling his head buzzing but unable to find fault with him.

He took a deep breath, replacing his look with a smile, “Baron, perhaps you could temporarily postpone reporting on the public childcare issue, and I would be deeply grateful.”

Denico immediately pulled out banknotes, showing great interest: “Why do you want me to do this? Is there any change in the public childcare plan? Or is the Church unlikely to achieve the goal within two to three years?”

Archbishop Beaumont could hardly contain his anger, suddenly standing up, “I have to prepare for tomorrow’s Mass.”

Denico stood up regretfully, “Then I’ll take my leave. If possible, I’d like to hear more from you about the details of public childcare.”

The next day, the Paris Commercial News published the gratitude of Parisian women for the Church establishing public kindergartens, expressing that they were waiting daily for their children to enter kindergarten.

The Citizen’s Daily, on the other hand, began “helping” the Church plan, suggesting which neighborhoods were suitable for kindergartens, how large they would be, and the expected completion time, etc.

The entire public opinion in France was ignited, with almost every housewife talking about kindergarten.

Yes, Joseph’s goal was to put the Church in a hot spot.