After seeing off Henri Poincaré and Pierre Curie, Lionel wasted no time in writing a letter to book an appointment with the notary, Delacroix.
While improving inventions was exciting, the accompanying legal issues were a headache.
In 1880, all major European countries, including the United States, had their own patent laws.
You couldn't just unveil a new invention and immediately put it into production and sale.
It was very likely that many years ago, some unfortunate soul had the same idea as you and tinkered with a prototype product that was not easy to use and had no market.
But they had applied for a patent!
Therefore, this series of complicated patent searches, acquisitions, applications... it was best to let a professional notary handle them, so he wouldn't get bogged down in the mire.
Delacroix, for his part, was extremely interested in this.
For him, managing a writer's annual income of tens of thousands of francs in royalties, though lucrative, was far less profitable than this type of business.
Whichever of these two inventions succeeded, it could potentially develop an enterprise earning millions of francs annually.
Delacroix promised to quickly sort out the procedures and costs for the relevant matters for Lionel, and also help lease a small workshop for both projects.
In the suburbs and poorer districts of Paris, such workshops were everywhere, which could save a significant amount of money on purchasing tools.
After discussing the patent matters, Lionel then asked,
"Monsieur Delacroix, do you have a plan for the Paty matter we discussed earlier?"
Delacroix nodded, taking several documents from a drawer.
His tone remained as calm as ever:
"Monsieur Sorel, your intentions are noble, but the greed of such common folk is boundless; they cannot be dealt with merely through goodwill and money.
They are like leeches; once they taste sweetness, they will cling on until they are gorged with blood. The Ferry Act indeed provides them with a specious excuse."
Delacroix paused, then continued,
"Directly paying more money is the worst option. We must use law and contract to build an insurmountable wall around them.
First, we need a formal and rigorous 'apprenticeship contract'."
Lionel was slightly puzzled:
"Apprenticeship contract?"
Delacroix nodded:
"Precisely. It is not simple child employment, but a formal document for skill transfer and assurance of board and lodging.
We can change Mademoiselle Paty Millet's status from a vague 'little maid' to your 'apprentice'—you, a renowned writer.
The contract period can be set until she reaches the age of sixteen. This way, her staying with you to learn skills will be legitimate and conform to social custom."
Lionel's eyes lit up:
"Good! This gives her a legitimate reason to stay and elevates her status, not just a simple servant."
Delacroix showed a slight smile:
"Exactly. The contract will clearly stipulate that you, as the mentor, are responsible for providing board, lodging, clothing, and medical care.
And teaching her reading, writing, arithmetic, home economics, and... the music skills you once mentioned.
At the same time, a monthly 'apprentice allowance' of 20 francs will be paid."
Lionel was somewhat surprised:
"20 francs? Only 5 francs more than before?"
Delacroix's tone was firm:
"Yes, only 5 francs more. This money will be 'delivered' to the Millet family in cash each month by personnel from my firm.
This is as 'compensation' or 'family subsidy' for their 'agreement to their daughter receiving a valuable apprenticeship opportunity'."
Lionel immediately understood the subtlety:
"This way, I won't have to deal with them directly; everything will be handled by your firm.
If they cause trouble, they might lose even these 20 francs."
Delacroix nodded:
"Absolutely correct. Moreover, the payment of 20 francs monthly must be subject to strict conditions.
The contract terms will include a statement signed by Monsieur and Madame Millet, guaranteeing they will never actively come to harass you or Mademoiselle Paty's studies and life.
Each time they collect the 20 francs, they will need to orally reconfirm their compliance with this rule in the presence of my firm's personnel.
Once there is a breach of contract, not only will the current month's subsidy be canceled, but all subsequent subsidies will be permanently frozen until Mademoiselle Paty reaches legal adulthood.
By then, they might not receive a single franc."
Lionel felt a surge of satisfaction:
"This is enough to make them weigh their options; as long as they aren't too foolish, they'll know what to do.
And having your firm handle it will make it seem formal and intimidating to them."
Delacroix continued to add:
"Furthermore, the contract will also clearly define Paty's holiday rights—for example, one day a month for her to visit her family.
However, if any accident or health issue occurs during her visit, the Millet family will be solely responsible.
This can also prevent them from claiming their daughter fell ill at home and demanding medical expenses."
Lionel was completely reassured, with only one last question:
"So, how can we ensure Paty's parents will sign such a contract?"
Delacroix gave a cold smile:
"Don't worry, they will sign!"
Lionel nodded, no longer pressing the issue.
As for how Delacroix would get Paty's parents to sign the contract, he had full confidence in the notary and didn't need to know more details.
Lionel stood up:
"Thank you for your professionalism, Monsieur Delacroix. I hope to see the relevant agreements soon."
Delacroix also stood up and shook Lionel's hand:
"It is my honor to serve you, Monsieur Sorel. I will draft the contract text as soon as possible.
Once ready, I will 'invite' Monsieur and Madame Millet to a meeting—I believe they will make the 'correct' choice."
Only then did Lionel leave the firm feeling satisfied.
——————
Back home, Alice also handed her calculated business plan to Lionel, explaining haltingly:
"A typewriter working 12 hours a day can probably copy 100 to 120 pages of manuscript, at 15 centimes per page, that's 15 to 18 francs..."
Lionel was startled:
"That much?"
One must remember that the average income for ordinary people in France at that time was only about 100 francs a month.
Alice nodded:
"Once skilled, a typewriter is much faster than handwriting! There's a limit to how fast you can handwrite because the handwriting can't be too messy...
A typewriter is different; no matter how fast you type, every letter is clear... though we might not have that many manuscripts to copy."
Lionel thought for a moment before saying:
"Don't worry, the annual exams are coming soon, and Sorbonne students will have many manuscripts that need transcribing. I'll try my best to get them for you..."
Alice jumped up happily upon hearing this:
"Lion, you agreed to let me lend money to Madame Robert?"
Lionel nodded:
"That's your money, I never had the right to interfere, I was just worried you might get hurt..."
Then, he called Paty and told her, selecting what she could understand, what Monsieur Delacroix had said today.
Paty's big eyes were filled with tears, but this time, they were tears of relief and gratitude.
She choked up, almost unable to speak:
"Young master... thank you..."
Lionel smiled gently:
"This is what you earned yourself, Paty. You chose to stay, you chose to become 'respected Miss Paty.'
That contract merely helps pave the way more smoothly for you.
From now on, your status is my 'apprentice,' and I hope you can truly become 'respected Miss Paty'."
Paty nodded heavily, her small hands clutching her dress tightly, her heart filled with new hope for the future.
(End of Chapter)