Chapter 5: Where Did Ruth Go?

 Even though Wendy's words were simple, they instantly sent a chill through Monet's body, cooling him down from the heat brought on by the alcohol. Indeed, back then, they couldn't even save everyone, so how did this dog manage to survive? While dogs could swim, it was improbable for a dog to survive in such icy waters unless it was a sea dog. This meant the dog had occupied at least one spot on a lifeboat.

But this was going too far, wasn't it? In a life-and-death situation, saving a dog instead of a person? It lacked basic humanity!

Yet, Monet still had a question. He asked, "But I recall that the dogs were all kept in the kennels in the F Deck, right? Was there even time to go to the kennels and find her dog?" (Many people on the ship had pets, but they were kept in the F Deck.)

Wendy let out a cold snort and replied, "Mrs. Tommy's dog would never be locked in the kennels." She then asked painfully, "But why is it that her dog can get on a lifeboat, while my brother couldn't? Is my brother's life worth less than a dog's?"

Although Monet felt a strong resentment about this as well, he knew there was little he could do now, so he consoled, "It's alright, Wendy. God will surely punish these wrongdoers."

Early the next day, Monet arrived at the New York Post for an interview as scheduled. To his surprise, after the interview, the editor-in-chief, Russell, said to him, "Mr. Monet, please wait a moment. A Mr. Carl would like to meet you."

The only "Carl" Monet knew was Ruth's fiancé, the steel magnate. So, he inquired, "Is this the same Carl who was on the Titanic?"

Before Monet could finish speaking, Russell nodded and confirmed, "Exactly, it's Mr. Carl!"

"But I don't know him. Why does he want to see me?" Monet asked, puzzled.

"Um, Mr. Carl says he has something very important to ask you. Just a few words, won't take up much of your time!" Russell advised.

Since Monet would still rely on Russell for income later, he reluctantly agreed.

Two minutes later, he indeed saw the imposing figure of Carl. Arrogantly, Carl asked Monet, "Did Ruth come to see you?"

Monet was taken aback for a moment and counter-asked, "Miss Ruth? Why would she come to see me?"

"In New York, you're the only friend she had. So, after she ran away from home, who else would she go to if not you?"

Monet argued, "But the thing is, Miss Ruth didn't come to see me at all. Besides, I only met her once, hardly enough to call us friends, right?"

"If you two aren't friends, then why do you know so much about her? Don't tell me you've fabricated this whole story?" Carl interrogated.

Honestly, this question was difficult to answer. So, Monet resorted to placing the blame on someone else, "It was all told to me by Jack. You know we're both artists, so we connected well. He shared Ruth's and her story with me, and I was moved, so I wrote it down."

"Even the part where he lay on the floating ice was something he told you?" Carl pressed.

"Well, that part was indeed told to me by Ruth. You know, after we were both rescued by the same lifeboat, she told me!" Monet continued fabricating.

"After you disembarked, you really never saw Ruth?" Carl stared at Monet.

Monet sighed and spread his hands helplessly, answering, "Of course, I didn't. Mr. Carl, think about it. If Ruth had come to me after escaping from you, how could I have come here to submit my article? Wouldn't that make you suspicious? Do you think I'm that foolish?"

Carl thought for a moment and realized it made sense. So, he changed the subject, saying, "Mr. Monet, if Ruth contacts you in the future, please inform me immediately. I will greatly appreciate it."

Though Monet was tempted to respond harshly, he understood that he had nothing in New York at the moment, and Carl had the power to make his life difficult. Thus, he reluctantly nodded, "Understood."

Monet then waved dismissively and said, "You don't need to thank me. I don't think there's even a chance for that. As I said earlier, I'm not close to Miss Ruth."

Carl's inquiry had already soured Monet's mood considerably. However, what he didn't expect was that shortly after leaving the newspaper office, Ruth's mother, Mrs. Beckett, intercepted him on the street. Unlike Carl's overbearing approach, she tried a different tactic, sobbing as she pleaded, "Mr. Monet, is it really true that Ruth didn't come to see you? I beg you, you must tell me the truth. If I can't find Ruth, Carl will cast me out. I'm an old woman in New York, and I don't know anyone. If I have no one to rely on, I'll starve!"

"Madam, I'm truly not lying to you. Miss Ruth really didn't come to see me!" Monet answered, feeling frustrated.

Despite Monet's repeated assurances, Mrs. Beckett remained unconvinced and continued to lament, leaving Monet utterly exasperated. Eventually, he found an opportunity to quickly escape.

Upon returning home, Monet recounted the incident to Wendy, who sighed, "Goodness, I never thought Ruth would actually give up Mr. Carl's favorable conditions!"

"Everyone has their own aspirations," Monet replied casually. Then, he turned to Wendy and asked, "If it were you, you definitely wouldn't have run away, right?"

Wendy responded confidently, "Of course not. Why would I give up such a good life to toil away?"

Though Wendy's response made Monet uncomfortable, it was her choice after all, and he couldn't do anything about it. So, he changed the topic, saying, "I have a feeling Carl won't fully believe what I said. He might still send people to watch me. Be cautious when you go out recently. If you do encounter Ruth, make sure Carl's people don't notice."

"Don't worry, I understand."

PS: This story is based on a true incident. Elizabeth Jane Anne Rothschild, the wife of the textile magnate Martin Rothschild, claimed that she wouldn't leave on a lifeboat if her dog wasn't allowed to accompany her. Eventually, the crew had no choice but to let her take the dog with her. As for why, given the Rothschild surname, you can probably guess.

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