Monte Cristo's face lit up when he saw the two young men together in his study.
"Ah! So everything's settled between you two?" he asked hopefully.
"Yes," Beauchamp replied. "Those ridiculous rumors have finally died down. If anyone tries to spread them again, I'll be the first to shut them down. Let's not talk about it anymore."
"I gave Albert the same advice," the Count said. "But look at this mess I'm dealing with." He gestured at the papers scattered across his desk.
"What are you doing? Organizing your files?" Albert asked.
"My papers? Thank god, no. Mine are perfectly organized because I don't keep any. These belong to Mr. Cavalcanti."
"Cavalcanti?" Beauchamp looked confused.
"He's some young guy the Count is sponsoring," Morcerf explained casually.
"Let's be clear," Monte Cristo interrupted. "I'm not sponsoring anyone, especially not Mr. Cavalcanti."
