Siobhan O'Malley

Siobhan O'Malley's Arc
Chapter 2 of 2

Siobhan O'Malley's dream is building a respectable women's lying-in hospital for difficult births..

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by @zanyzora
Chapter 2 comic
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Chapter 2

Siobhan turned the corner past the market square and stopped. A bulletin board stood against the brick wall of a narrow building, its frame weathered but sturdy. A crowd had gathered in front of it—enough people that she had to step closer to see what held their attention. The notices were debt postings. She scanned the list, recognizing a few names from her lodging house. Then she saw it: Ashmont, Horacio. Amount owed to E. Scrooge & Co.: £8,400. Property to be seized: townhouse and adjoining warehouse. Date of auction: 14 days hence. Her plan had just collapsed. A man being stripped of everything wasn't looking for a wife. He was looking for a way out. She pushed through the crowd and walked toward the bankruptcy court building across the square. Its marble steps gleamed even in the grey light, foreclosure signs bolted to the walls like medals. If Ashmont's debt was this public, someone here would know more. She needed to understand what Scrooge wanted—and whether there was anything left worth saving. A man with nothing couldn't fund a hospital. But a man who still had fourteen days might be desperate enough to take help from someone who knew how to bargain. Inside, a clerk sat behind a scarred wooden desk. Siobhan set her bag down and met his eyes. "I need the full record on Ashmont's debt," she said. "Every entry, every date it came due." The clerk looked her over, then pulled a ledger from the shelf. She would know what Scrooge held over Ashmont before the day ended. And then she would decide if there was a way to turn a foreclosure into an opportunity—or if she needed to find another mark entirely.

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