Kinda can't read Ars without pronouncing it as arse...
I think the girl's pessimistic views/approach and trust issues have a lot to do with her extremely low ambition status (which is only 1), which she basically kinda gave up on life (meaning no life direction and target aka ambition, and acting recklessly, kinda dead inside as clearly shown with her emotionless face and opinions).
The orphans are the only reason she's still around due to her conscience and empathy for them, and all of that make perfect sense for me.
The decisions and choices she makes, the attitudes and behaviors she has, are surely not smart and beneficial, but I can see how "human" and vulnerable she is and not in the right state of mind/heart. MC needs to earn her trust and boost her ambition before she would actually follow anyone with that ambition status and state of mind, which that event is happening in next chp I guess. Her character is actually convincing for me in both gaming and realistic senses. If she suddenly just trusted and followed MC or even feel like she could trust MC (or MC's family/parents) as a noble enough that somehow her negotiation (to have the kids come along) get fulfilled/exploited would make me feel everything's too convenient/easy, NAIVE and out of place as if it doesn't really need a strategy/event for recruitment.