EFB Chapter 237 Lucius, please prepare a dinner party.
Chapter 237 Lucius, please prepare a dinner party.
Chapter 237 Lucius, please prepare a dinner party (5.1K)
Lynch sat in a large, high-backed chair, his fingers rhythmically tapping lightly on the smooth wooden armrests, producing a soft but clear tapping sound that echoed in the quiet office.
The problem now is how to reasonably obtain the right to use Dobby from Lucius Malfoy.
Entering Crouch's mansion to gather intelligence for himself is clearly an act that goes against the interests of the Malfoy family. Even if Dobby agrees to work for him, the magical contract binding him will show no mercy and will surely bring him severe punishment.
After their brief encounter at the Quidditch pitch, Lynch asked Cragg at the factory to find out who the strange little elf belonged to.
Kragg finally reports to Reggie: Dobby is a house-elf of the Malfoys.
This information played a crucial role in Lynch's resolution of the locked-room mystery.
But Cragg brought back far more than just this basic information.
He also brought back Dobby's "reputation" in the Pokémon-keeping community.
A complete oddball, a "troublemaker" that other little elves avoid at all costs.
According to private discussions and criticisms from other elves, Dobby often makes some "unorthodox" remarks, such as questioning whether his master's orders are "completely correct", secretly inquiring about information that is none of his business, and even occasionally showing a vague desire for "rewards" or "rest".
To the Pokémon, these actions are nothing short of unforgivable betrayal and madness.
Therefore, Dobby was almost isolated among his kind and was seen as a potential, doomed cancer.
Thinking of the yearning for a freer life different from the status quo that Dobby's strange behavior vaguely revealed, a yearning that even he himself might not have clearly realized, Lin Qi's fingers tapping the armrest paused slightly, and his eyes dimmed imperceptibly for a moment.
This is the second house-elf he's encountered that exhibits this tendency...
A heavy fragment of memory, almost erased by the passage of time, swept over my mind, bringing a slight, almost imperceptible sting.
But he quickly suppressed this emotional fluctuation and refocused on the plan at hand.
Lynch continued to think, and a completely new idea gradually became clear in his mind.
Perhaps the key issue is not about obtaining the right to use Dobby.
A knowing glint flashed in his eyes, and he pressed the silver bell on the table.
A chamber of commerce employee in a crisp uniform entered and stood respectfully at the door.
"Did Mr. Malfoy come to the Chamber of Commerce today?"
"Mr. Malfoy has not yet arrived." The employee bowed slightly.
"When he arrives, please ask him to come to my office immediately."
"clear."
The employee quietly slipped out and gently closed the door behind him.
About twenty minutes later, there were two cautious knocks on the door.
After receiving Lynch's indifferent "Come in," the door was pushed open, and Lucius Malfoy appeared in the doorway.
He was still dressed in a finely crafted dark green robe, holding a snake-headed cane in his hand, his long gray-gold hair neatly tied back, maintaining the impeccable dignity befitting a pure-blooded nobleman.
However, if a careful observer were present, they would notice that his gait lacked the usual arrogance and composure, and that a hint of gloom and caution lingered between his brows, which he tried to conceal but could not completely dispel.
He walked into the office, closed the door behind him, and quickly and respectfully glanced at Lin Qi, who was sitting behind the huge desk.
"Mr. Lynch," Malfoy's voice maintained just the right amount of respect, and he nodded slightly, "You wanted to see me?"
He stood a few steps away from the desk, without sitting down immediately.
Although his official title in the Stone Tower Chamber of Commerce is "Vice President," while Lin Qi is only a "Acting President" in recent times, he knows very well in his heart how he obtained this position—firstly, through the will of the "hanger" that looms over his fate like a nightmare.
And Lin Qi, who appeared out of nowhere, is undoubtedly the most direct agent of the "hanger".
Therefore, he tried to avoid meeting with Lynch, because every meeting made him feel a chill and an indescribable sense of humiliation, as if the invisible noose around his neck had tightened even more.
At this moment, he was speculating about the purpose of Lin Qi's sudden summons.
Is there a problem with the Chamber of Commerce's affairs?
Or has "that person" given him new, unbearable instructions?
Or perhaps some of his private actions were discovered?
The various speculations made him uneasy, but on the surface he had to maintain his composure and obedience.
Lynch raised his hand and made a simple yet elegant "please" gesture, pointing to the high-backed chair opposite his desk.
"Please have a seat, Mr. Malfoy."
His tone was calm, devoid of any emotion, but to Lucius, it carried an air of unquestionable authority.
Lucius did as instructed, and sat down with slightly stiff movements, carefully placing the snake-headed cane against his leg, as if it were the only thing he could grasp at that moment, a symbol of his former status.
"No need to be nervous, I'm just checking in on the progress of your work." Lynch leaned back slightly, his gaze fixed on Lucius, as if he truly only cared about the Chamber of Commerce's affairs. "After all, logistics are the lifeblood of the Chamber of Commerce. Only with you in charge can I focus on other matters."
These words sounded like words of trust, but to Lucius, every word carried an invisible pressure.
He knew full well that his position as vice president, and the real logistical power he held, were nothing more than a cage set up by the "hanger" to appease and exploit the pure-blood families, while keeping him firmly in the spotlight.
He had to work diligently, not only to achieve results but also to extract enough benefits for the other pure-blood families behind him. Although this was tacitly approved by the executioner, he still lived in fear, lest he be summoned to his door again if he made too much money—only in this way could he maintain this fragile balance.
He quickly gathered his thoughts and began his report in the calmest and most professional tone possible: "Thanks to your—and that sir's—trust, the logistical supply system is currently functioning well. We have renewed our exclusive agreements with the three largest magical material suppliers in Knockturn Alley, reducing prices by fifteen percent. At the same time, our supply chain for flying broomstick parts from the Irish Quidditch Boutique has been established, and we expect to begin supplying them next quarter, which will bring us at least—"
He presented the progress, data, and future plans of several key tasks in a clear and organized manner, striving to demonstrate his abilities and value.
These are indeed his real achievements, not empty words.
Faced with life-or-death threats and the pressure to ensure the survival of his family, he had no choice but to devote all the shrewdness and skill of a pure-blood aristocrat to this "business" job that he might have once looked down upon.
Lynch listened quietly, nodding occasionally. His gaze was mostly fixed on Lucius's face, only glancing briefly at the documents on the table when Lucius mentioned a specific statistic.
Such a gaze also brought Lucius increasing psychological pressure, making him more careful in choosing his words.
After Lucius reported on a batch of potion ingredients requiring special magical preservation, involving the maintenance of a constant-temperature spell during transportation, Lynch leaned forward slightly, a perfectly timed, approving smile on his face: "Excellent, Mr. Malfoy. It's truly admirable how you've managed such a complex matter of logistics so well. With you in charge, I feel completely at ease."
This sudden, even slightly flattering, praise did not make Lucius feel any more at ease. Instead, it made his back stiffen slightly. He cautiously bowed slightly, his voice remaining as calm and restrained as ever: "You flatter me. It is my duty to ensure the smooth operation of the Chamber of Commerce."
He was rapidly calculating in his mind what the real intention behind this praise was.
Lynch ignored his formulaic response, his fingers tracing a light line across the smooth tabletop as if casually mentioning, "Speaking of which, Mr. Malfoy, I have an idea I'd like to hear your opinion on. I recall that the Malfoy family seems to hold some shares in the Daily Prophet?"
Lucius felt a chill run down his spine. The topic had shifted so quickly, and it involved another important, albeit intangible, asset of his—his influence in public opinion.
He dared not conceal the truth and answered honestly, "Yes, Mr. Lynch. However, the share is small, enough only to ensure that the Malfoy family's voice is not completely ignored on some—sensitive topics."
He deliberately downplayed his actual influence, fearing it might attract unnecessary covetousness or more demanding requests.
"Indeed, a smart person like you understands the value of having a mouthpiece in your own hands." A very faint, almost imperceptible smile appeared on Lin Qi's lips. He nodded approvingly, then reached into the drawer and took out an internal document, pushing it toward Lucius—it was a recent data analysis report from the Stone Tower Chamber of Commerce's internal "news board."
This dynamic magic board, originally used for posting product information and promotions, has recently been quietly expanded to include a popular "Jokes and Anecdotes" section at Lynch's behest.
"The feedback from users on the Chamber of Commerce's newsboard has exceeded expectations, especially in the newly added entertainment content section." Lynch's tone carried an undeniable decisiveness. "This proves that the people of the magical world need other forms of information channels besides official mouthpieces. It's time for the Stone Tower Chamber of Commerce to officially enter the news media industry."
Lucius's pupils contracted slightly as he immediately realized the ambition and potential risks of the plan.
Competing against state-run media giants like The Daily Prophet?
Before he could process the news, Lynch, with a questioning look in his eyes and a calm tone, continued, "My initial idea is that the Stone Tower Merchant Guild might consider venturing into the field of news media. Of course, this will be a long-term and cautious plan. As a first step, I think hosting a high-profile banquet, inviting the directors of the Ministry of Magic, members of Wizengamor, heads of various families, and friends from the Daily Prophet to celebrate the guild's development and take this opportunity to explore more possibilities for information dissemination in the magical world, would be a good start."
He paused, giving Lucius time to process the information, before speaking in a consultative tone, but with an undeniable air of authority: "Mr. Malfoy, with your extensive connections in the wizarding world, you are undoubtedly the most suitable person to lead the preparations for this banquet. We can consider setting the date for early next month, at the banquet hall on the top floor of our Chamber of Commerce. Would it be convenient for you to oversee the preparations for this banquet? Especially important is ensuring the attendance of the esteemed officials from the Ministry of Magic, as this is crucial for the development of our new business."
Lucius felt an invisible pressure.
This was by no means a simple dinner party preparation; it was a public gesture, a test of the existing order, and it pushed Malfoy further into the spotlight.
However, faced with Lynch's seemingly polite but actually unquestionable "request," he had no room to refuse.
He could only suppress the turmoil in his heart, maintaining a polite expression, and bowed slightly: "Of course, Mr. Lynch. Thank you for your trust. I will immediately begin preparations to ensure that this banquet achieves the desired effect."
Seeing Lucius immediately agree, Lynch smiled gently and raised his hand in a gesture of "please relax".
"Don't put too much pressure on yourself, Mr. Malfoy. This is important, but not urgent. We have plenty of time to make thorough preparations." His tone was calm. "I mean, this work can be carried out step by step, with each step meticulously refined. As long as we can ultimately hold this dinner party successfully before Christmas, it will be perfectly in line with our expectations. You have ample time to plan and strategize."
This seemingly lenient timetable actually placed an invisible deadline around Lucius's neck.
The day before Christmas gave Lucius room to maneuver, but also ensured that he could not delay indefinitely.
Lucius immediately understood the implication.
He nodded slightly, his mind racing with calculations, while outwardly maintaining an air of gratitude and composure: "Thank you for your understanding, Mr. Lynch. Please rest assured, I will devise a detailed plan to ensure that you and the Chamber of Commerce can present a grand event that meets your expectations before Christmas."
"I believe in your abilities." Lin Qi smiled and nodded, his gaze sweeping over the documents on the table again. He naturally changed the subject, as if the dinner arrangements were already settled. "Then, regarding the temperature control spell maintenance for that batch of potion ingredients, let's discuss that detail you mentioned earlier—"
After chatting for a while longer, Lynch got up and saw Lucius Malfoy off, the heavy wooden door once again separating the inside from the outside.
Silence returned to the office, broken only by the soft crackling of the fireplace flames.
The business-like gentle mask on Lin Qi's face instantly disappeared, and he regained his usual calm and composure.
Instead of immediately diving into the documents waiting to be processed, he got up and walked to the fireplace, picking up a small pinch of glittering Floo Powder from an exquisite copper box beside him.
Instead of stepping into the fireplace, he sprinkled Floo Powder onto the flames.
The flames shot up instantly, turning a bright emerald green, but without the usual whooshing sound.
Lynch spoke into the green flames in a deep, clear voice, magically blurred to ensure that even if someone were eavesdropping, they wouldn't be able to recognize his original voice: "Target: Dobby, a house-elf belonging to the Malfoy family. Priority: Silent investigation. Requirements: Ascertain his daily routine, fixed locations and times of appearance. Avoid contact and avoid alerting any party."
The concise command was instantly transmitted through the Floo Network.
The green flame flickered for a moment before returning to its normal orange-red color.
Lynch turned around and went back behind his large desk, where he sat down again.
His gaze returned to the vast sky outside the window, where the once bright sunlight was now obscured by swirling clouds. The thick clouds, like torn cotton, completely blocked the sun, with only the edges of the clouds outlined in dazzling gold by the sunlight. Several enormous beams of light poured down from the gaps in the clouds, like sacred staircases connecting heaven and earth.
He gazed silently at the magnificent sight, his fingertips unconsciously stroking the smooth surface of the handrail.
The light flickered in his dark eyes, just like the thoughts churning in his mind as he reviewed and checked his plans for any omissions.
Malfoy has already placed his pieces.
But Dobby... he had to speak with this maverick elf himself and persuade him to work for him.
At the same time, we must also prepare for the possibility of failure in persuasion.
The following evening, as the lights of Diagon Alley came on, the bustling crowds at the Stone Tower Chamber of Commerce gradually dispersed.
In the Cornflower and Shooting Stars broom shop, Harry was holding a soft suede and carefully wiping the handle of the Seven Stars Sweeping series on the last row of the display shelf.
The air was filled with the unique scents of wood, polish, and magic.
Although he had only been working there for one day, Harry had already quickly become familiar with the series of clean-up tasks before closing time.
Cleaning display shelves, organizing merchandise, sweeping the floor—these chores were not unfamiliar to him. In fact, his experience of being forced to do a lot of housework during his years in the Dursleys' household had become a kind of "advantage" at this moment.
He was quick and efficient, and his attitude was serious. The store manager, Ms. Ola Fleming, also had a very good opinion of him.
Just then, the copper bell on the door rang out with a clear "ding-dong" sound, indicating that a guest had entered.
"Welcome to Cornflower and Shooting Star," Harry said, straightening up from behind the display shelf as he delivered the standard greeting, still holding the suede in his hand.
His voice abruptly stopped.
The person standing at the shop entrance was not an ordinary customer, but an elderly man wearing a dark blue robe adorned with stars, crescent-shaped glasses, and long silver-white beard and hair.
He was tilting his head slightly, his sharp, azure eyes peering at Harry through his glasses with a gentle smile that seemed to see right through him.
Just by standing there, Harry felt that the familiar air in the entire broom shop had changed.
He is Albus Dumbledore.
"Professor Dumbledore!" Harry put down the suede, his tone clearly welcoming, a genuine smile spreading across his face.
He quickly walked around the display stand and went forward.
"Good evening, Harry." Dumbledore's voice was as gentle and calm as ever. His gaze swept over the cleaning tools in Harry's hands and the shop, which was much tidier now. "I hope I haven't disturbed your work."