Sometimes You Need Subtext, Sometimes You Need to Spell Everything Out

"Mr. Wallop, could you please behave yourself when we're discussing serious matters?"

"I am behaving myself... I was even considering which wand material suppliers would be more suitable to recommend to you—oh, right, are you interested in Werewolf hair and North American Troll fangs? Lupin told me he happens to know a merchant selling those materials lately." Sean spoke while thinking.

Stephanie gritted her teeth as she looked at Sean. Perhaps her competitive streak was acting up, but she tried hard to make her tone and expression as casual as usual. "Werewolf hair isn't stable enough. North American Troll fangs are decent wand core material, but wands made with them always carry an unpleasant stench of saliva—materials capable of removing that smell cost enough to make five or six new wands. From a business perspective, they're completely unsuitable."

"I see... Then what about Veela hair?" Sean teased.

Stephanie, who had Veela blood herself, showed no change in expression. Instead, she began explaining it to Sean. "Using Veela hair as a wand core tends to make the wand sensitive and temperamental. It can even affect its owner's personality—"

"I remember you mentioned last time that your grandfather taught you to make your wand by hand, and you used Veela hair. But you're not temperamental at all—is that because of your bloodline?"

Stephanie nodded with difficulty. "Yes, that hair came from my mother, so it was more inclined to protect me—You!"

She suddenly cried out, then shot Sean a reproachful look.

"Not temperamental, perhaps, but..." Sean wore a bright, sunny smile, one that made Stephanie's teeth itch. She wanted nothing more than to punch him.

When this man was up to no good, he really had far too much subtext and too many little moves...

She could no longer straighten herself up,