Vincent had already devised a solution to this problem.
No matter who it is, any tentacles that dare to reach out will be chopped off.
Whether you like it or not, you'd better keep it to yourself. The Alchemy Shop is located in Knockturn Alley in the British Wizarding World, in a dark corner that the Ministry of Magic can't control.
The factory was producing goods in a steady stream, and the nine witnesses who had seen the whole process returned to the office area and had a small celebration party.
Fallen Paradise, as the dark wizarding group with the highest completion rate for Knockturn Alley quests, is naturally incredibly efficient.
In less than 5 minutes, the food and drinks were ready.
Vincent opened the champagne and personally poured it for the staff.
Seeing the seven people's fearful and apprehensive expressions, his mood improved.
Voldemort was indeed very powerful, but when it came to managing subordinates, he was no better than Grindelwald's brother.
Countless historical events have proven that no dictatorship is destined to last.
The key to long-term success is to gain the willing obedience and recognition of subordinates, and to foster a sense of belonging to the organization.
Vincent once heard a saying in his past life:
Without kindness, authority cannot be established; without authority, kindness cannot be effective.
Having overcome our fears, it's time to use a combination of kindness and firmness.
He mingled with his employees and was completely approachable.
The clever Cheshire certainly knew why.
But she did not reject it, and took the initiative to let go of her long-standing restraint.
"Chairman, please take good care of my younger brother Cody at school."
That's the way to go, the way to get it right.
Vincent readily agreed.
The remaining 6 people are much more relaxed.
Compared to being a dog to men, at least he treated them like human beings.
Even if it's fake, there's no turning back now.
Hermione was no longer shy.
As she watched them playing together, a slight smile crept onto her lips.
With the seven dark wizards before him subdued and Vincent attending Hogwarts, his personal safety is not a major concern.
Even if he tried to threaten him with his parents, the Wayne family had two bodyguards.
Never needing anyone's concern, always full of confidence, bravely facing problems...
These advantages combined make it really hard not to like her.
"Would you like to try some?" Cheshire brought over two glasses of champagne and sat down next to her.
Hermione shook her head. "No, this is fine with me."
She raised the iced cola in her hand and took a small sip.
Cheshire also raised her glass and took a small sip of champagne.
"Miss Granger, you and our chairman are both people of great principle."
Hermione followed the gaze and looked at Vincent, who was surrounded in the middle.
He raised a glass of fizzing, ice-cold cola and clinked it against the wine glasses held by the six of them.
"Miss Cheshire, do you think the Alchemy Shop will stay open indefinitely?"
"Call me Cheshire."
"Then don't call me Miss Granger anymore, just call me Hermione."
Cheshire nodded slightly. "Hermione, you should know the answer to the question perfectly well."
Hermione glanced at Vincent again, then put down her cup.
"To completely remove obstacles, some unconventional methods will definitely be used, right?"
"Yes." Cheshire paused. "Do you know how the chairman negotiated with us back then?"
"I know," Hermione replied softly.
Cheshire's smile remained, but her eyes turned fierce in an instant.
"We are the guns in his hands without the chairman needing to pull the trigger."
After she finished speaking, her gaze returned to its original state. "For us wizards who live in Knockturn Alley, being able to live without having to hide is a luxury."
"If given a choice, who would want to stay in such a godforsaken place?"
Before they arrived, Vincent had already recounted their experience.
Although she didn't know if it was true or not, Hermione believed that no one is born bad.
They have no choice in their birth, nor the ability to change their surroundings.
How to escape the quagmire that's trapping you?
Forget it, they don't want to be treated as outsiders, and they don't have the courage to try.
Why not take it easy and sink deeper and deeper into depravity like everyone else?
"Just when we thought we had sunk to the bottom, the chairman appeared."
Cheshire gave a self-deprecating laugh. "I don't know what they think, and you might think I'm lying, but after spending this time with the chairman, I really see hope in him."
Hermione paused for a moment, then met her emerald green eyes again.
These are eyes filled with helplessness and struggle.
"I believe you, Cheshire."
Cheshire paused for a moment, then awkwardly raised her wine glass and downed the champagne.
"Thank you." Her smile was bitter, as if she were apologizing.
"I don't know why I'm telling you this, maybe it's because our personalities are compatible."
None of the pretty girls living in Knockturn Alley are innocent.
To protect themselves, they must be constantly vigilant, cunning, and ruthless.
Hermione raised her glass, not offended by her scheming.
Both of them were girls, and smart girls at that, so of course they could understand why.
Once it has no further use, will it be thrown away like a rag?
Vincent was able to bring Hermione here, so regardless of their actual relationship, they must at least trust each other.
"Cheshire, he's not that kind of person." Hermione took a sip of her cola.
"Let me tell you about Yamamoto Tsukumo."
Cheshire grew increasingly surprised as she listened.
Like them, Yamamoto was once Vincent's enemy.
It could be even worse.
While the terror of Rakshasa Prison may not be as great as that of the Dementors of Azkaban, it is located in the dark depths of the sea.
Being trapped in such an extremely oppressive and cramped space and slowly going insane is no better than being devoured by Dementors who feed on emotions and memories.
Cheshire raised another glass of champagne. "I think I understand why he chose us."
The seven of them hadn't reached Yamamoto's level yet, but they also had no other way out.
Since Vincent went to great lengths to get the man out of Rakshasa Prison, he wouldn't easily abandon him.
Haven't created enough value yet?
Do you need subordinates who are willing to work?
On the bright side, that day will never come unless a major mistake is made.
"Clink—" Cheshire's goblet clinked against Hermione's. "Thank you."
The two of them took a small sip.
"Time will tell, Cheshire."
"Sigh—I feel even more guilty towards you now." (Tan)
Hermione sensed kindness and genuine relief in her eyes.
Just as I initially thought, the two of them had a lot in common.
"The chairman gave each of us an Alchemical Pistol before. Now that I think about it, he probably already had a plan on how to deal with those scheming wizards."
"That's just the kind of person he is; he always considers the worst-case scenario first when doing anything."
Tao