That Comes at an Additional Price

Luke smiled at Worm Lans's face.

On that aged, resolute, arrogant face, there was now an expression of vulgar mercantile calculation.

But Luke was not worried in the slightest. He strolled over to Professor McGonagall's chair and calmly sat down.

Professor McGonagall silently shook her head at the sight, then turned and left the room. This was something she and Luke had agreed upon beforehand. Certain matters were not for her, someone outside the two great families, to meddle in.

Professor McGonagall had long been mentally prepared for the filthy dealings between nobles.

After Professor McGonagall left, the smile at the corner of Luke's lips was no longer warm and dazzling.

The upward curve of his lips deepened, making them seem thinner, while one brow lifted slightly.

It was still the same handsome face. Yet his entire aura had changed from the warmth of the sun to something far colder and more sinister.

That face, with that expression, truly gave Worm the disorienting feeling that an old acquaintance had crawled out of hell and was once again ready to wreak havoc upon the world.

"An issue of reputation... why? Since you chose to dissolve the Contract, hadn't you already prepared yourselves to abandon all your reputation?"

Luke spoke with an unchanged smile.

Worm said nothing, merely extending a hand toward Lai Ke behind him.

Lai Ke immediately pressed the red gemstone on the box in his hands.

As his finger pressed down, the ruby sank inward and its color faded. The gemstone as a whole turned bright yellow.

He then opened the box again and took out a thick stack of Parchment, along with an extremely old-looking notebook.

Lai Ke respectfully handed everything in his hands to Worm.

After receiving this great amount of property with one hand, Worm held it in both hands and placed it on the table before Luke.

"You also know just how precious reputation is to a family."

Worm paid no attention to the mockery in Luke's words. He simply said calmly, "These are the rewards we originally promised you."

Luke casually flipped through them. The notebook was on top. When he opened it, the contents inside were a complete mess, so jumbled that he could not make sense of them no matter how he tried to piece them together.

However, the name on the notebook was quite obvious.

"Godric Gryffindor."

When Luke spoke that name, the signature on the notebook lit up with red light. A red Lion also emerged upon the previously dim, ancient cover.

Worm and Lai Ke remained calm. Clearly, they had known about this long ago.

Luke opened the notebook again and discovered that its contents had not changed in any way. Only along the edges of every page of notes had patterns resembling a Lion's mane appeared.

After sighing inwardly, As expected, it wasn't that simple, he closed the notebook.

Beneath the notebook was a Letter of Appointment.

Its main content stated that the Board of Governors had agreed to appoint Luke Gaunt as the new School Board Member, replacing Worm Lans.

Below were the signatures of every School Board Member. Luke also saw Lucius Malfoy's name among them.

It seemed Lucius still did not know that Luke had thoroughly taken advantage of his son. Otherwise, he probably would not have made things so easy for Luke.

Beneath the Letter of Appointment were even more Deeds and Transfer Documents.

Without exception, the owner listed for all these properties had become Luke.

Logically speaking, Luke should have appeared in person for such transfers as well, but the Lans Family naturally would not be vague over such a trivial matter. It could be completed without his presence.

"About half of the properties are in Diagon Alley, while the rest are in other countries. This is also for your convenience. Should you travel in the future, you will have your own properties in every region, making things easier to handle."

"Please rest assured, we have only withdrawn the Lans Family's management personnel from all the properties. Most of them were administrators. You may select new administrators yourself or assign your own people."

Luke nodded upon hearing this. It was indeed a thoughtful arrangement. From this point alone, the Lans Family had shown considerable sincerity. Though they had withdrawn the administrators, the properties could continue operating and would not be paralyzed.

After all, with so many people, Luke had no idea how he should choose them all at once.

If the properties truly became paralyzed, he could only stare helplessly.

"Thank you for your generosity."

Luke reined in some of the arrogance on his face and sincerely thanked Worm.

"This is what we should do."

Worm did not accept the thanks. If he truly played some petty tricks, he could vent his anger for a time. But tearing apart all civility with his former employer would not be a good thing either.

"Now, can we discuss the issue from earlier?"

Worm looked utterly serious. "I can understand what you said at the castle entrance, so please state your conditions directly."

"We cannot accept another alliance with such harsh terms."

Luke put on a thoughtful expression and silently assumed a posture of contemplation.

His fingers lightly tapped the tabletop, his brows tightly furrowed.

Worm's meaning was clear as well. They could accept another alliance with far more relaxed terms. In other words, the Gaunt Family had to treat the Lans Family as an equal.

This way, all the negative effects caused by dissolving the Contract today could be turned into benefits for the Lans Family. Their status would rise, and they would receive many flattering praises.

After all, it would be equivalent to a leap in Noble status.

Naturally, Luke would benefit as well. Once they became allies, he would not need to worry about those properties. The Lans Family would arrange everything, and he would only need to collect the money.

Moreover, without question, he would gain the support of an ally with sufficient standing when carrying out his plans. More wealth and treasures would also be sent his way.

The drawbacks were equally obvious. If this alliance were signed, it would mean that the Gaunt Family truly was in a period of weakness. They could not even suppress their own retainers.

Although everyone could plainly see this, openly displaying it was another matter entirely. Many greedy people would swarm over like sharks that had smelled blood.

They disdained and did not dare covet the heirless Gaunt Family.

But a capable heir of the Gaunt Family would greatly interest them.

"I cannot agree to that condition."

Luke spoke directly without thinking for long.

Worm's expression did not change much. Conditions were meant to be negotiated. If Luke had agreed immediately, Worm would instead have needed to consider whether to refuse.

The condition he had proposed was absolutely beneficial to the Lans Family, but for the Gaunt Family, the drawbacks outweighed the benefits somewhat.

If Luke had agreed immediately, it would instead indicate that when necessary—or once he had risen to power—he would immediately tear up the alliance and trample the Lans Family beneath his feet again.

That was what they could not accept.