Lila dipped slightly. "Sir, you flatter me. I'm only fulfilling my duties. Please take good care of yourself. The Magical Congress still needs you."
"Duty... yes... we all bear our own duties."
Hawthorne looked at Lila. The wariness in his eyes faded, replaced by a complicated expression.
After a moment of silence, his gaze swept over the brightly colored note paper, his fingers absently rubbing the quill in his hand.
"But how many people can even fulfill their basic duties? Many have not only forgotten their responsibilities, but even forgotten who they are."
Lila seemed confused, with a trace of unease as she stammered, "Chairman... sir?"
Hawthorne shook his head. "It's nothing. Just a few casual complaints... Go on. Remember what you said today. I hope that one day, when you sit in my position, you won't forget this original intention either."
Lila nodded and left the room.
The instant she turned and closed the door, a barely perceptible cold gleam flashed through her eyes.
The most dangerous moment had already passed.
All that remained... was to clean up the loose ends of her past "stain."
Cold moonlight shone upon the stunted apple trees, casting grim shadows over the secluded path. When the wind stirred the leaves, they gave off a low, mournful rustle.
Corbett hurried down the path, his footsteps unusually clear.
He instinctively slipped a hand into the inner pocket of his robe. His fingertips touched the stiff edge of the check, and a greedy heat spread through his heart.
So much money... just for an Auror Office report?
Though the hurricane night had claimed rather too many lives and the case was somewhat sensitive, as the senior deputy director of the Magical Congress's Security Department, requesting and reviewing the Auror Office's investigation materials was simply part