"Merry Christmas, Diana!" Anne said cheerfully into the receiver. "Did you like the gift I sent? Hehe, didn't take much time to pick out!"
"Make sure you get some rest, okay? I know the Ministry's work is hectic, but you need balance! Leave things here to me, your Anne's no slouch."
"Oh, the Christmas presents? Right, have Cook put Hermione's, Fanny's, Luna's, Ron's, Harry's, and Jill's gifts in my room. For the others, just record their names and gifts and store them in the collection room."
"Mm-hmm. You take care, too."
After hanging up with Diana, Anne placed a similar call to Aaron. As for Hermione, she had already called her first, taking into account the five-and-a-half-hour time difference between New Delhi and London. It was exactly 11:30 a.m. in New Delhi and 7:00 a.m. in London when Anne called, perfect timing: not too late, not too early.
The situation at the British Ministry of Magic was relatively stable for now, but stabilizing the situation in India remained the top priority. That would take time. When striking a snake, you have to hit it where it hurts.
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Indira Gandhi International Airport
Anne shook hands with Garawa Singh, the Roland family's Head of Asian Trade Operations, based in India, and smiled.
"Mr. Singh, no need to see me off. I've got a full grasp of the situation here. I have a meeting in Hong Kong in five days, I hope you'll lend a strong hand when the time comes."
"You flatter me, Miss Roland. It's simply my duty. See you in five days, then?" Singh said as he let go of her hand.
"Goodbye," Anne replied with a soft smile.
On the flight from New Delhi to Hong Kong, Anne sat in business class, idly flipping a gold Galleon between her fingers. After a while, she turned to gaze out the window at the night sky. The moon was clear and bright beyond the glass.
"I really got lucky," Anne muttered. "The timing couldn't be better. Once this is done, it'll be like killing three birds with one stone. High risk, high reward. But, manageable risk, at least for me."
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Roland Family China Headquarters – Hong Kong, Kowloon Branch Office
"Whew..." Anne stretched as she stepped out of the bathroom. At the desk, Li Qing immediately stood up.
Anne waved her hand, gesturing for her to sit.
"It's fine, Margaret. Sit."
With a flick of her wand, two cups of green tea appeared on the desk. Anne took a sip and asked, "So, what's the situation?"
"From Guangzhou, the heads of the Chen, Li, and Huang families will be attending in person. From Xi'an, the Zhang and Wang family heirs will be coming. Also, the current head of the Liu family sent a letter by enchanted pigeon confirming he'll attend personally."
"Also, the Jin family from Beijing heard about the meeting and sent a message yesterday, they'd like to send someone."
"Oh? The Jin family?" Anne touched her chin thoughtfully. "Alright. Let them come. Send them a brief packet with the meeting details and address."
"Understood," Li Qing nodded.
"Did the items from Gringotts arrive?" Anne asked, still playing with the Galleon.
"They arrived two days ago. I checked, no issues. They're locked in the basement." Li Qing placed a file folder on the desk. "Here's the finalized agenda and schedule. Take a look and let me know if you want to make any changes."
"I'll review it tonight. How's the Xi'an branch?"
"Ready to operate. Two experienced staff will lead three new recruits."
"Excellent. Stick to the plan. You should get some rest, let me walk you out."
Anne walked Li Qing to the door.
"Good night."
After Li Qing left, Anne walked over to a trunk in the bedroom. She pointed her wand at it and whispered, "Invigoration Draught, fly."
A bright orange potion soared into her hand.
Without hesitation, she drank it down in one go.
"Hope the dozen bottles I brought will be enough," she mumbled, heading back to the desk.
Time, after all, waits for no one. It marches on relentlessly. When only four days remained before the Christmas holidays, the conference officially began.
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Day One – The Conference
The second-floor meeting room had been magically transformed for the occasion. Silver and red were the theme colors, with the Roland family crest hovering on gold ribbons above. Each seat at the long table had a small enchanted parchment nameplate fluttering slightly, displaying each guest's name in Chinese.
At precisely 8:30 a.m., the meeting began.
Li Qing, dressed in a traditional cheongsam, delivered the opening welcome speech. Once it concluded, pop!, Anne Apparated onto a raised platform at the head of the table.
She wore a tailored grey robe with the Roland crest subtly stitched in. Surveying the room, she began in clear Mandarin:
"Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. I'm delighted to welcome you all to this meeting organized by the Roland family. China has always been a land of mystery, both in the magical and non-magical worlds. I'm honored to meet so many distinguished Chinese wizarding families today."
"China's magical traditions are unique and rich in Eastern mysticism. As one of the oldest families in the British wizarding world, the Roland family has long held a strong interest in the Chinese magical community. This meeting marks the beginning of deeper cooperation between us. In other words, we hope to foster lasting, meaningful partnerships. The Roland family will be investing substantial resources in China, this region will be one of our primary markets moving forward."
"To show our sincerity…" Anne smiled, flicking her wand. A scroll of parchment floated in front of each attendee.
"These are letters of guarantee, backed by the Roland family. With these, each of you can open a premium account at Gringotts in Hong Kong."
The room immediately buzzed with excitement. Chinese wizards had long been denied access to Gringotts' higher-tier services. The goblins, skeptical of their credit and influence, permitted only the most basic personal accounts, restrictive and inconvenient. This guarantee changed everything.
"It's a belated Christmas present," Anne said lightly. "I hope you'll like it. Now, let's get to business. Here's our eight-year trade record in China."
Oversized parchments unfurled above the table, showing crystal-clear data.
"As you can see, last year alone our trade volume in China grew by 50%. That's an exceptional growth rate. And next year, " she paused, smiling slyly, "I believe China will become even more open and inclusive."
A representative from the Jin family raised a hand. Anne nodded.
"If I'm reading between the lines correctly, you believe the Magical Union of China will pass Trade Document No. 5 next year, allowing direct magical commerce between mainland China and Hong Kong?"
The room rippled with whispered discussion.
"Thank you," Anne replied. "That's exactly what I was about to say. Yes, I believe it will pass. That's why I'd like to begin preliminary agreements with your families, before it becomes official."
Then Anne dropped her bombshell.
"And not just in trade. Starting January 1st, the Roland family hopes to deepen our collaboration in other areas as well."
With a wave of her wand, several heavy, thread-bound booklets landed in front of each guest. In bold characters: 'Roland Family Long-Term Partnership Proposal.'
The moment they opened it, the room erupted again.
The very first page: Educational Cooperation Program.
The Roland family was offering 20 slots each year for Chinese wizards to study abroad at magical schools in the UK, US, France, and Germany.
"Is this real?" came the murmurs, as previously stoic family heads frantically flipped through the document.
"We have two full days to go through all the proposals," Anne said. "In short, the Roland family has immense confidence in the potential of the Chinese wizarding world."
Day One lasted until midnight. Anne fielded question after question, finally returning to her room exhausted, longing to collapse into bed.
But she couldn't, not yet.
Li Qing, arms full of notes, was waiting. The two of them worked at the desk until 1:30 a.m.
On the wall, three clocks ticked quietly: Hong Kong, New Delhi, and London time.
At that moment, it was only 6:30 p.m. in London.
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"Hello? Anne? Good afternoon!" Hermione's cheerful voice came through the line, then shifted, "Wait, what time is it in Hong Kong? 2:30 in the morning???"
Anne chuckled softly, exhausted but somehow energized by Hermione's voice.
"You're laughing?" Hermione huffed, then softened, "Are you still working? You must be exhausted. You really didn't have to call me tonight, just sleep if it's too late."
"I missed you," Anne said, realizing how hoarse her voice sounded.
Hermione's concern deepened. "You're losing your voice, are you overworking?"
"I'm fine. Just a lot on my plate." Anne flopped onto the couch, phone to her ear. "But hearing your voice... I feel less tired."
Hermione sighed, amused. "Fine. You've heard my voice, now go to sleep. No calls tomorrow, got it?"
"Mmm, "
"If you call again, I won't answer. And I'll be mad when school starts."
"Alright, alright. I miss you."
"I miss you too. Now rest. Goodnight, Anne."
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Anne was woken the next morning by four synchronized alarm clocks. Another Invigoration Draught later, she was back downstairs.
The second and third days of the conference were even more intense, and productive. Each family signed detailed agreements for future projects. China's future looked incredibly promising.
After the final session, Li Qing couldn't help but ask, "Why are you so confident about this region?"
Anne replied, "Because Hong Kong will return to China in 1997. After that, the Muggle economy will skyrocket. And the wizarding world will adapt. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
"By the way, Li Qing, informed Singh and his team there's a meeting tonight at eight. I want to thank them properly."
"Understood."
Anne rolled a Galleon in her palm. "Tonight's the real showdown."
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8:00 p.m., Conference Room
Garawa Singh, silver-haired but sharp-eyed and full of energy, entered the conference room, chatting as he led ten members of the India Division's senior staff.
Anne didn't arrive until 8:02 p.m. As she stepped inside, the door creaked shut behind her with a final-sounding click. Taking her seat at the head of the long table, she smiled and glanced around the room.
"Haha, thank you all for your hard work these past three days," she said warmly.
"Oh no, if anything, I have to say I'm truly impressed by the younger generation's capabilities," Singh said with a chuckle, glancing meaningfully around the room. "Miss Roland's performance has opened our eyes. China's market holds immense potential."
Several others around the table echoed in agreement.
"Is that so?" Anne flashed a toothy grin. "Then I wonder, would any of you be interested in helping out with our China operations?"
Singh's eyes narrowed at once, fixing sharply on her. Anne met his gaze without flinching.
"Haha, I certainly wouldn't mind," someone joked lightly. "China's a lot more dynamic than India right now, "
But sensing the tension, he quickly cut himself off.
Silence fell.
No one spoke. Singh's eyes remained narrowed, staring at Anne, while she looked back with a calm, faint smile.
"Miss Roland must be joking," Singh finally said. "We old folks are too used to life in India."
"I'm not joking," Anne replied, her expression shifting to something much more serious.
A roll of parchment slipped out from her sleeve and unfurled across the table. The Roland family crest glimmered faintly in silver ink. Anne read off the names and official appointment changes for several key positions in the India Division, clear and decisive.
This was the real reason for the meeting.
Younger witches and wizards from the lower ranks were being promoted to mid-level positions. Ambitious middle-tier staff were offered transfers to China, where opportunities were rich and risks worth taking. And as for the less experienced lower-tier staff, the plan was to recruit new blood.
In short: win some over, transfer some away, and pressure the rest.
When she finished reading the list, silence hung in the room. Everyone looked around, exchanging uncertain glances. But a few couldn't hide the flicker of excitement in their eyes.
"The rest of you may leave," Anne said, waving her wand. With a creak, the door opened once more. "I'd like to speak with Mr. Singh in private."
Within a minute, only Anne and Singh remained.
"Coffee? Or tea, Mr. Singh?" Anne offered with a polite smile.
"Miss Roland… what's the meaning of this?" Singh asked. He was smiling, but his tone carried a sharp chill.
"The meaning?" Anne drummed her fingers lightly on the table. "Good question. Perhaps Mr. Singh remembers December 1993, when the India Division's income reports for the Roland family showed…"
She proceeded to list, without a pause, every hidden amount, every discrepancy, every diverted Galleon she had uncovered.
"Last year," Anne continued, "I have to admire your boldness. You took advantage of the changes in India's Ministry of Magic trade policy… and siphoned off six million Galleons. Tsk tsk…"
Singh's expression shifted. What had started as calm and dismissive turned to visible shock.
"How did you uncover all that in just three months?" he asked, stunned. "I've been handling these accounts for years. There shouldn't have been any holes."
"Computers," Anne replied with a single word.
"What?" Singh looked confused. "What's that?"
"A little black box that's excellent at solving equations," Anne said, giving him a sly smile.
"I see…" Singh leaned back in his chair slowly, shaking his head. "So, what do you plan to do with me? We're in Hong Kong, your territory. With what you have, if you report this to the Indian Ministry of Magic, I wouldn't stand a chance."
"You're not going to explain yourself?" Anne asked.
"Explain what?" Singh looked straight at her.
"There's something I've always found strange," Anne said, her tone thoughtful. "At first, I was angry, furious, when I discovered your embezzlement. But after reviewing the last ten years of data, I was… puzzled. Why did you only start cooking the books in 1993?"
Singh stared at her for a long moment.
"You reviewed every transaction… from the past ten years?" he asked, incredulous.
Anne nodded. "Every single one. That's not important, though. I'd like to know why."
Singh's eyes grew distant. Emotions flickered across his face, too complex for Anne to read. But whatever he was feeling, it didn't seem hostile. That only deepened her curiosity.
"Hmm?" she prompted softly.
"Personal reasons," Singh finally said. "Enough of that. Just tell me, how do you plan to deal with an old man like me?"
Anne looked him straight in the eyes. "Within two weeks, you'll return eighty percent of what you took. The remaining twenty percent will be deducted from your salary. Starting next year, your base salary will be raised to fifty thousand Galleons annually. That brings your total to three hundred and fifty thousand Galleons per year. I'm afraid… you'll be working the next ten years for free."
Singh blinked, caught off guard. "That's… how you're choosing to handle this?"
"Is it not fair?" Anne said, her smile returning. "That's my decision. Oh, and when you leave, kindly let your subordinates know they're all getting the same deal. Their pay raises will be smaller, around five percent. Still generous, don't you think?"
"And don't assume I can't find them," she added, grinning wide enough to flash all eight pearly teeth. "I've got the full list. None of them are better at hiding accounts than you."
"That concludes today's meeting. Dismissed."
As Anne rose to leave, Singh called out behind her.
"Miss Roland… may I ask you something?"
Anne turned her head slightly.
"Why?"
"The Roland Family Rule #6," she said without hesitation. "'There are no eternal enemies, only eternal interests.'"
She paused. "But to be honest, I prefer Rule #3: 'Recognize your mistakes. Admit them. Then actively fix them.'"
"And besides…" Anne's voice softened slightly. "For the past thirty-six years, the Roland family thanks you."
With that, she pushed open the door and strode out confidently.
What she didn't hear, just moments after the door closed, was Singh murmuring to himself with a rare warmth in his voice:
"She's just like them…"
Anne didn't relax until she reached the fourth floor and shut the door of her private quarters. She finally allowed herself to exhale, slipping the wand she'd been clenching tightly back into the inside pocket of her robe.
"Whew… terrifying. But it's finally done," she muttered, pouring herself a glass of water. She downed it in one gulp, then collapsed onto her soft bed, staring up at the ceiling.
"Tomorrow morning, wrap up the aftermath. Afternoon, fly home. The day after that, school starts again. Yay."
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The complete release can be accessed through Patreon.com/Crimson_Lore