England – Boardrooms, Brooms, and Very Polite Destruction
While Lucien was being aggressively adopted in France,
England was learning—very calmly—that the Lionhardt family did not negotiate twice.
Firebolt: A Deal Made of Relief
The Firebolt founders sat stiffly in the polished meeting room.
Blueprints were stacked. Debt reports lay open. Coffee had gone cold an hour ago.
Then Yasaka spoke, smiling gently.
"The Lionhardt family will clear Firebolt's debts in full."
Silence.
One of the founders almost dropped his quill.
Gamma continued smoothly, adjusting her glasses.
"In return, Firebolt will deliver results within two years.
Your current research timeline already aligns with this expectation."
The founders exchanged glances.
Two years.
No restructuring.
No hostile takeover.
No dismantling of their vision.
Just… funding.
Nagini, seated calmly with her hands folded, added softly:
"Failure is not anticipated."
The tone suggested it wasn't optional.
The Firebolt founders exhaled as one.
They bowed—deeply.
"We accept."
When they left the room, one of them whispered:
"We're alive."
"And funded."
"And not owned."
It felt unreal.
Enter Cleansweep (And Their Poor Life Choices)
The Cleansweep representatives entered next.
Confident.
Smug.
Unaware they were already finished.
Gamma didn't waste time.
"Lionhardt Group now holds full controlling shares of Cleansweep."
The Cleansweep chairman scoffed.
"You expect us to just hand over control?"
Yasaka tilted her head.
"You already did."
Nagini placed a thin folder on the table.
Inside were documents.
Debt manipulations Fabricated profit reports Misuse of investor funds Illegal Ministry subsidies
Each page landed like a hammer.
Gamma spoke calmly.
"You have three options."
The chairman swallowed.
"Three…?"
"One," Yasaka said pleasantly,
"voluntary transfer of authority and retention as consultants."
"Two," Nagini continued,
"forced acquisition through the Wizengamot, followed by asset liquidation."
Gamma smiled faintly.
"Three—Ted Tonks."
The room went dead silent.
One executive whispered, horrified:
"…The Ted Tonks?"
Gamma nodded.
"The lawyer."
Cleansweep tried to resist.
They raised their voices.
Threatened lawsuits.
Mentioned Ministry contacts.
Nagini sighed.
And slid one final document forward.
A signed pre-authorization from Lucien Aurelius Peverell Lionhardt.
Two Wizengamot seats.
Peverell authority.
Lionhardt financial backing.
The chairman slumped.
"…Option one."
Wise choice.
Aftermath: Clean Sweep, Literally
By the time the meeting ended:
Cleansweep belonged entirely to Lionhardt The old board was "retained" under supervision Financial audits began immediately Ted Tonks was not needed (which was mercy)
Yasaka stretched lightly.
"That went well."
Gamma nodded.
"Minimal resistance. Maximum compliance."
Nagini smiled faintly.
"Young Master predicted this outcome."
All three paused.
Then—almost simultaneously—they thought the same thing:
Lucien is going to be annoyed if they celebrate without him.
Somewhere in France…
Lucien sneezed.
Perenelle immediately wrapped a scarf around him.
"Oh no—are you cold?"
Lucien blinked.
"…I think someone just lost a company."