Tom's statement not only made Master Riddle happy but also pleased Dumbledore.
In Dumbledore's eyes, family love was the most precious emotion in the world.
If Tom could begin to understand what family affection was, he might also start to understand what love was.
In this way, Tom might change even more than when he was with Robert!
Ten minutes later, Dumbledore was happily walking back with Robert and Tom.
Tom looked at the joy in Dumbledore's eyes and the large check in his hand and couldn't help but sigh softly.
Then he whispered, "As expected of you... Robert."
"Hmm?" Robert, who was suddenly mentioned again, looked at Tom with some confusion and asked in a whispering spell: "What's wrong? I haven't said anything since just now..."
"I just want to say that you are worthy of me... No matter what problems I encounter, as long as I think in your way, things suddenly become much simpler..."
In Tom's imagination, if Robert were in his position, based on his personality, he would definitely accept Master Riddle's proposal!
Robert didn't care whether the other person was a Muggle or a wizard.
As long as he knew that by doing so, he could maximize his benefits, he would never refuse!
Sure enough, after Tom accepted Master Riddle's proposal, Dumbledore's view of him changed drastically! At least, the look he gave him was no longer as vigilant as before.
Secondly, as the legal heir to the Riddle family, he received a large sum of pounds.
This amount of money could be exchanged for a lot of gold and then converted into gold Galleons at Gringotts!
In other words, from now on, he didn't have to look at that bastard Robert's face when spending money!
Therefore, even if he didn't see his father today, his gains were huge.
However, Tom's words made Robert very dissatisfied.
"What do you mean by using my way of thinking, making things much simpler... Could it be that the money-grubbing behavior you just showed was also learned from me?"
"Yes," replied Tom decisively.
"Tom...you have changed. You used to just want to gain power from me, but now...you've actually started learning wisdom from me! So, since your wisdom has increased because of me, shouldn't I get a generous reward?"
Tom was choked by Robert's words. After a long while, he said helplessly, "I thought I had learned your essence... I didn't expect that I only scratched the surface. I think I will never be able to learn your shameless behavior in my lifetime... Don't worry, you will definitely benefit from it."
Robert patted Tom's shoulder happily, "Very good, I was right about you. By the way, if you were imitating me just now, you didn't do it quite right. You shouldn't have mentioned money. If I were you, I would have directly said that I agreed because I longed for family affection and not mentioned money at all... That way, maybe the check you got would have been much larger!"
"Robert, you are so shameless..."
"How is it shameless? If you say that you long for family affection, Master Riddle will only be happier! Because then, he won't think that you agreed for money!"
Tom was stunned for a moment, then said, "I have to admit... you do make sense..."
"Right? You still have a lot to learn, kid! So... do you want to pay extra tuition fees?"
"…."
Tom was speechless. He had a feeling that the Riddle family's fortune might be swindled away by Robert before he even inherited it...
It seemed that the warning to be on guard against fire, theft, and Robert was still valid today!
After returning to Godric's Hollow, Dumbledore gave Robert and the others some instructions and then left.
At this time, Toby had already prepared afternoon tea and pastries for them.
The two sat down comfortably in the living room.
"What a pity! If it weren't for Grindelwald, you could have stayed in your father's house. Then, this house would belong to me alone!"
Although Robert looked like a mercenary, Tom didn't believe it at all.
He knew very well what Robert's true nature was.
"If I weren't here, would you move your secret laboratory here?" Tom sneered.
"What laboratory? How come I don't know anything about it?" Robert asked with a puzzled look while eating dessert.
"Hehe…"
In Tom's opinion, Robert definitely had a laboratory! Otherwise, where did he brew those potions? Where did he develop those "fakes"?
Thinking of this, Tom couldn't help but ponder.
Now that he had funds, should he... build his own laboratory?
The Christmas holiday lasted two weeks.
The holiday began a week before Christmas.
In other words, there were still six or seven days until Christmas.
"How about... building the laboratory at Riddle Manor?" Tom began to think about the feasibility of this idea.
A quiet place— even if he couldn't research anything significant, he could still secretly learn some unique skills without telling Robert…
"Tom, can you lend me your ring to study for a few days?"
"Hmm? This?" Tom looked at Robert warily. "Why?"
"This may be a relic left by Slytherin. Aren't you curious about what kind of powerful magic is on it?"
Hearing this, Tom immediately handed over the ring, "Okay, but I want to participate in the research too! And don't break it!"
…
Meanwhile, while Robert and Tom were spending Christmas researching in the safe house arranged by Dumbledore…
Anne had returned to Nurmengard.
When she stood in front of Grindelwald, she couldn't help but feel panicked.
Because of her actions, she had essentially betrayed Grindelwald!
"You look nervous, Anne," Grindelwald asked calmly.
"Well... I... When I was deciphering the ruins with Robert and the others, I absorbed a lot of magical power in secret... I heard that this kind of magical power is very rare... so..." Anne's voice gradually faded away.
"Anne... since you were the ones who found that magic, then it naturally belongs to you. And... you discovered the right method for us, so you should be rewarded, right? Otherwise, our people might still be running around in the Forbidden Forest like headless flies."
Anne's words made sense, so Grindelwald didn't become suspicious.
After looking at Anne, he said happily, "It seems that this magical power is indeed unique. Your magic strength seems to be much stronger than a few months ago."
He paused and then continued, "So, those two guys, Robert and Tom, have also made great progress, right?"
Anne nodded quickly, "Yes... they have all made great progress..."
However, although she answered quickly, she still hoped deep down that Robert and Tom would never be seen by Grindelwald.
Otherwise…
Grindelwald could tell at a glance that Robert and Tom had not been strengthened! Then, she could not hide her betrayal!
"Give me the manuscripts you have, and then go to rest," Grindelwald said softly.
"Oh... okay." Anne quickly handed over the manuscript she had prepared in her pocket.
Grindelwald took it, and Anne slowly left the study.
Seeing Anne close the door, Vita, who had been standing next to Grindelwald, suddenly said, "This child... seems a little off."
"Hmm? What's wrong?" Grindelwald asked.
Vita said suspiciously, "Before, she was always very excited when she saw you, but now, she looks too nervous. It's completely different from how she acted before."
Grindelwald smiled. "Don't be so harsh on a child, Vita…"
…
(End of this chapter)
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