Gideon is still very concerned about the new Wit-Recovery Potion.
The Bulstrode family is slightly weaker than the Malfoy family in business, but it is only slightly weaker. You have to know that the Malfoy family is known as the richest family in the British wizarding world. Although it has been declining in recent generations, a lean camel is still bigger than a horse. Their business is still spread across all walks of life in the British wizarding world.
The Bulstrode family also has the business of making and selling magic potions, so Sean's new Wit-Recovery Potion can be regarded as a very good booster for the Bulstrode family's business in this area.
The new Wit-Recovery Potion is inherently competitive because it is much cheaper and much more effective. The new Wit-Recovery Potion has a natural advantage in price wars, not to mention that its effect is even stronger. It is precisely because of this that Sean received so many letters seeking cooperation when he was at Hogwarts.
"Sean, if you invest in the company with your patent, I can give you 30% of the annual profit. What do you think?"
Hearing this share ratio, Sean's eyebrows slightly raised. Everyone said that business is business, and Gideon, this cheap grandfather, really took business to the extreme.
30%?
Why don't you go and rob Gringotts?!
"Dear Grandfather, I think the fastest way to make money is to rob Gringotts directly. What do you think?"
Hearing this, Gideon suddenly laughed, pointed at Sean, and changed his words: "40%. You can't let the Bulstrode family work for you, right? At least not now."
As soon as this was said, Sean's peripheral vision clearly noticed the unbelievable look on Miles's face, and Barnabas's eyes looking down at his nose and nose at his chest.
Eyelids drooped slightly—Sean was too lazy to guess and speculate about Barnabas. Either way, he would have to deal with him sooner or later. If Barnabas wanted to cause trouble, it would only give Sean more reasons to act against him. When that time came, even Gideon wouldn't be able to stop himself from retaliating.
With this in mind, Sean looked at Gideon and said,"45%. I will only collect dividends each year. I won't be involved in anything else."
"Okay, deal."
Sean didn't believe for a second that 45% was a small share—even a fool wouldn't. In fact, most external partners would offer at most 30% or 35%, and the latter often came with numerous additional conditions, like priority in future collaborations.
In the end, while Gideon claimed this was a business discussion, he was clearly giving Sean an enormous discount and benefit. For a family like the Bulstrodes—among the most powerful—a 55% share was hardly substantial. Gideon claimed he wouldn't let the Bulstrode family work for Sean, but in reality, that's exactly what was happening.
From the very first time they met, Gideon had offered Sean countless benefits—some obvious, some subtle. Even if Gideon had ulterior motives, as long as those motives didn't endanger Sean, his parents, or his brother, Sean could accept them.
Of course, even though the Bulstrode family retained 55% of the profits, the new mental recovery potion brought far more than just direct revenue. The exclusive agency rights, increased customer traffic, and enhanced visibility of the Bulstrode potion shop were all indirect but substantial gains. Sean had no part in those, so naturally, they belonged to the Bulstrodes.
"Alright, it's about time. Let's get ready for dinner."
Sean's grandmother, Elena Bulstrode, stood up and called everyone to the dining room. Gideon was the first to respond, joining Elena as they led everyone to the main dining hall of Bulstrode Manor. The long table inside was already beautifully arranged with flowers and tableware. Two house-elves were placing napkins in their designated spots, while a female attendant in her thirties, dressed in a fitted wizarding robe, helped guests take their seats.
Seating was deliberate.
Gideon took the head seat, Elena sat to his left, and Margaret sat beside Elena—at Elena's request, so she could help Margaret take care of Caesar.
Adrian followed and sat next to Margaret, and finally, Sean took his seat.
Across the long table sat Barnabas and Miles. Due to recent issues within the Fawley family, Barnabas's wife—Miles's mother—was not present at Bulstrode Manor. Of course, it was also possible she had no interest in seeing Sean and his immediate family, and had chosen to leave early on purpose.
Sitting at the head of the table, Gideon looked around at Sean's family and said,"It's a shame Beatrice isn't here, but having you and your family back in the Bulstrode household is a wonderful surprise. It's been a long time since the house felt this lively. Let's begin lunch."
At Gideon's signal, the thirty-something female servant gave instructions to the house-elves to begin serving. The food had all been prepared with great care. Sean tasted it—it was quite similar to the meals Adrian often made: delicious, consistent... perhaps a little too consistent. The flavors never changed, and over time, even the best dishes could feel a bit bland.
After stuffing a piece of beef into his mouth, Sean glanced at Aldrich, who was standing not far away. Aldrich had once told him that half of the Bulstrode family's servants were magically gifted children adopted at a young age, while the other half were the children of members from the Bulstrode family's peripheral organizations.
The adopted children received internal family education and never attended Hogwarts or any other magical school. Their futures were set—they would remain in service to the family. The others, however, were financially supported by the Bulstrode family throughout their education. Upon graduation, they could either repay the loan with interest—calculated at Gringotts' standard rates—or choose to work for the family for ten years. During that time, they would receive the same benefits as other members of the peripheral organizations.
Aldrich belonged to the former group—he had been adopted as a child.
He awakened his magic at the age of eight and was then enrolled in the Bulstrode family's private education program. Unlike Hogwarts, Aldrich's curriculum didn't include subjects like Potions, Astronomy, or the History of Magic. Instead, his education focused solely on practical disciplines: Spells, Transfiguration, and Dark Magic.
Aldrich showed high aptitude for Spells, slightly weaker performance in Dark Magic, and an average grasp of Transfiguration. As a result, the Bulstrode family concentrated on training him in spellwork, eventually making him one of the most promising young talents in the household. Gideon recognized this potential and personally assigned Aldrich to Sean.
After lunch, Adrian and Gideon went off to have tea together. Margaret and Elena took Caesar upstairs for a nap. Barnabas and Miles disappeared somewhere on their own business, and Sean took the opportunity to stroll around the Bulstrode estate—with Aldrich as his guide.