"Beatrice, what do you think?"
"No big problem — just a little tired from the long journey. But there's only one family hospital here in Bulstrode Manor, and we have to share it with those Mudbloods. It's disgraceful.
When will Mr. Bulstrode finally agree to build us another family hospital inside the manor just for us? Otherwise, we have to chase those Mudbloods out every single time — it's far too troublesome."
Beatrice Fawley, the youngest daughter of the Fawley family, was born with a silver spoon in her mouth. Pampered by her family, she eventually married Barnabas, the only son of the Bulstrode family. On paper, it was an excellent match. After all, although the Bulstrodes kept a low profile to outsiders, they were never short of power or wealth — far more than the declining Fawley family could boast. Beatrice had always been satisfied with that.
When she married Barnabas, she knew full well that Gideon and Elena had another child — but that child was a Squib with no right to inherit the Bulstrode name, so Beatrice simply ignored Adrian's existence and enjoyed the privileged life brought by the union of the two families.
Until last year. Just before her son Miles was about to start at Hogwarts, Beatrice heard the news that the Squib's son was actually a wizard!According to family tradition, this meant the child had the right to return to the Bulstrode family — in other words, the right to inherit. Although Beatrice found it ridiculous, Sean's existence had always felt like a thorn lodged deep in her pure-blood heart, making her uneasy every single day.
During that time, she whispered in Barnabas's ear again and again, urging him to send someone to get rid of the Squib's child. Barnabas had his reservations, but in the end, he gave in to Beatrice's pestering and secretly ordered his men to kill Sean. Two assassination attempts later, both had failed.
Now, hearing that the Squib's family was visiting Bulstrode Manor made her skin crawl even more. If those Mudbloods adopted by the family were like dog filth by the roadside in Beatrice's eyes, then the Squib's family were no better than a nest of toads — their only purpose seemed to be to disgust her. Beatrice didn't want to breathe the same air as them for even a minute.
"Beatrice, you know I can't make all the decisions here yet. When I do, building a second family hospital will be the easiest thing in the world."
Hearing this, Beatrice smiled, nodded, and said sweetly, "Of course. I always believe in you. We have plenty of time — I can wait."
Barnabas gently helped Beatrice down the stairs, with Miles following close behind.
The three of them had just reached the bottom and were about to call for attendants when they saw two people lying on the ground — one unconscious, the other barely conscious and groaning. They had clearly been attacked.
"Ah—!"
Beatrice let out a shriek and staggered back. Miles quickly grabbed her arm to keep her from falling down the stairs in fright.
Barnabas strode down the last steps, checked the female attendant, then turned to the male servant and demanded, "What happened here?"
"That… that Sean Bulstrode — he attacked us and let some people inside for treatment."
"That son of the Squib?"
Barnabas narrowed his eyes as anger rose in his chest. This is the Bulstrode family — my Bulstrode family. Using the Bulstrode name to get by outside was one thing, but daring to lay hands on his people inside Bulstrode Manor? That brat clearly didn't take him seriously at all.
He straightened slowly. Oddly enough, the fury that had been boiling in his chest seemed to cool to a calm, steely cold.
At that moment, Beatrice stepped to his side. She had heard every word the attendant said. Standing close, she hissed through clenched teeth, "This is Bulstrode Manor — my home! That filthy son of a Squib — does he really think he can call the shots here?
Barnabas, I don't care — I want him taught a lesson today. I demand it!"
Barnabas glanced at Beatrice, and for a brief moment, a flicker of disgust crossed his eyes — but it vanished instantly behind a practiced smile. He reached out and gently stroked Beatrice's smooth, glossy golden hair. "Since you want him punished, then I'll punish him."
"I knew you're the only one in this world who truly loves me."
Beatrice clung to Barnabas as they walked off in Sean's direction. As for the two attendants on the floor — to them, those useless underlings weren't worth a second glance. As long as they didn't die, they didn't matter at all.
Sean was sitting outside the treatment room reading a book, with the two men from before standing a short distance away.
At that moment, Sean heard them address someone as Sir. He immediately guessed that Barnabas had arrived — after all, Barnabas was the only one brazen enough to shut down the family hospital on a whim.
Sean had expected Barnabas to show up, but he hadn't expected him to act so directly.
A deep purple light flashed past and struck the two men. Within moments, angry pustules broke out all over their bodies. A sharp, needle-like pain spread through them, sending them writhing on the ground, groaning and wailing in agony — but not daring to lift the curse themselves.
"Two Mudbloods, daring to come in here without permission. You're getting more and more out of line."
Sean turned his eyes to the woman who had spoken. She was well-maintained, appearing not a day over thirty — but Sean knew perfectly well this woman was Barnabas's wife, Miles's mother: Beatrice.
Watching the two men on the ground, pustules bursting one after another, Sean let out a quiet sigh. He closed his book, reached for his waist, and his wand dropped neatly into his hand. With a flick, the curse broke — the pustules faded and the men's cries slowly subsided.
"Let's show a bit of mercy when we can. Besides, they did nothing wrong. My dear uncle and aunt — tell me, what exactly are you doing here?"
"Aunt? Don't you dare claim kinship with me. I don't have a nephew like you! How could a filthy Squib's son dare to call me aunt?"
Brainless, arrogant, and reckless. How did Grandfather ever agree to let someone like this marry in?
Ignoring Beatrice's shrill retort, Sean turned calmly to Barnabas instead.
"My dear uncle — what do you say?"