Chapter 13: Stephen Conberbatch

Slug was brought to Malfoy Manor by a house-elf, and Lucius Malfoy was already waiting on a high-backed chair.

"What's going on with what you said in the letter? Someone wants to steal your business?"

"Yes, master. In the last two months, every once in a while, someone will come to the shop to buy a large amount of materials, most of which are dittany, but there are also others. I had to replenish the goods several times to keep up."

Lucius's gloved fingers tapped on the table next to him. "Let me repeat your words. You mean, our potion materials sell very well, but you think this is not a good thing? Even if we earned tens of thousands of Galleons because of this?"

"Yes, master! I certainly don't mean that Galleons are not a good thing, I mean that someone bought so many materials, but didn't buy our potions, this is very strange."

"I'm listening."

"If ordinary wizards need potions temporarily, they will buy our finished products directly. After all, the potion level of ordinary wizards is not as good as the potion experts in our shop." Slug said.

"Even if some wizards are highly skilled and want to save costs to refine potions themselves, they will only buy enough materials for a few portions."

Lucius nodded.

Slug and Jiggers Apothecary has his shares. Although he rarely participates in the operation of the shop, he occasionally looks at the basic accounts, and what Slug said is consistent with what he knows.

"In the past, only professors at Hogwarts would buy a large amount of potion materials at once, because usually they have to provide the amount needed for students to practice for a semester."

"But the buyers this time are not any professor I know. Although they used different appearances when they appeared, because the things they bought were roughly similar, I have reason to suspect that they are actually a group."

"You think, since they are not professors, what are they doing buying so many materials?"

Lucius thought about it, had no clue, and said: "Tell me your thoughts, don't make me guess!"

"Yes, yes, master. I suspect they want to open a potion shop! Only to open a potion shop would they need so many materials! They might be hoarding herbs now. And they do this, and they can also make us unable to gather enough materials in a short time, leading to our inability to supply customers with the potions they need, thereby lowering our evaluation."

Lucius understood. "You mean, we are about to have a competitor?"

"Yes, I am very sure!"

Lucius was skeptical. "Is there any shop in Diagon Alley for sale? Do you know where they will open a shop?"

Slug shook his head. "No, I haven't found their target yet."

"Maybe Knockturn Alley?"

Lucius stopped guessing. "This is not a good thing. You go and investigate clearly! I want to know who is buying our materials. If they are preparing to compete with us, then you also have to figure out where they are preparing to open a shop and what potions they are good at!"

"Yes! Master. If they still want to buy materials, should I sell to them?"

Lucius hesitated for a long time. "Sell, and you can add some price, just say materials are tight."

After all, that is a large sum of Galleons, he really couldn't bear to part with it.

"But leave enough for our own needs." Lucius finally added.

"Yes, master."

"This is the key to your vault." Locke handed a small gold key to Murphy. "You can use it to withdraw money at any counter, just like an ordinary vault."

Seven days after receiving Locke's gold coin, Murphy summoned this special goblin.

No way, the orders for Cloud White Potion are growing too fast, and he still has to continue buying materials.

Murphy handed a suitcase to the goblin. "There are 150,000 pounds in here. I only need 28,000 Galleons more in the vault. The difference can be your commission."

Exchanging pounds for gold and then for Galleons is a last resort. Since now there is an insider like Locke in Gringotts, there is no need to be so troublesome.

And this exchange rate is much more cost-effective than Gringotts.

"Thank you for your generosity, Mr. Murphy. However, what name do you want to use to withdraw money? I suggest you'd better not use your real name."

Murphy didn't intend to use his real name either.

Thinking about it, "Just call it Stephen Conberbatch."

"We will use this name when we meet in the future."

Murphy was also a bit helpless about his behavior of having to open a small account, but who told him that what he was doing was a bit unspeakable.

"Okay, Mr. Stephen, your gold coins will be ready in two days."

"Then we are allies from now on." Finally having settled the big matter of obtaining wizard currency, Murphy was in a good mood and stretched out a hand.

Locke was a bit surprised, hesitated, stretched out a hand, and shook hands with Murphy.

"Happy cooperation, Mr. Locke."

Locke seemed a bit flattered. "Happy cooperation, Mr. Stephen."

Until Murphy Apparated and left, Locke breathed a long sigh of relief.

As a goblin, especially a goblin who is not recognized by his own race and does this kind of unspeakable business, he rarely gets any good looks.

This was the first time he saw an attitude other than contempt and

Stephen Conberbatch, no, Murphy Darkholm.

This wizard seems a bit different.

"When can we build a research institute?" Murphy asked again in Padelick's room.

This was the third time he had asked this question.

Although Padelick said he wanted to set up a vertical farm, Murphy automatically filled in the blanks, imagining it as a research base integrating production and research. After saying it twice, Padelick tacitly agreed.

"I know you're anxious, but don't be too hasty," Padelick said. "We have too many things to do lately. We need to move, hire people, promote, and buy equipment and materials..."

"Umbrella Corporation is no longer a workshop now; we can't always work in my house. To be honest, Audrey is already starting to worry about too many strangers coming to the house."

Audrey is Padelick's wife, a very elegant Latin-American designer.

"Uh, sorry."

Because work had disturbed their lives, Murphy indeed felt a bit guilty.

"And we need to hire people—HR, finance, marketing—at least twenty people are needed to set up the framework... so, actually, we don't have that much disposable money."

"Aren't we making a lot of money?" Murphy asked.

"Indeed, but there are also many expenses lately. Building an R&D base... we don't have the capability for that yet."

"Alright." Murphy was a bit disappointed.

After all, selling magic potions for money was just a means; what he wanted was magic research.

But Padelick was right. Umbrella had just started, and the skeleton crew hadn't even been assembled yet; wanting to set up an R&D center was indeed a bit impatient.

"However, we can first find people to do the preliminary design and planning, as well as site selection and research personnel requirements, and do some preparatory work. These can be outsourced."

"Good!" Murphy nodded. "Let's do that."

After the discussion, Murphy prepared to leave, but Padelick called him back and gave him a package.

Murphy opened it and saw it was a brick phone.

"You're elusive all day long, and I can't reach you. Keep this with you; I'll call you if anything comes up."

(End of chapter)