Vid has an excellent memory, so he could almost instantly recall the scene of that time—
Rex Grim followed behind Selena, silent and reserved. As the deputy director of the office, he rarely emerged, and all negotiations were handled by Selena.
The man was full of scars, with a cautious expression, very similar to Moody, but without Moody's irritability and nervousness.
In short, even if they had different stances, he looked like a very reliable elite auror.
Later, during the banquet, an emergency arose, and Chairman Hosone's reaction also proved this point—his reliance on Grim was no less than on Selena Goldstein, probably only second to Hughes and Laira.
But as Vid carefully recalled, he could not remember what Rex Grim's reaction was when the sudden change occurred.
This could only mean one thing: at that moment, his reaction was no different from other guests nearby, nor was there anything suspicious, so Vid categorized it as useless information and swept it into the memory trash heap.
Beside him, Vilan was introducing the situation to Victor:
"That guy had a bit of a tragic story. His father violated the Confidentiality Law saving a Muggle, and ended up in prison. Over three years later, he committed suicide in prison."
"And his mother couldn't take the blow and soon fell ill and passed away. Grim wandered the streets for several years until he was admitted to Ilvermorny School, only then did he start living a normal life."
Victor handed a finished document to the crab poppet, saying: "So, some people think that he might attribute his parents' deaths to the rigid and cold laws of the American Magic World, thus developing resentment?"
"The earlier Rappaport's Law in the United States was indeed very strict, which also caused many tragedies, hence it was abolished thirty years ago."
Vilan thought for a moment and said: "Grim's father was almost one of the last victims of the Rappaport's Law. Had he held on a few more years, he might have endured until he was released."
"And that Elliot Thorne, has a similar background, with the difference being that it was not his father who was forced to die, but his brother..."
Vid was silently listening to their discussion, while flipping through the materials in his hand, suddenly noticing a tiny ant crawling up his sleeve and onto his hand.
"What's up, little guy?" Vid asked softly.
The ant poppet crawled along his palm, then onto the parchment, sketching out letters with its path:
[E...L...S...I...E...]
"Elsie?" Vid was taken aback, a blonde girl's image flashed in his mind.
...
The black car splashed through a puddle, the dirty water "sploosh" sprayed up.
The black car stopped by the roadside, the door was pushed open, a exquisite umbrella first opened up, sheltering from the rain pattering down.
Elsie stepped out of the car, the umbrella's edge slightly angled down, hiding most of her face, leaving just the graceful jawline and a hint of red lips exposed.
She walked towards the well-known café ahead. Perhaps due to the rain or because it was not time yet, the place seemed particularly secluded, the surroundings empty and deserted.
Elsie's heartbeat was a bit faster than usual, her steps took on urgency, and when she was about to push that heavy glass door, she subconsciously took a deep breath and then pushed hard!
The café interior was dimly lit, the air filled with the rich aroma of freshly ground coffee, and soft music flowed around.
The server behind the counter heard the sound, glanced at the door, but apparently had been informed in advance, so did not ask and did not look again.
Elsie's gaze almost didn't search but fell straight on the figure in the corner, sitting by the window.
It was a youth who looked about her age, with black hair, wearing black-frame glasses, with a thick book spread before him—a common look akin to a bookworm found often in a university.
However, as the person looked up, Elsie suddenly felt her breath catch!
Those gray eyes were calm and deep, like the ocean, with a sharpness that seemed to see through everything. Special enough to be recognized under any appearance.
Elsie couldn't help but smile, hung the umbrella on the stand, and walked light-footedly towards that corner to sit down.
"So glad to see you again, Vid."
Elsie expressed without fear of misidentifying, confidently speaking, then laughed: "I thought after you returned to the United Kingdom, we'd have to wait until next summer at the earliest to meet again!"
Her familiar tone seemed as if they were old friends reunited, not strangers who've barely met a few times.
Vid did not attempt to explain or engage in small talk, he met her gaze and spoke candidly:
"I'm sorry, Miss Vanderbilt—for sending ant poppets into the manor to investigate without permission, it was my offense."
Elsie perversely commented: "Elsie!"
Vid: "Hm?"
"Call me Elsie." The girl smiled gently, saying: "I especially braved the rain to come here, not to meet someone calling me 'Miss Vanderbilt' like a stranger."
Vid paused, corrected himself: "Apologies, Elsie."
"Alright, I accept your apology." Elsie propped her palm under her chin, smiled and asked: "So, Vid... Are you satisfied with your findings?"
Vid squinted, a hint of caution in his look, and questioned in return: "Does the Magic Congress know... the Vanderbilt Clan has been collecting officials'... 'personal preferences' and 'economic exchanges'?"
"Hmm, knowing that... what can they do?"
Elsie chuckled softly: "Almost every respectable family does this, it's merely a... necessary survival strategy. The Vanderbilt family just collects it more comprehensively and in greater detail."
"Actually..."
She leaned slightly forward, whispered: "What the little ants brought you is just my daily reading to understand various trends."
"But in my family's archive room, there are some pieces that truly touch the core... Are you interested?"
Vid looked into her eyes, silent.
Seconds later, he naturally picked up the glass cup before him, took a sip of water, and shifted the topic:
"Earlier you mentioned... there's a way to restrain Scourers? Does Miss Elsie know who the Scourers are?"
"I don't know, but I'm sure you can find them, can't you? After all, the little ants are really useful... and other poppets too."
Elsie smiled broadly and said: "Once you identify their identities or common active locations, there's a Muggle institution that can be well-utilized."
She stared into Vid's eyes, slowly uttering a seemingly absurd yet strangely convincing word in the Magic World:
"The IRS."