CH: 51 Do you dare to come?

It wasn't just Anton who had a similar idea.

During another company meeting, after seeing Lupin's bewildered expression, three out of the twenty employees stood up and decided to pool funds to buy equity in the company.

This was a highly practical move. Each member of the company was an elite from various backgrounds. They had been carefully selected by the US headquarters, signifying not only their excellence but also the ambition of those willing to venture into emerging industries.

Without someone to make a final decision at this juncture, it was evident that there would be three information consulting companies vying with each other in London in the future.

With everyone familiar with each other, it was bound to be a fierce competition.

However, all eyes were on Lupin, waiting for him to declare his stance. If Lupin chose to participate, the person who could win everyone's support would quell this eagerness.

Upon witnessing Lupin's unmatched prowess, it became apparent to all that competing against him would prove futile, prompting thoughts of potential collaboration and securing original shares within the company.

As updates from the US headquarters slowly trickled in, a veil of anticipation shrouded the air within the company, each member anxiously anticipating the impending verdict. Anxiety, suspicion, and internal factions further fueled the sense of unease that permeated the organization.

Amidst the unrest, Lisa was the first to discern Lupin's inner turmoil.

"Are you planning to leave?" Lisa's gaze bore into Lupin, probing for answers.

Lupin bowed his head in silence, grappling with the weight of uncertainty that plagued his thoughts.

"Lupin, look at me," Lisa implored gently.

Gathering his resolve, Lupin drew a deep breath and met her gaze. "You know what, Lisa? I'm unsure of what I want as well. I've been wandering aimlessly all my life." He admitted.

"What I owe Anton is to provide the best life for my intelligent nephew, as I mentioned to you. I have fulfilled that now and saved enough money for him to have a secure future." He explained.

"But I'm unsure, I truly don't know what I want." Lupin confessed with a sense of contemplation.

"I've never considered myself." He lamented.

His gaze distant, Lupin's voice wavered as he grappled with the sudden loss of the company. "The company is gone. It feels like a dream, and I've suddenly woken up. Maybe I should leave too." He mused contemplatively.

"Leave?!" Lisa's hands grasped Lupin's shoulders firmly, fixing him with a penetrating stare. "What about us?"

"Huh?" Lupin gazed at Lisa, his mind a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. While his feelings for her ran deep, a harsh reality lingered—it was an unyielding fate.

As a werewolf, Lupin faced a life marred by eternal strife, a burden he couldn't bear to pass on to his child. The prospect of subjecting his child to a lifetime of persecution and isolation, devoid of hope, weighed heavily on his heart.

While he possessed formidable magical abilities, Lupin owed his achievements to the opportunities extended by Dumbledore.

But what about his children? Who would offer them a chance?

No, he didn't dare to marry or start a family.

Struggling to mask his inner turmoil, Lupin mustered a strained smile, causing a pang in his heart. "Lisa, you're a wonderful person. You'll find someone truly special." he uttered, his words tinged with a bittersweet ache.

In a display of fierce determination, Lisa's voice reverberated with raw emotion. "No!" she protested vehemently. "You can't leave. I've realized that I'm in love with you. I can't let you walk out of my life!"

Lupin gently pushed her hand away, stood up, picked up the lion's head crutch and his briefcase. Pausing for a fleeting moment, he voiced his regrets in a hoarse whisper. "I'm sorry, Lisa. I thought we were just good friends. I-I'm not interested in you." he admitted with an air of heaviness.

With heavy steps, Lupin walked home, the burden of the day weighing heavily upon him. Disoriented and adrift, he navigated through a world that seemed to whirl around him, leaving him grappling with a sense of profound loss and disillusionment.

In a heartbeat, reality shattered, plunging Lupin into a depth of despair. Collapsing onto his bed, his eyes veiled in emptiness, they mirrored the profound abyss lurking within his soul.

In that moment of crushing defeat, the possibility of a hopeful future for werewolves seemed to fade...

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

Rapid knocking on the door echoed through the room.

Accompanied by steady and rhythmic footsteps, Lisa's voice, filled with tears, called out, "Lupin, no, I understand, I see the way you look at me. You love me. You can't leave!"

As the door swung open, a young girl with ebony locks and deep sapphire eyes stood poised, casting a composed gaze upon Lisa. "Hello."

Quickly composing herself, Lisa brushed away her tears and responded, "Hello, I'm looking for Lupin..."

Suddenly, her eyes widened as she glanced past the girl and saw a figure in the distance.

It was a middle-aged man. She had heard of Andre from the pure-blood Rosier family, the reputable paranoid lunatic who attempted to resurrect his beloved wife.

"Why is he here?" Lisa wondered aloud, her confusion palpable.

Turning her attention to the Lisa and then back to Andre, The young girl voiced her incredulity, "Do you know each other?"

The revelation left Lisa incredulous. "How can there be wizards in your family? Lupin is clearly a Muggle, he..."

At that precise moment, the door was flung open with force, revealing Lupin with reddened eyes.

"Yes, I lied. I had my nephew drink the Polyjuice Potion to impersonate me on a full moon night. Your initial guess was correct—I'm a werewolf!" Lupin confessed.

"Werewolf!" Lisa gasped, recoiling in shock.

Observing her startled reaction, Lupin allowed a silent chuckle to escape him, suppressed laughter causing his frame to tremble. Eventually regaining composure, he lowered his gaze, firmly clasped the door, and declared, "Lisa, I'm leaving. Please don't disturb my family. Goodbye. Farewell."

With a resounding bang, the door closed, separating their worlds.

...

Three days later, a familiar knock echoed through the door.

The young girl greeted Lisa once more as she opened the door.

"Hello, I'm looking for Lupin." Lisa inquired.

The girl's expression held a hint of solemnity as she responded, "He's gone."

"G-gone?" Lisa stammered in disbelief.

"Yes, he bid his farewell and left last night," The young girl disclosed.

...

The following day, she knocked on the door once again.

"Hello, has Lupin returned?" Lisa inquired.

...

Another day passed, "Lupin..."

Lisa's eloquent eyes gradually lost their sparkle.

Day after day, she faithfully knocked on the door, her eyes filled with hope, anticipating someone to answer.

Unfortunately, it was always Anna who greeted her at the door.

Yet, at least she had the chance to get to know Anna.

In one instance, she dashed into their home like a madwoman, eventually getting acquainted with this unique family.

Among them was a legend in pure-blood family circles, a lunatic who attempted to resurrect his wife, and the refined and graceful Andre Rosier.

There was also his equally refined daughter, though she was quite young, a contrast to her father's obsession.

Additionally, there was a goblin and a ghost holding his head.

Oh, and there was Anton, buried in piles of parchment manuscripts every day.

On that particular day, Anton halted her.

"Miss Lisa, it's been a month. You've been disturbing us for a whole month." Anton gently remarked.

"I... I'm truly sorry, but..." Lisa trailed off, her voice tinged with regret.

"Miss Lisa," Anton interjected, his tone measured, "I can be nosy at times, but mostly, I don't wish to control others' decisions. I respect the feelings of those I care about." he explained.

He escorted Lisa to Lupin's room and tapped on the bronze plaque attached to the door. "See, it reads 'Lupin's Room.' This is the home he now rightfully owns."

Lisa stared ahead, her expression a mask of contemplation.

"However, it's evident that he won't return because of you. I, too, have lost an uncle. We spent nearly a year together and developed a deep bond." Anton expressed.

Anna chimed in softly, "I adore Uncle Lupin."

Pedro added cryptically, "Oh, I can't imagine life without him."

"Hahaha," Fiennes chuckled, glancing at Pedro with a half-smile. This foolish teacher, bound by the 'Unbreakable Oath', had yet to find an opportunity to heal Lupin, despite Lupin's current well-being.

"Lupin is a dear friend of mine," Fiennes acknowledged. "He often struggles with sleepless nights, and I'm always there to chat with him. He frequently mentions you."

Anton retrieved his woolen coat and scarf from the rack. "Hence, I've decided to seek him out, my poor, vulnerable uncle who only knows how to flee."

Lisa's eyes lit up as she grasped Anton's hand eagerly. "Allow me to accompany you!"

Anton regarded her with a wistful smile. "Tonight is a full moon, Miss Lisa. Are you brave enough to join me?"

Oh, how amusing it is to recall when we first met, Miss Lisa said this to Anton, who was posing as Lupin.