"Aunt, do we really have to do this?"
Hollis Carow, who had just finished serving a customer, returned to the counter and quietly asked Alecto Carow, who was brewing coffee behind the counter.
"Yes, it's the only way."
Alecto Carow handed a finished coffee to Hollis Carow, then pointed to Tom, who was supervising the work from a corner of the Al Cafe.
"The Dark Lord is watching. This is your chance to prove yourself, Hollis."
After sending out another coffee and dessert, Hollis Carow looked at the students in the cafe, who had been his classmates until graduation this year, and took a deep breath. After finally steeling himself, he closed his eyes and, with a hardened heart, began to loudly address everyone.
"Welcome everyone to Gale Coffee Shop today! Starting today, for every drink purchased in the shop, you will receive a character blind box card. I hope you all enjoy them. Thank you."
After speaking, Hollis Carow swiftly delivered the cards to each customer, then returned to the bar and closed his eyes, bracing himself.
Tom watched this scene with satisfaction. This was indeed an excellent employee he had painstakingly trained. Now, he just had to wait and see the customers' reactions to his meticulously designed, business-stealing collaboration event.
And when the first batch of cards was opened, the entire cafe descended into chaos. Some gasped, some accidentally kicked over their stools, and some even spat out their drinks directly onto the face of their date.
"Pfft... What is this?"
"Headmaster Dumbledore, and Grindelwald? The younger versions?"
"Mine is Snape."
"Huh, is mine Sirius Black?"
"Please, that's not the point. The key is why are they all naked on the cards?"
"Wait, why can they combine to form new cards? Dumbledore and Grindelwald, Snape and Black?"
"I'll try it, it really works! But these poses, these actions, they're just... just..."
At this moment, everyone's gazes turned to Hollis Carow. They never expected Senior Carow to be this kind of person; they hadn't seen any hint of it at school.
After graduation, his true nature was exposed. Not only was he bold, but his aesthetic was also... also... so embarrassing.
Many little Witches covered their eyes with their hands, but they shouldn't have gripped the cards so tightly with their other hand, and the gaps between their fingers covering their eyes shouldn't have been so wide.
As for Hollis Carow, who was tacitly assumed by everyone to be the designer, he painfully closed his eyes. He knew this would happen; the Dark Lord's burden was too heavy, and he couldn't bear it.
At this moment, he felt that his life, his future, had already died.
Thank you so much, Dark Lord.
It must be said that Tom's collaboration event was effective. Gale Coffee Shop attracted many customers who came to collect cards, and there were even many big grudges... no... big clients.
For example, a certain white-bearded old gentleman.
"Headmaster Dumbledore, you've already had your fourth cup of coffee. You can't drink any more. Also, adding so much sugar isn't good for your health."
As an excellent employee, Hollis Carow was still dedicated and responsible to his customers.
However, Dumbledore ignored his advice and even praised Hollis: "Hollis, your performance at school was always excellent, and I've always thought highly of you. Why don't you just give me Grindelwald's... ahem... my own cards?"
Hollis's eyes went Black upon hearing this. He seemed to have heard something incredible. Would he be silenced? Could the Order of the Phoenix still switch jobs? Should he try applying to Grindelwald's Disciples, or perhaps stay with the Dark Lord? After all, the Dark Lord pays well.
In the end, the kind Dumbledore still didn't make things difficult for Hollis. After downing the sixth cup, he returned satisfied with two newly acquired cards he hadn't collected before.
As he left, he didn't forget to suggest, "Hollis, next time, please introduce some sweet drinks."
Soon after Dumbledore left, Grindelwald's version of Lockhart arrived as expected.
"Professor Lockhart, the usual today?"
"Yes, please, Mr. Carow. I hope my luck is good today, preferably for Dumbledore's."
"Why Professor Dumbledore's?"
"Because I believe no one dislikes Dumbledore, right?"
Hollis, unknowingly, seemed to have heard another incredible secret. Little did he know that the position of Disciple was slowly moving away from him; staying with the Dark Lord was his only way out.
Meanwhile, Ms. Veida Rosier, whom Tom regarded as a role model for the Death Eaters, was having a delightful conversation with Alecto Carow at the bar.
"Ms. Carow, your actions have severely impacted Grindelwald's reputation. I hope you can remove Grindelwald's cards."
"I'm truly sorry, Ms. Rosier, but I'm just an employee. I really don't have the authority to decide on this matter. Here are two character cards of Grindelwald; I hope they can serve as a small compensation for you."
Veida Rosier paused upon hearing this. She glanced at Grindelwald, saw that his attention wasn't on them, and silently accepted the cards, quietly putting them into her pocket.
"This matter won't end here, Ms. Carow. Next time, I hope the person behind you can come forward. I'll take my leave now and visit again in a few days."
After speaking, she greeted 'Lockhart' and got up to return to the Al's Coffee Shop next door.
As for Tom, he was currently cornered by Snape in the Castle.
"Mr. Riddle, I need an explanation." Snape clutched the confiscated Severus card tightly, staring grimly at Tom. A rare flicker of anger appeared in his usually dead eyes.
At this moment, even if Lord Voldemort stood before him, Snape couldn't guarantee he wouldn't just cast Sectumsempra the next second.
Tom, however, wasn't intimidated by Snape at all. As if prepared, he pulled out two cards from his pocket and said with a grin, "Lily's, and Harry's. Limited edition, only one of each in the world, compatible with any Severus character card. Which one do you want?"
Snape's body stiffened, his expression changing several times before he gritted his teeth and said, "Give them to me!"
"Which one?" Tom held the two cards and dangled them in front of Snape's eyes.
"All of them!" With that, he snatched the cards from Tom's hand and turned to leave without hesitation.
Tom watched Snape's pretense and scoffed. "Little Severus, easily manipulated!"
However, when Tom tallied his gains, he was suddenly dumbfounded.
Gale Coffee Shop's business was booming due to the collaboration event, and Tom and Lucius made a fortune. The Carow aunt and nephew also received a bonus.
Al's Coffee Shop next door benefited too, with business significantly better than when it first opened. Ms. Veida Rosier also seemed to have received quite a few small gifts.
Dumbledore and Grindelwald had new 'play' sessions, and their smiles had increased considerably during this period.
Snape, after taking Tom's limited edition cards, chose to turn a blind eye. According to unnamed sources, strange "hehehe" sounds occasionally emanated from Snape's office late at night.
Tom had originally intended to annoy Grindelwald, but it seemed everyone had profited. So, who exactly lost out?