Chapter 1292 Selwyn Mansion
St. Mungo's Hospital for the Injuries of Magic and Injuries, Director's Office.
Scrimgeour reappeared before the hospital director, his expression grave and carrying an undeniable sense of urgency.
“Sir, I understand and respect medical confidentiality principles and the traditions of certain families, but the leads I’m currently investigating are very likely directly related to the Gringotts incident.”
He didn't waste any words and went straight to the point: "I need information about a man, Aiden Selwyn."
The supervisor's expression changed drastically, his eyes filled with caution, worry, and apprehension about the influence of the Selwyn family.
After a moment, he sighed and lowered his voice as much as possible, “Director Scrinker, I don’t know much, really. About three years ago, Aiden had a serious accident.”
It didn't happen in the hospital; it happened outside. Even his family was tight-lipped about the details. After that, Aiden stopped going to work. His resignation letter was delivered by owl, simply stating that he was unable to continue performing his duties due to personal health reasons. He didn't show up at all during the entire process.
Scrinker stared intently into his eyes. "What kind of accident would cause a top therapist to disappear without a trace? Didn't you try to contact him?"
The supervisor gave a helpless, bitter smile. "We tried to visit him, but the Selwyn family politely declined. They emphasized that this was a family matter and that Aiden needed to rest and did not want to be disturbed."
Scrinker pressed on, "So, regarding that accident, did the hospital keep any emergency records, or even just a basic description of the symptoms?"
The supervisor shook his head. "There's no official record. You should understand the influence of the Selwyn family."
This serious accident led to the mysterious departure of a genius therapist, which was forcefully covered up by his family, making Scrimgeour increasingly suspicious.
Is Aiden Selwyn really an antisocial pleasure offender?
Scrimgeour returned to the Ministry of Magic and applied for an investigation warrant from the Division of Magical Law Enforcement.
Having obtained the relevant documents, he, as before, went straight to Selwyn House in Wiltshire, southwest England, without even saying hello to Fudge.
Unlike the Malfoy family, the Selwyn family has kept a low profile in recent years. Their residence is a typical and large-scale Gothic building.
Scrimgeour arrived with a formal investigation warrant, and even if the Selwyn family was unwilling, they still had to give the Ministry of Magic face.
The person in charge of receiving him was Aiden Selwyn's older brother, Morian Selwyn, a middle-aged wizard with a serious face and an air of arrogance and wariness typical of pure-blood families.
After an extremely brief and cold exchange of pleasantries, Scrimgeour cut straight to the point, stating that due to the investigation, he needed to know about Aiden Sell, especially the specific reasons for his departure three years ago and his subsequent whereabouts.
Morian's face immediately darkened. "Director Scrimgeour, my brother Aiden needs to leave his post to recuperate due to personal health reasons. This is his private matter and has nothing to do with the Ministry of Magic's official duties. The private lives of Selwyn family members are none of the Ministry of Magic's concern."
Scrinker's stance remained firm: "When a private matter may be linked to endangering public safety, it is no longer just a private matter."
I have reason to believe that Aiden Selwyn may have access to or possess some crucial information. The Selwyn family is an ancient pure-blood wizarding family, and they have a greater obligation than anyone else to assist the Ministry of Magic's investigation.
Morian sneered, "My brother is one of St. Mungo's finest healers. He saves lives, not creates threats! Your so-called investigation is nothing but baseless speculation and harassment. Is the Ministry of Magic so inefficient that it can only assert its presence by bothering ancient families?"
The atmosphere instantly became tense.
Such a solid defensive posture, yet it even concealed a barely perceptible anxiety; clearly, the Selwyn family was trying their best to hide something.
Scrimgeour pressed on, "Mr. Selwyn, the Ministry of Magic doesn't need outsiders to teach us how to do things. I have a formal investigation warrant here. I don't think you want anything unpleasant to happen between us, do you?"
This is a threat, a naked threat.
Morian sneered repeatedly, "Director Scrinker, I've heard that you do things in a very assertive way, but I didn't expect you to be much more assertive than the rumors say, to the point of being arrogant."
Scrimgeour remained unmoved by the mockery, not even flinching. "Mr. Selwyn is unwilling to cooperate with my work..."
He drew his disguised double-snake staff and gently placed it on the table. "Then I can only show you my determination."
The entire reception room was enveloped by an invisible magical fluctuation, and Morian immediately felt immense pressure.
“Mr. Selwin, my patience is limited.”
The moment the words were spoken, an invisible pressure suddenly increased.
Morian saw not a trace of hesitation on Scrimgeour's face, as if he had already prepared for the worst.
After a brief stalemate, cracks finally appeared in Morian's solid defensive posture.
His voice was much lower. "Well, Director Scrinker, since you insist... Aiden, he did indeed suffer a terrible ordeal three years ago."
His lips trembled slightly. "I can't go into the specifics, but after that, he completely changed. He refused all help and shut himself off."
Then one day, he disappeared. He didn't say goodbye, didn't leave any message. We used all our resources to search, but to no avail. It was as if he had completely vanished from this world.
Scrimgeour frowned. "Disappeared? With the Selwyn family's capabilities, they can't find him either?"
“Yes.” Morian pressed his lips together, a deep sadness in his eyes. “We even doubt… whether he still…”
He didn't finish his sentence, but the meaning was clear: "Aiden is our youngest brother. He is exceptionally talented, but because of that, his ideas are sometimes too stubborn."
That accident shattered his beliefs and took him away. For the sake of the family's reputation, we chose to announce that he was recuperating and completely blocked the news. We did not want to cause unnecessary speculation and prying from the outside world.
Scrimgeour put away his wand. "One last question, Mr. Selwyn."
His gaze was fixed on Morian's face. "After Aiden Selwyn's accident, were there any unusual marks left on his body?"
Morian instinctively straightened his back, his fingers unconsciously gripping the armrests of the chair.
"For example, some indelible scars? Burns similar to those caused by corrosive magic? If so, it might explain why he refuses to show himself and even completely severs ties with his past."
“You… how could you…” Morian’s pupils suddenly contracted, and his face turned extremely ugly.
This reaction is more powerful than verbal acknowledgment.
His shock and loss of composure lasted less than two seconds before being quickly replaced by deeper wariness and anger. "This has nothing to do with you! Director Scrinker, your questions have crossed the line! That's all about Aiden! Show him out!"
That momentary opening was enough for Scrimgeour.
A former therapist who disappeared for three years.
A genius who suffered psychological trauma due to a serious accident.
A pure-blood wizard with top-notch healing knowledge and the financial resources of his family to support his seclusion.
A missing person whose family showed extreme shock at the exposure of corrosive wounds.
All the indirect evidence points to the same conclusion:
Aiden Selwyn, the former genius healer at St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Injuries, is very likely the antisocial pleasure criminal lurking in the shadows, taking pleasure in casting cursed items on the Muggle world and creating panic and suffering.
……
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