Astute! Alastor withheld a squirm at being perceived - he'd opened up, after all, it would be even more pathetic to offer information and then panic about it.

"A part indeed. But Charlie doesn't need a new hotelier. I wager you would struggle and collapse under the responsibilities and the doldrum," Alastor verbally jabbed, setting his drink aside. "A man like yourself needs a challenge - without one, you'll squander listlessly in relentless self doubt, your own worst enemy - and you'll drown out Charlie like you had until you opened your ears, finally."

As for himself... he'd gotten a favor in his back pocket from Charlie. If he had to use it to be kept around, that would be a shame, but it would still serve itself if things ended up that way. ...He'd have to make sure to find another tidbit, another ace up his sleeve, just in case.