"Minister," Audrey said with a faint, teasing smile, "are you issuing a notice to me on behalf of the Ministry?"
Fudge froze for a moment, then quickly realized the implication behind her words.
"I'm speaking purely as an individual," he said, trying to save face, "expressing my concern that your actions might soon harm the wizarding world."
Fudge dropped his mask of amiability and began to spar with Audrey. "This is purely personal. It has nothing to do with the Ministry," he added, attempting a threat, "but I think the Ministry should strengthen audits on wizards' unexplained assets!"
Audrey smiled, bright and sharp like azaleas in April, like a lotus in July: "I also think the Ministry should look into wizards' finances. Some officials' accounts really don't hold up… for example, 3,000 Galleons, or even 5,000 Galleons."
Using her Legilimency, Audrey easily discerned the bribe Gringotts had given Fudge—3,000 Galleons for forcing her to retrieve artifacts last time, and 5,000 this time to demand early repayment.
Fudge's face changed instantly. His eyes widened in shock, as if his heart were being clenched by this seemingly harmless little girl.
"Minister!"
Moristo's voice rang out. The Gringotts elder had been hiding nearby, listening carefully. Seeing Fudge cornered by Audrey, he hurried forward.
"I believe Miss Astrey's actions threaten the entire wizarding world. This is a serious disruption of our current order, especially considering her loan practices contain clear signs of fraud!"
"Yes, yes, yes!" Fudge wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and loudly echoed, "You're disrupting the wizarding world's order! You're a fraud!"
But under Audrey's piercing gaze, both men were powerless. She smiled and retorted, "Order? Even if Gringotts collapsed, would the wizarding world have no currency? Are there no other banks besides Gringotts?"
She continued, "And if you claim I am committing fraud, show the evidence. Without it, I will sue you for defamation. Even you, Minister, will not be exempt."
Audrey glanced toward London. "Perhaps Ms. Amelia Bones, if she receives sufficient funding, might have ambitions for the Minister's position. If the current Minister is exposed for poor character, taking bribes, and defaming a sixteen-year-old girl, I think she could probably take the post!"
That final remark hit Fudge like an uppercut. His mind went blank, leaving him utterly speechless.
Moristo, watching Fudge flounder, ground his teeth in frustration: "Miss Astrey, I still hope you will repay Gringotts promptly. You've already earned a lot—settle things while you can! Gringotts has never wronged you. Is it necessary to go all out?"
Audrey tilted her head. "I recall that Gringotts paid Mr. Fudge 3,000 Galleons," she said, pointing at him, "just to threaten me into retrieving cursed relics for Gringotts. Elder, do you remember?"
Moristo hesitated. He had heard of it but considered it trivial—normal business. The method might have been unscrupulous, but wasn't it a win-win?
Unable or unwilling to understand Audrey's perspective, Moristo ignored her question and instead threatened:
"If Miss Astrey acts on her own, Gringotts will sanction you throughout Europe and the Americas. Believe me, no one will dare sell to you, and no one will buy your products!"
"Yes, yes," Fudge jumped in to support the threat. "The Ministry will also scrutinize your assets in Britain!"
Audrey laughed. "I still don't understand. I follow the contract, yet I am considered a criminal?"
"Because the contract itself has issues! You deceived us!"
"Deceived?"
Audrey strode to Moristo, towering over him. "Deceived you how? Settling in Galleons was our mutual agreement. You are suffering from the currency's devaluation, but haven't I also been bearing the risk of its appreciation?"
"If the Galleon had skyrocketed and I demanded early repayment to terminate the contract, would Gringotts have agreed?"
Obviously, they wouldn't. But trying to reason with a greedy goblin was pointless.
Moristo still denied it: "Of course we would agree. You are a major client. Within reason, we always accommodate requests. After all, Gringotts has operated for so long on fairness, honesty, and mercy!"
Mercy, of course, meant they would secretly stoke the fire and consume all of Audrey's wealth.
Audrey heard every unspoken thought clearly. Today's meeting was a waste of time.
She had originally planned to use early repayment as leverage to cancel her contract for retrieving relics during the summer. But Gringotts' attitude disgusted her. She no longer intended to cooperate.
Previously, Gringotts could have survived three more years. Now? She wanted them gone.
"Miss Astrey, will you repay early or not?" Moristo lost patience. No one had ever dared defy Gringotts' will. But previously, their authority was tied to Galleons. Now, all the Galleons were in her pockets.
Moristo threatened: "Repay, and we remain friends. Don't, and we are mortal enemies. No one wants to oppose Gringotts—and Gringotts has no enemies!"
Audrey smiled. "Since Mr. Moristo has said so, I can't refuse to give you face," she mused, resting her chin on her hand. Moristo and Fudge anxiously awaited her words.
"But I don't have that much cash right now. I'll liquidate some assets and gather the funds. It should take… about a month. Can Gringotts wait?"
Moristo believed his threat had worked; the sixteen-year-old girl had caved. He grinned: "Not just the principal—you'll also repay three years of interest!"
At that time, despite the Galleons' 30% devaluation, the 240% interest over three years made the loss to Gringotts acceptable.
"Fine, no problem," Audrey said casually. "Let's set the repayment date as May 15."
Moristo left, triumphant. Fudge walked away satisfied. They thought they had won.
But Audrey thought otherwise. One month was more than enough for Gringotts to collapse.
With Gringotts gone, the northern relic expedition would naturally fall through.
Sigh. Goblins, why must you overthink?
I really don't want to be a banker!