Bella's high heels clicked crisply against the smooth marble floor. Behind her followed Death Eaters, Alex, the head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, and at least five more Death Eaters. Along the way, the goblin managers standing on raised platforms and carefully tallying their ledgers all looked nervous.
That's more like it, Kirk silently praised. Women were natural actresses. This imposing entrance, full of a queen's presence, had already cowed the goblins. The more these little green-skinned creatures believed Wang Han was Mrs. Bellatrix Lestrange, the less they would dare to inspect her closely—and the lower the chance that their cover would be blown.
But when the two of them passed through Gringotts Bank's second silver door, they saw words engraved on it: "Enter, stranger, but take heed of what awaits the greedy. To ask ever more, to take without labor, shall be punished most severely. Therefore, if you seek to take from our underground vaults a treasure that has never been yours, thief, you have been warned: beware, for what you summon will be misfortune, not treasure."
The engraved letters shimmered with the light of magical mithril, but the powerful confidence displayed in every line still cast a shadow over Kirk and Wang Han's hearts.
"We have distinguished guests, General Manager," said the goblin manager, summoning a gray-haired goblin with keen eyes.
Mrs. Lestrange met the general manager's icy gaze for a full five seconds.
The goblins around them all lowered their heads.
Under Wang Han's deliberate pressure from the Magic God Domain, these creatures—gods in the world of business—were already feeling the strain. They scattered to avoid her.
But the goblin general manager remained unmoved.
It extended a green hand and smiled with neither servility nor arrogance. "Mrs. Lestrange! Welcome! What business brings you to Gringotts?"