The morning mist had yet to disperse, and the grand Gothic spires of the New York Magical Congress headquarters looked especially austere in the dim light.
Across the street, a wizarding café had opened early. Formally dressed wizards came and went, buying simple breakfasts, wolfing them down, and hurrying toward Congress headquarters.
At a corner table, Wade sat with Elsie, steam curling gently from the coffee before them.
"Your ability to take action has far exceeded my expectations."
Elsie smiled. "The last time we mentioned Stonefield, it feels like it was only yesterday. I never expected that... in less than a month, that family would be on the verge of becoming history."
Leaning back in his chair, Wade said, "A starving camel is still bigger than a horse. Even if a family like that only has a few collateral branches left, they can drag on for a long time."
"Those people are utterly unimportant. What interests me is something else..." Resting her chin on her hand, Elsie smiled. "The Stonefield family must have some... 'shadow assets' known only to two or three people at its core, right?"
"Ownership of undeveloped land overlapping with Magical Creature reserves, businesses they run in the Wizarding World through various agents, and the 'hunters' they use to capture and purchase magical materials across the globe."
"Left alone, those things could cause considerable harm. But they happen to fall within areas the Vanderbilt family can 'properly handle.' We can gain a great deal from them, and help you reduce a lot of trouble as well. So..."
She smiled and asked softly, "—Shall we cooperate?"
Without waiting for Wade's reply, she immediately added:
"Of course, in return, the Vanderbilt family will become one of your most steadfast allies in the United States."
Wade looked at the girl