"Now this is interesting."
Douglas leaned back against the leather sofa, his legs crossed, his posture relaxed yet exuding an overwhelming pressure.
"Since there are no official documents whatsoever."
"On what authority does Gringotts withhold a withdrawal requested through lawful channels by a legitimate holder, when no official seizure order has been issued?"
"Unless the goblins intend to unilaterally tear up the principles of contract you take such pride in."
"And use this flimsy excuse to steal from thieves."
"Watch your words!!"
Gornuk looked at Douglas's sneering face and felt deeply insulted. He pounded the desk hard.
"Gringotts has always upheld absolute neutrality!! That has never changed in all these centuries!!"
"We never participate in wizards' political struggles!! Nor will we side with the Ministry of Magic or that man!!"
"Then you are overstepping your authority right now."
Douglas stared coldly at him, his face expressionless, pressing him at every turn.
"You are using your personal cowardice and fear to forcibly invalidate an ancient contract."
"I am merely performing my duty by assessing the true circumstances under which this letter of authorization was issued!"
Gornuk narrowed his eyes.
He tried to find a flaw in Douglas's disguise.
"Who knows what desperate circumstances poor Mr. Rodolphus was in when he wrote these words?"
"Perhaps someone held a wand to his head and forced him to sign."
"Perhaps he is already dead."
"We cannot casually hand over the lifeblood accumulated by generations of a pure-blood family on the strength of a document that may be steeped in bloody coercion."
"If something really goes wrong, who will take responsibility?"
"Since when has Gringotts been moonlighting as an Auror investigative unit?"
Douglas's question dripped with sarcasm.
"Chapter three, article eight, supplementary clause of the Goblin Contract Code."
"You are responsible only for verifying the