Chapter 35
The branch manager’s face turned deathly pale.
However, exerting superhuman self-control, he managed to force the corners of his mouth upward into a smile.
“Hahaha. Of course. Please wait just a moment.”
A chill ran down his spine.
Was there even that much gold left in the capital’s main vault right now?
‘I haven’t even replenished the gold that was withdrawn yesterday!’
Normally, gold reserves were replenished about once a week. In fact, there were often times when even that wasn’t necessary.
Because gold was always plentiful.
Because their gold reserves had never once run low!
“Here is the gold worth one hundred billion francs.”
Thud! Heavy pouches of gold coins were piled high in front of the counter.
“You may count them yourself, Lady.”
The branch manager hid a sigh of relief.
He had barely managed to scrape it together.
He had raided not only the bank’s funds but even the private safes of the employees and executives!
‘It’s done. This will grace the front page of the newspapers again.’
When he was frantically scraping the gold together, he wondered what on earth he was doing, but on second thought, it was for the best.
This would certainly serve as an excellent advertisement for the sheer volume of gold Litton Bank held!
“Thank you. I’ll be sure to use your services again.”
“Hahaha, anytime!”
As soon as Dana left, the branch manager barked out orders.
“Quickly, send word to Marquis Litton! Tell him the gold reserves are completely depleted! Tell him to replenish the gold immediately!”
“Yes, sir.”
“And you, go to the Roselle Street branch and ask them to lend us some gold!”
However.
“Th-they say it can’t be replenished right now.”
“What?”
“They say the Litton Bank at the Roselle branch is also out of gold.”
What?
The branch manager’s expression went blank.
The other branches were out of gold too?
“They say someone from the Winzer family came by this morning and exchanged everything for gold.”
“……!”
In that moment, the branch manager’s face contorted. He finally realized what was happening.
‘She’s doing this on purpose!’
Danae Winzer was sweeping up all the gold from every Litton Bank in the vicinity!
’No, wait.’
If a major client came in at a time like this and requested a gold exchange……!
“Manager! We have a problem!”
An employee came rushing in frantically.
“A-a request for a gold exchange has come in! Someone wants to exchange 200 billion francs for gold this time……!”
Why did his ominous premonitions never miss the mark?
The branch manager hurriedly rose from his chair and directed another employee nearby.
“You, run to the Marquis of Litton’s estate immediately! Explain the situation to His Excellency and bring back the gold!”
Then, he hurried toward the lobby where the customer counters were located, accompanied by the clerk.
“Did you say 200 billion francs? They demanded exactly 200 billion francs?”
“Yes. That’s correct. But…….”
“Dammit, what kind of madman demands such a massive sum all at once!”
“It is… Lady Danae Winzer.”
The branch manager came to a dead halt in the middle of the hallway.
What did he just say?
“Lady Danae Winzer has requested a gold exchange.”
“What kind of trickery is this?”
As expected, he was angry.
The branch manager’s professional mask had long since crumbled.
“Trickery? I simply came to exchange my money for gold.”
“Last night, it was 100 billion francs. And this morning, you took another 100 billion francs in gold. And now, in the afternoon, you want to exchange 200 billion francs more?”
“Yes. That’s right.”
“In all of history, there has never been a single customer who exchanged such an amount of gold overnight!”
He meant for her to stop this nonsense, but she tilted her head as if she didn’t understand.
“Manager. Have I caused you some trouble?”
“Of course, Lady. This is a serious interference with our business!”
“Over just this much?”
“Pardon?”
“You told me that Litton Bank is the bank with the largest gold reserves in the world.”
“That is…….”
“So I used your services, and yet you call it business interference?”
Dana let out a mocking laugh.
“Did you expect me to bring in mere pocket change?”
The branch manager was struck dumb.
“Did you perhaps not know that I have a lot of money?”
How could he not?
The heiress of the legendary Treasure Island. There wasn’t a soul who didn’t know Danae Winzer, one of the wealthiest people on the continent!
“So, I naturally assumed you would be able to handle this much.”
He could feel the glancing eyes of others. Of all days, the bank was crowded with customers.
Word of this would surely spread.
“That’s not it at all.”
Because of that, the branch manager forced a gentle smile.
“Litton Bank is more than capable of providing as much gold as the customer desires. If you would just wait a moment in the VIP room…….”
“For how long?”
“Pardon?”
“Tell me exactly how long I have to wait.”
“That…….”
The manager’s mind raced.
‘How long does it take to get from the bank to the Marquis’s estate?’
No, would Marquis Litton be able to prepare 200 billion francs right away?
What if the Marquis wasn’t even at the estate?
“You don’t even know how long I have to wait? I’m a very busy woman, Manager.”
“Well, since it is such a large sum, after all. We are preparing it with the utmost care. For now, if you’ll just wait in the VIP room…….”
“I told you, I’m busy.”
At that moment, the smile vanished from Dana’s face.
“Do you even know what I intend to do with that money, that you’re asking me to wait blindly?”
“Th-that is…….”
“Did you not say that time is the lifeblood of credit? Surely you didn’t mean it only in the sense that this bank was established a long time ago?”
“That, well, of course not.”
“I took it to mean that you also value your customers’ time.”
In that instant, the branch manager realized.
The perception of Litton Bank would change depending on how he handled this situation today.
It would be seen as a bank for the middle class, unable to handle the elite like Danae Winzer!
‘Should I… just kick her out?’
No, if he did that, the bank would be branded as one that couldn’t handle a tycoon of Danae Winzer’s caliber!
‘She’s doing this on purpose. This wicked woman!’
He was certain.
The Winzers were attacking the Littons. With Danae Winzer leading the charge.
And she wasn’t even trying to hide it. In fact, she was flaunting it openly!
“Fine. I’ll wait here for a bit.”
He thought she would leave immediately, but unexpectedly, Danae crossed her legs and leaned back in her chair.
“I hope it arrives before the bank closes.”
From that point on, the branch manager began to pray inwardly.
‘Please, Ramun. Let the Marquis hand over the gold immediately.’
Tick, tock. Time passed. Every second felt like a thousand years.
After some time had passed.
“Manager.”
He’s here!
The branch manager sprang up to meet the employee. The man had returned!
“The Marquis said that replenishing the gold is impossible.”
What!
“It seems every Litton Bank branch in the capital has requested gold replenishment from the Marquis.”
“What? Every branch?”
“Yes. People from Winzer have visited every single branch demanding gold exchanges. Litton Bank’s gold reserves have been completely drained!”
“…….”
“They say it will take at least a few days to replenish the vaults of all the branches. So, it’s impossible right now…….”
This made no sense…….
The branch manager, now completely despondent, looked at Dana with hollow eyes.
This crazy woman who was stripping Litton Bank of all its gold like a highway robber.
“Ah, that was me. I requested that.”
And the crazy woman didn’t even hide that it was her doing.
“I’m in a bit of a hurry for gold. Gold is a currency recognized anywhere on the continent, after all.”
“…….”
“Since the Winzer family’s checks are being questioned, I felt uneasy and decided to move quickly.”
“…….”
“Tomorrow, the day after, and the day after that. I will be coming to exchange my entire fortune for gold. Ah, speaking of which.”
Dana looked him straight in the eye and asked.
“May I continue to use Litton Bank in the future?”
No. Don’t come back.
Litton Bank can’t handle your wealth, so don’t come!
The moment the branch manager declared that, Litton’s prestige would plummet.
What should he do? What on earth could he do!
“Manager.”
Just then, he heard an employee’s whisper in his ear.
“The Marquis said to negotiate.”
The branch manager wanted to scream with relief.
‘Well done, Marquis!’
The best course of action was to avoid dealing with a madwoman like her.
