Chapter 171 - – Grok Gringotts Ⅱ (1/2)
Ragnok did not tarry long as he quickly burst in holding the door open and bowed to the figure that rapidly followed him. Old, but with sharp eyes, the elder goblin stepped inside followed by two attendants and two guards. The two goblins instantly sprang to their feet and bowed to the old goblin as he held up a wrinkled, long-nailed hand for them to have a seat again. The two goblins instantly did as they were instructed as the old goblin took the seat in the middle, where Ragnok would have sat. However, Ragnok did not mind as he hurried over to sit on the other side of Gornuk.
The two lavishly dressed attendants wisely remain standing behind the old goblin, while the two goblin guards strictly remain guarding the door with sharp, trained spears in hand. The elderly goblin is quiet for a moment as he studies the child before him, before finally saying, ”I have been informed that you, Miss Prince, wish to have Gringotts handle the auction of this magnificent heirloom. May I inquire as on to how you managed to acquire such an heirloom of such magnitude?”
”It was in the family attic transfigured by an ancestor no doubt long ago to be saved for a rainy day,” Rowan lied with a straight poker face.
The elder goblin pursed his lips but did not further pry anymore into the origin of the heirloom. Instantly changing his demeanor into much a friendlier tone, he says, ”Now where are my manners? Allow me to introduce myself, I am Grok Gringotts, the present head of Gringotts.”
Rowan's eyes don't even flicker at having guessed as much. This was no doubt in her mind that this was actual owner of Gringotts and the actual descendant of the first Gringotts; which didn't necessarily bode well for her. But fair was fair and if he was going to use his identity to intimidate her, then she would use her age as well.
”It is an honor and pleasure to meet you, Grok Gringotts,” Rowan said in Gobbledegook.
Causing some of the goblins to visibly blink in surprise as Grok Gringotts merely narrowed his eyes at her. ”It would seem that you have been taught some of our language by whom?”
”Professor Flitwick,” Rowan said with a faint grin.
”Ah,” Grok unhappily murmured, before quickly changing the subject. ”Well, for an item of this magnitude it will take us several months to send out the appropriate invitations to ministries and potion guilds from all over the world. Naturally, the fee is included in the cost. Shall we say, 25% commission of the final sale?”
”10% and not one percent more,” Rowan flatly countered back.
Grok seems a bit taken back not having expected such a firm response. ”20%, I cannot go any lower!”
”The potions guild would not charge me more than 15%.”
”The potions guild does not have the resources that we have to offer,” Grok smugly said.
”No, but I certainly wouldn't have to wait for such a long period before seeing a return,” Rowan sharply retorted back.
Grok purses his lips as he says, ”Very well then, 16%.”
”I may be a child, but even I know when I am being cheated. 12% and only if, I am allowed to a copy of the final sales ledger with the client's names and their purchases from the auction .”
”For such a request, the transaction can be no lower than 18%!”
”However, I am a child that is negotiating her first contract. And though I might be cheated, fair is fair. I will not be overcut! 14% and that is final!
Grok Gringotts frowns as he weighs the pros and cons in his mind. ”Agreed, but if the entire sale passes the two million galleon mark, we want one more percent!”
”Then we have a deal?” Rowan said with satisfaction at having successfully negotiated her bottom line.
”Deal,” Grok Gringotts said as he rose to his feet.
Rising to her feet, Rowan spat into her hand and said, ”Should this deal be broken, may my gold wither away.”