Two Hands on the Stamp

After reaching 100 depositors, Sekar opens a second branch in Aubrelle and appoints her first officer, Lotte Wren, with a brass stamp that lets someone else validate accounts. The bank grows, transfers begin, and the target of 200 depositors across both branches seems within reach—until nominee accounts and a missing 54 crowns reveal that Gerrit Pask and Lotte have been moving money for Baron Crane. Lotte is revoked, Pask is arrested, and Aldous’s capital drops. With forty days to prove no single hand can empty the vault, Sekar and Corvin introduce maker-and-releaser rules and surprise counts. On the final day, Tamsin opens the 200th real account. The license is renewed under stricter conditions, and Corvin posts a vacancy for an Internal Control Unit.