Chapter 23
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
VIKTOR
It had been nearly five minutes since we entered Korolyov’s estate. My eyes following the manicured woodland bordering the curves of the road stretching ahead.
I had explored them from top to bottom during my summer holidays. Or better to call them my exiles. I still wondered why my father didn’t just send me away permanently. What was the difference between studying here or at a boarding school in Montvarra?
But there was no way for me to know anymore.
When the house finally came into view, it took another minute for me to stand in front of the entrance doors, already hearing my aunt’s voice from inside. Despite looking forward to seeing both Yann and Aunt Anita, I still would have preferred to be at home.
But visiting the Korolyovs was non-negotiable.
Not when I’d promised Antonio Moreau I’d pass along his apologies for his son’s behavior. I knew they’d talked over the phone, but handling such deals through international calls wouldn’t be the smartest decision. Especially with jurisdictional differences between Montvarra and Kosvenia.
“Viktor!” My aunt came forward, holding out her hands, ready to hug me. “Not even a year! Where is your wife? I hoped you’d bring her as well!”
“Aunty!” I kissed her cheek. “You’re only getting younger.”
“Stop with the sweet-talk and answer my question!” She shook her finger in front of my nose.
“She’s still adapting.” I smiled. “Maybe next time?”
“Half a year has passed. What next time?”
“Mamma, leave him alone before he starts calling you old-fashioned.” Yann’s appearance saved me. We clasped hands, exchanged the usual greetings, before Inessa appeared behind them and rescued me from more questions.
“The housekeeper already arranged your room. The flight might have been tiring,” she said, gesturing toward the stairs. “How about breakfast on your balcony before my husband drills you with all the business talk?”
“Nessa, you’re my savior,” I whispered while she accompanied me to my room.
“Always at your service.” She smiled. “But to be honest, I also wish you’d brought your wife here. I only managed to glance at her at your wedding. Is she doing well?” she asked as we stopped in front of the door leading to my room.
“Much better.”
She leaned closer. “And?”
“There is no and…” I chuckled.
Nessa was like an older sister to me. She knew me even better than Yann did. When Yann had been there for the practical things—lawsuits, business arrangements, all of it—Nessa had been there when I couldn’t sleep.
And she knew about Sophie. What she meant to me.
“Well,” I said. “We are getting closer.” The words felt like stones in my chest.
Closer meant she trusted me more. Closer meant she let me into her world. But what right did I have to that? After everything I’d done, closer only meant there was further to fall when she realized what I really was.
“Miss her already?” Nessa’s question brought me back.
All I managed was a nod.
“Then you’d better get ready. I saw a huge list of questions that Yann prepared. The sooner you finish, the sooner you’ll get back to her.” Nessa winked before leaving me in my room.
Good thing I didn’t have much time to think—Nessa was right. It wasn’t only MoRen Systems that we needed to discuss. Though it was probably the hardest and easiest of them all.
Soon, Yann joined me on the terrace and helped himself to a second breakfast. His distaste surfaced at once.
“Didn’t they try to access private intel on Rowks Group?”
“It was a silly attempt.” I brushed the topic aside.
“Stop defending them.” He scoffed. “I still wonder how you manage to keep everything smooth with that approach.”
“I’d disagree. I think this approach is the key, you know.”
“Is that why you want to close Atlas? When you could literally expand it here? I can help you with that also in other parts of Eastern Europe, you know.”
“Where did you get information about me closing Atlas?”
“Forget that I have shares in Rowks Group?”
“No, but I didn’t escalate the decision.”
“You’d better think about my proposal.”
“And instead drop what? It’s not like I have time. Or anyone I trust.”
With Mara transferred to Sophie, I was short-staffed, already in need of finding someone to keep her previous project afloat. Perhaps sacrifice one more. But every investment needs a sacrifice.
For Sophie’s smile and loud chattering, I would have sacrificed even more. But the truth was, she was capable. And one day, I would have the privilege of watching her become a person everyone had to reckon with. Not as my wife, but as herself.
“Do you hear me?” Yann’s voice brought me back from my thoughts.
“What?”
He gave me a disapproving look. “I’m telling you to change the CEO, give the new one instructions. What’s hard about it?”
I looked up into the sky, letting the sun touch my cheekbones. It was much warmer in Kosvenia. Perhaps Sophie would like it here too? We talked every evening. And while hearing her voice was better than anything, I actually missed the three dimples on her cheeks.
“Or is it that you don’t do it because of Rafael?”
“I just don’t think it’s worth it.” I huffed. Even the thought of Rafael accusing me of organizing all this to harm him was exhausting. “I have much more profitable units to focus on.”
“Focus on what’s working, drop what’s not?”
“See, you’re catching on.” I snapped my fingers.
“If you change your mind, just let me know.” He shook his head. “But that still doesn’t change the fact that I’m blocking their expansion in all of Eastern Europe. As for other Moreau Group businesses, pass along to your father-in-law that I won’t touch them. He has my word.”
“He’s grateful. Asked me to pass along his gratitude.”
“Oh, and one more thing. You know the Durets are also trying to expand in telecommunications in Western Europe?”
“Sebastian’s brother? I thought we blocked them.”
“He recently got married.”
“Ah, correct.” I remembered the news about his marriage to one of the notorious families in Italy. “What are the chances of his success?”
“Positive. He’s working his ass off to bring his family’s status back.”
“Hm.” I frowned.
Yann watched my reaction, but when I only clicked my tongue, he said, “I’ll keep blocking them here, but if you’re thinking of keeping them from regaining their nobility, you need to act fast.”