Claimed by Two Brothers

ol

red solitude, but with age it had begun to resemble an illness more than a choice. He could have kept at least a housekeeper, yet the only staff member left was an elderly cook wh

egan the moment they realized that their uncle-who, like them, had every right to claim the inheri

was now suffering from a brutal hangover. At that moment, he would have preferred to be anywhere but in this room. Stanislav had long since come to terms with the fact th

her and, in his usual manner, swept

A heavy sigh escaped his lips, and his eyes closed briefly. Makar had always taken a long time to

too long, and the air was f

f free time, but I have a contr

ened his pale eyes

here he had gone wrong in raising them. Perhaps their parents would have handled it better, but they had died many years ago, leaving t

d perfectly well wh

ady know who gets what," Sta

to a soulless machine. I simply can't leave my inheritance to a pair of idiots like you.

ssion as he stepped away from his brother. The heavy smell of alcohol coming from Stas made his head

traighten yourselves out, or the enti

olve in his grandfather's words, Vlad tensed. He knew perfectly we

d glanced at the notary, who was settling himself at the writing desk. "Long ago, sitting over a gl

asting a glance at his brother, who had gone pale

ons I've been given. In short, both of us had sons, so uniting the families didn't work o

cutting him off once more. Stas struggled to pu

dya is anything but a beauty. A bespectacled goblin, not

to be. The inheritance will go to whichever of you marries Batalov's granddaughter. Notary, please write that down. If withi

r finally burst out, fully realizing the mes

onths, he will manage the company, and the two of y

oying his miserable expression. "Force her to marry and be done with it. Won't

personally ensure that no one pressures the girl. She must walk down t

lly writing down his client's words, then added w

hing like this," Vlad growled and stormed o

get some fresh air. It was late spring, and the days were already growing so hot that even early mornings offered only brief, weak coolness. Sitting down on a bench near the porc

peared outside. He sat down beside the you

orn ol

alk him out of it?"

now perfectly well

ders, so what's the problem? Think of it as a small, unpleasant addition to enormous m

d leaned against a tree. Stroking his dark beard, he thought about the situation for the first time. He really

elf to that fate. Every time I picture that skinny g

feel sick just t

ly child and heir to the Batalov fortune. Ca

fact that I might have to

n the brothers. The

Maybe Grandpa will change his mind. He's still

e so," Vlad r