he door of his office. The old man hadn't even been buried yet, and that bastard was already behaving like he owned everything. Vlad didn't know how much Uncle

help him-at least, as Vlad hoped-was her mother. He needed to act fast. Victor Batalov was out of town, and that man hovered

ll, foolish blonde. How had Vladislav Darvin, a we

weather like this?" Sta

n their parents' house. It was their sanctuary, their private refuge. Neither of them brought their

b again tonight?" Vlad asked, archin

nd the evening alone. What about

face. He would savor this for months-the fact that, f

r. I have a feeling she's the one wh

and burst out laughing. "She

y staying out of this? You have

uldn't be wasted on just one woman-

carefully styled fair hair a

. "There's too much money on the line. I wouldn't give a damn

e opened his umbrella and m

rtunately, Vlad had arranged gifts for both women in advance-otherwise,e he would have wa

when the door creaked open.

pping aside to let him in. "Mrs. Katerina is waiting

od. His grandfather used to drag him here nearly against his will, forcing him to spend time with a small girl who cried constantly. S

nce composed and dignified. If only her daughter had inherited that

ways, Mrs. Katerina," h

and extended her h

t formal. Please,

ing a seat across from her. "And where i

ell. She's upstairs in her room. You're welcome t

little later. For now, I have somet

r the girl herself. He had no doubt the outcome would come quickly. Nadya was still naïve when it came to men. A

my curiosity. W

no secret that my grandfather Makar and your father-in-law Albert dreamed of uniting our families. Before he

r because of the sentimental whims of two elderly men

ake. Convincing his future mother-in-la

ghter. And I genuinely can't imagi

ls the same way. And naturally,

'll grow to care. This means a great deal to me. I

good husband for Nadya. Fortunately, your grandfather didn't place this burden

the teacup she had offered him. "My brother isn't ready to devote

said gently. "Nadya is stil

willing to wait as

in the meantime. And the weather outside is dreadful-it's already dark

his feet, "I'd be glad to stay. Nadya's r

miling after him a

imself for the conversation ahead. Everything always seemed simple in h

kno

oice invi

shut the door behind him, cutting off any insti