The series of business seminars held at the Lakhta Center skyscraper went well. The things Viktor was worried about didn't happen."Viktor, come here!"Gennadius called out to his grandson-in-law who was still sitting with Andriy. Viktor immediately stood up and walked over to Gennadius."Yes, Grandpa?"Viktor stood beside Gennadius. He stared at the old man he had been watching from Konstantin's table."Let me introduce, Vladimir! This young man is my grandson-in-law."Gennadius introduced Viktor as his grandson-in-law in front of the owner of RHC as well as in front of everyone who was with them."Oh, he is Zoya's husband, right?"An old man named Vladimir laughs with Gennadius."Ha! Ha Ha! Yes, that's right. This man helped Zoya when the accident happened.'So, this old man's name is Vladimir. And, he is Maksim's grandpa. Is that so? But why wasn't he angry or hurt when his grandson failed to marry Zoya?' Various questions as well as oddities were summarized in Viktor's brain."Hel
The car in which Gennadius was traveling freely left the Lakhta Center. Viktor stared at it until it disappeared on the highway."Please, Mr. Viktor!"Andriy quickly welcomed Viktor into the car."Yes, Andriy."Viktor got into the limousine that was ready to take him back to the hotel."Oh Andriy, where's Papa David?"Viktor looked around for Davidoff who was nowhere to be seen."Mr. David said that he was leaving on other business and would be returning to the hotel by online taxi."Viktor sighed and sat back to face Andriy and Caleb."Andriy, can you answer my question?"Viktor could no longer contain his curiosity."Oh, it's ...."Viktor frowned. He rubs his chin."Yes? Just tell me, Andriy!"Viktor looked at Andriy's face as he stared at him as if to dispel the doubts inside him."Mr. Maksim is ...."Andriy looks hesitant. However, Viktor's gaze frightened him."Mr. Maksim is the unacknowledged grandson of Mr. Vladimir."It was like lightning in the daytime. Viktor was shocked to
Viktor tries to hold on as Viona continues to push him into the elevator. By now, he was out of the elevator thanks to the help of Andriy and Caleb."You've gone completely mad, Miss Viona!"Just as Viktor closed his mouth, Xandrova arrived with Galana with a tense face."Who is this woman, Viktor? What is your relationship with her?"The surprised Viktor immediately changed his expression.'When did Zoya and Mama get here? Did they see Viona pushing me and trying to touch me?'Viktor was stunned to find Xandrova and Galana standing near him. He looked at his wife while wondering inwardly."IーI don't know, Zoya.""Lies!"Galana refuted her son-in-law's words. The woman's eyes were blazing as she shouted."If those two don't know each other, then why do they look so familiar?!"Galana pointed at Viktor and Viona in turn. Viona kept a silent smile.'Shit! What did Mama say just now?!' Viktor thought to himself. He couldn't just stand idly by and face Galana who always had so many ways t
Viktor stood before Xandrova. She turned around and walked toward the closed window. Viktor watched Xandrova's expressionless face until she finally said what she was thinking. "But, Viktor... that woman has sworn to take you away from me. Didn't you hear her?" Xandrova opened the bedroom window as she spoke to her husband. She seemed reluctant to turn around. 'It seemed that Zoya had been incited by a woman I didn't even know.' Viktor stepped closer to Xandrova while talking to himself. Now, he stood beside his little wife. "Zoya, do you believe every word that comes out of my mouth?" Xandrova pulled her husband's right arm so that their bodies faced each other. "Viktor, what do you mean, do you doubt my sincerity?" Viktor knew that his wife had been under an emotional attack from earlier. "If you truly love me, then listen, Zoya!" Viktor took both of Xandrova's hands and looked at her intently. "I don't recognize that woman at all. You and I only met her last night in the
As a young woman already the wife of a poor man like Viktor, it wasn't easy. Viktor never made any demands of Xandrova. But when she found out that another woman had openly said she would take Viktor away from her, Xandrova began to think of ways to keep Viktor by her side. "You're truly beautiful, Zoya. No wonder so many men are captivated when they see your charms!" Viktor praised his wife sincerely. For him, having Xandrova was the most beautiful thing in his life. "It's a blessing for me to have you, Zoya." "Don't tease me, Viktor!" Xandrova pursed her lips. She looked the other way to avoid eye contact with Viktor. "I realized that I'm not beautiful and I don't have body goals like that woman!" Again, Xandrova pursed her lips for the second time. 'Oh my! She's still thinking about Viona,' Viktor thought as he shook his head. "I'm just trying to tell you the truth, Zoya. I love you for who you are. Just trust me!" Viktor looked back at Xandrova's smiling face. "Really?"
"I know her, Viktor. If you're curious about her, I can introduce you to her." 'Judging by the look on her face, Zoya wasn't angry with me at all. Was she not jealous of the prima ballerina? However, I didn't know what was in her heart.' Several perceptions arose in Viktor's mind. He looked at Xandrova who was focusing on the ballet dancers. "Where do you know her, Zoya?" "Oh, Olesya Zakharova was my best friend when we were at school." Xandrova answered Viktor's question without turning around. "Zoya, how many acts does Giselle's performance consist of?" Viktor asked Xandrova, who was enjoying the ballet performance in front of her eyes. "Two acts, Viktor." The first act had begun. All eyes in the Mariinsky Theater looked up at the stage. Viktor took Xandrova's hand. Viktor watched scene after scene on the stage until the scene where the main character ended his life. The music changed. Finally, there was a roar of applause from the audience. "Aargghhh! The first act set i
Viktor widened his eyes, as did Xandrova. He saw his wife staring at Maksim. "What does that mean, Maksim?" Viktor was taken aback that Xandrova wasn't behaving as usual. "Ha! Ha! Ha! Since when do you have no manners for me, Miss Zoya?" Maksim sassily teased Xandrova. He touched Xandrova's pointed chin in front of Viktor. Oh, it certainly made Viktor's blood boil to see it. "How dare you flirt with someone else's wife, Mr. Maksim!" Viktor stepped closer to Maksim to get Xandrova away from the shameless man. "Caleb, take Miss Zoya away from here!" Caleb bowed and replied, "Yes, Mr. Viktor. Caleb turned to Xandrova. " Come on, Miss!" "But, Viktor ...." Viktor stared at Xandrova for a moment, then nodded for his little wife to follow his wishes. "Go with Caleb! I'll catch up with you, Zoya." Xandrova finally left with Caleb. Time like this was, of course, put to good use by Viktor. "Listen to me carefully, Mr. Maksim!" Viktor grabbed the coat lapel Maksim. "Oh, take it ea
Viktor closed the hotel room door with his foot. He leaves the cardlock in place to keep the light on.Viktor steps into the bedroom. He laid Xandrova down gently."You look exhausted, Zoya."Viktor placed his wife's handbag on the nightstand. Then, he removes the boots Xandrova is still wearing.***The summer vacation is over. Viktor and his wife had returned to the Konstantin family mansion in the Leningrad district."Where's Grandpa? Why is he nowhere to be seen?"Xandrova asked the maid who had faithfully cared for her since she was a toddler."The Great Master is waiting for you in the dining room for breakfast.""The dining room?!"Viktor saw Galana's eyes nearly jump out of their sockets. However, Viktor remained as calm as ever."Yes, ma'am."Viktor followed his mother-in-law and wife's footsteps to the dining room. For some reason, his instincts told him things were about to get out of hand."Hello, Papa-in-law."Galana greeted Gennadius first. The 50-year-old woman pressed