Chapter 102
As they aged, both Karlena and her father, Nikolai, looked at each other for a moment, contemplating the painful passage of time.
The tired complexion and weary eyes meant that the blow Pavle had dealt to him had taken its toll.
For the first time, Karlena realized that her father was getting old.
“…That’s impossible.”
“Bring the woman to me. Then I’ll give you what you want.”
Nikolai didn’t back down when Owen mentioned the fall of Eden City. If he had succumbed to such threats, he wouldn’t have made it this far.
Foolish ones driven mad by their obsession.
Nikolai’s assessment of Owen and Kirill was just that. Everything else was exceptional, but the woman issue was a fatal flaw. Risking everything in the name of love often led to ruining what one had achieved. It was better to eradicate the problem now than risk destroying everything he had built.
“What… do I want?”
Karlena tilted her head as if she couldn’t understand Nikolai’s meaning and asked. She didn’t even understand why she was alive, what her purpose was.
“Forget the favor of saving your life…”
“Father!”
Even if her lineage was cursed, was there any use for her?
Nikolai clicked his tongue.
“Help me divorce Belov.”
She clasped his hands tightly.
Even when she begged to be allowed to divorce him, all she got in response was a cold rejection. His cold words echoed back even as she begged for divorce.
“…Father values Eden City more than his own children. He’s even willing to help with the divorce.”
Her divorce and Eden City.
It was clear what was being weighed.
“We can’t risk losing what we’ve spent our whole lives building.”
With perfect freedom as the price, Nikolai’s face was filled with certainty that she wouldn’t refuse him. And after a moment of contemplation, Karlena made her decision.
***
Quietly, a song commemorating those long gone played through the night garden. Most people wore black suits and dresses, making it feel like a funeral parlor. Amidst this, the vibrant spring garden decorated with flowers felt strangely out of place.
As the Russian president, Belov, accompanied by his security guards and aides, entered the mansion, all eyes turned towards them for a moment.
He was haughty. With sharp eyes and black hair, he stepped out of the car, followed naturally by a few aides.
With a swift glance around, he approached Nikolai, who was greeting guests in front of the fountain. After gesturing for his aides to step back, he bowed his head to Nikolai.
“Father.”
“Hehe, you said you didn’t have to come since you were busy.”
Nikolai laughed happily and greeted Belov. His gaze lingered on Nikolai for a moment before turning back to his surroundings. Nikolai quietly returned his gaze, recognizing the predatory look in his eyes.
The youthful ambition in Belov’s eyes appealed to him, leading him to marry him off to his daughter and eventually make him president.
Greedy and cunning, the moment he saw the young Belov, he knew he would become someone significant if given wings. So he sent his only daughter to him.
“I heard my wife is here.”
“Well, if she’s my wife, it’s only natural for me to cherish her like this even now. You’ve got a good son-in-law.”
Nikolai laughed at the mention of who he was looking for.
Despite his hearty laughter, everyone here was worried about Nikolai’s health. His complexion had darkened considerably over the past few days.
Rumors had even spread that his health had deteriorated rapidly since his visit to Eden City. Even though it was still chilly outside, he deliberately greeted guests outside to show that he was fine.
“I’m sure you’re very worried.”
They both knew what was being said without mentioning Pavle’s name.
“That damn guy. I trusted him so much.”
The immense betrayal of having deceived himself for so long about Pavle’s involvement in his son’s death hit Nikolai with a wave of betrayal.
He placed a hand on his left chest and took a deep breath. The sound of his breath was rough. Belov quickly pulled out a handkerchief from his pocket and handed it over.
“Hah…”
“Don’t get too excited.”
As he said that, he gestured briefly to the aides standing behind him. The whiskey bottle, more than half empty, was a special order whiskey that he ordered every year to commemorate the day his sons died, and which he drank one glass of every year.
He had ordered three bottles of the most famous whiskey brand to commemorate his sons every year. After drinking one glass each year with Belov, he declared that he would no longer mourn his sons once all three bottles were empty.
A server brought an empty glass and filled it with whiskey.
“I got you in exchange for losing my sons.”
Nikolai, who took a deep breath, said to Belov.
“This year, should we skip it?”
Without mentioning his name, they both knew what was being said about Pavel.
“You must be very upset.”
At Belov’s words, he nodded and reached out to take the glass. Belov also picked up the remaining glass.
As Nikolai raised the glass, everyone around him raised their own.
“This year, it’s your turn.”
Nikolai deferred the toast to Belov. The fact that he deferred everything to Belov held more significance than expected. He trusted him completely. The reason they drank only two glasses together was also for that.
“For the flame of Russia that disappeared in its youth.”
Belov raised his glass even higher. Everyone solemnly watched only that glass. At the end of Belov’s gaze, Owen, dressed in a black suit with one hand in his pocket and the other holding a whiskey glass, was visible.
A brief glance.
As always, Belov and Nikolai downed their drinks in one go. The high-proof whiskey flowed down their throats, burning.
“Phew…”
An alcoholic sigh escaped from Nikolai. Then he held his head with one hand.
“Father.”
Belov took the glass from his hand and handed it to a server, supporting Nikolai. Seeing that it was Belov who supported him, the bodyguards who were approaching confirmed and stepped back. Nikolai laughed weakly, seeming a little dizzy.
“I’ve been a bit tired lately.”
“I think you should rest for a while.”
Maybe it was the alcohol. Suddenly, a headache came, and Nikolai’s forehead wrinkled. He felt a bit short of breath somewhere in his chest. When Belov supported him again, someone supported his other arm, and then the face of the person came into view.
“You…”
“Sir.”
With a short greeting from Yuri, Nikolai threw the ashtray on the table at him with an annoyed face. The solid object hit the huge body with a thud and rolled on the carpet. Then, feeling his heart tighten, Nikolai leaned back on the couch again.
Belov, looking uncomfortable, breathed quickly, loosening his tie and sitting on the opposite sofa.
“You, who lost your parents and wandered from one orphanage to another…”
“I’m sorry, sir.”
Yuri was still bowing his head. He had shifted to the other side next to Owen for a better view. Seeing him again made Nikolai’s heart tighten. Somehow, when he turned his head to Belov, he was also panting.
“The doctor, call the doctor right away…”
Thunk.
The door to the study opened quietly again. Karlena and Owen followed and entered. Belov glanced briefly at Karlena. But their eyes didn’t meet.
“You two are conspiring against me right now! Belov!”
As Yuri tried to press the button under the table, Owen easily blocked him and forced him back onto the couch.
“I can’t drink and die with you.”
It’s just a medicine that momentarily speeds up the heartbeat. That was Belov’s limit. Nevertheless, he couldn’t escape being an accomplice. The only person who could quietly bring Nikolai here and support him when everyone’s attention was focused on him was none other than the President of Russia, Belov.
After his sons died, he named him his son and bestowed upon him unrivaled power, and even gave him his beautiful daughter to marry. Their relationship as father-in-law and son-in-law was special, and no one suspected anything.
“Huh, huh.”
Even the medicine made the old man’s heart feel heavy, and his breathing sounded quite rough. In the midst of that, he clenched his fist and weakly hit Yuri’s thigh.
“You have to understand why he turned away.”
“I, you…”
Owen looked down at Nikolai and said, “Understand him.” Yuri clung to Nikolai.
“Following your teachings, paying back blood with blood.”
Owen’s hand lightly tapped Yuri’s shoulder. Nikolai’s eyes widened. Yuri picked up the cushion from his face.
“I’m sorry.”
Yuri’s parents were one of Nikolai’s targets. So they were eliminated, and the newborn baby was sent to an orphanage. Owen only informed Yuri of this fact.
He was grateful for being saved, but as Nikolai said, blood must be repaid with blood. There was no deep-seated hatred from a time he couldn’t even remember. He just knew that he had to repay the debt someday.
The cushion pressed against his face.
