What are they talking about?
“Viktor won’t know until you’re ready to tell him?” Pavel asks.
“Correct. I want everything finalized before he has the opportunity to refuse.”
Viktor. My father. They’re talking about something involving my father, and he doesn’t know about it.
The study door closes. The conversation cuts off.
I stare at my party planning list. Purple trains and glitter suddenly feel very far away.
What acquisition? What asset transfer? I thought everything with my father’s company was settled. The marriage resolved the debt. What else is there?
Elena returns with paint supplies. “Found some purple. We can make this work.”
“Great. I’ll be back in a minute.”
I leave the kitchen and walk toward Luca’s study. Stand outside the closed door. I can still hear voices, but they’re muffled now.
I should trust that whatever business Luca is conducting doesn’t concern me, instead of eavesdropping. But those words won’t leave my head.Final phase. Asset transfer. Viktor won’t know until you’re ready.
What won’t my father know?
The study door opens. I step back quickly. Pavel walks out carrying his tablet and briefcase. He nods at me as he passes. “Mrs. Volkov.”
“Pavel.”
He disappears down the hallway. I hear the front door close.
Luca appears in the study doorway. “Were you looking for me?”
“No. I was just passing by. Planning the birthday party with Elena.”
“How’s it going?”
“Good. Purple trains, apparently.”
He smiles. “That sounds perfect.”
“Are you leaving soon? I thought we were having lunch together.”
“I have a meeting in an hour. I’ll be back by dinner.”
“What kind of meeting?”
“Business. Nothing you need to worry about.” He kisses my forehead. “I’ll see you tonight.”
He walks past me toward the stairs. I watch him go. Wait until I hear his footsteps overhead. Then I look back at his study.
The door is still open, and I walk into the study and close the door behind me.
His desk is neat. Organized. A few files are stacked on one side. His laptop closed. Nothing obviously suspicious.
I open the top drawer. Pens, business cards, and a leather-bound notebook. I flip through the notebook. Meeting notes. Names and numbers. Nothing alarming.
The second drawer has files. I pull them out one by one. Shipping manifests. Client contracts. Financial reports for operations I don’t understand.
The third drawer is locked. Why is one drawer locked?
