“Now I have a wife. And children. And a family that includes Viktor and Svetlana, whether I like it or not.”
Pavel is quiet for a moment. “You’re having second thoughts about the takeover.”
“I’m reconsidering the approach.”
“There’s a difference?”
“Yes. I still want Kestrel Maritime integrated into my operations. But maybe full control isn’t necessary. Maybe there’s a structure that benefits everyone.”
“Everyone, meaning Viktor and Svetlana.”
“Meaning Anna’s family. My children’s grandparents.”
Pavel picks up one of the files from my desk. Scans it. “You’ve been looking at partnership models.”
“I’ve been looking at options.”
“Partnership means Viktor retains operational authority. Means you share decision-making. That’s not what we planned.”
“Plans change.”
“Why? Because you read bedtime stories now?”
The edge in his voice makes me look at him directly. “You have a problem with that?”
“I have a problem with emotional decisions overriding strategic ones. Three months ago, you wanted Viktor’s company. You engineered an elegant solution to take it. Now you’re considering giving back power because your wife might be upset?”
“I’m not giving back anything. I’m restructuring the arrangement to create sustainable long-term value instead of a hostile takeover that damages family relationships.”
“Family relationships.” Pavel sets down the file. “You’ve changed.”
“People do.”
“Not you. You’re Luca Volkov. You don’t make decisions based on feelings. You make them based on profit and power.”
“This is based on profit. A partnership model keeps Viktor invested in success. Keeps operational knowledge in play. Creates stability instead of resentment.”
“And it makes your wife happy.”
“That’s a factor. Yes.”
“When did Anna’s happiness become a factor in business decisions?”
“When I married her. When I had children with her. When I decided that this family matters more than the satisfaction of taking everything from her father.”
Pavel stands. Walks to the window. Stares out at the dark grounds. “Maxim was right,” he says. “You’re getting soft.”
“Maxim is angry and threatened. His opinion is compromised.”
“Is it? Because from where I’m standing, you’re restructuring a three-year plan because you don’t want to upset your wife and children.”
“I’m restructuring because the original plan no longer serves my interests.”
“Your interests or your family’s interests?”
“They’re the same now.”
Pavel turns from the window. “Are they? Because three months ago, your interest was power and control. Now it’s bedtime stories and flower picking. Those aren’t the same things.”
