Page 8 of Koroleva

"I'm sorry to say that although I would love to accept, I must decline."

"And why is that?"

"As you may know, my family's affairs are tied to the government. The president does not agree with the sale. He insists that I marry and that the pharmaceutical be managed by me and my future husband. Unfortunately, in Russia, the mindset is still very patriarchal."

"I understand."

"I promised him that perhaps the best thing would be to sell it to you, since you have a lot of experience, but he wouldn't even consider it. For the government, it's important to have a company that lends credibility to our other businesses," I sighed.

"Then, there's no possibility of a sale." It was not a question, but a statement.

"No, I'm sorry."

"And has Putin already chosen the groom?" «That's it, bite the hook, little fish. »

"The president is considering some names, but the problem is that I can't make up my mind. I was raised in a family of entrepreneurs and I don't trust marrying someone who could further sink the company. It's very important to me to do it with someone who shares my values, someone who would give their life for the family and its wealth. My brother and father dedicated themselves to it, I wanted to do the same and things were going well..."

"Until they didn't," he corrected. I had to clench my fists to not tell him that it was his and his son’s fault.

"Yes, the malfunction of our star drug has been a setback."

"Don’t worry. I understand you more than you think, I share and value your principles. In fact, hearing you talk reminds me of myself."

"I hope that's a compliment."

"It is."

"Well, thank you," I sighed, adding a sweet tone to my voice. "I wish there were more marriageable men like you, who shared my vision for the future." I heard him laugh on the other end of the line.

"There are, Miss Koroleva, and I believe I have the solution to your problems within our reach."

"I'm all ears."

I even crossed the toes of my feet, hoping he had fallen into my trap.

"Let’s give Putin what he wants and you the way out you need for your company. My son will marry you, we’ll welcome you to our famiglia, clean up the pharmaceutical’s name. We’re going to take over the entire market niche on the Costa del Sol. I will personally ensure that the memory of your brother and your father remain intact."

I smiled inwardly; it even seemed like the idea had been his, not mine, just as I intended.

"Do you really think that's possible? I thought you didn't want an association with my family." I played a bit of the doubter.

"And I didn’t, but sharing a business is one thing, a union through marriage is quite another."

"And your son agrees to this?"

"Leave that to me. You just worry about the dress and saying 'I do.' Do we have a deal?" I waited a few seconds before answering.

"We have a deal."

It was done!

"Marriage," that was the key to everything.

I was going to make them eat dust from the inside, they had no idea who they were letting into their home.

We agreed on the date, the place, the number of guests who would attend, and closed the deal as if it were just another business transaction.

Massimo asked if I wanted to travel to Spain to meet my fiancé before the wedding. I saw no need. I cared very little about what his son was like, because what I wanted was to erase him from the face of the Earth, along with the rest of the Capuletos.

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