Page 111 of Porcelain Lies

Sofia’s face flushes an ugly shade of red. “You can’t just dismiss me like some common—”

“That’s exactly what I’m doing.” I check my watch. “You have twenty minutes to clear out your things before security removes them for you.”

“But I’ve my things all around the mansion! Valuable things!” She gestures wildly. “And my jewelry—”

“You should have been less careless.”

“Aleksei!”

“Nineteen minutes now.” I turn back to my paperwork. “Whatever’s left gets donated.”

“You…chertovmudak!” She snatches a crystal paperweight from my desk and hurls it at my head.

I catch it easily. “Eighteen minutes.”

Heavy footsteps approach — Boris with two of our security men. Sofia spins to face them, her face a picture of pure hate.

“Mr. Tarasov?” Boris’s voice carries a note of concern.

“Help Ms. Novikova pack her belongings.” I set the paperweight down with deliberate care. “She’s leaving.”

“You can’t treat me like this!” Sofia’s voice rises to that glass-shattering pitch again. “I am Sergei Novikov’s daughter!”

“You’re nothing to me now.” I finally meet her gaze. “Just a failed business transaction.”

She lunges at me, nails aimed at my face. Boris catches her mid-leap, lifting her easily despite her thrashing.

“Get your hands off me, you ape!” She kicks out wildly. “Do you know who I am?”

I watch Sofia’s tantrum with detached amusement. Her threats are as empty as her soul — just another spoiled princess who thinks Daddy’s money makes her untouchable.

“Seventeen minutes,” I remind her, enjoying how she bristles at being ignored. “Clock’s ticking.”

“You think this is funny?” She yanks free from Boris’s grip, smoothing her designer dress. “I know things, Aleksei. Things that could destroy everything you’ve built.”

I roll my eyes. “Blyad, you sound like a bad movie villain.”

“Mock me all you want.” Her lips curl into a cold smile. “But remember this moment when it all comes crashing down.”

I lean back and stretch lazily, glancing at the clock on the wall. “Are you still here? Sixteen minutes now.”

“Your arrogance will be your downfall.” She straightens her spine, attempting dignity. “I promise you that.”

“Alright, enough. Get the fuck out.” I wave dismissively. “Boris, help Ms. Novikova find the exit before she embarrasses herself further.”

“This isn’t over,” she hisses as Boris guides her toward the door. Her breath is coming in sharp gasps. “You’ll regret this, Aleksei. I swear on my mother’s grave—”

“Fifteen minutes.” I cut her off mid-threat. “And your mother is still alive.”

The door slams hard enough to rattle the windows. I hear her shrill voice echoing down the hallway, ordering the security team around like servants. Poor Boris — he’ll earn his pay today dealing with the stupidsuka.

I pour myself two fingers of vodka, savoring the quiet now that she’s gone for good. Let her plot and scheme. What can she possibly do? She has no real power, no true connections. Just another pretty face used by her father to secure alliances.

Sofia Novikova is nothing to me.

And there’s nothing she can do to touch me.

Chapter Thirty-Two

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