I introduce them both. Calina offers a polite smile. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Congratulations on your engagement,” Ivan continues, his eyes flicking between us. “I suppose now we can finally discuss your application to join Pantheon.”
My interest sharpens instantly. “Is that so?”
“Yes,” he replies. “I believe now is a good time. Perhaps you can come by tomorrow. We’ll go through the formalities.”
Before I can respond, Calina gently touches my arm. “If you’ll excuse me, I just saw my brother’s wife. I’d like to go say hello.”
I nod. “Of course.”
I catch Viktor’s eye across the room and give him a subtle signal. He moves immediately to shadow her.
Ivan watches her walk away, his gaze lingering a second too long. “She’s a looker. Beautiful woman.”
I clear my throat sharply.
He looks back at me with a knowing smile. “Apologies. Yes… about your application. With this alliance, the board agrees it’s time. Come by tomorrow.”
“I would like that very much,” I reply, keeping my voice level, even though triumph is roaring through my veins.
The moment Ivan walks away, I allow myself a small, controlled exhale.
For years I’ve fought for this. For years they rejected me because I wasn’t “pure blood.” But now, with Calina on my arm and the Morozov name attached to mine… the gates have finally opened.
All the pieces are falling into place.
The moment Ivan Anatolievich walks away, the vultures descend.
One after another, powerful men approach with wide smiles and firm handshakes.
“Congratulations, Maxim. The Morozov alliance is impressive.”
“We look forward to the wedding.”
“You’ve done well for yourself.”
I nod at each of them, offering nothing more than a cold, minimal response. Idiots. Fools. The same bastards who whispered behind my back for years, questioning whether I deserved the Orlov name, are now tripping over themselves to congratulate me.
Viktor appears at my side, his eyes scanning the room.
“I saw you talking with Ivan,” he says quietly. “Good conversation?”
I allow myself the smallest smirk. “Yes. He’s considering my application. Wants me to come by tomorrow.”
Viktor cracks a rare, genuine smile. “That’s great. That’s really good news. Everything we’ve been working toward is finally falling into place.”
“Yeah,” I murmur, my gaze already drifting across the room.
Calina is standing with Artyom and his wife Kira. Her brother keeps shooting deadly glances in my direction, his jaw locked tight. I don’t give a fuck. I have his sister now. There’s nothing he can do about it.
Viktor follows my line of sight and lowers his voice. “You sure about her?”
I turn my head slowly. “What is that supposed to mean?”
He shrugs, expression wary. “I know this marriage brings in everything we’ve been chasing. But are you really sure you want to marry her? Her family doesn’t like you. They could use her as a spy, use her to go after your empire.”
I stare Viktor down, my voice cold and final. “They would never succeed if they tried.”
