"You have to go..."
Charlotte said in a faint voice after her tears had finally subsided. She had been crying on Daniel's shoulder for nearly half an hour.
She pulled back from his embrace and wiped her eyes wearily, then added gently:
"I'm okay now... Sorry for bothering you."
Daniel shook his head in denial and looked at her with eyes full of concern.
"You didn't bother me, Charlotte."
He pressed his lips together for a moment, then reached out and gently took her hands into his:
"You need to stop thinking you're a burden to me or to anyone. And about what happened with Kaiser... I'm sorry I wasn't there for you."
Charlotte felt a sharp pang in her chest at the mention of Kaiser's name. What happened between them wasn't a simple assault… it was more like a game with a demon. But she quickly shook her head, trying to seem stronger than she felt:
"Don't apologize, Daniel... I'm fine. At least, it wasn't that bad."
"Are you really okay?"
"Yes."
She replied softly, then slowly stood to her feet and extended her hand to help him up.
"I'm still holding on... I'm stronger than you think."
It was an honest confession from Charlotte. To her, what happened with Kaiser was far less terrifying than that man's threat… or the silent pressure her family had crushed her with for years.
Daniel looked at her in silence for a moment, then a small smile formed on his lips as he said:
"I believe in you… You've always been resilient, and much stronger than I expected."
Charlotte lifted the corners of her lips in a faint smile, but it didn't reach her eyes. She no longer had the strength to smile like her old self.
"Well, I'm relieved. And I also hope you won't let what Leonid said get to you. He didn't mean it, you can see that in—"
"There's no need to bring that up!"
She cut him off, her tone sharper than usual unlike her. Daniel was taken aback for a second and lowered his gaze to the floor, lips pressed shut.
"I'm sorry."
"No, Daniel..."
Charlotte felt upset with herself for snapping at him. She stepped closer and gently held his hands, as if silently apologizing.
"You don't need to apologize again, or blame yourself, or think you're intruding... I just don't want to talk about it. Whatever Leonid feels... what we had is truly over."
"Charlotte..."
Daniel's gray eyes shimmered with tears, but she spoke first, her voice barely audible.
"It's okay, I'm fine..."
She whispered, struggling to hold back her tears. She closed her eyes for a moment, took a deep breath, then continued:
"It's not like we'll never talk again... He himself said this is temporary… until his anger cools."
"I hope things work out between you two..."
Daniel murmured sympathetically, then smiled faintly and added:
"And soon."
Charlotte nodded, then looked at him softly and said:
"As for you… don't let what happened affect you. I'm fine, and everything will be fine. Tomorrow, you can confidently approach Lyudmila at her birthday party."
Daniel paused at her words, staring at her for a moment before asking with worry in his voice:
"Can you really come? After everything that happened today?"
Charlotte looked at him steadily, despite the exhaustion marking her face:
"I can."
"Hmm…"
Daniel murmured doubtfully, prompting Charlotte to pull her hands from his and slowly cross her arms.
"My God, do you think I'm humoring you? I mean what I say, and I promise… I'll be there. But I'll go alone."
"Alright, I'll believe you… since you promised."
Even though he believed her, a trace of doubt lingered in his eyes. He turned and walked toward the door, then said in a light tone:
"I won't forgive you if you break your promise."
"I won't. Don't worry."
Charlotte followed him with slow steps. Just as he was about to open the door, he suddenly turned back and hugged her tightly.
Charlotte's eyelashes fluttered in surprise until Daniel let her go and whispered:
"Stay safe… I'll see you tomorrow."
"Hmm… You too. Just don't get into a fight with Kaiser, and don't try to talk to Natalia… Let things unfold on their own."
Daniel nodded silently, then opened the door and left.
Charlotte waved to him until he disappeared down the hallway. Then she turned her gaze toward Leonid's apartment door. Sadness fell over her features; she wanted to go in, to cross that threshold, but she didn't feel ready… not yet.
Suddenly, she heard a door creak open nearby. Her body tensed, and she quickly shut her door.
As soon as Charlotte let go of the doorknob, Kaiser stepped out of his apartment shirtless. He wore a pair of athletic pants barely hanging onto his waist, his red hair damp and disheveled, and his eyes half-shut from sleep despite having just taken a shower.
Sleep wasn't the only reason for his delay... he'd received an official warning, and now he was scrambling to make up for it in a rush that bordered on chaos.
He sighed, picked up his hoodie and lazily gave it a shake before slipping it on and shutting the door behind him. The elevator was on the ground floor, and it looked like it would be a long wait.
Rubbing his temple in frustration, he changed course toward the emergency stairs, descending quickly.
"Ugh, my back…"
he muttered in pain, arching his spine. The cracking of his joints echoed around him. Clearly, the effects of last night with Natalia were catching up with him and now it was time to pay the price.
As soon as he exited the building, he pulled out his car keys, started the engine, and drove off. According to Alex, a "small issue" had come up during his absence.
"I just hope that old man isn't the reason…"
he thought sarcastically, gripping the steering wheel tighter.
Half an hour later, he parked behind the company building, stepped out, and ran his fingers through his hair. His brisk, disordered steps carried him toward the back emergency door, where Alex stood waiting with a garment bag in hand.
"You made it just in time, young master."
Alex exhaled in relief as Kaiser headed straight to the restroom to change.
"I'm always on time,"
Kaiser muttered, adjusting his black shirt and tie before slipping on a dark blue blazer. Not his usual colors, but as always, he tolerated them Alex's taste never really matched his own.
He stepped out of the restroom, giving himself a final look in the mirror, then asked:
"So, what's this little problem?"
"She left just moments ago… without causing a big scene."
Kaiser stopped examining his reflection and turned toward Alex with a scowl of disbelief.
"So I got here too late?! Then why did you say I made it in time?"
"Young master, I meant she didn't stir up any drama but… he left us a problem."
Kaiser narrowed his eyes and crossed his arms.
"And what exactly is this problem?"
"I can't tell you… it's better if you head to your office. You'll understand everything there."
"You're being impractical today."
Kaiser muttered irritably, shaking his head in disappointment before heading for the elevator. His steps were confident, heavy, carrying a sense of authority and boredom.
Alex followed quietly, letting out a soft sigh, as if bracing himself for what was to come.
Once they arrived, Alex stopped at the office door and gestured for Kaiser to go in alone. Kaiser didn't pay much attention to it, but paused for a moment and said in a calm voice:
"Tell the assistant to bring me my usual coffee."
"As you wish…"
Kaiser stepped into the office, giving it a quick scan. The room was quiet, tidy, and elegant as always. Alex gently closed the door behind him.
Kaiser had only taken a few steps when his eyes fell on a brown paper bag, full and placed neatly on the polished desk.
He frowned and approached cautiously. He lifted it, weighing it a bit, then carefully opened it. His eyes narrowed with suspicion and disgust.
"That old man…"
he muttered bitterly, then sighed and added sarcastically:
"Tsk… that foolish servant. How did they even catch him?"
He tossed the bag sharply onto the desk. Small plastic packets spilled out across the dark wood, their white contents gleaming under the light.
Kaiser sat down in his chair, staring ahead in heavy thought while his fingers tapped the edge of the desk in silent tension.
After a moment, he exhaled deeply and smiled.
"At least they didn't find the rest of what I stashed."
It may have been a moment of loss, but it was also a small victory.
Inside the Ivanovitch household, the lawyer had just arrived, having carefully placed the paper bag on the eldest son's desk as instructed. He adjusted the collar of his suit as he walked toward the desk with measured steps, preparing to deliver the news… in details that left no room for escape.