Chapter 3
Chapter 3
Elena’s POV:
If I was wrong about Nikolai Vetrov ́s intentions, the worst that could happen was that i would embarrass myself. That was nothing compared to what was at stake. But if I didn’t do anything–if I didn’t at least try to ask for his help–and my mother’s condition worsened, or worse…
I knew I would regret it for the rest of my life.
I exhaled sharply, forcing my shaky legs to push me upright
That’s it then.
I had made my choice.
Pulling put my phone, I searched for the address of Vetrov Enterprises. I had been there once or twice before, back when Dmitri would take me out for lunch at one of the high–end restaurants near his brother’s office. But 1 didn’t remember the eract address.
At least I knew Nikolai wasn’t out of the country.
glanced down at my outfit a simple black dress, the same one I had worn earlier at my dad’s funeral. My hair was still tied into a low bun, strandı Jalling loose from hours of exluustion.
I looked like a grieving woman.
Which, in many ways, I was.
I was mourning the death of my father, the life 1 thought I would have, the man I thought loved me and the security I had believed in.
Now, I had nothing.
Except for this one insane, desperate plan.
30 minutes later-
The towering glass building of Vetrov Enterprises loomed before me, its sharp edges piercing the dawn sky.
The city was still asleep, the streets nearly deserted, but this place–this empire Nikolai built with his own hands—was already awake at four o’clock in the morning.
A few luxury cars lined the private parking area, their sleek exteriors gleaming under the streetlights.
I inhaled deeply, steeling myself.
I knew I probably wouldn’t be able to see him right away. CEOs don’t stroll into work at four in the morning. But I had no choice. I would leave my number with the receptionist and pray that Nikolai would agree to meet me.
There was no way I could ask Dmitri for his brother’s mumber.
Not when I was about to do this.
I pushed through the heavy glass doors and stepped into the lobby,
The receptionist at the front desk–a well–dressed woman in her late twenties–looked up from her computer screen, her eyes widening in surprise
when she saw me.
“Are you Miss Elena?”
I frowned. “You know me!”
She hesitated, then todded. “Ah, yes. Sir told me to send you up.”
My heart stopped.
Wild
I stared at her, my pulse hammering in my ears. Had he anticipated my arrival!
No. That wasn’t possible.
How would he know?
18:14 PM
Chapter 3
My hands curled into fists, my heartbeat racing.
The receptionist smiled and handed me a key card. “Take the elevator to the twenty–seventh floor. He’s expecting you
I nodded slowly, forcing myself to act normal as I took the card and walked toward the elevator
My mind was spiraling.
Was this just a coincidence? Had he expected me to come?
Or had he known all along that this day would come! No.that didn’t make sense. How would he know that I needed money for my mother’s bypass in advance?
There was another more plausible reason that swirled in my mind was he somehow stalking me?
I swallowed hard, shaking off the thought as I stepped into the empty elevator.
That was ridiculous though. Why would someone like him have a need to do that?
The moment the doors slid shut, I let out a shaky breath and pressed my back against the cold metal wall.
Calm down. Keep it together
I tapped the key card against the panel. The elevator hummed to life, carrying me higher and higher.
Maybe it was just my imagination or nervousness but the air felt thinner the closer I got.
Twenty–fifth floor
Twenty–sixth.
Twenty–seventh
A soft chime echoed, and the doors glided open.
There was only one office here.
A massive, double–door entrance at the end of the dimly lit hallway.
And sitting just outside it, a man—his posture straight as he typed away at his laptop. Nikolar’s secretary?
As soon as he saw me, he stood up and gestured toward the doors
“Sir is waiting for you, Miss Kovalyova.” He smiled and moved to open the door for me.
I nodded, thanking him as I stepped inside, my gaze immediately landing on the man behind the desk
Nikolai Vetrov ut in his massive leather chair, flipping through a file as if he hadn’t just called me here before I even made the decision to come.
His dark eyes flicked up from his papers, locking onto me.
The man was unfairly attractive.
He looked unbothered, composed. His expensive suit was perfectly fitted, the top button of his shirt undone, revealing a glimpse of tattoos pecking
from his collar.
The picture–perfect CEO.
And I was standing frozen in front of him.
“Good morning” he said smoothly, his voice deep.
The last time we had talked, I had drank alcohol so it hadn’t felt like this, and before that, the couple of times we ran into each other we hadn’t conversed at all.
1 took a breath, forcing down my nerves. “Morning”
“Have a scal
I did, trying to keep my posture straight and confident despite the storm raging inside me.
“Tea or coffee?” he asked.
2/4
8.34 PM
Chapter 3
“Neither. I’m fine.”
Nikolai frowned slightly before picking up the telecom. “Send in a pumpkin spice Latte,”
My body went rigid.
How did he know my favorite drink!
He leaned back, watching the with something close to amusement. “Don’t think too much. Dmitri talks a lot about you.”
My stomach tightened.
Hearing my ex–fiance’s name out loud felt like a punch to the ribs. But I refused to show it.
Instead, I kept my gaze trained on Nikolai “You know what he did, don’t you?”
He smirked.
“I warned you, didn’t I He isn’t husband material
I clenched my fists ignoring his remark for now. “Why do you hate Dmitri
His smirk didn’t fade. “Hate? No, I don’t hate him. But I dislike him
1 narrowed my eyes.
“He’s spoiled. Daddy’s little treasure. He’s never suffered a day in his life. Never had to fight for anything. He thinks with his head, but not the one on his shoulders
Nikolai motioned toward his crotch.
1 bit down on my tongue, feeling the urge to refute him.
But could
I had seen it with
y own lwb cyck
my
Dmitri was exactly what Nikolai described.
“After all,” Nikolai continued, if he had any brains, he wouldn’t have fumbled someone like you.”
A sharp, hot sensation crawled up my spine.
This was it. This was my opening
I lifted my chin. “I have an offer for you”
His eyes flickered with interest.
“Marry me. Give me enough money to save my mother. In return, I’ll give you a wife on paper. And a way to make your little brother a laughing
nock
For the first time, Nikolai froze.
I watched as he leaned back, studying me. Then, his lips curled,
You’re pretty straightforwjed. I expected you to take more time to corre routed
My fingers dug into my lap. “I don’t have time for that. My mother needs emergency Bypass surgery. Are you willing to help me or not?”
I was probably glaring at him now.
A moment of silence stretched between us
Then-
“If I say no will you go back and ask Dimitri for money?”
wry smile spread across my face.
“He but the only member of the Vetrov family I can go to, you know,” I said, my voice laced with something dangerous. “After all, I know Daddy Vetrow has cenain tendencies toward girls half his age.
Chapter 3
I was pushing my limits,
But I had a lunch.
A dangerous, reckless hunch
That Nikolai Vetrov was interested in me.
AD
