Chapter 90 GROOM VS EX-HUSBAND
POV: PATRICK
My eyes scanned every corner of the room, searching for signs that that bastard had come with company. It was clear he was too confident and arrogant to realize I wasn’t just any enemy.
Upon entering the room, I found him sitting casually, playing with a small device in his hand that initially looked like a car alarm.
“It’s hard to stay away from Elisabeth, isn’t it, Mr. Morgan?” Pavel clenched his fists on the table. “She’s always been like that, ever since college, you know? All the men wanted her, not just because of her obvious beauty, but also because of her intelligence, which intrigued everyone.”
“If you think so highly of Mrs. Lis, why did you treat her so badly that she had to run away from you?” I provoked, leaning on the edge of the table. “By the way, Mr. Andreev, I’m curious about your visit to my publishing house today.”
“Rough diamonds need to be polished, Mr. Morgan. Elisabeth still needs to be shaped.” He responded, gripping the device tighter. “Let’s just say her past attracted me. All that show of images and the sad story about the loss of the child... wow... It’s as cold as I am. Using your son’s death to turn the situation of your company around, pitting everyone against your ex-wife.”
Angrily, I slammed the table, leaning towards him in a threatening manner.
“Don’t you dare talk about my son, Mr. Pavel, unless you want to leave this building without your life!” I kept my sharp eyes on him. “Let’s get straight to the point, what do you want here?”
“Careful, Elisabeth doesn’t like men with explosive tempers.” He laughed, leaning forward to look directly at me. “You know perfectly well what I want!”
Pavel whistled, raising his gaze.
“She’s no longer your torture toy, Andreev. You won’t touch a hair on my fiancée’s head,” I maintained the threatening tone towards him.
“And if I do?” Pavel smiled, amused, shaking his head from side to side. “What will you do?”
“The tortures you put Elisabeth through will seem like child’s play compared to what I’ll do to you!” I straightened up as the receptionist knocked on the door, bringing coffee and water, leaving quickly.
“Oh, don’t make threats you can’t keep, Mr. Morgan. You can barely handle your ex-wife, what’s her name again? Heloise Forbs?” Pavel drank the coffee calmly, looking over the edge of the cup. “I know about your life, your past, and your depressing future. Tell me, does she know?”
“I don’t know. Does Elisabeth know you’re hunted for treason by the largest Russian agency, the KGB?” Despite staying calm, I remained alert, aware of how dangerous this man was. “Leave my city, leave my fiancée alone, or I’ll make you disappear from this world.”
“I love it when my enemies are in love and motivated by their cause.” He laughed ironically, grimacing at the coffee. “Even your American coffee is weak compared to ours, Russian. Men like you are the first to beg for mercy when the tortures start. You’re so… pathetic!”
“It’s easy to talk like that when your target is defenseless women.” With fiery eyes, I retorted, watching him slam the cup on the table, scratching his temples.
“Elisabeth belongs to me. Don’t fool yourself into thinking she’s yours just because you fuck her sometimes.” Rising, Pavel stood in front of me. “That bitch spreads her legs for anyone she thinks can protect her.”
I stepped forward, getting very close to him in a threatening pose.
“Show more respect when you talk about my fiancée. I’m trying very hard not to cut out your tongue and shove it down your throat.” I gritted my teeth, determined. “I’ll ask again, why did you come to my company?”
“You’re not just a dumb playboy.” Pavel took a few steps back, raising the small device. “Who is more important to you, your publishing house or Elisabeth?”
I frowned, assessing the device in his hand.
“Why do you want to know?” I asked, suspicious.
“Give me your publishing house, and I’ll leave your fiancée alone.” Drumming his fingers on the table, he kept the cynicism in his eyes.
“Just like that?” I raised an eyebrow, assessing him.
“Just like that, my dear. Do we have a deal?” Pavel extended his hand.
“And you expect me to believe that a man who has hunted his ex-wife for five years is willing to give her up for a publishing house that adds nothing to your dirty business?” I crossed my arms, frowning. “What's your play?”
“How suspicious, Mr. Morgan. Well, I'll leave you to think about my proposal...” Andreev walked slowly, stopping next to me. “Either way, I'll take everything that’s yours. The way it happens will be your choice.”
I turned towards him as he pressed the device. Explosions echoed from somewhere in the building, destabilizing it. I grabbed onto the table as Pavel walked out, laughing.
“Let’s see if you can protect her!” Pavel waved his hands as he left.
Deafening screams echoed through the space, mixing with the sound of people coughing and running in panic. Security guards rushed toward me, armed and ready to act. Meanwhile, the fire extinguishers went off, spraying water everywhere. Did that bastard think a bomb would scare me? He was mistaken.
I knew about his arrival, and I was prepared for his visit. What he didn’t realize was that his appearance was exactly what we were waiting for. We contacted our connections at the KGB, and despite the arrest warrant, I wasn’t willing to let him leave our country alive. It was a matter of honor and revenge for everything he did to Elisabeth. Pavel Andreev wasn’t going to escape.