Is this destiny?

In the office of the Grand Master at the core of the main base of the Voronin family…

Maksim looked at his father with a complex expression. "Your men caught Olga."

Simeon smiled in response.

Maksim gritted his teeth in frustration. "You gave me two days."

"I got tired of waiting.", Simeon responded nonchalantly.

Maksim knew that it's not this simple. "What exactly were you waiting for? Wasn't this a test for me? You can't tell me that I failed when you decided to cut the time in half."

Simeon was amused by Maksim's reaction. They already know that Sarah is not Olga and even though they are not sure about her motives, it can't be anything good. If they waited until the end of the day (or tomorrow), Sarah would be expecting retaliation, and maybe even flee out of their reach. Only by acting like this, before the 'training' ends, they were able to catch her off guard.

Simeon wondered, is Maksim so smitten by Sarah that he can't think straight? Doesn't he see the danger she represents? Or is it possible that Maksim does not care?

"This is not a failure, Maksim. Think of it as a change in the task for you."

"What is the new task?", Maksim asked, even though he knew that he will hear half-truth, at best. His father always liked to play games and enjoys as others scramble to figure out what he wants.

"Interrogate her. Show me how you break her and how far will you go in order to find secrets of the Lebedev family."

Maksim snorted. "She is just a young woman. How many secrets can she know?"

Simeon smiled. "If my source is right, she knows all of them."

Maksim didn't believe it. Even if she is the daughter of the main figure (how Maksim is), she can't know much. Maksim is the next in line to lead the Voronin organization, and he only finds out about crumbs his father is willing to share. How can Sarah know all that is going on in the Lebedev family? Also, if Konstantin (or any other Elder from the Lebedev family) has Sarah as a daughter, Maksim would know about her.

Maksim was confident that this is a trap set up by his father. Did he walk into it?

"And what if your source is wrong?", Maksim asked.

Simeon shrugged. "One way or another, her ending will not change."

Maksim held his breath when he realized that his father will kill Sarah. Soon. Is this really a test for Maksim? Why go that far? Sure, Maksim never cared about people who die around him, but Sarah is different. He needs to try something... anything...

"If she is so important as you claim, why not use her to get something from the Lebedevs?", Maksim asked with a proud smirk because he thought of this brilliant idea.

Simeon was amused. "Like what?"

Maksim observed his father. Using hostages is a thing they used many times before, why is Simeon acting like he does not know what Maksim is suggesting? But Maksim didn't want to argue, not this time.

"We can ask for a piece of their business, territory. Possibilities are increasing the more valuable she is.", Maksim responded.

Simeon's lips curved into a knowing smile. "It seems to me that you are looking for a way to save her."

Maksim lifted his chin arrogantly. "I am looking for a way to make this good for our family. I don't see a benefit in killing her. If she is important and we kill her, won't that only provoke Lebedevs?"

"That will depend on the information she gives us. She came here first and if she dies, it can be considered self-defense. If you want to play with her, you can do so.", Simeon said casually.

"Give me two days.", Maksim demanded.

"I will give you until the end of the day. She is yours."

Simeon waved his hand, indicating to Maksim that he can leave, but Maksim was still in the same spot.

"You said that she is mine to play with. One day is not enough."

Simeon narrowed his eyes. "This is not open for negotiation."

Maksim swallowed hard. "What happens at the end of the day?"

Simeon was getting irritated by all the questions. Soldiers get orders and they execute them. Maksim knows well how people get punished for disobedience.

Simeon sneered. "I will get my information, starting with why she is here and who all is involved. Either you do it, or I will. Your choice."

Maksim could see that his father reached the edge of his patience and if Maksim pushes this further, he will risk this slim chance he has to get close to Sarah. But… what can he do? Sarah is obviously under close monitoring, and if Maksim does anything other than an interrogation, his father will know about it. He will think about that later.

"I will do it.", Maksim said confidently.

Simeon nodded in approval. "I look forward to seeing your results."

"I expect that she is mine until the end of today and that you will not cut my time short again."

Simeon narrowed his eyes. "Don't test my patience, Maksim. You either do a good job, or someone else will. That is how always things went."

Maksim swallowed all the words that threatened to come out of his throat. "Yes, father."

Maksim was not sure what to do, but he wanted to check on Sarah's condition first. He can't believe that she got captured voluntarily.

Simeon kept his poker face on as he watched Maksim walk out of his office.

"If you think I don't know you are up to something, you are making a big mistake…", Simeon mumbled before turning to focus on the computer screen in front of him.

…

Sarah finished applying the medicine on Aiden's bruises and observed his handsome face. He looked like sleeping, peaceful, relaxed. She was reluctant to wake him up, knowing that he will be upset about what happened and worried about her and their baby.

"You should eat, Divna…"

Maksim's voice made Sarah jolt. She turned abruptly and glared at Maksim while her body arched in a half-squat, like she is ready to leap at him.

The door opened, and one man got inside the cell. He left a tray with food on the floor before scurrying outside and closing the door behind him.

Maksim looked on the side, waiting for the man to move away before he looked at Sarah.

He was behind the door, but the door is made out of metal bars that are placed wide enough for an arm to go through, so she could see him clearly.

"How are you holding up?", Maksim asked.

Sarah narrowed her eyes at Maksim, and she was unable to figure out if he is really concerned about her or if he is a good actor.

"Why do you care?"

Maksim shrugged, indicating how that is not important. He asked his next question: "Is it true that you are from the Lebedev family?"

Sarah remembered Ivan, and she swore that if he is alive, she will torture him until he wishes that he is dead. "Don't you have your sources? Ask them."

"I am asking you."

"If I say no, will you believe me?", Sarah asked.

Maksim observed that even though he is on the other side of the door, Sarah didn't move from Aiden as if she is protecting him. He was glad that she is fine, and irritated to see how much she cares about Aiden. No one ever cared about him like that. No one.

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