Is this destiny?

Maksim didn't care if the man standing there is his Uncle or not. Maksim is not attached to his own father, why would he care about a relative he never met? However, Maksim was interested in the possibility of Hong taking over the position of the Grand Master. Uncle or not, if he can do that, then Maksim will not be pushed into a path he is not willing to follow, and Sarah said that Maksim would get to keep his properties and maybe get other perks as well.

"How will you claim the position of the Grand Master?", Maksim questioned Hong.

"I will challenge Simeon publicly."

"Can you prove that you are Gedeon and not some random man who came to stir trouble? You know that Elders will object to you replacing my father even if you kill him, unless you can prove your identity."

Hong didn't have any proof handy, but… "I am sure that some of the seniors will remember me. And I can always give details about the main mansion and areas that are reserved for the Grand Master and other highest officials. If there is time, we can do a DNA test."

Maksim pursed his lips and turned to Sarah. "It seems that you have a plan. How do I fit into it?" He gave her a sly smirk, obviously indicating that his services will not come for free.

Sarah didn't like that Maksim spoke smugly like he is important. She wanted to put him in his place. "We can do this with or without you. However, your cooperation will make the process easier and hopefully, we can avoid unnecessary infighting. You don't need to expose yourself. There are three things I want from you. First, give me information on the Elders. I don't care about their roles, assets, or anything else that is known within the Voronin organization. I am interested in knowing who is loyal to your father, and who can be swayed, also, what are their weak points for the swaying to happen. Second, tell me what is a good time for us to show up. We will come tomorrow. We don't want to risk making a grand entrance and Simeon is not present. And third, hand over Vasily's body. I want to give him a proper burial."

Maksim blinked. "That's it?"

"Is there anything else you can offer us?" It was a trick question. With Eve tapping into the Voronin network, and Aiden with his team swiping all their weapons and valuables, there is really nothing else that Maksim could do. Also, when they attack tomorrow, it will be a coordinated attack between soldiers of the Army of Chaos and their allies where Voronins will lose most of their field operatives and resources while Sarah, Aiden, Hong, and the rest of their team will hit the main base of the Voronin family.

In one day, the Voronins will change either by gaining different leadership or by disappearing from the map. Sarah has no intention of dragging this further. Not after what happened on the previous day.

If Maksim gives them information on the Elders with a focus on bits and pieces that are not documented, that can help them reduce casualties and devise a better strategy for Hong taking over as the Grand Master.

Maksim agreed with Sarah's demands. How he sees it, if Sarah's plan fails, Maksim stays as-is. And if Sarah succeeds, he can enjoy his life as a handsome rich man without the pressure of the Voronin organization. "I will give you information on the Elders. As for when to come, my father is paranoid that everyone is out to get him, and he never leaves this base. He even has people taste the food before he eats, just to make sure he will not be poisoned." Maksim shook his head at the distrustful behavior of his father. He never understood the food-tasting. What if it's a slow-acting poison? But Maksim didn't want to think about Simeon more than necessary. He looked at Sarah and smiled. "Once you fulfill your part of the bargain and remove my father from his current position, we can talk about other things."

Sarah understood that Maksim will keep information on Vasily and anything else he finds important in order to exchange those for his freedom. And probably money which he will need plenty of if he leaves this place and wants to continue his wanton lifestyle.

Sarah wondered if she should tell him about the truth serum. No, this is not the right time because they need him to cooperate willingly if this is going to work.

The only thing they need is to make sure that Maksim does not betray them between now and the attack, and after that, Maksim can do whatever he wants.

Sarah nodded in agreement. "That is acceptable."

"Before we start, can I offer you a drink?" Maksim acted as a good host.

Sarah rejected. "There is no one to prepare drinks and I would rather you start talking than brewing tea. As much as this is a cozy place, we don't have the whole night."

Maksim's eyebrows shoot up at the comment that there is no one to prepare drinks. "Did you kill my people?"

"No. They will be back in about one hour.", Sarah responded.

"You don't think that it will be suspicious how my men disappeared only to return unscathed?"

Sarah smiled. "There are other things that are happening as we speak. I can assure you that no one will care that eight people took involuntary naps. No one saw us coming and you can pretend that you had a nap as well." Sarah glanced at the walls that were covered in paintings and her eyes sparkled. "If it will help your cover, we can take these paintings with us and you can say that you were robbed. Or do you want me to empty your safe?"

"That won't be necessary." Maksim loves the fire in Sarah's eyes. That is what got his attention the first time when they met. "You are confident that you can leave from here."

"I left yesterday; I can do it today. And don't forget that we got here without alerting anyone."

"Yeah, makes me wonder how did you do that."

Sarah waved her hand, indicating him to drop the topic. "Focus, Maksim. If you want this to work, you need to do your part and we don't have the whole night. We will leave here in no less than forty-six minutes and it is up to you to show within that timeframe that you can be useful."

Maksim gave a small nod before he started. "In the upper management, no one trusts anyone. My father included. Those are all relationships made out of interest…" Maksim spoke about the Elders one by one, listing some of their traits, alliances, and any other information he could remember.

About half an hour later…

"Thank you, Maksim.", Sarah said when Maksim ended sharing the information.

"Are you sure you got it all?" Maksim noticed that Sarah listened while scratching Kitty's head, but she didn't take any notes and he spoke a lot.

Of course, Maksim does not know that through Eve-lens he was being recorded, and other than Aiden, many others listened, including Sophia and JoAnna.

Sarah stood up and Maksim reached for his knife that was visible on his right hip.

Aaron, Noah, and Michael jumped to stand between Maksim and Sarah and Kitty growled as well.

The fastest was Hong who was already holding Maksim's neck. "You might be my nephew, but I will not hesitate to snap your neck."

Maksim sneered at Hong. "I see that the Voronin blood inside you is strong."

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