Chapter 5 - The Contract and the Consequence
Maksym's voice never rose. It didn't need to.
"Before I decide whether your pathetic little company still exists after breakfast tomorrow," Maksym said, his eyes drilling into Marko's soul, "I want the names of every single person who laughed while my child was standing shivering in that water."
My mother's glass finally slipped entirely from her grip, shattering loudly against the marble floor. My father took a clumsy, terrified step back away from the fountain, holding his hands up defensively.
But Khrystyna, always the survivor, always the manipulator, desperately grabbed Marko's arm, her knuckles white. "Tell him, Marko!" she hissed, her voice shrill and panicked. "Tell him this is just a misunderstanding! She's just my crazy sister!"
Maksym slowly turned his head to look at my sister. He looked at her 540,000-hryvnia dress. He looked at the tiny red wine stain near the hem that had started this entire nightmare.
"No," Maksym said, his voice dropping to a terrifying whisper. "The misunderstanding was you thinking she came here with no one."
Behind him, the two massive security men stepped forward in perfect unison, moving toward the stage and the main family tables.
"Wait, wait, Mr. Haiduk, please!" Marko finally choked out, his voice cracking like a teenager's. He lunged forward, ignoring his bride completely. "This is a family matter! We didn't know! She never said your name!"
"She didn't say my name because I forbade it," Maksym replied coldly.
Maksym reached down to the table. He picked up the draft of the twelve-million-euro contract. He didn't tear it up aggressively. He just calmly, methodically ripped the thick stack of papers straight down the middle.
The sound of the tearing paper echoed across the silent terrace like a gunshot.
He dropped the pieces onto the wet floor, right into the puddle of water I had created when I stood up.
"The deal is dead, Marko," Maksym said. "Your firm will be audited by my associates at 8:00 a.m. tomorrow. I suggest you enjoy your cake. It will be the last meal you eat as a CEO."
Marko collapsed into a chair, burying his face in his hands.
My father, his face pale and slick with sweat, tried to force a sickeningly sweet smile. "Maksym... son-in-law. Let's not be hasty. We are family now. We can discuss this over a drink—"
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"If you ever speak to me, or look at my wife again," Maksym interrupted, not raising his voice, "I will buy the bank that holds the mortgage on your house and I will evict you myself. Do you understand me?"
My father's mouth opened and closed like a dying fish, but he didn't dare say another word.
