"What are you saying, Doctor Lia?" The patriarch's inquisitive gaze fell on Lia. The rest of the family did the same but she remained placid. "Lia..." Vasili gently took hold of her hand while waiting for her explanation. Lia turned to face her husband. She gave him a soft smile before trailing her gaze across the room. She met everyone's questioning eyes until it settled on Kamilla. "Petrov Pharmaceuticals conducted extensive written and performance examinations two months ago. Only five candidates advanced to the final stage after passing several qualifying exams," Lia explains calmly, not taking her gaze away from Kamilla. "I need this country's top chemists to be trained, and I want new ones. Fresh knowledge and youthful vigour" she added while glancing at the patriarch. Since she took over Petrov Pharmaceuticals, she has aggressively scouted candidates for training. Not just for the company, but especially for the underground Petrov facility. Her sister-in-law, Abigai
Following the outburst of the two men, the family resolved to send Damian to his final resting place.It was a solemn ceremony, and Kamilla realized how important her father was to the Petrovs. She watches Samael Petrov cry while holding her father's cold hand. Everyone shared in his grief, and even the Patriarch was not ashamed of the tears that streamed from his eyes. At that point, she realized she was not alone in her grief. People she thought were powerful enough to be immune to grief are now crying for her father's death. This is the Petrovs' other side, which the world is unaware of. She was glad she had the opportunity to witness it. "Let your soul rest, brother. I have avenged your death. They have already paid for the lives we lost that day, particularly yours. Now, I can bring you to your final rest without any shame." Samael clenched his teeth with each word, creating a peculiar grimness in the air. After hearing Samael Petrov's forbidding words, a chill ran down her s
"Ella, let us have lunch," says one of her colleagues, Michael, who stands beside her working table and quietly observes her intricate way of mixing formulas.It has been weeks since she began working, and she is gradually making friends. She was warmly welcomed and eventually joined an excellent team. Despite her close association with the Petrovs, no one was aware of it. Hence, her interaction with Doctor Lia remained professional, and she was treated in the same manner as the other employees. "I will catch up," she whispered, still focused on what she was doing. "We will wait for you at the locker," Michael offered before turning away. Despite being the last person to take a break, her team is constantly waiting for her. "I hate it when someone is waiting for me," she cussed, unsure whether Michael heard her. "We will be waiting for you. You will forget to eat again if we leave you," Michael argued, not turning around to face her. Her new friends would always insist on waiti
Kamilla and Samuel's meeting that day did not end in the hallway. The announcement of Petrov's visit interrupted the quiet afternoon. Through the glass wall, she can not help but be unsettled as she watches the entrance of the intimidating Petrov entourage, along with some associates. Her gaze was fixed at Samuel who looked seriously imposing while listening to Director Lee beside him. Contrary to her previous stern demeanor, the woman appeared amicable with a gracious smile on her face. Well, having a Petrov's attention will definitely put a smile on someone's face. With Samuel and Stephen Petrov listening to her, she surely is making a statement. "Director Lee is always trying so hard when Sir Samuel pays a visit." Jean's soft voice breaks the silence of the laboratory as they conduct a serious experiment at their respective workstations. Despite the fact that there is an interesting spectacle outside, they are unable to simply stop and openly chat. Not because they
Kamilla arrived at the penthouse shortly before midnight, as she did on most nights. Her steps are deliberate and heavy. Anyway, she is not looking forward to the empty space that awaits her. All the staff would leave after they are done cleaning and prepare her needs for the night. Also, because she is at work all day, the Chef would only come to prepare her breakfast. She is so exhausted that she has to drag her feet to the door. After mumbling a thank you to the security who opened the heavy door for her, she quickly entered. But her steps came to a halt when she saw the figure on the couch. With his grim expression and the robe he was wearing, he appeared to have been waiting for a long time. Their gazes met and for a moment they simply stared at each other. It took some time for her to slowly make her way towards the receiving area while keeping her gaze fixed on him. "Welcome home, Mr. Petrov," she muttered as she took a seat across from him. For a while, there was silence
"I prefer my coffee, black" Samuel seriously muttered.Director Lee looked at him, perplexed, while holding the neatly arranged cream packets inside the fancy container. Today marks the second day of Samuel and Stephen Petrov's visit to Petrov Pharmaceuticals. Director Lee, along with some executives, personally assisted the two men in the laboratory, as she did yesterday. To impress Samuel Petrov, she brought him an expensive creamer for his coffee. But what he said now had her perplexed. Several pairs of eyes are drawn to the table, where Director Lee is staring at Samuel Petrov with confusion. It is breaktime, and the common room is packed. "But, yesterday... Ahm... You went looking for creamer," she reminded him with an awkward smile. She waited for his response but received none. Samuel continued reading, ignoring her and her expensive offering. While Director Lee was left in a state of confusion, Kamilla and her team observed the spectacle. She, too, was confused. Samuel
"Director Lee was hospitalized. She is being closely monitored, but she is stable. Kyriz meets Kamilla in the lobby, and they walk together to the elevator.Kamilla simply nodded without saying anything. They have joined the crowd of employees waiting for the elevator in the early morning.Aside from Kyriz, everyone is discussing the incident from yesterday. They are still trying to figure out what happened with the director."It was so sudden""She might have endured it for a long time""She would be in the hospital for at least one week. Her doctor discovered an abnormality in her brain.""Pity for Director Lee."Kamilla could hear the hushed murmurs but showed no interest. Petrov Pharmaceuticals spent the first few hours of their day discussing Director Lee. However, unlike everyone else, she did not join the uproar. She became so preoccupied with work that she did not realize it was already lunchtime. Jean, as usual, pulled her out of her workstation, and the four of them will e
Kamilla entered the massive door and found Samuel behind his desk. More than his commanding presence, she was drawn to the delectable aroma that pervaded the entire office. "I have an early appointment with Vasili this morning. It is still too early to wake you up for breakfast," he stands up and walks casually towards the conference table, his hands in his pockets. Kamilla watches him in silence, and while she was disappointed not to see him at breakfast this morning, his explanation surprised her. "We finished ahead of schedule," he said, stopping a few feet from the table. "Chef Anton made lunch," he gestured to the table, and she realized the table was set with a feast. She looked at the mouthwatering gourmet dishes, which must taste divine. Her stomach even growled with excitement. Despite the temptation to devour the delectable feast, she returned her inscrutable gaze to him. "Then eat well, Mr. Petrov," she said politely, meeting his intent gaze. "I will not keep you fr
"But...? What is the but, Lia?" Samuel repeated, and tears began to obscure his vision.He has been trained to see all sides of situations and he consistently demands it regardless of its outcome. Their family waited in trepidation, afraid to even move. Every passing second is torture to everyone's sanity.Lia wiped her tears away and took a quick breath to alleviate the uncomfortable lump in her throat. "Dr. Rene Rechner modified the patented medicine used to wake up Grandmother Andrea." Lia earnestly explained, her eyes fixed at Samuel.At the mention of the drug developed by Dr. Rechner piqued everyone's interest, most particularly Samuel."Two of the triplets shared the same placenta and the other one has her own" Lia gently smiled."My princess got separated from her brothers" Samuel softly mumbled."Yes, and we almost lost her" Lia bitterly whispered, letting out a deep breath. "It was a nightmare. Reviving a fetus smaller than my knuckles was a scene I would rather forget. T
"It is taking so long," Samuel heaved a sigh and muttered, burying his face in his palm.The grueling wait is wreaking havoc on his sanity. It has been four hours and there is no indication of anyone leaving the operation room. "They have to make sure Kamilla and the babies are all right, Sam," Lexie said, rubbing his back to reassure him. Dinara is on the other side of him, doing the same to her son. "We shall keep praying for all of them, Sam. May all of the medical team be shone with divine wisdom that only the heavens could bestow. May Kamilla and the three babies be given the strength to endure" Lexie tenderly whispered with closed eyes. Before Lia, Dr. Rechner, and Abby took Kamilla to the surgery room, the entire family had arrived, including the Wrights and the Steels.Vasili and the other Petrov men arrived three hours later. But they made sure to check in with the others on the ongoing procedure since it started. "They are not done yet?" Vasili asked his brothers the ins
Kamilla had extensive monitoring to ensure she was ready for a cesarean section. Her blood pressure, however, has proven to be the most difficult obstacle. "Sam, go lay down next to Kamilla and sleep. Something is upsetting her, causing her blood pressure to fluctuate. I believe you are the one causing her distress," Lia mumbled sympathetically as she approached Samuel."What exactly do you mean, me?" Samuel was perplexed as he pointed to himself."Kamilla is exhibiting symptoms of stress. She may be lethargic but she is conscious, Sam. She knows exactly what is going on around her" Lia patiently explained, staring straight into his eyes."She knows when you are not eating or sleeping. She could sense your distress and guilt. She knows when you are drowning in work and not taking care of yourself the way you used to." Lia bitterly smiled, seeing his perplexity."She is aware of everything, yet she has no control over it. She cannot take care of you while fighting to survive and beari
"How are you, Babe?" Samuel approached the bed and leaned in to kiss the peacefully sleeping figure on it.He carefully took a seat next to her and hovered above her, his elbows propped up to support his weight. He longingly stares at her beautiful face, seemingly memorizing every detail of it. He received no warm response, as he usually does, but he continued to gently kiss her pale face."I finished some important meetings earlier and started handing over some of my tasks to Denver," he smiled as he planted a kiss on her slightly parted lips. "Starting tomorrow, I will be working from home. I will not leave unless absolutely essential, Babe. We will be together all day," he inhaled deeply with closed eyes, immersing his fatigued senses with her soothing natural scent.He just finished showering alone. It was extremely lonely going about their daily routine without her, but he will persevere. He will wait for her.Yesterday was a mix of joy and doom for him. He found Kamilla had b
"Good day, Madame Kamilla," staff greeted as she make way to the private elevator with her security. "Good day," she remarked with a courteous smile and a kind nod to everyone. Her presence inside Petrov Petroleum's main office has become more frequent in recent days. It had been four months since her wedding, and she was now undergoing rigorous training under all Petrov senior scientists, as Doctor Lia had planned for her. They are preparing her as future chief scientist at the facility. She was doing well in her training, except for her odd yearning to see and smell Samuel every now and then. She was trying to concentrate on her work, but she couldn't resist the impulse to meet with Samuel. So despite the hassle of traveling to the main office from her location, she would make the effort to visit him. However, unlike most days, she felt a little lethargic. She woke up fine earlier. However, when she arrived at the facility, she felt an unusual tightness in her gut. She tried
"What are your plans, Kamilla?" Vasili asked as he stared at the stacks of stones in front of them."I just want to bring my family home" Kamilla smiled bitterly. Today, after ten years, she went back to Monte Cristo a week after the wedding. They arrived at dawn at the mainland's airport and traveled for four hours to Monte Cristo. The sun had already risen and they could clearly see the forest and wreckage of her previous home. Not only Samuel accompanied her but the Mafia Boss, Vasili and his queen, Doctor Amelia, Denver, Carl, Dalton, the Stepanov siblings who are nowhere to be seen around them, and several of their men. Monte Cristo is already a foreign land to her and the Petrov will not allow her and Samuel to return without the Wolf, some of their cousins and their men. Her heart sank to the depths of the ocean as she stared at the makeshift tomb she had built for her family ten years ago. The stones she placed have now become rubble on the ground. The passage of time ru
"Wow, its huge. Thick and long" Kamilla's eyes widened in awe as she stared at the sandwich placed in front of her. A surprisingly large hungarian sausage.Inquisitive eyes darted to her, and as soon as they noticed where her gaze was directed, their brows arched in mischievous delight. "Looked familiar," Abby giggled, her face flushed. "Add a little inch and a bit of thinkness, it is what it is. What do you think?" Lia inquired thoughtfully, her gaze likewise directed at Kamilla's plate."Yeah, I think so too" Kiera nodded while fixing her eyes at the same spot of everyone's interest."That is a lot to consume and its massive. I cannot imagine how it will fit in your mouth" Arah exclaimed, astounded at the generous portion.Kamilla turned to Arah with her Bambi eyes. The rest followed and something just dawned on the four of them. Arah did not seem to figure out what they were talking about. "Yeah, its huge and long, but do it inch by inch, Dr. Arah. I can barely take half of it;
"Ella, we came here to discuss something with you." Kamilla halted her steps and stared at the people who had been stopped by her security. She had not seen them in months. Whatever their reason for seeing her, she is uninterested. By the look at their disdainful expressions, she could tell nothing had changed. They remain hostile to her. So it was surprising that they wanted to speak with her despite their strained separation. "I have a meeting with important people in just a few minutes, Mrs. Baranov. I am sorry, but I do not have time to spare" she explained calmly before continuing to walk. "No time to spare? Such arrogance!" Cynthia Donlov was aghast, glaring at her. "Show some respect, Ella. At least to our parents," Celine said irritably. Kamilla let out an internal grunt but continued on her way. She continues to walk with all of her security, making certain that no one approaches her unnecessarily. "You have gotten more haughty after your marriage to Mr. Samu
"I am a mere twenty-two-year-old who is her own hero. I fought my own battles and protected those who are dear to me. Until I met a knight in shining armor. My champion, Samuel Petrov. He came at a perfect time, just when I thought life had forsaken me" Kamilla started her vow with a shaky smile.Following the lengthy wedding ceremony, they both signed the marriage certificate, which was facilitated by the Petrov counsels, and now they stand before the guest to proclaim their vow.Samuel reached out for her cheek and caress it with his thumb. A soft smile carved his lips as he watched her snuggle against his hand with eyes closed. Their magical moment left their family in tears, as well as guests in awe."He is a ferocious warrior, feared by everyone. But, for me, he is the most gentle and loving soul. A respite to my troubled spirit...an antidote to my poisonous existence" she charmingly smiled and showering the man across from her with her loving gaze. The family exchanged furtive