LOGINAfter her very unexpected conversation with Petrov, Avery barely had time to process everything before her phone rang. She glanced at the screen. Cathryn. Avery answered. “Hello?” “Avery, I need you to come to the estate.” There was something in Cathryn's voice that immediately caught her attention. “How important?” “Very.” Avery sat up. Cathryn continued before she could ask anything else. “I need you here as soon as possible.” Avery sighed. So much for her lazy day. “Alright. I'll be there.” She ended the call and looked at the phone for a moment. “Looks like my lazy day has been put on hold,” she muttered to herself. She got ready quickly, throwing on a simple top and a pair of jeans before leaving her apartment. By the time she arrived at Cathryn's estate, she was already wondering what could possibly be so important. She was directed straight to Cathryn's office. Avery knocked once before opening the door. The moment she stepped inside, she noticed the look o
“Luthor Arstin.” Avery stared at Petrov. She had never heard that name before, not once or ever. Even as CARMA No one had ever mentioned him to her, and from the way Petrov spoke, this was clearly someone she should have known about. “Who?” Petrov's expression became serious. According to him, Luthor Arstin was apparently taking over the mafia world. Avery frowned. “Taking over?” Petrov nodded. “He isn't trying to control the various businesses.” He paused. “He is actively destroying everything while looking for someone.” Avery remained silent, waiting for him to continue. “Someone who holds the key to his end.” The seriousness in Petrov's voice made her pay closer attention. This wasn't the same man who had stood across from her at the gala, teasing her and asking how she had suddenly become Cathryn Lauren's business partner. This time, there was no smirk. No amusement. Whatever Luthor Arstin was doing, Petrov clearly wasn't taking it lightly. Still, Avery didn't
Avery had nothing to do after the gala.For once, there were no urgent tasks waiting for her, no meetings with Cathryn, and no information she needed to dig up. She should have been enjoying the free time.Instead, she spent most of the day lazing around her apartment, trying very hard to forget the encounter from the night before.Augustine Petrov.Just thinking about him was enough to make her annoyed.For some odd reason, it stressed her out that he had taken an interest in her situation. She didn't know what exactly he wanted, but she knew Petrov well enough to understand that he didn't ask questions without a reason.And that was the problem.If he became too interested in her, he could get involved in her life.She had no idea what he might uncover if he started digging deep enough, and she certainly didn't have a convenient way to stop him from investigating.Avery sighed and pushed the thought away.There was no point worrying about something that hadn't happened yet.She walk
Avery was pulled into the restroom by Cathryn before she could even properly process what had happened. She looked at Cathryn, then at the door behind them. “I guess I am meeting someone important in the bathroom, Cathryn,” she said sarcastically. Cathryn sighed. “I saw you talking to Petrov, and I had to drag you away. How on earth did you get into that situation?” Avery leaned against the counter and crossed her arms. “You know I've never seen him before. I felt him blatantly staring at me, so I walked up to him before I found out who he was.” Cathryn's expression changed. She sighed again, looking almost exasperated. Avery understood why. If she had known who he was from the beginning, she wouldn't have gone anywhere near him. she wasn't stupid but the shocking part was that he actually entertained her and her rambling. She certainly wouldn't have walked up to him and started flirting with him, that part was probably the most embarrassing thing about the entire situation
Avery's cold gaze remained fixed on Petrov. She was pissed. Out of all the people she could have encountered at this event, why did it have to be him? The last person she wanted to see was Augustine Petrov. She had already paid him. Their business was finished. Whatever connection had existed between them had ended the moment she handed over the five million dollars. So what exactly was he doing here? Avery couldn't help wondering if fate had some kind of twisted sense of humour. Her annoyance must have amused him because Petrov simply smirked. Avery resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Of course he was smiling. Apparently, irritating people was something he enjoyed. “Well, Avery,” Petrov said, his voice carrying that same calmness that somehow made him even more irritating, “what kind of magic did you use?” Avery said nothing. “Did you find a genie lamp?” His smirk widened. “Because it's quite… interesting how you went from a poor girl to the most talked-about business
Avery tried ignoring his gaze. She really did. She turned her attention toward the people around her, took another sip of her wine, and even pretended to be interested in one of the conversations happening nearby. It didn't work. She could still feel his eyes on her. When someone approached him and began speaking, his attention remained on her. Even as the person talked, his gray eyes never left her face. There was something strange about his expression. Curiosity. And beneath it, a hint of confusion. Avery lowered her glass and glanced at him again. Still looking. She shifted slightly. His eyes followed her. She took a few steps to the side. His eyes followed again. Avery almost laughed. What was this man's problem? She could understand being interested in someone, but staring at them this much was becoming ridiculous. Eventually, her curiosity got the better of her. She decided to walk over. As soon as she approached, something interesting happened. The people s







