The dinner ended, but no one slept peacefully.
In Volkov Tower—
All five siblings stood in the private strategy room.
Roman at the head. Adrian silent beside him.
Dmitri projected surveillance reports onto the screen.
"Three territorial disruptions," he said calmly. "All designed to create mistrust between us and the Sokolovs."
Mikhail crossed his arms. "He wants us pointing fingers."
Nikola leaned against the wall. "No. He wants us aligned."
Yelena's eyes flicked toward Viktor. "Or distracted."
Roman finally spoke.
"Morozov is not reckless."
Viktor's jaw tightened slightly. "He's calculated."
Adrian's voice was soft but clear.
"And he's emotional."
The room stilled.
Roman looked at him.
Adrian continued, "He is moving around something personal."
Viktor's mind immediately went to one person.
Artyom.
Across the city—
In the Sokolov estate—
Sergei stood in his office, furious.
Leonid remained calm.
"You shouldn't have reacted at the dinner," Leonid said quietly.
Sergei's voice was sharp. "He provoked me."
Pavel paced. "We retaliate."
Makar nodded. "We can't look weak."
Nikolai glanced toward the door. "And Artyom?"
Silence.
Artyom stood outside the office.
He heard everything.
Weak.
That's what they feared appearing.
Not the truth.
He walked back to his room slowly.
Inside, he opened the drawer.
The photograph.
Silver hair.
Cold eyes.
"You were never abandoned."
His heart pounded.
Why now?
Why after so many years?
Far below the city—
Andrei Morozov watched both buildings through separate screens.
Volkov Tower.
Sokolov Estate.
His voice was calm.
"Prepare the financial leak."
One of his men hesitated. "Target?"
Andrei's eyes were cold.
"Sokolov."
"And the heir?"
Andrei paused.
"No harm comes to him."
Across town—
Nikola Volkov stood alone on a balcony.
He had noticed something at dinner.
Artyom's reaction.
Not fear.
Recognition.
Nikola sent a message to Dmitri.
Nikola: Dig into Morozov's past connections. Specifically Sokolov.
Dmitri: Already started.
Above them—
Viktor stared at Veligrad's skyline.
He didn't feel threatened.
He felt intrigued.
And he hated that it involved Artyom.
Because that meant—
This war was no longer just political.
It was personal.