CHAPTER 130: MEETING THE ENEMY

"Ezekiel..."

Zeke still didn’t hear a thing. Seeing that, Cassidy called out to him, "Zeke."

He turned to her, puzzled. "Hmm? What is it?"

She gestured slightly with her chin toward someone behind them. "Someone’s been calling you. Looks like someone you know."

Zeke turned around, finally noticing the man standing not far from them. His brows slowly drew together into a frown as recognition set in.

The man then began walking toward Zeke and Cass. Tall and handsome, around Zeke’s age. Once he reached them, he greeted Zeke with a familiar tone, "Ezekiel, I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me. But it really is you." His voice carried a blend of an American and Russian accent.

"Ivan," Zeke replied, his voice lower than usual, sharp and cold. "What are you doing in States? Weren’t you supposed to be busy handling your father’s inheritance?"

Ivan ignored his question and instead turned to Cassidy. "And who might this stunning lady be?" he asked, flashing a seductive smile. "Why haven’t you introduced us?"

Zeke’s face immediately darkened, his features tightening with clear displeasure. He moved in closer to Cassidy, then with his low voice, he spoke, "Take Claire and Clara ahead. I’ll join you soon."

Cassidy understood. She could tell there was something Zeke needed to discuss with the man named Ivan—something he clearly didn’t want her to overhear. One glance at Zeke’s face was enough.

Without a word, she nodded, lifted Claire into her arms, and followed the waiter toward their private dining room. Clara walking quietly beside her and two bodyguards followed closely behind them, while Nolan stayed with Zeke. The rest of the security team remained positioned outside and around the restaurant.

With a mockingly hurt expression, Ivan said, "Why would you do that? As if I’m some kind of criminal," his gaze following Cassidy and the others as they walked away.

"Is it you?" Zeke stepped closer, his voice sharp, his expression turning dangerous. "Are you the one behind all this?"

Ivan blinked, putting on a face of exaggerated confusion. "What are you even talking about, Ezekiel? What exactly do you think I’ve done?"

Zeke’s hand tightened into a fist. He didn’t raise his voice, but he spoke with a warning tone that was impossible to miss. "Don’t play dumb with me, Romanov. If I find out it’s you, if you even had a hand in any of this—I swear to God, Ivan, I will burn everything you have to the ground. Your family, your legacy... I’ll make sure you lose everything. And when it’s done, you’ll wish you were never born."

Ivan froze for a second.

Then, he laughed.

A loud, exaggerated laugh filled the restaurant. Ivan slapped the arm of the man next to him—a tall man in a dark suit, dressed similarly to Nolan, who didn’t move.

"Did you hear that, Viktor? He wants to ruin me!" Ivan said, still laughing as he wiped his eyes. "Oh, Ezekiel... You’ve always been so dramatic."

But the smile dropped from his face in an instant, replaced by a sinister expression.

Ivan stepped in, closing the gap until their faces were just inches apart. He leaned in and whispered, his tone provoking, "Let’s say I had something to do with it. What then? Do you really think you could destroy me, Salvador?"

He pulled back just enough to meet Zeke’s eyes, his eyes filled with threat.

Zeke froze. His jaw tightened, eyes blazing with fury. Ivan hadn’t said it outright but his words sounded exactly like a confession.

"You’ve crossed the line, Romanov," Zeke said coldly, his voice tense as he tried to hold back his anger. "I don’t make empty threats. Let’s see if I’m just talking or if I mean it."

He turned and walked off, his steps rigid with anger. Nolan followed without a word, but shot one last hard look at Ivan, who was already smirking again.

But, Zeke had only taken a few steps when he said, "Oh, Romanov, you should go back to Russia. Isn’t your half-brother fighting you for your father’s inheritance too? You really think you of all people will end up with everything?"

Ivan’s smirk vanished instantly. Without a word, he turned and walked out of the restaurant.

Zeke turned to Nolan. "Dig into everything Ivan’s been up to this past year. And look into his half-brother too. Especially anything related to their fight over the family inheritance. I want to know where they stand, and who’s really set to take over the company."

Nolan gave a sharp nod. "Yes, sir."

Zeke said menacing, "If Ivan’s behind this, I’ll make sure his half-brother takes everything and I’ll burn him down while I’m at it."

Nolan asked, "And if he’s not?"

Zeke didn’t hesitate. "I won’t stop until he wishes he were dead. That’s the kind of ending I have in mind for him."

Nolan stayed silent. The Romanovs, Ivan’s family had been the Salvador family’s sworn enemies for generations. Ever since the days of Bastiano and Ivan’s grandfather, the feud had run deep, bitter, and personal.

The Romanovs run one of the biggest generic drug companies in the world. They made their money by offering cheaper versions of expensive medicines, filling the market with low-cost options and putting pressure on well-known brands.

That’s why Zeke’s family business has started to feel the impact. The Romanovs’ growing presence has driven prices down and cut into their profits. What began as business competition has turned personal, shaped by a long-standing tension between the two families.

Meanwhile, outside the restaurant, Ivan cursed at Zeke. "Fuck you, Salvador. You think you can scare me with that bastard? Let’s see who’s laughing in the end. You or me."

He turned to Viktor with a snap. "What’s going on with the old man? And that bastard, what’s he up to now? The damn will. Did you get the lawyer to talk or not?"

Viktor answered, "Your father’s still barely hanging on. And your half-brother has been busy contacting the shareholders."

Ivan let out a sharp scoff.

Viktor continued, "And no. I haven’t managed to convince Mr. Vladimir. He’s very stubborn."

Ivan cursed, "Fucking useless old man. If he’s gonna die, just die already. Why the hell does he have to drag this shit out? That will is mine. All of it. I’m not giving that bastard a single fucking cent."

Viktor said nothing, standing still as Ivan’s rage boiled over.

Then something crossed Ivan’s mind. He narrowed his eyes and asked, "What the hell did Salvador mean just now?"

Viktor shook his head. "I don’t know."

Ivan’s eyes turned cold. "Then find out. I want to know exactly what he was talking about. And that woman, dig into her. Every detail. And the kid she was carrying... I want everything on them."

A slow, wicked grin spread across his face. "If Salvador thinks he can threaten me, he’s dead wrong."

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