"I heard you met your brother last night. As far as I know, Lord Anton is no pushover in any sense of the word."
The next morning, Boss Huo was making a flashy entrance at the Treasure Bay restaurant with his four lovely companions in tow when he spotted Ivankov. He went over to ask him about it, then handed the two adorable little girls beside Ivan some high-end halfling teddy bear candies. After basking in the satisfaction of being called "Uncle" by the little loli, he took Ivan to the smoking area and lowered his voice.
"Do you need me to send someone to take care of the problem? You know this is a critical moment. I don't want some little issue affecting the bigger picture. Lady Dutena is watching us, Ivan. You need to get your act together."
"Don't worry, Boss Huo. There won't be a problem."
Ivankov stuffed a jam-filled pastry into his mouth as he looked out over Treasure Bay in the morning light.
"I gave Anton enough money to send him back to his hometown. It's enough to make him a little tycoon, and enough to put a lid on his pitiful ambitions. He might squander it all before long, but he'll never get another chance to come after me.
"Once the dust settles, the angry shareholders will naturally help me do the things I can't do with my own hands.
"He kept saying we were family. I suppose that means he'd be willing to shoulder some of my sins, as family should. Family? Heh."
"Mm. You really are a heartless man."
Old Huo sighed and glanced back at Lady Anna, who sat silently in the corner of the restaurant.
"But you have someone you want to protect, too. Good. It's reassuring to work with