Chapter 38
Meanwhile, Katarine had already taken a picture of the woman who was talking to Ethan and given orders to his driver to investigate everything about her. The driver understood this very well, as Katarine used to do these things. Katarine's driver nodded in understanding, knowing that his employer's curiosity often led to thorough investigations. As the car pulled away, Katarine studied the photo of the mysterious woman, determined to uncover the truth behind her interaction with Ethan after two days without seeing each other due to reasons she could neither explain nor tell Ethan.
The passing days were uneventful. Ethan and Katarine would casually meet and talk at the coffee shop every other day, and it has become a staple meeting place for them. On days they won't see each other, Ethan gets to enjoy his free time by lounging around and spending his time drawing, while Katarine secretly visits him as she reads a book and drinks tea. Mr. Ross would visit the warehouse with Leonhardt Maier Siegert and three others to fulfill their monthly gathering and spend their leisurely time talking among themselves while drinking the green tea that Mr. Ross always provided.
Katarine knew about this and left this activity to Ethan's discretion, knowing he values his alone time. Despite their different ways of unwinding, they both find solace in their shared love for each other's company.
Mr. Ross's office remained as it was; even after the fire, his room was still the same. This situation adds a peculiar question that Ethan could never understand. The fire that destroyed the warehouse became a distant memory, and Etan even wonders if it really happened. Every item he saw and could recall inside Mr. Ross's office, some minor details were new to place, but the furniture, large cabinets, and personal items were the same; it didn't bother him that much. Ethan just couldn't shake the feeling of déjà vu that lingered in the air. It was as if time had stood still in that room, frozen in a moment that Ethan couldn't quite grasp.
But as he continued to look around, the memories slowly started to resurface, bringing with them a sense of unease and confusion. Ethan couldn't help but feel like there was something important he was missing—something that could explain the strange familiarity of it all. As the day finally ended, the conversation finally settled down, and the members of this small group of avid tea and knowledge enthusiasts began to pack up their things and say their goodbyes.
The youngest and sixth members of this simple group were delighted to meet the other members. These three were only known by their first names, as the rules of the group dictate that each member will leave everything behind and just spend their time appreciating casual coverage based on their own interests, and all work and personal issues will be avoided.
The three other people who joined this simple monthly gathering had a worthwhile activity as Ethan was able to interact with people who were well versed in so many things, which taught him a lot within the confines of his own understanding . It was refreshing for Ethan to engage in stimulating conversations that broadened his perspective and knowledge. The group's commitment to avoiding work and personal issues allowed for a truly enriching experience.
Another ended, enriching his life, and Ethan could not ask anything else as he was somewhat content with what was happening. For some, it might be boring, but he was a simple person; mundane activities tend to bring him peace, and the recent activities were too much for him to comprehend at times.
While this was happening, Katarine made sure everything was within her expectations. Sadly, as each time passed, the dark underbelly of this city suddenly awakened and prepared to follow through as Varinka finally decided to enter the scene after hearing of Ivan's death.
And the relentless search for any information on what happened to him. The entertainment districts where clubs, bars, and casinos were located were having a rough few days as Varinka ravaged each establishment with random acts of violence, leaving a trail of damage in her wake. The once lively entertainment districts were now filled with fear and uncertainty as Varinka's wrath continued to escalate, prompting authorities to relaunch and once again open a full investigation into the mysterious circumstances surrounding Ivan's death.
Even Victor was having a hard time controlling her; she was the same age as him, but her wicked temper was becoming increasingly difficult to manage. Even Catherine Zhang was intimidated by her because she was wild, heartless, and unpredictable, with no regard for consequences. As Varinka's behavior grew more erratic, it became clear that she both wanted revenge and was willing to do whatever it took to get it, leaving those around her feeling helpless and vulnerable. The community braced themselves for what could potentially be a dangerous and unpredictable turn of events.
The Romanov clan prefers to stay at their privately owned 50-story building that is situated at the very heart of the gambling zone, where they can maintain a sense of control and security over their other non legal business activities. The fustration builds up as Varinka never backs down. The pleasure of hurting people was her main reason; this so-called justice in finally resolving her brother's death was validating her madness.
Every time she would come back to the main Romanov stronghold, she was always covered in blood, and her loyal guards were cleaning her mess. She loves to kidnap those she fancy and sexually torture the victims; she mostly likes those who are innocent looking and are socially naive in the darkness of the world. Varinka loves the smell of blood on the skin; she has this innate ability to sense how many lives a person has taken by mere smell.
The hunting knife that the forensic investigator found, ironically lost, and ended up at the hands of the Romanov clan, and was still in Victor's possession. After nearly two weeks, no connecting results were found. This vital information has not reached Varinka's attention until now, as she was seen walking out of one of the numerous secret rooms inside the stronghold.
One of her guards was able to gather information on the case surrounding Ivan. Varinka wasn't upset because she really did not care what Victor did, and she could justify her action as an act of revenge toward those who might have killed her younger brother. Varinka's focus was solely on avenging her brother's death and, at the same time, feeding her sadistic hunger, she saw Victor as a means to an end. She knew that with the clan in his possession and control , she could finally make those responsible pay for their action, and have fun at the same time.
The stronghold holds many secrets that the Romanov clan hides from the public. All their legal business is on par with all known social and charitable events, but behind closed doors, they engage in illegal activities to maintain power and control over their area. And just like any other organization, they follow the rules of hierarchy, and above them was the Almany Clan
The second still active member of the 12 Apostles, the Almany clan, never hesitated to eliminate anyone who posed a threat to their authority.
The Almany clan, a formidable force within the Twelve Apostles after the first founding clan slowly laid low and became inactive, so with this the Almany family has taken over as the dominant group within the organization. Their reputation for ruthless tactics and unwavering loyalty has solidified their position among the other apostles, but even with this, they still gain a deterrent in the hands of the Siegert clan, which was the fourth member.
Their ambition is matched only by their ruthlessness. They saw any challenge to their authority as an existential threat, and their solution was simple: elimination. The other clans, their rivals, knew this well and lived in constant fear of the Almany's reach. But the Almany clan, priding themselves on their supposed moral superiority, never soiled their own hands. Instead, they relied on the Romanov clan, a ruthless band of enforcers who acted as their willing executioners.
The Romanov clan, bound by their allegiance to the Almany, carried out their dirty work with chilling efficiency, leaving the Almany clan seemingly untarnished and their façade of innocence intact. This strategic division of labor, a perfect symbiosis of power and deception, ensured the Almany clan's unfettered dominion.
However, unease simmered beneath the surface. Whispers of the last remaining sovereign descendant , the very blood line that is unbound and created the 12 Apostles' creed itself to serve this lineage , reached their ears, stirring a fear deeper than any rival clan could inspire. The Almany, while seemingly untouchable, were not invincible. This looming threat, a wild card in the game of power, promised to disrupt the carefully constructed balance, threatening the very foundations of the Apostles' so called rule.
That is why Victor wanted to marry Katarine Horn Sieger to gain the needed authority from other lesser clans to side with them as they aim to gain a seat in one of the vacant seats of the Apostles. Victor's power was insufficient, but seeing now that Katarine is slowly able to control her gift was a glimmer of hope for their cause. With her potential to tip the scales in their favor, sadly, his plan failed miserably, so he had no choice but to join forces with another clan serving one of the 12 controlling the Asian region; this was Kǎi sè lín Zhang, or Catherine Zhang.
The theories and complexities of these ruling families, who allegedly control and shape the world from the shadows, were so hard to believe and even comprehend. The very idea of secret societies pulling the strings of global events felt like something out of a conspiracy novel, a fantastical fiction designed to entertain, not explain. Yet, as one delved deeper into the intricate web of alliances and power dynamics, the notion became less about a grand, malicious scheme and more about a nuanced, millennia-old struggle for control and influence.
These families, with their vast wealth and entrenched networks, were not simply seeking power for the sake of it but rather using their influence to shape the very future of the world. Through strategic investments, political maneuvering, and cultivating networks of loyalists, they aimed to create a world aligned with their vision.
The motivations behind this quest for control were varied and complex, ranging from the preservation of their own power and privilege to a desire to guide humanity towards a specific future they deemed beneficial. Whether their goals were altruistic or self-serving, one thing remained clear: these families, hidden behind a veil of secrecy, were playing a game far grander and more impactful than any ordinary individual could ever fathom.
But like any other being, greed was a huge factor in their pursuit of dominance and influence. The thirst for power drove even those who served the elite to have the same power within their grasp. Thus, hidden motives, deceit and lies also became common tactics among these lower families as they vied for control and supremacy. And the Romanov family is just one of these clans that grew tired of being just pawns in a secret chess game for dominance.
Varinka went up toward the top floor. floor, she was still wiping the blood stain on her hands. The elevator was connected to the employee's floor. Those who waited and saw she was inside the elevator just lowered their heads as they prayed she did not have to clean up another mess. The hushed whispers of the employees as they all just stopped and waited as the elevator door closed as she ascended up toward Victor's office.
The entire floor, a testament to the Romanov Patriarch's authority, was dedicated to just two offices. The outer office, a sterile space bathed in cool, impersonal light, was for Victor, the patriarch's right hand and only son. His office, a mere antechamber to the inner sanctum, served as a buffer, a checkpoint for anyone seeking an audience with the Patriarch.
The real power resided within the inner office, a space shrouded in secrecy and mystique. It was said to be a study of immense proportions, lined with bookshelves holding volumes of history and philosophy and furnished with a massive mahogany desk, a constant reminder of the Patriarch's unwavering presence. The employees knew that any interaction with the Romanov Patriarch was rare, a once-in-a-lifetime event.
Those who did manage to earn his time whispered and carried an air of hushed importance, their faces etched with a mixture of awe and trepidation. As the elevator reached Victor's office, its smooth descent mirroring the unspoken rule of hierarchy, the employees could only imagine what business was taking place behind those closed doors. Was it a decision of immense weight, a matter for their company a decision shaping the fate of those near six hundred employees working there?