Page 11 of Mr. and Mrs. Novak

What’s the right question?

From experience, I’ve learned that the key to finding answers is asking the right question. It sounds obvious, but it isn’t.

I could ask: What unfinished business does Ruslan have? Or why Natasha? Or even, what’s the connection between Ruslan and Stanford? But those questions will only lead to speculation, unless someone decides to talk, and that’s not happening.

I need facts.

So, the real question is: Who is Stanislas Stanford?

I can’t just dive in recklessly. Searching for Stanislas Stanford directly would be a rookie mistake. If this man is as dangerous as Ruslan suggests, he’s likely monitoring his name on standard search engines.

I pull my laptop from its secure case. After entering my two-factor authentication, I launch my virtual machine, already configured with a multi-hop VPN and all the necessary protections. Even with this setup, I can’t afford to type "Stanislas Stanford" into a search engine outright. I need to proceed in concentric circles, starting with gathering information on his industry, potential associates, and linked companies.

If this man inspires such fear in Ruslan, it means he has enough power and connections to make someone disappear without a trace. That kind of capability always leaves a footprint, if you know where to look.

The first results don’t yield much, but this is just the beginning. I know the information is out there. It’s just a matter of patience and method.

His profile is too clean to be real. Officially the CEO of Nexora Trade, a high-end secure transport company. No scandals, no employee complaints, nothing suspicious. For a company of this size handling billions, that reeks of something shady.

I switch to specialized databases. No direct red flags, just scattered mentions in economic surveillance reports. Too discreet to be reassuring. I can sense the scam, but I still have to find out where it’s hiding.

The problem with men like him is that they know how to play the game. Too rich to be reckless, too powerful to leave obvious traces. But no one is untouchable. You just have to pull the right thread.

I move on to another file, but a part of my mind keeps circling back to the enigma of Stanford.

It’s nearly 7 PM when I finally step out of my office. A pathetic tactic to avoid my husband, but an effective one. Few people can fault you for being too dedicated to your work. If I could have stayed later, I would have, but Asli and Laurent leave at 8 PM, and I refuse to keep them waiting.

The scent of black truffle fills the kitchen as I step in to greet them. Laurent is busy at the stove while Asli puts the finishing touches on a floral arrangement for the table. They’ve outdone themselves for our first dinner as newlyweds. The table has been set for two in the small living room. Asli has poured all her talent into creating an atmosphere that’s both warm and magical. At another time, I would have loved it, but tonight, it only highlights what I no longer have.

Ruslan arrives next, clearly having taken the time to shower and change into something more comfortable—a simple T-shirt and joggers that do nothing to diminish how sexy he looks. My gaze lingers on his perfectly sculpted body, and by the time I realize it, it’s too late. A smug smile tugs at his lips, his eyes gleaming with self-satisfaction. He knows he’s my type, the bastard.

Seated across from each other, I try to ignore the overly intimate setting.

"Wine?" Ruslan offers, lifting a bottle of Châteauneuf.

"Gladly."

He pours our glasses. Silence stretches between us, broken only by the clinking of cutlery. His gaze never leaves me.

"How was your day?" he asks.

"Productive. I finished a security audit for a client."

"Any vulnerabilities?"

"A few. Their badge system, mainly."

I cut into my filet. "And yours?"

"Problems with a shipment bound for Eastern Europe."

"Trouble with the authorities?"

"More like problematic cargo," he replies, taking a sip of wine. "Some clients underestimate the risks of their merchandise."

"Hard to detect, I imagine."

"You learn. That’s what makes us strong at Gloventis."