Chapter 157: Meeting his circle

Braelyn’s POV

It was already dark when we got to the party location. It wasn’t what I expected, an isolated lavish villa close to the mountain in the outskirts of the city.

I expected someone from his circle to have a different taste. The entire way on the ride, Lucien didn’t make much of a conversation, and I preferred it that way as I tried to process the information I just absorbed.

He was on the call talking to someone the entire way, and I could deduce that the person he was planning to piss at the surprise party was an old friend.

“We are here.” He announced once we arrived. Out of habit I reached for the door myself. Lucien clicked his tongue in distaste as he got off through the other side

The villa was very huge and heavily guarded. I glanced at Lucien, who was staring at the environs, studying everything with a subtle frown.

I cleared my throat to draw his attention. “Aren’t we going in?” I asked him. He seemed startled for a moment before he smiled.

“Of course.” He chimed before walking my way. We strode towards the main entrance where we were welcomed by a familiar figure.

“I thought you weren’t going to show up, Mr Volkov, or should I say Mr Orlov.” The man sneered, and Lucien rolled his eyes at the man. I was a bit surprised, it was Casper, the assistant of the Genesis corporation CEO.

Lucien shrugged.

“I was free and wouldn’t miss a chance to get on Mikhail’s nerves.” Lucien chimed. My jaw almost dropped, the person Lucien wanted to piss off was Mikhail Romanov.

They are even closer than I thought. “Still the same menace, I thought being the mysterious CEO changed you.” Casper snickered then his gaze flickered towards me. He had a polite expression. “It’s nice meeting you again Mrs Volkova.”

“Likewise,” I replied with a smile. Casper nodded then glanced back at Lucien. He didn’t ask any questions about why I was accompanying Lucien. Casper seemed like a man with his own secrets.

“Ivan and Benji are already here. They are waiting.” He informed Lucien, who recognised the name. We proceeded into the villa with Casper leading.

My gaze drifted around the villa, the insides were more lavish than I imagined. It made me wonder how rich Mikhail was. Genesis Corporation was very successful, but this level of luxury rivals royalty.

I nudged Lucien, drawing his attention to me. He slowed down his pace, creating more distance between Casper and us. “How rich is Mikhail Romanov exactly?” I could not help but ask. He smiled giving me a knowing look.

He glanced at Casper’s back. “You should ask Casper that, after all, they have been best friends forever.” He teased me. Mikhail’s assistant was his best friend. How bizarre was that?

Lucien then raised his voice. “You should answer her question, I know you heard us.”

Casper clicked his tongue and then glanced over his shoulder. His brows twitched a bit but he forced a smile. “Mikhail is rich enough to afford this villa but too stingy to increase my salary.” He deadpanned

His voice was a bit comical. I couldn’t help but laugh. They sure were friends. “If I were you I would have quit a long while.” Lucien taunted

Casper sighed exasperatedly. “What can I do? I am the only person who can stand his attitude.” He bantered. We arrived at a door, Casper went in, leaving us outside.

Lucien glanced at me again, his gaze carried a questioning look. “What?” I was startled by his expression.

He tilted his head. “You seem a bit lost.”

I was taken aback for a moment before I smiled back. “Just curious, do your friends all know you are Killian Orlov?”

“Yeah, even Joey knows. As a matter of fact, Joey is even a major shareholder.” He admitted piqued my interest.

“Their connections helped me a lot in the start.” He explained. I was more curious about his circle. It wasn’t too surprising that Joey knew about Lucien’s hidden ambition. From what I knew about them, they have been friends since childhood.

“Did you become friends with Mikhail due to business?” I inquired further. There were so many questions I wanted to ask him, but I didn’t know where to start.

He shook his head, reaching out to open the door. “I met him long before in a racing club back when I was at the university. We had similar interests then and now.”

The door creaked open revealing a private sitting room. ” There is someone interesting, I have to introduce you to.”

We stepped into the room, and the fireplace was on, keeping the room warm. There were 3 men already inside. Their attention was drawn to us immediately.

“What took you so long?” Casper sneered. Lucien ignored him, then wrapped his hand around my waist.

“This is Braelyn, my business partner, and no, I am not going to answer any further questions about her “, he said, his gaze darting around the room.

“Lynn, they are my friends, or more like the few people I can stand.” He quickly introduced me to them. Casper, Benji and the last person was someone who gave me chills.

He had a pleasant smile and deep emerald eyes that were hard to look away from, Ivan was his name. “An extra piece of information. Ivan is also my cousin Ivan Orlov.” He added before we took our seats.

His friends didn’t ask many questions and gave me a welcoming smile. They seemed like good people in the sense that they were welcoming, but my gut feelings told me they weren’t simple.

Lucien’s cousin Ivan’s gaze lingered on me before it flickered towards Lucien with a knowing smile. “You always have a peculiar taste.” He commented.

Despite looking charming and a bit harmless with his ginger hair and green eyes, something about Ivan screamed danger. I felt myself shrinking back.

“At least it is better than your taste. I heard your wife ran away.” Lucien taunted and the room shifted.

Ivan laughed as his grip on his glass tightened a bit. “Don’t make me forget the fact that we have the same grandparents, Lucien.” He threatened. Lucien didn’t seem to be bothered by the murderous intent coming from him..

He clicked his tongue. “That’s exactly why I get on your nerves.”

Ivan clicked his tongue. “You are still as annoying as ever.” Ivan hissed.

“Unfortunately people don’t change.” Lucien retorted. They started to casually catch up while waiting for the rest to arrive.

After a couple of minutes, Casper left the room, saying he had something to handle. Shortly later, the door swung open with newcomers arriving. Mikhail arrived with Xander and two others. I could recognise the woman with Xander, she was his wife, Karis De Marco, a famous jewellery designer, but I didn’t seem to recognise the girl Mikhail was with.

It was truly amusing to realise how terrifying Lucien’s connection is. I wondered if the Volkov family knew of the enemy they had amidst them.

Mikhail didn’t look pleased as expected once he stepped into the room. Lucien’s grin widened. His sadistic instincts kicked in..

“I was thinking you weren’t going to show up.” Lucien joked, enjoying getting on Mikhail’s nerves and Casper chirped in.

” He even brought a friend, or should I say, your girlfriend.” Casper was deliberately making Ginger Girl be beside Mikhail, the centre of attention.

I frowned wondering if Casper didn’t know of his best friend’s relationship status or was just deliberately making the girl uncomfortable. I noticed the way she shrank back nervously.

Lucien’s eyes sparkled with a mischievous glint. “Wait, Mikhail, you finally have a serious girlfriend.” He chuckled like it was the funniest thing ever, and Mikhail’s gaze darkened noticea

bly.

I had a feeling Lucien was the annoying friend.

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