Some hours later, Alexei walked into the dining room at Tage Manor. Melissa, Nigel, and Julius were already in the middle of breakfast. As he came in, he could hear laughter. From the looks of it, Melissa and Nigel were hitting it off.

Good. We need allies more than ever now.

“Good morning, boss,” Julius said.

Alexei waved in response. His head felt fuzzy, like he was navigating through fog.

Alexei noticed Nigel fidgeting with his phone.

“Is there something wrong, Nigel?” Alexei asked.

“It doesn’t work anymore. No signal!” Nigel replied.

Alexei checked his phone. “I have a signal. Must be your antenna.”

Nigel fiddled with it again, and then put it down.

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“Coffee,” Alexei ordered.

No sooner had he sat down than a fresh brew was pouring into his cup. He didn’t remember walking in here.

“Are you okay, boss? You don’t look so good.”

“I’m fine. I didn’t sleep very well. Any news? Where’s Tage?”

“I haven’t seen Mr. Tage all morning.”

Alexei hoped his mind would clear as the coffee did its magic.

“I see that everyone has started without me,” Natasha said as she entered and sat next to Alexei.

Alexei noticed Nigel staring at Natasha’s low-cut nightgown. She hadn’t bothered to wear much this morning.

She is conjuring, cultivating the kid’s hormones, Alexei thought.

“What did I miss?” Natasha said.

“Not much. We arrived just before you did,” Julius said.

There was a large basket of fresh fruit in the middle of the table. Natasha reached over to snatch a sprig of grapes. Nigel was watching her every move.

“Any word from Dahlia?” Melissa asked.

“I was waiting for Mr. Tage, but yes,” Alexei said.

“Is she coming?” Natasha asked as she picked at her grapes.

“She is en route as we speak. I suspect that she will be here before dinner.”

“What did you agree to?” Natasha asked.

“Doesn’t matter. The important thing is that she’s on her way.”

The group finished breakfast without another word. They were about to disband when Alexei interrupted the silence.

“Natasha and Julius, get ready and meet me in Mr. Tage’s office in twenty minutes,” Alexei said as he left the room.