— Another threat.
Pavel nodded at the voice recorder, its red light blinking on the edge of the table.
— It’s being recorded. Please continue.
Then, the video from Nina Vasilievna was laid on the table. Pavel turned the laptop screen toward Maxim, pressed play, and leaned back in his chair.
47 seconds of silence in the office, only the voices from the screen. Artur pushes Yulya, Maxim snatches the bag. Emma Yakovlevna screams, “Ungrateful wretch!” Yulya falls to her knees with Bogdan in her arms, the baby is crying.
Maxim turned so pale that the freckles on the bridge of his nose became more distinct, and shadows appeared under his eyes.
Konstantin placed another folder on the table.
— Testimony from Alsu Ivina, the social worker who found Yulya under the bridge. Bogdan’s medical records after his rescue: dehydration, heat rash, underweight, the initial stage of malnutrition. And a statement to the prosecutor’s office about the actions of Artur Zotov, the State Registry registrar, who admitted on tape to “adjusting documents.”
— Let’s make a deal! — Maxim began to speak quickly, nervously, licking his dry lips. — Two million in compensation, and I walk away. Divorce, waiver of claims — whatever you want. We’ll forget it like a bad dream.
Konstantin looked at him. At this boy in an expensive suit who had married Yulya from the very beginning with his eyes not on her, but on his father-in-law’s apartment and auto service centers. And he felt nothing but calm satisfaction.
— From this moment on, you have nothing, — he said evenly, without raising his voice. — Not the car, not the apartment, not the money, not Bogdan. And tell your mother: her former students won’t help. Times have changed.
Maxim stood up, knocking over his chair. His face was blotchy with red patches.
— You’ll regret this! You’ll all regret this!
— You’re the one who will regret it, — Konstantin said to his back as he rushed for the door. — You already do. You just haven’t realized it yet.
Pavel turned off the voice recorder and allowed himself a barely perceptible smile. The first one Konstantin had seen from him.
— The official complaint has been filed. The report on Artur, too. Now we wait…
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