— I don’t know, Yegor. Bank stuff. You’re not interested in that. The main thing is that everything is fine now. The debt is gone. As for the money? You withdrew all the money from the account this morning, right? Well, it went to pay off the debt. All automatic. What questions could you have for me?
A thick, viscous silence, filled with his fading self-confidence, fell over the line. He, who considered himself a master of schemes, had just realized he had been outplayed, and by his own rules.
— You knew? — he whispered.
— Knew about what, sweetie? About your important business trip to the airport? Of course. I always support you. — My voice was pure, unadulterated venom.
— Lera, you have to cancel this. Immediately, do you hear me? Put everything back the way it was.
— I can’t. — I sighed with feigned regret. — The transaction has already been processed. The money went to pay off the debt to the bank. It’s irreversible. But don’t you worry. You have an overdraft available on your card now. A whole 10 million. True, to use it, you need my confirmation. So, if you need money, just call. We’ll discuss it.
I heard him let out a stifled groan. The power had shifted to me. His self-confidence was shattered against my cold, deadly logic. He was trapped, in a foreign country, without a penny. And the only person who could help him was me.
— Have a successful business trip, dear, — I said and hung up.
I had no doubt he would call back. Not more than an hour passed. I was just having tea with Alisa in my office when the phone came to life again. The same number. I put it on speaker. Alisa froze, clutching her cup.
— Yegor, speaking, — I said in the most even tone possible.
— Lera! — His voice was breaking into a scream. He was panicking. — Lera, you have to stop this! This isn’t funny!
Behind his voice, I heard another, high-pitched and shrill. It was Snezhana.
— What is she saying? Yegor, what is she saying? Why don’t we have any money?
— Lera, listen to me! — Yegor shouted into the phone, obviously trying to yell over his companion. — I’ll explain everything when I get back!
— Explain what? — I inquired. — How your secret project at the airport suddenly moved to Dubai? And why your business partner has the same name as your mistress?
There was another pause on the line. And then her voice came through. Very close now. She must have snatched the phone from him.
— Listen here, you cow! Who do you think you are, ruining our vacation? Give us the money back, you bitch! Now!..
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