~ Eastern Europe, the base of the Lebedev family ~


    Ste is in the back of the car which is approaching thergest vi in the area.


    Wide driveway turns from the main road and a minuteter, the car stopped in front of one of tworge iron gates which have a guard station in-between them.


    Security is the one of main priorities. After all, if an enemy infiltrates here, an irreparable damage can be caused.


    Other than the main figures of the Lebedev family gathering here, on the property of this vi is the information center where centuries of data are stored and there also arge underground warehouse-facility where the most valuable assets of Lebedevs are preserved.


    The whole area is enclosed with a concrete wall and iron spikes on top, cameras are ced in strategic locations, armed guards are patrolling the area, and some units have dogs apanying them.


    Underneath the immactendscape, the massive property is hiding an intricatework of tunnels and underground rooms which are in ce for emergencies.


    If the security rm sounds because of the intruders, some areas will be sealed by default and people can use tunnels to escape the area. Depending on the level of intrusion, some data will be destroyed in order to prevent it falling into wrong hands.


    Ste entered arge conference room which looks like a space where ancient times shed with present.


    Massive banners with a symbol of the Lebedev family are hanging from the walls. Banners are deep blue with a yellow-golden kolovrat and a white swan in the middle. Color of the banner represents the sky, kolovrat is the symbol of power, sun and everything under it. And the swan in the middle of the kolovrat is representing their family. The overall symbolism is that Lebedev family is the main power under the sky.


    The room has twelve chairs around a massive table, six on each side, and one chair at the head. Twelve chairs are for the Elders, and the most imposing chair at the head of the table is for the Grand Elder.


    The table has equipment for videoconferencing, which detects who is talking and points the camera to that Elder. Large screen on the wall facing the Grand Elder shows person who is talking, either in the conference or remotely.


    Ste observed based on the people present that she is not thest one to arrive. There are three minutes until the beginning of the meeting, and she wondered if the vacant chairs will be filled by then, or will others join via teleconferencing.


    While walking to her spot, Ste nodded in greeting to Elders who graced her with acknowledging her presence.


    This is not a friendly bunch of people, but none will dare to act openly against her. After all, when she arrived, Ste defeated Elder Evgeniy who was ranked as 3rd in power and she took his spot as well as his position of managing family''s resources in Western Europe.


    When Elder d (ranked as 8th) found out that Ste reced Evgeniy, he objected with a reasoning that she can''t challenge a high ranking spot immediately, but she needs to work her way up.


    Everyone in the family knew that d and Evgeniy are two Elders who rose to power together. It is rare to see people coborating in Lebedev family, but under the guise of friendship it was a mutually beneficial rtionship. d would not make a reckless move and step forward if he didn''t realize that with Evgeniy losing his position, he is losing his powerful ally and his position will be unstanble.


    Ste defeated d as well in a glorious show of power. No one dared to question her qualifications.


    Because Ste already got Western Europe, instead of her iming d''s resources as well, Elders ranked under d got a bump and raised by one rank, leaving spot of the twelfth Elder vacant, waiting for the next person who believes that he (or she) is capable of wearing that title. Until it''s filled, the resources under that position are temporarily managed by the Grand Elder.


    This effectively put Ste as 4th in power in the Lebedev family with Elder Vasily (aka King), Elder Gavril and Grand Elder Konstantin above her.


    Elders (and any other person with a status in family) who lose a challenge and their position, undergo a severe punishment where their body is ruined. They are not killed, because they are to serve as a reminder to others that they need to work harder so that they don''t suffer the same fate. As for the family members and others who rely on the people who fell from power, they get two options: one is to move to one of the branch families and work menial jobs, and other one is to prove themselves and will get privileges based on their own capabilities. Leaving is not an option, they know too much.


    Ste nodded in greeting and returned a smile to Elder Dimitri. He is ranked 5th in power and for some reason, is acting friendly with her since she arrived. They had few small chats, but nothing meaningful. Ste knows that he has his own agenda but just like how others are putting on a show in front of everyone, she needs to do her part of the act as well. Ste has some faint memories of Dimitri from before she left the family, but nothing stands out.


    "Vasily…", Ste greeted when she took her seat next to King.


    "Milena…", King smiled.


    Ste knows that he is not showing her a happy smile, it is the <em>''I''ve-got-you-here!''</em> smile. And she has a good guess that behind his icy gray eyes, there is a storm brewing. She exhaled. Vasily is always scheming something.


    Ste nced around the room and cringed internally. All the people present are Lebedevs by blood, her family. Some are distant cousins, some Uncles, but nevertheless, based on the family tree, they are rted.


    This fake peaceful atmosphere is such a far cry from what she created with Edward. Ste wondered if any of these people ever felt the warmth of a sincere smile and unconditional love and support.


    The meeting proceeded as usually. They discussed current progress, and when Grand Elder asked who is facing any issues, no one said a word. Of course, no one dares to say that they are facing difficulties because that is perceived as a weakness.


    What puzzled Ste is that no one openly talks about Vasily (aka King) and his management of North America. Everyone knows that due to the army of Chaos, Vasily suffered numerous losses and his contributions to the family reduced, yet no one dares to call it out.


    Vasily is ranked as the second Elder, but Ste observed that both Elder Gavril (who is ranked first) and Grand Elder Konstantin are treating Vasily with respect. If she does not know better, she would think that Vasily is the Grand Elder. She told Owen to investigate this, but so far he came back empty saying that other than the officially known rankings, there is nothing else.


    The meeting ended without many surprises.


    "Elder Milena…", Grand Elder called as others were leaving the room.


    "Grand Elder…", she bowed respectfully.


    His eyes followed her bow, obviously pleased with her show of courtesy. "After this, we will see you in person in two weeks?"


    "Yes. Until then, I will join the meetings remotely and you will get my reports in the email, as usually.", Ste confirmed.


    Grand Elder nodded in approval. "Stay safe."


    "Thank you. You too.", she bowed again and left the room.


    "Where are you going?", Vasily asked suspiciously when they walked into the hallway. He was one step behind her.


    Ste stopped her movements and turned to him. "My mother-inw has weak health and I''m going to visit her for few days, and then I will go and check on two locations which I''m managing, one in Portugal and the other one in Switzend. Anything else?"


    Vasily smirked. "I thought you are going for Sarah''s birthday."


    Ste was irked that he is keeping track of birthdays of her daughters. She knows that he is silently telling her that he still has his eyes on them.


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