"Ivan, this is horrendous, you do realise that don't you? Plus you have lied and lied to me over this."
He sighed, "yes I do, but it's not unusual in Russia. Business is much more....brutal. I'm sorry I didn't tell you the truth from the start."
"So why am I changing everything over to Retinski, if it changes again Wednesday?"
"You're not. You're changing everything over to a shell company I currently hold. Ownership of that will change to Dascha. That way, there won't need to be further changes. The press will be told that Dascha and I have split, and the media company is my parting gift to her. So I get my freedom, and she gets her company."
"And I get to keep my face in the same order it is now? Oh great Ivan. I cannot believe I've been dragged into this. I'm appalled. I'm supposed to be away this weekend, I suppose you're going to want to lock me inside my flat now."
"Where are you going?"
"Lady Golding has invited me to Conniscliffe for a mini break."
"Actually that's a great idea. At least you'll be safe there."
"How do you know?"
"They keep billions worth of art safe there, so I'm pretty sure it's secure. I will give Oscar a call and let him know. He may want to increase the security."
"Ivan, I'm disgusted with you. This is not how I live my life you know."
"I know. I'm sorry. Are you going straight home, or back to work?"
"Home."
"Security will be waiting, headed by Roger. They will check your flat, and guard you until Oscar gets there."#p#分页标题#e#
"Ok." Ivan cut the call. I sat reeling in the taxi, a million questions racing through my head.
Back home, Roger and another man, who was introduced as Nico, accompanied me up to my apartment, to do a sweep before I was allowed in. When they were happy everything was ok, they waved me in, told me to lock the door, and that they would be just outside.
I had a quick shower, and dressed in jeans and a T-shirt, before packing my weekend bag with two cocktail dresses, and a selection of casual wear. I made a latte, and sorted out my handbag, taking out the paperwork relating to mum, and her funeral. I checked that I had my phone charged up, and some cash in my purse, before slipping my novel in my handbag in case I had some spare time. At five, there was a knock on the door. "Who is it?" I called out.
"Oscar." I opened the door to see a scowling Oscar, flanked by Roger and Nico. "You ready?"
"Yep. Can you take my bag please, and I'll lock up." I carefully double locked the door, and Roger promised he would check on the flat over the weekend for me.
"Follow me for the first five miles please. Make sure we're not followed by anyone else." Oscar said.
"Certainly sir." Roger replied, as he opened the door of Oscar's Range Rover. "Lock the doors when you are both inside please."
They followed us until we were on the A21, and heading through Kent. Both Oscar and I breathed a sigh of relief when the Mercedes peeled off the road behind us.
"Ivan called me, although I already knew what happened. We have some extra security at the castle, although given that it’s a castle, it's pretty safe."
"I'm horrified by the whole thing. I wish I'd never set eyes on Ivan. I'm sorry you've been lumbered."
"I haven't been lumbered Elle. I'm delighted to have your company for a weekend. I'm sorry that you got dragged into Ivan and Dascha's drama. I think he's genuinely upset and worried that you're in danger. Dascha is a really toxic and unpleasant girl. She only asked me to that ball to try and convince me to front that bid for her."
"So how come you didn't do it?"
"She had no leverage over me. I didn't want to sleep with her, she had no idea about you and I, and there was no way of her getting a hold over me. No Achilles heel.... that she knew about anyway," he added.
"So she went for Ivan."
"Yep. Knew he'd do if it she threatened you. She has some unpleasant connections I gather."
"I'm surprised they didn't go after his dogs, they're the girls he loves most in the world."
"You haven't seen the size of their security team. They have more bodyguards than Ivan. Dascha, or her thugs, wouldn't be able to get to them."
"All this to buy a magazine. It seems....mental."
"I agree. Dascha wants to be a fashion leader, to be a Queen Bee in the fashion world. At the moment, nobody gives a hoot about her. She thinks as owner of Vogue, people will give her the respect she craves. She's a spoiled little rich girl, who's daddy will indulge her every whim. This is costing him nearly five billion quid. He must be mad. Conde Nast is a large luxury brand, not just Vogue magazine, and she won't have a clue how to run it all. I don't think she's thought about that."