Claimed by Two Brothers

ol

age it had begun to look less like a conscious choice and more like an illness. He could have hired at least a housekeeper, yet the only staff member left was an elderly cook who no longer had the s

hint of something unusual came when they realized their uncle-who, like them, had every right to the

fore and was now paying the price with a brutal hangover. At that moment, he would have preferred to be anywhere but in this room. Stanislav had long since accep

her and, in his usual manner, swept

dsons. A heavy sigh escaped his lips, and his eyes closed briefly. Makar had always taken his

ched on too long, and

ime in the world, but I have a c

ened his pale eyes

and where he had gone wrong in raising them. Perhaps their parents would have managed better, but they had died many years ago, leavi

rfectly well why

lready know who gets what," St

ned into a soulless machine. I can't leave my inheritance to a pair like you. Business

m his brother with a smug expression. The heavy scent of alcohol coming from Stas made his head pound an

traighten yourselves out, or the enti

ng the iron resolve in his grandfather's voice. He knew all too wel

ly and glanced at the notary, who was settling himself at the writing desk. "Many years ago, over a

ghed, shooting a look at his brother, who had gone

ndsons I have. In short, we both had sons, so uniting the families didn't work out back t

om, cutting him off again. Stas struggled to

s anything but beautiful. She's a bespectacled little goblin,

e inheritance will go to whichever of you marries Batalov's granddaughter. Notary, please write that down. If within

oded, fully grasping the trap he had just wa

months, he will manage the company, and the two

oying his discomfort. "Just convince her to marry and be done with it. It won'

ally ensure that no one pressures the girl. She must walk down the

fully recording his client's words before adding wit

ing like this," Vlad growled, storming out o

house, hoping for a breath of fresh air. It was late spring, and the days were already growing so hot that even early morning offered only a brief, fragile coolness. Sitting on a bench n

ide. He sat down beside his younger br

orn ol

im out of it?" S

now perfectly well

rs, so what's the problem? Think of it as a small, unpleasant addition to enormous money

ainst a tree. Stroking his dark beard, he considered the situation more seriously than he had at first. He really c

elf to that fate. Every time I picture that skinny g

feel sick just t

ld and the sole heir to the Batalov fortune. Can

e fact that I'd have to

een the brothers. Th

Grandpa will change his mind. He's still str

e so," Vlad r