Dear readers, I am astonished to share this screenshot that was sent to me by one nice reader. And I am deeply grateful to all of you for your support! Love you, Gem.

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"So, what's your take on Bystritsky? Have you delved into his background?" Pavel reclined in his chair, appearing more at ease.

"I have. Alexander received his secondary education at the Anglo-American school in Moscow. He then attended Institut auf dem Rosenberg in Switzerland for high school..."

"That's quite a prestigious institution, with an annual tuition of 145,000 Swiss francs. The Bystritsky patriarch certainly spared no expense on his children's education. Yet, Alexander couldn't make it to the Ivy League," Pavel said, his grin tinged with a hint of bitterness. "Money isn't everything in the end."

"Nonetheless, Alexander managed to get into the University of Chicago, another highly respected institution, where he studied business administration. He later enrolled in Wharton's Master's program in data analytics and interned at top-tier investment banks and tech companies," Daniel added, but paused as Pavel interrupted him.

"He's essentially been riding on his father's coattails," Pavel summarized with a hint of disdain. "Let's be real, his internships at banks and tech firms likely came through his father's connections. He dabbled in consulting here for a bit. We have an informal practice of bringing on clients' children as interns to curry favor. After a year working as an analyst with us, he decided he was ready for bigger things and joined his father's firm. His ambitions were Napoleonic or Macedonian, hard to say now. Tried different roles, but his track record there was lackluster, failing to earn the respect of his father's longstanding employees. These hard guys had weathered many storms alongside the elder Bystritsky and weren't about to take orders from his inexperienced son.

Now, here's something that isn't widely known from the official biography we have on him. At one point, Alexander attempted to modernize a certain asset by implementing global best practices to streamline procurement and eliminate corruption. He was so zealous in his efforts that the management of that asset, with ties to the Izmailovo gang, threatened him, essentially saying, 'We'll fucking kill you, kid.' Fearing for his safety, he had to beat a hasty retreat and left the country for awhile.

Later on, once things settled down, senior Bystritsky carved out a role for Alexander within the company focused on international business development. But opportunities were limited since their main operations were within Russia, and the elder Bystritsky wasn't keen on venturing into unfamiliar markets. He's very much a product of the '90s, with a mindset rooted in the rough-and-tumble era.

Nonetheless, Alexander managed to persuade his father to establish a venture capital firm focusing on tech companies. He likely used the success stories of oligarchs who had lucratively invested at early stages in companies that later became tech icons like Facebook and Alibaba as persuasive examples. And now, we find ourselves working for his little fund," Pavel concluded, his tone dripping with skepticism.

"You don't like him," Daniel stated, his tone more declarative than inquisitive.

"Of course, I don't. Alexander Bystritsky exemplifies the widely-accepted theory that genius doesn't necessarily pass down to the children of brilliant parents. He's not stupid, but he's too arrogant. He envisions himself as the next Warren Buffett, yet he's essentially a nobody without his father's influence. I have reservations about the offspring of oligarchs, Daniel," Pavel expressed with gravity. "They've been handed everything on a silver platter without lifting a finger. As someone who has climbed the ranks from a humble background through hard work and determination, their mere presence irks me. Call it a proletariat's rebellion against the affluent elite," Pavel added with a wink. "I hadn't shared that with you."

"Sure. I appreciate your trust," Daniel responded quickly. He found such insights, not mentioned in the official records, invaluable. Since Alexander Bystritsky would be involved in the project, these additional nuances about him were beneficial. "What's he like to interact with?"

"He's predictably full of himself. He speaks only with partners and overlooks the contributions of regular consultants, despite once being just a junior analyst himself. But perhaps he's gotten a bit carried away with his success. I might arrange for you two to chat just to stir the pot," Pavel said with a mischievous tone. "I'll bring the team for the presentation."

"Are you sure about that?" Daniel asked cautiously, seeing potential complications rather than mischief.

"Absolutely. I want to test my theory that it's easier to sell projects to attractive people. Oh, one more thing to note: Bystritsky Jr. is as gay as a picnic basket and might try to make a move on you. Just be on your guard."

"That's not exactly encouraging news," Daniel responded with a frown. "I'd rather avoid the situation altogether."

"In any case, I need to introduce a new face during the presentation as a change of pace, especially since Alexander isn't fond of me. I don't want to hand over the project lead to another partner when we've done most of the groundwork. So, Daniel, you don't really have a choice. You'll need to make an appearance. Don't worry, Alexander is reasonable; he won't make a pass at you. He might ask you out, and you can politely decline. I date women; I'm straight. Unless..." Pavel paused, raising an eyebrow, "Are you uncomfortable around gay people?"

"No, not at all," Daniel responded quickly. "It's just unsettling to think I'm chosen to present the project mainly because of my appearance. I'm not keen on leveraging my looks like that!"

"Choose your words carefully," Pavel's tone shifted to a more serious one. "I've never been accused of such things in my entire consulting career. When a partner selects a team member for a project, they consider both the strengths and weaknesses of that individual, positioning them to benefit the company. Understand? No one's pushing you towards Alexander; you're there to improve my strained relationship with him and highlight the project's advantages."

"I apologize for jumping to conclusions," Daniel said, feeling embarrassed. Pavel's explanation had been clear, and he had mistakenly jumped to unwarranted assumptions. "I misunderstood."

"Control your impulses," Pavel advised coolly, tapping his corporate phone on the payment terminal. "And avoid vilifying your superiors. We first pitch the project concept, then deliver on it. Essentially, we're salespeople, and salespeople leverage all their assets, including their appearance. Reflect on that in your own time."

"Alright, I'm sorry," Daniel responded, looking downcast. He realized he had undone all the positive impressions he had made during lunch at the very end. Talk about making an impact – and not in a good way. During his first week, he had seemingly established a reputation for being emotionally volatile, jumping to conclusions, and displaying signs of paranoia. Quite the memorable first impression.

"Don't worry," Pavel said, his tone softening as he stood up. "We can chalk this up to cultural differences for now. But here's some advice: try to listen more than you speak initially, to avoid causing any misunderstandings. Our team tends to be more direct and less diplomatic compared to Westerners: they don't beat around the bush, they can be blunt and even make off-color jokes. You don't need to react to everything or take offense at every little thing."

"Thank you, I'll remember that," Daniel responded appreciatively. Despite some unsettling moments with Pavel, he realized Pavel had some valuable insights. It was essential to be aware of these cultural differences and not always interpret everything in a negative light.

"I forgot to mention something about the father," Pavel exclaimed, slapping his thigh with enthusiasm. "This is the most intriguing part. The elder Bystritsky isn't just any ordinary businessman; he's a genuine powerhouse, a natural-born leader with an uncanny knack for success. You won't find much about him online; he's scrubbed away any negative mentions. But it's crucial for you to understand his background. Let's start with his education.

Unlike his son, Matvey Bystritsky didn't have life handed to him on a silver platter. To begin with, being born a Jew in the Soviet Union wasn't easy. Yes, Daniel, Jews didn't just roam the desert for forty years, they roamed the Soviet Union for just as long" Pavel chuckled at Daniel's surprised expression, "they faced discrimination in the USSR, despite the fact that most early revolutionaries were Jewish. It's a paradox.

But moving on, due to his ethnicity, Matvey couldn't get into Moscow State University. However, he did graduate from another university, Moscow Institute of Oil and Gas. It is now a very prestigious university, but back in the day they used to call it "Gas station" and Jews were accepted there, both as students and faculty. He secured a research position at the Academy of Sciences, eventually rising to become a professor and earning a doctorate in technical sciences. He was an active member of the Komsomol and later joined the Communist Party.

Bystritskiy made a successful career and this is when he realized that his true talent wasn't science, but management. He navigated his career wisely, sensing the changing political climate during Perestroika. He quickly adapted to the emerging commercial opportunities of the late '80s, engaging in the underground trade of Syrian bed linen and even moonlighting as a gypsy cab driver."

"A cab driver... So, he worked as an illegal taxi driver?"

"Exactly, that's where the journey of the future oligarch began. There are whispers that he was once detained for smuggling Syrian goods. However, he's managed to erase any such blemishes from his record. He's legally untouchable now," Pavel said with an impressed smirk.

"His initial foray into business was quite humble, running a small stand selling vodka and cigarettes on the outskirts of Moscow. He openly talks about this phase. On his first day, he raked in a staggering three thousand dollars in sales. To put it in perspective, that was a fortune compared to the measly forty-dollar monthly salary of a researcher. And that's based on the black market exchange rate of ten rubles per dollar, not the official state bank rate of sixty-seven kopecks per dollar.

He rapidly expanded, opening stall after stall, eventually establishing his first trading company with thirty-eight outlets. He made allies with influential figures, essentially the local mafia. But instead of merely paying them protection money like others, he became one of them. He aided them in eliminating rivals and consolidating power. To this day, he maintains ties with these, who operate without much moral constraint. He ventured into the wholesale alcohol business, even dealing with counterfeit products, yet regulatory agencies turned a blind eye out of fear. And then, he ventured into banking. Can you sense the predatory ambition and rapid pace of his ascent?"

"Quite impressive," Daniel said, walking briskly alongside Pavel, making an effort to remember all the details.

"After the USSR's dissolution and the onset of privatization, he acquired a major oil company for a mere hundred and fifty million dollars through dubious corruption tactics. Just two years later, its value soared to ten billion dollars," Pavel exclaimed, gesturing widely. Daniel narrowly avoided getting hit by his flailing arm. "Oops, sorry about that. He's since expanded his empire beyond oil, and now his son is trying to make his mark," Pavel added with a hint of irritation.

"But don't let that bother you. You don't have to be fond of clients to work effectively with them. Besides the energy sector, Matvey Bystritsky took advantage of tax-free alcohol and cigarette imports via the National Sports Fund and even the Patriarchate - believe it or not, got his fingures even there. He's shielded himself with his ties to the Izmailovo criminal group. For instance, the town's mayor where his oil company operated tragically ended his own life after suggesting the company owed taxes. Another potential buyer for the oil company quickly sold his stake and fled to Israel. When it comes to protecting his empire, Matvei Bystritsky shows no restraint."

"Even now? I thought things had become more civilized and structured," Daniel said, clearly taken aback by the revelations.

Pavel smirked and chose not to address Daniel's question directly, instead continuing his narrative about the senior Bystritsky.

"In the '90s, when a daring journalist dared to expose his questionable activities and mentioned a past arrest, Matvey grasped the importance of media control. What became of that journalist, I can only guess; he vanished without a trace.

Matvey began acquiring media outlets and even had ITAR-TASS in his pocket. This, naturally, gave him significant sway over politicians. He had everyone under his thumb. He also knew how to capitalize on situations. Take this for instance: when ITAR-TASS reported a fictitious accident at the Leningrad nuclear power plant, causing a global media frenzy, Matvey discreetly purchased shares in Scandinavian companies during the ensuing stock market panic. A few days later, when the news was debunked, he raked in hundreds of millions of dollars. Now you see why his arrogant and underachieving son pales in comparison to his father's legacy?"

"I suppose," Daniel mused, contemplating how the younger Bystritsky seemed to be making an effort to conduct legitimate business and implement effective international practices. Admittedly, such an approach might not resonate with a company accustomed to a "traditional management style". However, he chose not to voice these thoughts. Pavel's evident admiration for the senior Bystritsky was clear, and Daniel needed to rebuild some rapport after their recent restaurant mishap. "I'd prefer not to engage with elder Bystritsky," he added genuinely.

"You won't have to. Matvey Bystritsky isn't venturing into new businesses anymore; he's content with overseeing his vast empire. And, as rumors have it, he's grown quite fond of his grandchildren in his later years," Pavel shared, noting Daniel's surprised expression. "He has two grown daughters and, if I'm not mistaken, three grandchildren."

"Considering his background and personality, how does he react to his son being gay?" Daniel inquired cautiously.

"I wasn't there for the 'coming out'," Pavel remarked with a chuckle. "But given that Alexander's father still holds him in high regard, it seems he's come to terms with it. Perhaps he views it as some sort of karmic retribution for his own past transgressions. It's regrettable."

"Are you homophobe?" Daniel asked, his smile unwavering.

"I have no issue with gay people, but I do hate faggots," Pavel clarified, laughing at Daniel's puzzled look. "Consider it a puzzle. It was nice chatting with you. I need to head to the bank," Pavel said, shaking Daniel's hand. After Daniel responded, "Likewise, it was a pleasure," Pavel briskly walked away, making his way swiftly past the enfilade of boutiques.

Daniel looked contemplative, processing the information he had just received. His emotions were a blend of intrigue and uncertainty. On one hand, it seemed Pavel had invited him to lunch to share insights not available in the company's official records. Pavel had effectively engaged him by revealing his candid views on the company's client, albeit in a rather derogatory manner. But why go to such lengths? Daniel was already part of Pavel's team, working on the very project Pavel oversaw.

It felt as though Pavel was laying it on thick, especially for the project's duration. The nagging suspicion that he was being manipulated for some hidden agenda was unsettling. Daniel wanted to decipher Pavel's true intentions. Despite Pavel's assertive behavior, many of his colleagues seemed to have reservations about him; their non-verbal cues suggested as much whenever Pavel passed by. Yet, it was reassuring to feel that someone of Pavel's caliber had taken him under his wing, sharing insights in confidence. Recalling Pavel's earlier advice to avoid jumping to negative conclusions and to listen more than speak, Daniel recognized the need to navigate the nuances of local cultural dynamics.