JUST LIKE OLD TIMES

The first clash between the Romanova and Yelena families came sooner than expected. A lucrative shipment of luxury goods had arrived at the port, and both families laid claim to it. Nikolai, eager to prove himself, orchestrated a swift and decisive operation to secure the cargo. His men—efficient and ruthless—left no room for negotiation.

When word of the raid reached Katya, she wasted no time in responding. She personally led a retaliatory strike, targeting a key Romanova distribution hub. The message was clear: the Yelenas would not be intimidated.

The feud escalated rapidly, culminating in a tense encounter at a high-profile art auction. Both Nikolai and Katya attended, each accompanied by their most trusted lieutenants. The event was ostensibly neutral ground, a place where powerful figures could mingle without the threat of violence. But the tension between the two young leaders was palpable.

Nikolai spotted Katya across the room, her presence impossible to ignore. She wore a sleek black dress, her confidence radiating like a beacon. For a moment, their eyes met, and the air seemed to crackle with unspoken animosity. Nikolai approached, his expression carefully neutral.

"Miss Yelena," he said smoothly. "A pleasure to see you here."

Katya's lips curved into a polite but distant smile. "Mr. Romanova. I didn't realize this sort of event was your style."

"One must adapt," Nikolai replied, his tone laced with subtle challenge. "Much like your recent… innovations."

Her smile sharpened. "Innovation is necessary for survival. Perhaps you should try it sometime."

The exchange was brief, but it left an impression on both. As the night wore on, neither could fully ignore the other's presence. Their rivalry, already fierce, had taken on a new, more personal dimension.

By the end of the week, both families were licking their wounds from the escalating skirmishes. Nikolai convened his top advisors in the Romanova war room, a fortified basement lined with maps, monitors, and surveillance feeds. He listened intently as they reported on the latest developments, his mind racing with strategies.

"We need to send a stronger message," one of his lieutenants suggested. "Hit them where it hurts."

Nikolai considered the suggestion but ultimately shook his head. "No. We need precision, not brute force. The Yelenas are smart, and they'll exploit any misstep. We strike strategically, not recklessly."

Meanwhile, Katya held a similar meeting in the Yelena estate's strategy room. She reviewed reports with meticulous attention to detail, her sharp mind picking apart the Romanovas' tactics.

"They're testing us," she said, tapping a finger on the map. "But they've underestimated how quickly we can adapt. Prepare a counter strike, but keep it subtle. We'll let them think they're winning, then turn the tables."

Both leaders were determined to outmaneuver the other, their moves and countermoves creating a dangerous game of chess with lives at stake. Yet, despite the hostility, neither could forget the brief, charged moments they had shared—moments that hinted at something deeper, something they could not yet