After the official part, he took me aside.
“Anya, listen to me,” he said quickly, in a cajoling tone. “I understand you probably know this… I mean, maybe someone told you… But it’s not entirely true! Or it’s not entirely true! I can explain everything!”
That pathetic, humiliated tone disgusted me even more than his earlier arrogance. At least then he was sincere in his contempt for me.
“Dima,” I said quietly, “you have a chance to leave the company and my life quietly and with dignity. Think about it.”
But instead of accepting the offer, he exploded:
“What are you playing at?!” he shouted, ignoring the fact that we were being watched. “Do you think you can prove anything? You have nothing against me! It’s just speculation!”
Mikhail Petrovich gestured to security.
“Dmitry, you’re disturbing the peace,” he said sternly. “Please leave the premises.”
“Anya!” Dmitry shouted as he was escorted out. “You’ll regret this! Do you hear me?”
