A woman of such immense power did not go unnoticed, or without trial and retribution, however. For all the love and gratefulness the Teralov family had from the people, enemies would always lurk in the shadows. Cautiously waiting for any opportunity to strike and attack the Teralov industry, in hopes of snatching up a market share for themselves.
At one time, a plot had been uncovered to take the Baroness’s life. An uncouth pair of ambitious young businessmen had figured out that the fastest way to market for their own manufacturing industry was to cut the head off snake directly and claim the remaining lifeless body for their own. In their folly, they had made one great fatal mistake, which no other would repeat since—they had underestimated Baroness Teralova. What they had not accounted for was that for anyone to reach such a high position in any economic situation required gruel and gusto. A woman of such status in these years was almost unheard of, and the fact the economy was so tough meant that to survive she had to be strong. The Baroness had a nickname throughout Prague, being a mogul for the production of iron: she became known as ‘The Iron Lady.’ However, what everyone did not realise was that this nickname was not related to her profession, but her demeanour and character when a situation demanded it. Make no mistake about it—the Baroness could be ruthless when the situation demanded it, and if heads needed to roll, so be it.
As cunning as they were, the Iron Lady knew a plot was underway when she was invited to an illustrious investment opportunity that promised strong returns for minimal involvement. Their mandate was that they simply required the Teralov name and the value existed in that alone. When the deal was to be imprinted on paper, the location of the signing was changed at the last moment and that was when she knew for certain a plot was underway. She had considered to abandon the situation and hope her plight would be left undisturbed, but sense and reason was a strong quality of hers and she conjured up an alternative strategy.
Agreeing to the location, she arrived on time and as planned. Her plotters lay in wait, grinning from ear to ear, surrounding her and the accompanying entourage she always brought with her. Confused as to why she was smiling at the situation, rumour has it they had demanded what exactly she thought was favourable about such a situation. Her response tamed and defined history, one which will no doubt be carved into her gravestone when she passes into the afterworld. The lady of iron made her mark on history that day—she had told them with no uncertain terms that they had forgotten what city they were in. As the two men raised their guns to slay the Baroness and her entourage down like cattle in slaughter, the Baroness asked them one final question.
‘Who do you trust most in this world? Everything has a price.’
The leading pair who instigated the trap looked at each other and nodded. A flash and flare of smoke raised into the air, gunpowder popped and crackled, and two bodies fell, slumped onto the stone-hard floor. As the haze lifted, the mess revealed itself and the pair of businessmen gasped for air, clutching their stomachs as their final breath escaped from their lips, with Lady Teralova standing over them.
‘How?’ one mustered through red teeth, spitting and coughing in distress.
‘Everything has a price,’ the Baroness repeated.
The entourage that had accompanied the pair of men now walked past their former employers’ bodies and stood by her side, smirking an evil grin, pleased with their new employers’ ploy and fuller pockets.
‘Thank you for your service, gentlemen,’ she began, as she waved an arm across the now dead pair of men slain before them. ‘How quickly fortunes can turn with a simple phone call,’ she smiled, her lips twisted, face stark and pale, eyes full of both power and concern.
‘But I have no place for traitors—guards!’ With a snap of her fingers, there was another round of gunfire and this time her own men stood over new bodies. The double-cross was complete, and no one ever dared to outfox the Iron Lady again—she remained both feared and loved, whilst equally respected and admired by the people of Prague for the rest of her time in this world.
13.
‘What have you done?’ a quiet voice whispered in horror from across the room. Milos looked up from the bloody corpse before him and at the shadowy figure standing in the doorway. Stepping forward, light struck across the face of the speaker.
‘Juraj!’ Milos cried. ‘It is not what you think!’
Milos started to get to his feet as Juraj approached him, but he only had a moment to realize what was about to occur, and then suddenly, everything went dark.
14.
Looking around the dark room, staring solemnly into the distance, Juraj sat alone, the events flurrying over in his mind again and again. Edgar must have
