"Okay," Vladov finally spoke after a long silence that seemed to Andrei to be forever ending, "whoever it was, they'll pay for everything. I'll find them. Or, more likely, them—it's unlikely he acted alone. As for you... I'm grateful for saving my daughter. Your debt is repaid."
Vladov found it very difficult to express gratitude to a stranger, much less his own recognition. Andrey sensed this and decided to somehow soften the situation.
“Thank you, of course, but I was saving my own skin first and foremost,” he justified himself.
Andrey wasn't yet a good liar, so his falsely casual tone immediately gave him away, causing Vladov to look at the guy with a penetrating look.
"Yes, of course," the merchant looked at Andrey thoughtfully, as if deciding whether to continue or not. "Between y
