when ███ entered the valdai residence, he was overwhelmed by the importance of those present. his "friend" guided him and introduced him to important figures: vladimir alekseevich smirnov, a powerful and mysterious man whom ███ had met only superficially; vladimir ivanovich yakunin, energetic and lively, whose looks and words seemed to be filled with tireless energy; and yuri valentinovich kovalchuk, a tycoon who seemed to attract the attention of everyone around him. ███ tried to be polite and sociable, but his simple words and questions seemed dull against the brilliance and confidence of these people. putin entered the room. an influential, powerful man who immediately attracted the attention of the whole room. ███ scrutinised his every gesture, word and facial expression. but what he saw only displeased him. the relationship between ███ and putin was strained, like magnets repelling each other. ███ sensed an undertone behind the president's smile and politeness. he saw something unnatural in putin, something lurking behind his political mask. vladimir putin, shaking ███ s hand, chuckled slightly. "welcome to the lake," he said, but his words sounded somewhat artificial. ███ felt something invigorating as his hand released putin's arm. a lake, a place full of important people and potential connections, where ███ saw shady deals, arrangements and entreaties hidden. he realised that in this gathering of influential people, events could be taking place that were better left unknown. this meeting only strengthened his conviction: in the shadows of business lurk unclean deals that he should not know about and should not be involved in.