Things quickly settled into a routine before winter break started.
Daisy was picked up early and dropped off late by Aaron and Ivan, and she kept a change of new, well fitting clothes as well as her uniforms at the Zakhrov residence.
Without the need to appear less intelligent than Emily, Daisy's self-confidence and self-esteem grew. She started volunteering more information in class, and her grades improved dramatically.
With Ivan's help, Daisy set up a new bank account for herself, and she got a part-time development job which enabled her to earn a small weekly allowance.
There was also a shift in Daisy's favor at the Clarke residence. Mr. and Mrs. Eddington, now knowing that Daisy had a safe space, and a means to support herself, took a more active role in protecting Daisy from Emily's harassment. They urged Daisy to not worry about them and to live her life like a normal school girl and prevented Emily from harassing Daisy by letting Daisy go straight to the servant's quarters after she was dropped off and citing fatigue whenever Emily tried to call on her.
Unfortunately, while these positive changes were taking place, there was a new sinister force brewing around Daisy and Aaron.
Emily, furious that Daisy was slipping out of her control, urged her mother to investigate the Zakhrovs and dismiss Daisy's parents.
Fortunately for Daisy's parents, the rest of the house staff protected them and reminded Sarah that she could face legal action if she terminated their employment without just cause.
At school, Emily and her gang of girls who were daughters of well-connected politicians and businessmen, spread more rumors that Aaron's parents were involved in organized crime, and that Aaron was taking advantage of Daisy's crush on him. Daisy vehemently denied these rumors, but it increased Aaron's social isolation with his classmates now even more hostile and fearful of him.
"It's horrible the way they believe those ghastly rumors about you!" said Daisy tearfully as Ivan slowly drove her and Aaron back home. It was the last day of school before winter break. And Daisy had gotten permission from her parents to spend it with Aaron and Ivan.
"Getting visits from the IRS and child services was not pretty" grumbled Ivan. Following Daisy's confrontation with Emily, the Zakhrovs were investigated by both the IRS and child protective services, both claiming that they had been tipped off to Russian organized criminal activity and child abuse. Fortunately Ivan's credentials and financial statements were in impeccable condition and the IRS agents and child service workers had left in embarrassment.
Aaron was contemplating thoughtfully. "I wonder if we should lean into these rumors instead of trying to fight them." he observed.
"What are you talking about?" asked Daisy.
"The zero tolerance policy of St. Ignatius Academy only extends to its campus. If other students stop believing the rumors, it could lead to assaults and harassment outside of campus because they have nothing to fear from a physically smaller and weaker 13-year-old whose parents are teachers. On the other hand, the implication that I am a child of a Russian mob boss who can order a hit on them and their families will cause even the most thick sculled thug to reconsider assaulting us." explained Aaron.
"Ooh so, we pretend that you are a ruthless gangster, and I am the helpless gun moll?" giggled Daisy.
"Why not? I like the idea of arranging a tragic accident for Ms. Emily Clarke" said Aaron trying to imitate the accent and demeanor of a Russian criminal.
"You're good" whispered Daisy. Aaron's imitation had been very chilly and accurate. Despite knowing better, she had felt a chill down her spine.
"I don't like having the reputation of a Russian mob boss, but I see your point. It did offer some degree of protection for me when I was in school" said Ivan wondering how his own father who was an immigrant construction worker felt when he decided to play that stereotype in school to protect himself from being bullied.
"Dad, I would like to get marksmanship training during our winter break. A Russian mob boss needs to know his way around a gun" said Aaron, still in his Russian mob persona.
Ivan chuckled. Aaron's intelligence combined with his inexperience made for a uniquely childish yet practical world-view.
"Guns and pretending to be a mob boss are not going to solve our problems Aaron" he said as they pulled into the driveway.
"I understand, but I would still like to learn to exercise my right to bear and use arms" said Aaron.
"I would like to learn as well Mr. Zakhrov. At least to be aware of the actual power a gun possesses instead of what they show in movies" said Daisy.
"Alright. But only how to handle and use a gun. There will be no firearms in my house" said Ivan sternly.
"Wow Aaron, you sure pick things up quickly" marveled Daisy staring at the bullet holes clustered in the center mass and head of Aaron's target paper.
"Well, I seem to do better with this rifle rather than handguns" said Aaron holding a Kalashnikov SR-1. He had indeed struggled with handling a handgun, while Daisy seemed more at home with a pistol, rather than a rifle.
"Well. I do think that rifle suits you better. What do you think? Do I look badass with this pistol?" asked Daisy posing with the Sig-Sauer P226 Equinox 9 mm pistol she was practicing with.
"Well yes, you look beautiful and dangerous" said Aaron as Daisy blushed.
"And I must say you look very gangster-like with that mean looking rifle" she told Aaron.
"Those were stationary targets. Let's see how you kids do with moving ones" chuckled Sgt. Rodriguez, the instructor at the shooting range. He had been impressed by Aaron's and Daisy's aptitude.
"Alright Mr. Rodriguez we're ready" said Aaron, taking aim with his rifle.
Rodriguez activated the skeet shooting machine, and Daisy and Aaron took turns in trying to shoot the ceramic discs down.
Daisy braced herself and fired her 9 mm pistol shooting down the discs one after another. She missed a few, but still managed to get an impressive score.
Aaron racked up an impressive score as well, even taking into account the semi-automatic and anti-recoil features of his rifle.
"Very good. You both have excellent aim" said Sgt. Rodriguez.
Daisy beamed with pleasure at Sgt. Rodriguez's praise. "Thank you sir" she said.
"Well I must admit I was reluctant to bring you two here, but it looks like you both know how to handle guns responsibly" said Ivan. He was secretly proud of how quickly Aaron learned to handle a heavy rifle like the Kalashnikov SR-1, even if this new interest of Aaron's served to widen the already widening gulf between him and Annette.
At the far end of the shooting range, a private investigator hired by Sarah Clarke observed the teenagers. She realized that both of them had a good aptitude for marksmanship and that Sarah's concerns that Aaron and Ivan Zakhrov were linked to organized crime were unwarranted. Ivan was the professor at MIT he claimed to be, and while Aaron showed exceptional intelligence and skill for his age, he was just a 13-year-old boy looking out for his friend. What was concerning and irksome, was being sent on a wild goose chase, based on the false accusations and delusions of a spoiled brat like Emily Clarke.
The two weeks of Aaron's and Daisy's winter break passed smoothly. They spent their days learning to drive the BMW M5 with Ivan, practicing their marksmanship with Sgt. Rodriguez and working on code projects to earn them some pocket money.
Despite Sgt. Rodriguez urging Ivan to enroll both of them in a Junior ROTC program, Ivan remained firm in his conditions that Aaron and Daisy would only learn how to handle firearms and that he would not allow them to bring them home. Aaron and Daisy both accepted his conditions, but their enthusiasm was not dampened. They thanked Sgt. Rodriguez on the final day of their training, and he gave them special marksmanship medals in recognition of their skills.
Meanwhile, Natasha Parker, the private investigator hired to investigate Aaron and Ivan, had her annoyance give way to intrigue. As a former CIA operative, she recognized Aaron's ability to quickly learn and master a skill. While Daisy was a typical teenager, and Ivan was a benign computer science professor at MIT, Aaron at 13, had excellent marksmanship and driving skills that surpassed most teenagers. With proper training, he could become a dangerous force to be reckoned with. With these newly acquired driving and marksmanship skills, Aaron's decision to lean into the negative rumors spread by Emily that he was a member of Russian organized crime now carried an actual credible weight. Natasha silently offered a prayer of gratitude that Ivan had refused to let Aaron learn more advanced marksmanship through Junior ROTC and refused to buy firearms.
"So Nat, do you have anything to report?" asked Sarah Clarke in her home office. Natasha Parker eyed the other woman warily. Sarah Clarke was a shrewd and ruthless politician with a towering contempt for conservative Christian elements. Her decision to enroll her daughter in St. Ignatius Academy was in part to infiltrate the school board.
With her influence, she was slowly but successfully changing the policies of the once rigid St. Ignatius Academy, pressuring the school to lower its admission criteria for girls and minorities, along with introducing Diversity and Equity training for the staff. Her actions were what let Viola Davis' behavior to go so far out of control in the first place.
"It appears that the rumors about Aaron Zakhrov and his family are just that. Rumors. From my investigations he is a normal, albeit socially awkward boy" said Natasha.
Sarah's mouth twitched in annoyance. "And his newly acquired marksmanship and driving skills are not a cause for concern?" she asked Natasha coldly.
Natasha remained calm. She knew Sarah had a backup PI tailing her to make sure she couldn't hide information.
"No they are not. He is still a minor and cannot obtain access to firearms or vehicles without parental consent. His mother is a woman after your own heart and strictly controls the access to such activities" said Natasha.
"I see, and my Emily's claims -" began Sarah, but Natasha coldly cut her off.
"Emily's claims come from a place of envy. Daisy is not being abused or exploited, in fact she is well cared for and has achieved remarkable growth over the winter break." Natasha forced herself to not point out that Sarah and Emily were abusing and exploiting Daisy and her family for 5 long years before Aaron came into Daisy's life.
Sarah's eyes narrowed dangerously. She hated anyone criticizing her daughter.
"Very well, continue to investigate" snapped Sarah tossing Natasha an envelope full of cash.
Natasha picked up the envelope, nodded and left the office.