Is this destiny?

Sarah and Aiden are in the study with Michael, Oni, Haru, Nala, Zack, and Noah.

They are looking at the map of their property and the neighboring property of the Payne family. Eve created the map with drones while humans were having lunch.

"At six o'clock, this neighboring property will be ours.", Sarah announced. "We want to create a base for the Army of Chaos."

"This is a big piece of land, we can do a lot with it.", Noah said.

Noah gets excited by two things. The first one is his Mistress, and the other one is when their army is expanding.

Sarah agreed. "We called you here so that we can all see what is on that property now, and to discuss what we can use, and what we will change…"

The Payne family property has the main villa, a massive swimming pool, two guest houses, one house for the staff, an eight-car garage, and two outdoor entertaining areas: one with grills by the garden and the other one with a bar next to the pool.

Each of the eight people present looked at the photos and took notes and then they shared their ideas.

It was a fun activity for everyone, especially for Sarah who likes to come up with unbelievable things like 'an underground dungeon', or 'a room with a swimming pool above', and then the other ones need to make it happen.

They already have numerous bases, but they like to make each one unique. Other than being interesting, it will prevent enemies who can snatch the blueprints of one base to use it into attacking the other ones.

Sarah wants to have housing for the army members. "At least fifty people need to be permanently at this location, and we should have the capacity for more in case of emergencies…"

Noah was taking notes. He will talk with Louis and Cash about the requirements. Their main architect and the construction manager are busy with work in Europe, adjusting the bases which they took over from Shadow Ravens, so this remodel might not be done immediately. However, that will not stop them from planing. 

"We can remove the wall between our two properties and move the training ground there. In that way, it will be more convenient for the army members and for the anyone who stays here.", Aiden suggested.

Sarah thought it's a great idea. "If we do that, we can have a larger training ground which will be completely surrounded by mature trees. So, there will be privacy…"

"Master…", the butler addressed Aiden. "Mr. Hicks is here to see you from the First American Bank."

"Take him to the living room." Aiden responded and gave Sarah a quick kiss before gesturing to Michael to join him.

Aiden and Michael greeted Mr. Hicks, a middle-aged man in a sharp gray suit.

"Thank you for coming, Mr. Hicks.", Aiden said while shaking hands with the man.

"No problem, Mr. White. We always extend courtesy to our VIP clients.", Mr. Hicks smiled.

The maids brought refreshments, and they went to the topic…

"These three properties will be mine by the end of the day. How much I know, your bank owns more than half.", Aiden said while handing out papers to Mr. Hicks.

Mr. Hicks observed the information on the property of the Payne family and two apartments which are on Darlene's name. He typed something on his laptop before confirming. "That is correct. Until the loans are paid off, we have the deeds."

Mr. Hicks licked his lips nervously. "Mr. White, with all due respect… You said that properties will be yours, but the change of ownership can't happen without the bank's approval. After all, we own them."

Aiden nodded. "That is why we are talking."

"I see…", Mr. Hicks fidgeted nervously. "The usual procedure is that…"

Aiden raised his hand, interrupting Mr. Hicks before saying: "I will pay off the loans immediately."

"What? That is more than seventeen million dollars…", Mr. Hicks said under his breath.

"I am aware of that. At the rate Mr. Payne is paying off the loans, it will take twenty-four years to pay the full amount and by that time, you will lose a significant amount due to inflation…", Aiden made a dramatic pause before continuing: "Last five years are averaging four percent inflation, and if the trend continues, even with extra payments, that will put you at a loss of four million dollars by the end of their payments... give or take a hundred thousand."

Mr. Hicks thought about what Aiden said, and he knows that Aiden is right. With the locked loan rates, every year they are losing more money due to inflation. For such a huge loan, the loss is big as well.

Mr. Hicks nodded in agreement and waited for Aiden to continue.

Aiden took the man's nod as an OK to continue. "Mr. Hicks, if you agree to take fifteen million dollars, we will pay it off by the end of the week."

Mr. Hicks was visibly uncomfortable. "Uhm… You want me to accept fifteen million instead of seventeen?"

"No. I want you to accept fifteen million instead of thirteen. With this deal, everyone wins."

Mr. Hicks rubbed his chin and exhaled. He can see that Aiden is going for the scenario where loss is already calculated. And it's true. Fifteen is better than thirteen.

"Mr. White, you are giving a hard bargain."

Aiden smiled.

After a few more seconds of mental calculations, Mr. Hicks agreed to the deal. "What do you need me to do?"

"Make sure that the ownership transfer goes smoothly."

"Of course, that is my job. I will immediately start preparing necessary documentation which will put the deeds in your hands as soon the payment of fifteen million dollars is made. It will be ready by... tomorrow lunchtime."

"Thank you, Mr. Hicks…", Aiden shook man's hand and gestured toward Michael. "My assistant will handle this transaction. He has authorization from my side. Please advise him what else he needs in order to complete this deal."

Mr. Hicks was happy to explain the procedure.

Aiden listened and smiled. They took sixty-two million dollars from Arthur's offshore accounts and another four million dollars from Gabrielle's account. After they pay fifteen million dollars to the bank, they will end up with two luxury apartments (one in Dallas and one in Austin), a massive property (which will merge with the current one), and fifty-one million dollars to spare.

Sarah and Aiden agreed that this will be the money for the construction they are planning here on their soon to be massive property of twenty-five acres on the White Rock Lake. The good news is that no matter what enhancements they put here, there is no way that they will spend even half of the fifty-one million dollars.

Of course, they will open separate investment accounts for Ade and Hande, because they suffered stress when Darlene snapped at them. 

When Mr. Hicks left, Michael asked Aiden: "Do you want me to stay here until things are settled? There will be a lot of paperwork and we don't know if the Payne family will cause problems. It might be more convenient if it's handled in person."

Aiden paused. "This will not be settled until the end of the week. You requested September 24th and 25th as free days due to Oni's birthday and those are this week's Thursday and Friday."

Michael exhaled and lifted his right hand which is in a cast. "I canceled the previously made plans. We can't do what I wanted with one arm each, so my plans for Oni's birthday are reduced to a dinner."

"You should still celebrate her birthday…", Aiden paused and thought for a second. "You can stay here until the end of the week with Oni. I will talk to Sarah. The two of you handle things with the bank and properties, and I will recommend you a few places in the area for the 24th."

Michael accepted happily.

It is Tuesday, so if he and Oni stay until the end of the week, that is more than two days how much he originally planned to take off. Bonus is that Aiden is always full of great romantic ideas where to take Sarah, so Michael will get to hear a few as well. Ah, he can plan an amazing birthday for Oni after all. He can't wait to tell her.

Aiden also told Michael to get a few people from the Army of Chaos to stay here as additional security. And those people will be handy if the Payne family causes problems.

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