Is this destiny?

Jeff, Charlie, JoAnna, and Emma are chatting in a good mood. Sarah and Aiden are with them in a group, listening mostly.

Jeff noticed that many people are observing them, but no one is approaching.

"Are we keeping you away from the guests?" Jeff asked Charlie.

"No. All of them are giving us fake congratulations. I don't expect them to like us, but I want respect and obedience. If they are not willing to give me that much, I will get rid of them." Charlie announced.

Jeff approved. In a way, they are cleaning the White family from the Voronin spies. "Let me know if you need help."

Carlie smiled. "You are already helping. No one dares to come close because they fear offending you, and at the same time, their emotions are stirring. I hope that this will incite them to make their moves sooner."

"Is it a good idea to provoke them right away?" Jeff asked. "The Smith family has this hierarchy established for a long time. Making drastic changes as soon as you took your position, will make them resist you."

"That is why I want it to happen soon. I already have the power, a little bit more and I will be untouchable. And I want to take the trash out before Emma and I expand our family." Charlie ended with a gentle gaze directed at Emma.

Emma blushed. She is not used to Charlie talking about them having babies with people around. They didn't talk much about it, but they agreed that babies will wait until he manages to reel in his family members. They don't want to risk that someone endangers their kids as a way to get to Charlie.

Sarah agreed with this logic. She also wants to wait with having babies until it's safe, but she knows that for her and Aiden, it might take a while. And she also knows that Aiden is eager to be a father. She will need to rethink her position on that topic. Maybe they can have kids when it's safer. But she needs to determine what that 'safer' means.

Ah, she looks forward to the moment when his eyes lit up with the news that he will be a father. She is confident that Aiden will do a few backflips and maybe even shout from happiness. That will be a wonderful day. Someday.

Aiden saw that Sarah's mood is changing with her thoughts, and even though he had no idea what she is thinking about, he hugged her.

"Do you want to dance?" Aiden offered.

Sarah smiled. "With you, always."

Emma watched Sarah and Aiden walk to the open area which is reserved for dancing and sighed. "I admire their ability to tune everything out and focus on each other."

JoAnna agreed. "At first, I thought that they are freaks because it's not normal to be so infatuated with your partner, but now I envy them. It would be nice to ignore everyone and enjoy love."

"Don't tell me that ants are disturbing your love for me." Jeff's stern voice came from the side.

JoAnna rolled her eyes. "You know what I mean. We have so many things to think about. And look at them, carefree."

Jeff didn't agree. "How can you call them carefree? They are able to stay sane because they can tune everything out and focus on each other in those rare moments when it's safe."

JoAnna looked at Sarah and Aiden guiltily. Jeff's comment reminded her that Sarah and Aiden returned from a dangerous mission in South America.

"You are right." JoAnna admitted. "When I see them behaving like enamored teenagers, I forget what they are dealing with."

Emma and Charlie exchanged glances. They are not sure what that comment was about, but they understood that Sarah and Aiden have a lot on their hands.

Jeff spotted Ron and Zula. "I will go and greet young Mr. Heine."

JoAnna went with Jeff. She knows that Jeff is doing this in order to raise Ron's reputation in the eyes of people present, and it will be more impactful if she is by Jeff's side. Anyway, she would rather talk to Ron and Zula than with many other people who are attending this event.

Jeff and JoAnna were only five steps away from Charlie and Emma when others started approaching the main person of the event (aka Charlie). And Charlie and Emma were back to accepting congratulations and well wishes.

"Ron…" Jeff greeted Ron during a handshake.

"Mr. White…" Ron returned the greeting while trying to ignore several nearby people who perked up their ears.

"Please, call me Jeff, as usually."

Ron smiled. "OK. Jeff."

"I hear that things with Heinelurgy are going as planned. Is the production impacted…?" Jeff switched to business talk and the number of eavesdroppers increased.

JoAnna chatted with Zula about a few random topics. JoAnna knows that Zula is on a mission, but Emma is safe by Charlie's side, surrounded by guests.

After some time, Jeff and JoAnna excused themselves.

"You are Mr. Heine?" One older gentleman approached Ron when Jeff stepped away. "Pardon my curiosity, but can you tell me, what is your connection with the White corp.?" His question revealed that he was watching him and Jeff.

"I had the opportunity to do my internship at White corp. and CEO White is my mentor…"

As Ron spoke, more people swarmed around him. They wondered how can a youngster like Ron get an invitation for this event, but when Ron revealed his background and connection to Jeffrey White, it all makes sense. Charlie invited Ron so that he can appease Jeff, and that means that they should leave a good impression on Ron as well. Some of them thought that they should invest in Heinelurgy. It sounds like a good business move.

Ron silently cursed Jeff. He knows what Jeff did, but this is bad timing. And he still didn't agree to take over Heinelurgy, damnit! However, if he voices his displeasure, it will blow their cover. So, he smiled amiably in his role of a young heir and shook hands with people who were sucking up to him.

Zula stepped on the side. She can't watch over Emma if she is in the middle of the commotion herself. She feels sorry for Ron, but he can take this, and they can't abandon the mission.

On Charlie's side, the number of people waiting in line was increasing. Everyone wanted to shake hands with the new patriarch of the Smith family. The ones who are on good terms with Jarred hope to continue that with Charlie, and the ones who didn't agree with Jarred hope to improve their standing with Charlie. Charlie regarded everyone equally because he knows that all of them are treating him well only because of his position. 

"I will go to the restroom." Emma said only for Charlie to hear.

"Be careful." Charlie warned her.

Emma nodded and excused herself. It's not that she needs to go, but if she stays as a center of attention, no one will try to make a move against her. And that will make all the planning and precautions go to waste.

She does not want to be a target, who does? But she agrees with Charlie, enemies will come after them, and it's better to take care of those nuisances as soon as possible.

Emma told herself that for the sake of her love for Charlie, she will not allow to be his weakness, and that is why she will face whatever is coming head-on.

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