Is this destiny?

"You are talking about us taking over two big organizations.", Charlie reminded Emma.

"And making it into one.", Emma added.

"Did you consider the fact that the circle of people targeting us will increase?", Charlie asked while observing Emma's reaction.

"Our strength will increase as well. I admit that I live a sheltered life and I don't know many details, but I know that Ellie, Biddy, Sophia, Anna, and Sarah are involved in more than what it shows on the surface. Actually, everyone I know seems to have invisible enemies and something to fight against them. Right now, I only have enemies. By stepping up, I will become stronger and show everyone that I am not an easy target. I am tired of being the weak one who needs protection. I don't want to be a burden to you or my friends. They helped me numerous times, and I wish to return the favor. Also, with the baby on the way, I can't rely on you to protect us while I stay passive."

Charlie liked Emma's logic. He suspected that this change was motivated only by her brothers, but it seems that Emma considered her friends and their baby as well.

"If we do this, the number of people we can trust will change. Jarred, Angelo, Sean, and Ryan might not take this well.", Charlie said.

Emma nodded solemnly. At this point, she does not see a path where she will be completely devoid of doubts that Sean and Ryan will want to snatch the Capo position from her. After all, once a person gets a taste of power, it's like a potent drug and its addiction lingers for a long time, maybe forever. But she hopes that their sibling bond will stand the test of time and that Sean and Ryan will accept minor roles that will allow them a mix of power and regular life. As for Emma, she will always be grounded because she will have Charlie by her side.

"We have each other.", Emma reminded Charlie. "And we will not reveal our full plan to others until we are ready. I am confident that Angelo will support me in taking over Nero Armi, just how Jarred will be delighted to hear that you want to take over his deals. Let's keep the part about merging the two organizations away from Angelo's and Jarred's ears. Once we take over fully, they will not have a say in it."

Charlie saw that Emma is determined and she already had some good strategies. "Alright. If this is what you want, I will support you. We should talk with Angelo before Sean and Ryan find out that you are interested in Nero Armi, and I will talk to Jarred separately about Smiths."

"I want to be present when you talk to Jarred. It will send him a message that we are in this together."

Charlie agreed. His Emma found her courage and is ready to fight and he is more than happy to be by her side.

…

The party outside progressed while guests were left to entertain themselves because there was no real agenda.

The occasion for this gathering was a baby shower, but Charlie and Emma said that they will not reveal the gender of the baby so other than people bringing presents and spending the time at the Smith family villa with food, drinks, and games (for kids mostly), people were mingling and chatting as they saw fit.

The kids from the Cliffside Villa love parties, but they found this one to be boring with not much to do and they had to act properly (or stiffly how they call it) because of all the other people present. If they are to mingle and chat, they will rather do that at home, in the common room, where they have numerous ways to entertain themselves and comfy sofas where they can slouch and relax. Also, when they have a party at home, there are various activities and bonfire, and barbecue they can eat with their hands (here they need to use utensils for everything!). Sarah and Aiden spoiled them, but they have no regrets.

It didn't take long before Allen, Julius, Ade, Hande, and several others started whispering about possibilities to entertain themselves, and more than one voiced the idea that they could go to the training ground that was a bit further beyond the garden. That area is used by bodyguards of the Smith family to train. Of course, the training area has a fighting ring, and kids thought that it's a good idea to exchange blows while passing time until dinner.

Now, only if they can get enough people to agree, then they can head there because if it's only a handful of them, they will stick out from the crowd. The perfect scenario will be if some outsiders join. If it's just them, they might embarrass Sarah and Aiden since there is a danger that posh people at this party start looking at them like savages.

Corey and Merve joined the party and other than the kids from the Cliffside Villa, there were other familiar faces from their generation, which included Corey's classmates from high school like Victor Miller (the class president), Samuel Wood (the class treasurer), and Cassie Burke (the girl who was supporting Samantha, and jumped ships when she saw that Samantha is in trouble). Merve met them when she attended Corey's prom as his date, and then again at the lunch at the Long family's villa.

Corey and Merve went through the motions of greeting them, not bothering to appear too friendly because they are not. Corey does not have any friends from his high school worth mentioning, and they are all present at this party because of their family's status. Of course, their parents are in attendance as well and Corey was fairly confident that all his ex-classmates came to greet them only in order to please their parents.

"Look at the Young Master, not sparing us a second more than necessary…", Samuel Wood said grumpily in a low voice when Corey and Merve walked away from them.

"Hmm…", Victor Miller hummed in acknowledgment of Samuel's words with a tight smile on his face.

Cassie heard Samuel's remark because she was standing right next to them. It seems that they didn't care if she heard them. She observed the duo, unsure from where their hostility was coming. Until two months ago, they were classmates, getting along well.

"Did something happen?", Cassie asked Victor and Samuel, thinking that there was some gossip or a good story behind it. Whatever it was, it was something secretive, otherwise, she would know about it.

Samuel snorted. "Someone like you will not understand."

Cassie watched Samuel and Victor with confusion obvious in her expression while wondering, what happened. Other than they graduating, nothing changed, and Victor and Samuel were always on good terms with Corey. Actually, Victor and Samuel were on good terms with everyone in the class.

For Cassie, nothing changed. People didn't give her much attention (because she was treated as Samantha's shadow) and she still had a reputation as an airhead.

For Samuel and Victor, after graduation, everything changed.

The two of them are coming from well-to-do families, but their families are nothing compared to the Smith family.

During high school, all classmates were cordial with Samuel and Victor because of the positions they held, close to the student council. As class president and treasurer, the duo had access to the school staff, records, and they could even impact decisions on various activities. Who wouldn't want to be on good terms with them? However, with graduation, the power they held vanished, together with the respect others showed them.

Since school ended, Victor and Samuel are being practically ignored by the same people who would make sure to call them daily.

Samuel and Victor don't have anything against Corey personally, however, seeing him walk through the crowd with his head held high (and Merve by his side) while others are sucking up to him, how can they not be dejected? It is one thing if everyone lost their status after school ended, but it's obvious that Corey climbed even higher, while the two of them became nobodies. Victor and Samuel can't do anything about it, other than simmer in their jealousy. They don't dare vent their anger on Corey since that would bring them certain calamity; everyone knows that Smiths are not a family one should dare to offend. And there are rumors that Corey will be the next head of the family! 

Little by little, Corey and Merve got closer to the group of familiar faces where the mood was lively.

"What's going on?", Corey asked when he and Merve approached them and Sean, Ryan, Allen, and Julius looked at Corey expectantly.

After exchanging quick greetings, Sean spoke. "We were wondering if we can use your training grounds a bit, Young Master Corey…" While Sean explained what they were thinking Ryan made a few swift moves with his arms, indicating that Sean was talking about sparring.

Corey's eyes flashed in understanding. Since Merve refused to remove her dress for some lovey-dovey time in his room, Corey was filled with unspent energy and he thought that a spar or two might help him expel it.

Corey grinned. "That sounds like a great way to liven up this party."

Merve frowned at these words. This was supposed to be a fancy party and not sweaty training, but she saw that more than a few people smiled enthusiastically (including Hande), and Merve didn't want to be the mood killer.

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