Is this destiny?

Samantha and Merve stepped into the ring where Michael waited for them as two staff members were almost done wiping the floor with dry mops. There were a few sports of sweat from previous fights, and they might cause the floor to be slippery.

Merve saw Michael and she remembered that not only her adoptive siblings from the Cliffside Villa are present, but Sarah and Aiden as well. She didn't care about anyone else's opinion, Sarah told her more than once that she can't please the world, but she should focus on not disappointing a few people who are important. And people from the Cliffside Villa were important (Corey included).

When Samantha approached Merve with a lame story about forgetting their grudges and starting anew without even trying to conceal her hostility, Merve readily accepted Samantha's challenge to step into the ring, without thinking that her behavior is not appropriate for this setting.

Anxiety bubbled within Merve. What if Aiden and Sarah don't approve of Merve accepting this challenge? What if they think that Merve instigated this spar? Everyone knows that there is enmity between Samantha and Merve, and this is a fancy party, not a place to settle grudges. Merve came here with Corey, and as his girlfriend, she should act like a lady and not like a savage girl.

Merve took in a shaky breath and nervously glanced at Aiden and Sarah. Aiden was focused on Sarah, while Sarah was looking her way, and Merve was unable to read Sarah's expression. Merve showed a meek smile while her eyes pleaded for some feedback.

Merve held her breath when she saw Sarah reaching for her ear stud.

"Do what you feel it's right. Don't let anyone bully you.", Sarah's voice sounded in Merve's ear a second before Sarah's lips lifted into an encouraging smile. 

Merve exhaled the breath she was holding and responded to Sarah with a small nod as relief washed over her. Those few words had a huge impact on Merve, making her feel like a big burden was lifted from her shoulders. Merve felt lighter, Merve felt Sarah's support and she felt loved.

Jarred's attention was focused on Sarah and he didn't miss this communication between Sarah and Merve. He saw that Merve was insecure, Sarah's lips moved and she smiled, which gave a boost of courage to Merve. Jarred wondered if Merve can read lips or if they have some other means of communication, but whichever it is, Jarred confirmed that Sarah's awesomeness is spilling onto the kids who are in her care.

Corey stood in Merve's corner outside of the ropes that separated the fighting area from the spectators. He was unaware of what transpired between Sarah and Merve, but he saw that Merve acknowledged something with a nod before turning to look at Samantha.

"Be careful…", Corey told Merve to what she smiled and went to him.

Michael was still explaining the rules to Samantha, so Merve had a moment to spare on pacifying her worried boyfriend.

She saw that Corey's brows were furrowed and it reminded her that other than her family from the Cliffside Villa, there is one more person who supports her unconditionally.

"We wanted to teach her a lesson. This is the perfect chance, in front of the audience.", Merve spoke softly, only for Corey to hear.

He nodded in understanding. Of course, he knew that but… "Samantha has a few loose screws in her head, and I am worried that she will try something underhanded."

"I'm ready for this.", Merve said confidently. "I slapped her at the prom, and her family lost status and assets, yet she still didn't learn that she should stay away from me. This is my chance to beat some sense into her. At the same time, everyone in this audience will find out that your girlfriend is not an easy target."

Corey's eyes stirred with emotions and Merve's heart melted. She cupped his cheeks and kissed him on the lips.

Corey was surprised by this action. Merve was always the shy one, hiding from others any intimacy between them, yet now she kissed him in front of everyone. On the lips. It seemed that his Merve was coming out of her shell and he loved her even more for that.

Before Merve stepped away, Corey's hands moved around her, one at the back and the other one held her head and he claimed her lips with his.

On the other side of the ring, Michael was telling Samantha: "…to stop the fight you need to say that you give up or tap three times on the floor. Do you understand?"

Samantha nodded and shifted nervously. "I do. But why are you saying that only to me?"

Michael smiled a little. "Because Merve knows." In his mind, he added: 'And because she will not be the one to stop the fight.'

This comment made Samantha a bit uncomfortable as she sensed that there is some hidden meaning behind Michael's words or maybe that he is holding back on something, and her eyes searched for Merve.

Jealousy and rage boiled inside Samantha when she saw Merve and Corey making out. How dare they act like she is not there!?

Samantha dazedly watched as Merve inched away and smiled while wiping her lipstick from Corey's lips. Corey's loving gaze and enchanting smile were directed at Merve and he tilted his head swiftly, planting a kiss on the inside of her palm which made Merve giggle. The two of them were absolutely lost in their lovey-dovey mood, ignoring everyone, Samantha included.

Samantha never felt so dejected in her life. It's not that she is in love with Corey, but Merve does not deserve such treatment! Who is she? Just some peasant girl who was lucky to be adopted by Whites!

Samantha thought that this is injustice. Why is Merve getting all the attention, and support, yet Samantha only gets scolding? Since she was born, Samantha was the young Miss of the Long family, but since Merve showed up, no one is paying attention to her. How dares Merve steal her spotlight?

Sarah moved her fingers swiftly, and in the next moment, Jamari paused while reading the message on his Eve-lens: "$100k on Merve".

Jamari gulped softly. No one placed a bet for such an outrageous amount so far, but he didn't dare to object because if he refuses, it will diminish the credibility of him as the bet-master. He responded with a message to Sarah: "Accepted".

Two seconds later, his phone buzzed with confirmation that Sarah transferred $100k to his account that he is using for bets.

Jamari rubbed his chin while thinking about how to cover extra expenses.

It's good if high bets lose because he gets to keep the extra money. Of course, he always shares the spoils with others who participated with the organization and managing his little enterprise, in this case, that would be Imani, Chione, Harini, and Oni. However, if the big bet wins and he does not have enough balance to cover it, then he will find himself in a financial predicament.

If Sarah wins this bet, he will need to pay out $200k ($100k that she paid + another $100k), and the biggest bet so far was $300.

Sarah is a great mother-figure, and she dotes on all the kids, but when it comes to financial responsibility, Sarah does not compromise. She says that they will never learn to manage money if she keeps on bailing them out, and Aiden supports this logic that they all need to learn to live within their means and make wise investments.

Jamari frowned at the thought that there is a 99% chance that Merve will win. Where on Earth is he going to find hundreds of thousands…?

Just as Jamari was thinking about this, he saw Jeff and Charlie walk out of the dressing room. Steve, Gabriel, Felix, and Jasper were behind them. Jamari's eyes sparkled as he saw those men as six walking fat wallets.

"Master Smith!", Jamari called. "Can I have your attention for a moment?"

Jamari put on his best smile while approaching Charlie. "Master Smith, we are doing betting here and I was wondering if you are willing to cover any losses that your house makes."

Charlie was confused. Betting at his house? He glanced behind Jamari and saw names and understood that bets are done for the outcome of spars, but… "Losses that MY house makes?"

Jamari nodded. "Of course, this event is done at your property and this betting is done under the supervision of the Smith family. At the end of the betting, any balance will be shared with you, but in the off chance that there are losses…", Jamari's voice trailed.

Charlie understood where this was going. How can he say 'no' when this is Emma's (and his) baby shower? "Sure, no problem. I will cover it. But in that case, I will need to see the details of all bets that were placed."

Jamari smiled brightly. "That will not be a problem. We have everything well documented. If you excuse me…"

Charlie narrowed his eyes at Jamari who was walking away with a spring in his step.

"Why do I feel that he tricked me into something?", Charlie mumbled to himself, but Jeff heard him.

Charlie looked at Jeff suspiciously. "Is something funny?"

Jeff shook from laughter that was bubbling inside him and he hid it with a forced cough. "You will see…" Jeff didn't want to say that Sarah's and Aiden's kids are competing and betting. Only Jeff knows how much money he lost because Sarah and Aiden are betting outrageous amounts (and winning). Jeff never told this to anyone because it might spoil his image as the Master of the White family. Even JoAnna does not know the details beyond: it's a lot of money. Well, Charlie already agreed to cover the expenses, and telling him what is coming in advance will only spoil his mood. He will find out, eventually.

"Eh? We got skipped?", Jasper exclaimed in surprise when he saw the current lineup for spars.

"Those are the rules." Imani shrugged helplessly. "You were not ready in time, so you got pushed to the bottom of the list."

"It's OK.", Steve said. "It's only a few fights. Let's go and watch."

"I want to place a bet!", Charlie said and walked toward Jamari. "Corey is next… Can I still place a bet for the current fight?" He saw that Jamari nodded and instructed: "5K on Merve, and then 5k on Corey as well for the next fight..."

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