Is this destiny?

Everyone in the Council was aware that Akter didn't socialize with the other members of the Council. It's not unusual for any of the members to skip a meeting or two; after all, they are all busy people. But when Akter skipped several meetings without providing them with an explanation (or any other response), they were discussing if anyone had information on what's going on with the man.

"Yeah, Albert…", Sarah drawled while smirking at Albert provocatively. She knew that she was pushing his buttons and she loved it. "If you were close to the man, you should have a way to prove it. After all, Aiden shared several stories that are supported with photos."

Sarah's eyes swept over the members of the Council. "Anyone who has any doubts is welcome to do more thorough research and confirm that Aiden's stories are valid, assuming that you have the capability of investigating Akter Kim."

Sarah returned her focus on Albert. "What do you have to prove that you met with the man privately? Did you go with the man fishing? Or camping?"

"Shut up!", Albert hissed and pointed an angry finger at Sarah. "This is all your fault!"

Sarah looked at Albert like he said something silly. "What is my fault? Are you talking about Aiden showing up here? I will not deny that my husband is here because I became a member and I told him that it's safe to join. After all, for a long time, he followed Akter's advice, honing his skills, expanding his network and influence in order to be worthy of this spot. It was I who encouraged my husband to step out in the limelight and…"

"You are lying!", Albert shouted. With every Sarah's word, his blood pressure was increasing, and he lost composure. His whole body was trembling.

Sarah smirked while wondering if Albert will self-implode. "I'm lying? Prove it. I might as well call you a liar, but I don't even know what story you are selling, so… What are you trying to say, Albert? Everyone here knows that you are not working for the Council. From the moment your plan to get your useless son to sit at this table failed, you neglected everything this Council stands for and you started working for your own interests."

Albert saw red. "How dare you?!"

"Oh, I dare!", Sarah exclaimed.

"Honey, let me…", Aiden said to Sarah softly. He feared that this will escalate into a fistfight. Aiden believed that Sarah can handle Albert, but he wanted to stay on the safe side. Who knows if Albert will try some trick? If Sarah gets hurt, he will never forgive himself. "You shouldn't get too excited. Think about the baby."

Sarah let out a long breath and nodded in agreement. She was allowing Albert to get her worked up. How shameless can a man be? Sure, Albert was driven into a corner and mentally bullied while facing the loss of funds and reputation, but he was shouting like a madman without any proof or plans.

"If you believe that anything is amiss with my presence here or with the medallion, talk to me and leave my wife out of it.", Aiden spoke to Albert icily. "Other than providing me with the time and the location of this meeting, you have no right to accuse my wife of any misdoings. If you continue targeting her, be ready to face my wrath." 

Albert frowned while trying to swallow his anger while sinking deeper into his chair. He knew that shouting won't achieve anything, it will only make him appear guilty. From the reports that portrayed Aiden's fighting abilities, Albert was aware that Aiden can cripple him without breaking a sweat.

Albert looked at Aiden and flinched. How is it possible that Aiden was looking straight into his eyes? Albert was in the dark, while Aiden was in the light. There was no way that Aiden can see him. Right?

Aiden's eyes moved to Rance, and a second later it returned to Albert.

"I must say that I am disappointed. Akter told me that this is where the most powerful people in the world gather. People who can change the course of history. Yet what I found here is a group of people who are openly bickering.", Aiden paused and made a mocking expression. "I can't believe that I feared if I will be good enough to join this circus."

Albert was outraged. "Circus!? Watch your language or…"

"Or what?", Aiden asked lazily. "What will you do? You don't have the power to touch me."

"This is the Council. Not your playground!", Albert squeezed through his teeth. "How dare you disrespect us?"

"Respect is earned, Albert.", Sarah said mockingly. "And usually, you need to show respect in order to get it in return. Acting in the dark is not the right way to go."

Albert and Rance looked at each other, both worried that Sarah will expose how they were plotting to act against her. It's not that they didn't have a counter-argument, after all, they were robbed as well. However, if Sarah exposes them, and they expose her in return, no one will win. It's a suicidal outcome and they hoped that it can be avoided.

Sarah stifled a laugh, seeing how conflicted Albert and Rance were.

"I personally don't like working in the dark. Everything should be put out in the open. Only like that we can collaborate and achieve something. Don't you agree?" She snapped her fingers, and the main light in the conference room was turned on.

"What is this?", Rance asked while nervously looking around.

Sarah rolled her eyes at the dramatic reaction not only from Rance, but from everyone (except Aiden).

Aiden stifled a laugh. He found it comical that everyone was looking frantic as if they are expecting ninjas to attack from thin air. "It's just light. Why are you acting like vampires who got exposed to the sun?"

Both Sarah and Aiden knew that they were not shocked by the light, but by the way she turned it on. However, they had no plan to reveal Eve's existence. If they insist on asking, they will tell them it's magic.

Sarah continued talking from where Aiden left off, "We already know how everyone looks like. Is there a reason to sit in the dark other than to make silly faces or take a nap and no one can see you?"

"You can't change the rules on your own!", Albert hissed.

Sarah eyed Albert suspiciously. "And how CAN I change the rules? Do you want me to suggest turning on the light and then listen to you raging for an hour how that is against the rules?"

"Do you know what's the problem with this Council?", Aiden asked. After a few seconds of silence, he spoke again, "You stick to old rules and don't change. Unless you adapt to the circumstances, you become… obsolete."

"Insolence!", Rance exclaimed and looked at other members of the Council. "How can you sit and be insulted like this?"

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