Is this destiny?

As for the shiny object on the table, the pyramid was one of the latest creations that sprouted from Sarah's and Felix's joint efforts. It projected holograms, and other than being impressive, it was handy for video-conferencing, like now.

"Who are these people?", Sloan asked with a frown.

Sloan recognized some faces, but not all of them. Ah, if he had Eve-lens he would get a better understanding of the power that is virtually hovering in the room.

"These are people who are above you.", Aiden stated the obvious. "There is always someone above you." Aiden had to repeat this. He immensely enjoyed feeding the Council members their own words. He wanted to ensure that feel the threat that Sarah experienced during her first meeting with the members of the Council.

Sure, only Albert and Rance made a move against Sarah (and Aiden), but others stood and watched. Ignorance is not an excuse, especially not for the group that claims they have the power to influence everything in the world. Aiden found them all guilty. Albert and Rance were only slightly more guilty than the others. 

Well, there was one exception. Suvedini warned them, but Aiden would prefer that the warning came sooner, and not after Sarah ended up in the lion's den.

Albert looked at the faces above him in panic and he didn't like this. He didn't like it at all. The Council consists of members who wield certain power, but they can act unobstructed because no one knows about them. Now that Sarah and Aiden revealed the existence of the Council to so many people, it's inevitable that the word will spread and it's only a matter of time when they lose the advantage of working from the shadows.

"What's the meaning of this?", Albert asked in disbelief while trying to wrap his head around the current situation.

Other members of the Council were not at ease either.

Even Jarred was fidgeting nervously. Partly because Charlie was looking at him and partly because he had no idea where Sarah and Aiden are going with this. They are provoking the Council members on purpose. Why are they playing with fire?

Aiden responded to Albert's question. "We assessed the situation and concluded that the Council is obsolete." 

"WHAT!?", Rance shrieked with his eyes open wide, reflecting the shock he received upon hearing Aiden's words.

Everyone in the room was staring at Sarah and Aiden while wondering if this is some kind of a joke.

Sarah stood up and after a dramatic pause, announced, "Effective immediately, this Council is disbanded."

The silence in the room was intense.

"You can't disband the Council! What gives you the right to tell us what to do?", Sloan asked while blinking rapidly.

"The strong one makes the rules. That gives us the right to do whatever we want.", Sarah said icily. "Isn't that the lesson you taught me when you tried to force me into submission? You should be happy that I am announcing this openly instead of plotting to take you out when you are not watching."

Sarah spread her arms and gestured toward the images that were floating in the air above the members of the Council. "I want to introduce you to New Order."

"I believe you know most of the people and you should understand what it means to have everyone gathered in the same place. We don't work from the shadows because there is no need to hide. Yes, we are that strong.", Sarah said cockily.

"It seems that the crew is not complete. We are missing one…", Aiden said and snapped his fingers.

In the next moment, another image was projected in the air, and people gaped when they saw that it was Suvedini.

Suvedini stared at the live feed of herself and she moved a bit to confirm it was realtime. Where are the cameras?

She looked at the small pyramid, unaware that there is a number of invisible drones silently hovering in the room.

Sarah smiled at Suvedini and she gave her a small nod when their eyes met.

"In the New Order we don't force our members into anything.", Sarah said proudly. "We collaborate as allies, as friends. There is trust and mutual respect. And if you think that these are the only people who have our backs, you are gravely mistaken."

Jarred rubbed his chin and looked at Sarah. "Now what?"

"You have two choices.", Aiden responded. "One is that you leave this place and forget that the Council ever existed. As long as you don't try to gather again or scheme against us, we promise not to meddle in your affairs. If your actions impact us or our allies, we will give you a warning before retaliating. Of course, the New Order is a group of equal partners that is open to expanding the list of members, as long as you can prove your honesty. We work on the principles of business transactions in good faith, and scheming and backstabbing will not be tolerated."

"And the second choice?", Sinet asked.

Sarah narrowed her eyes at Albert. "Your personal and professional life will suffer until there is nothing left."

Sarah was looking at Albert, but her words shook up Rance as well. In the last couple of days, Rance heard that the farmers are circulating various rumors about him, rumors that are damaging his reputation. Due to those rumors, the farmers' attitude toward Rance is changing from friendly into hostile, but that can't be because of Sarah and Aiden, right?

Albert swallowed a mouthful of air as the realization hit him. Sarah and Aiden were retaliating against him!

With this New Order business, there was no need for Aiden to show up. Sarah was perfectly capable of presenting the video-show of might and telling them that they are over.

However, Aiden came here as a part of the plan to reveal that he has the eight-star shaped medallion, with a goal for Albert to know that they know his secrets. Other than taking away his money, assets, and various documents that were worth more than money can buy, Sarah and Aiden are eating up his career as well. Albert's friends abandoned him, and his enemies are openly attacking him. And now Sarah and Aiden took away the last thing that could save him: the Council.

"You…", Albert said in a shaky voice as his eyes didn't leave Sarah. "You did all this only to punish me?"

Sarah blinked innocently. "You think too highly of yourself. Do you really believe that I would destroy you and the Council only because you threatened me and my family?" Her gaze hardened as she looked at Rance. "Or because you wanted to take what belongs to me?"

Rance's eyes widened in shock. He knew it! It was Sarah! She was onto him and after him and how will he survive this predicament?

Aiden took Sarah's hand in his and kissed the back of her palm while talking to others. "My wife is not petty. But I will do whatever is necessary to keep her safe."

Sarah giggled at Aiden's public display of affection. "No need to paint me pretty, love. I am petty."

"Not in my eyes…", Aiden murmured and kissed her hand again, invoking another round of giggles from Sarah.

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