Is this destiny?

At ten o'clock, the auction started.

The bidding for the dinner opportunity with each of the top three selected was not very eventful or exciting and it ended within fifteen minutes.

Mr. Fortin won the bid to dine with Ronald Collins for eighty-five thousand dollars.

Mr. Morgan paid one hundred and ten thousand dollars for his dinner with Jeffrey.

The dinner with Marcus was won by Mr. Baldwin for a hundred and fifty thousand dollars.

Marcus was visibly happy with this outcome. It showed (to him) that people want to spend time with him more than with Jeffrey White. If Oscar was here, he would be the third contender instead of Mr. Collins, but since he didn't show up, Marcus had to pick between few other candidates, Lukas included. Marcus was not sure if anyone would want to see his son, so he decided to put Mr. Collins as the next popular person.

It was obvious to everyone that the results are rigged, but they all smiled, happy that it's over and they can go back to their boistorous activities.

Jeff had his 'who cares?' expression on. There is no way he will go and share a meal with Mr. Morgan. He might get indigestion problems just by looking at that traitor's face. Knowing that he was pimping his daughter (aka Penny) to Lukas, made Jeff cringe in disgust.

Aiden suggested to Jeff that he should attend that dinner. Based on tonight, it appears that Mr. Morgan is close to their Uncle, and there is a possibility that they can take advantage of that situation.

Hill sisters kept their eyes on Melodie and took their opportunity to approach her in the restroom, just how they did with Tiffany. The conversation went about the same, and the outcome was the same as well: Melodie accepted the deal. She wants out.

Melodie thought that she is talking with two bodyguards, so she told them that she didn't mind being set up with Jeff because he is young and good looking. "Who wouldn't want to be with him? But he never showed any interest in me…" Her face showed disgust when she told JoAnna and Sarah that since her parents started supporting Marcus, they are forcing her to 'be nice and not to offend' men who are old enough to be her fathers or grandfathers, sometimes two or three of them at the same time! The unfortunate proof of how she is treated is the fact that tonight she is accompanying Mr. Morgan whose daughter is her age (that is Penny). And her father is at the party, pretending that he does not know who she is!

"Do you know any other women who are forced to obey their parents, like you?", JoAnna asked Melodie.

Melodie shrugged, indicating that she is not sure. "There are some rumors, but no woman will openly admit that she is being used in this way…"

Melodie gave to Sarah and JoAnna three names. Those women are not in attendance tonight.

When Hill sisters returned from the restroom after their chat with Melodie, a troupe of burlesque dancers was performing on the stage. Looking at those voluptuous women from the bottom up, they were dressed in high heels, fishnet stockings, glittery thongs and star-shaped stickers over their nipples. Each dancer had one large feather in her hand… yeah, right. Like that will hide anything.

They passed by the table where an older man was pushing a full glass of wine into hands of one hostess while saying: "Down this glass, rip off your panties and dance on the table…"

On their right, a guest in his seventies was forcing his hand under the skirt of a young hostess. He ignored her protests and asked if he needs to pay extra, or are her services included for tonight. He assumed that she is a prostitute.

For Sarah, that was too much. She snapped.

"Tell Eric to come here.", Sarah told JoAnna. "It's time for him to show his loyalty if he has any."

JoAnna was about to agree, but she stopped in her tracks at the sight of Kyra who was approaching Jeff.

"Give me a minute…", JoAnna grumbled.

Sarah noticed what got JoAnna's attention. "Of course. You take care of that, I will get Eric."

JoAnna grabbed Sarah's arm. "What do you plan to do?"

Sarah smiled maliciously. "Liven up the party... Don't worry about it. Take care of your man, and while you are at it, keep an eye on mine as well. Let me handle this."

JoAnna wanted to probe more, but she told herself to trust her sister. After all, Sarah is the most dangerous underground boss in Los Angeles area currently. If anyone knows how to make a mess, that should be Sarah. Anyway, JoAnna needs to go and take care of that bed climber who is openly approaching her husband!

…

"Jeffrey White…", Kyra called sweetly when she approached their table. "Aiden…", she nodded in greeting and then her gaze returned to Jeff.

Aiden didn't greet Kyra back. They didn't interract since high school. Why is she standing so close to him? He nervously glanced around while worrying if Sarah is in sight. He saw JoAnna approach them, but Sarah was not with her. Aiden was not sure if that is a good or a bad thing.

"Miss Bell…", Jeff greeted back.

"I was unaware that you are interested in such… entertainment.", Kyra said while shooting poisonous glare at Gia. Oh, she would give anything to sit next to Jeff and provide him with entertainment, anything he wants!

Gia stared at her feet and didn't dare look up. The woman who approached them came with an attitude like she wants to take her place. Gia hoped that Jeff and Aiden will not chase her away.

"How do you know what entertainment I'm looking for?", Jeff asked.

Kyra's eyes darted to JoAnna who was now standing behind Jeff, but Kyra didn't think much of it. It's just a bodyguard, no matter how attractive she is… anyway, Jeff is not into blondes.

"That's not what I meant...", Kyra smiled. "I am just surprised to see you at an event like this, considering your reputation…"

"I will return the same to you, Miss Bell.", Jeff interrupted her. "This is a men-only event, and you are not a bodyguard… are you part of the entertainment? Considering your reputation, I didn't expect you to provide such… services. Or should I start addressing you as cousin-in-law?"

Kyra's face twisted for a second. This is why she didn't want to come with Lukas! But she had no other options to get close to Jeff. And now it's worse! Jeff implied that she is either one of these cheap women who will give their body for few hundred dollars or is actually dating Lukas! How horrible. She didn't know how to answer.

Kyra saw a ray of hope: even if Jeff sees her as an entertainment, as long as he is interested in her, it will work out, right? Later she can clarify the misunderstanding and explain that she came here only because of him…

"Kyra, my dear…", Lukas' voice came from behind her. "I was looking for you." His hand wrapped around her waist and he pulled her close to him. "It's nice of you that you came to greet the guests. But I already told you that tonight you need to serve only me."

Lukas looked at Jeff and Aiden. "Excuse us…" He pulled Kyra to walk with him.

Lukas squeezed Kyra's waist, making her grimace in pain. "Did you think that I will let you do as you please on my event?", he said in a dangerously low voice. "You are in MY house…"

As soon as Lukas turned around, Jeff looked at his wife who gave him an approving nod. Jeff exhaled in relief and gave himself an invisible thumbs up.

"Where is Sarah?", Aiden asked when he noticed that JoAnna is by herself. They agreed not to separate. She should NOT be by herself!

JoAnna tilted her chin toward the stage from where burlesque dancers were leaving. MC climbed the stage and he paused when he saw that Sarah climbed as well. This is not in the program…

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