Is this destiny?

~ Austin, the White Mansion ~

Saturday, March 14

2:03 PM

The White Mansion is bustling from people who are preparing for the event which will officially start in four hours. They are arranging flowers, seating, glasses, beverages, restocking two full bars... Kitchen is bustling with activity. Various caterers and event planners are coming and going endlessly under the watchful eye of Elanor.

Oscar stopped by few times to ask her if she needs help, but she told him that she got it under control and that he should go to the parlor and entertain few of his close associates who came early.

Hundreds of rich and influential people are invited to the inauguration of the new Master and Madam of the White family.

Three large hotels are completely booked for the guests to stay in and a small fleet of limousines is arranged to transport them from their hotel to the White Mansion (and back).

Stella and Edward arrived in time for lunch and as special guests, they are staying in the mansion itself. Elanor told them to freshen up and rest, and they can join them anytime they want. Stella and Edward didn't rest much before Stella joined Elanor to help with event preparations, and Edward joined Oscar and others in the parlor.

Separate from all that commotion related to the event preparation, there is a meeting in the conference room in the West wing of the mansion.

Jeff is at the head of the massive table. On his right is JoAnna, Sophia and Felix and on his left are Aiden and Sarah. The seating order represents the power in the organization, and only a handful of people present knows what Jeff is about to announce.

There is more than fifty people in attendance, including Mason who is in charge of intelligence and information related to White family, and Ryder who manages money and other resources. Present are also Steve, Bridgette and Jesse.

"As new Master, I want to take this opportunity to introduce several new people and roles they are taking, starting immediately.", Jeff started while glancing over people present. "Since Shawn left us, we didn't have a steady leadership among our people, and I am happy that my brother, Aiden, accepted to take that role. I hope that no one will make things difficult for him."

Jeff glanced at Aiden and Aiden stood up.

Aiden introduced himself and started his speech: "I had a chance to look into existing forces and people with whom I want to meet and discuss further steps will get invitations by tonight. Starting tomorrow morning I want to talk with each of you who reported to Shawn.... I will work together with Sarah…", Aiden glanced at Sarah and he didn't miss that people exchanged glances at those words. His expression softened while looking at his future wife who obviously created some waves when she visited last time, and people still remember that. He is sorry that he missed it. "She will have the same authority as me, but if you need to pick whom to contact first, that will be me. Not because she reports to me, but because she has other things to manage as well. The two of us are a team. As part of the leadership team in our branch, we will also have Jesse." Aiden gestured to Jesse who was seated in the back, next to Steve and Bridgette. "Jesse will report directly to me and Sarah and he will be your next contact in case we can't be reached. Further details will be disclosed on our meeting tomorrow…"

When he finished, Aiden took a seat, and Jeff continued: "On my right, is Sophia Martin-Hill. She will be our new strategist and she will work closely with Mason…"

Sophia stood up, introduced herself, and announced her plans to meet with people in charge of resources and intelligence. If she is going to be a strategist, she needs to understand what is currently available.

Jeff continued: "Next is Felix Martin, he will be in charge of our equipment. My goal is to modernize our operations. Today's wars are won with information and technology. Felix will work close with Aiden and Sarah on modernizing our units, and with Ryder who is in charge of resources…" He looked at Ryder. "Felix will look into what we have, and he will increase security using technology…"

Felix introduced himself and gave a short explanation of his current plans.

People present were excited to see the new blood. It's normal for new Master to bring in people he can trust. So far Jeff showed up to meetings only with JoAnna, Steve and Bridgette and they were concerned that the new Master does not have people who can support him, but he is relying on Oscar's people. Sarah showed up once (when she took care of Shawn), but she was in a role of security, and they didn't see her as someone who will sit at the table. Now they see that a capable fighter (aka Sarah) took Shawn's position, and they look forward to seeing what Aiden can do. For leadership, fighting skills are not necessary, but they all know that only such a person can control their otherwise unruly units.

With Elanor stepping back, they were missing a strategist, and they had more than one talk about modernizing the organization. This is where Sophia and Felix fit perfectly.

Jeff spoke with Sophia and Felix on several occasions and he was happy and relieved when he heard that they are willing to help out. He needs a strategist, and Sophia is just right for that role. Also, since he started getting information about the organization from Oscar, he didn't like that they are using such old-fashioned way of doing things. Thinking of modernizing things, Felix was the first one to come to Jeff's mind. He knows that Eve is off limits, but the gadgets that come out of Felix's workshop are awesome even without Eve's involvement.

Jeff assumed that Sophia will accept because both of her sisters are in already, but he was not sure about Felix who prefers to stay in the workshop and tinker with his inventions.

Looking at the five people around him, and Steve and Bridgette on the side, Jeff's heart is lighter knowing that there are seven people who have his trust. He knows that Jesse is trustworthy also, but Jesse's loyalty is with Aiden and Sarah.

Thinking about it, all these trustworthy people around him are here because he is with JoAnna. Sophia and Felix would not be here if not for his wife, and Sarah as well. If Sarah is not with Aiden, his brother would still be the unreliable fickle playboy so... other than Steve, for everyone else he needs to thank the little girl who called him 'Big J' many years ago. 

Oscar asked Jeff what his plans for the organization are, and Jeff honestly said that he does not know. "I want first to see the current state, and to stabilize in my role. Then I can think about what is next."

Knowing that besides existing forces there is the army of Chaos supporting him, Jeff thinks that they can take over whatever they want. But what is the point? He is not a greedy man. However, Oscar's question did strike a nerve. A year ago, he was focused on White corp. completely; increasing profits, expanding the company. Then he met JoAnna and his interest moved to romancing the woman who captured his heart many years ago when he was a child and all of his thoughts were how to make her his. And now he is at the helm of this big organization and he is not sure what else to wish for.

Jeff told himself not to overthink it now. Once he stabilizes his position, he will take a vacation with JoAnna and the two of them will sit and talk about their future. He is confident that something useful will come out of that talk.

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