Is this destiny?

After laugher from the girls died out completely down the hallway, Jeff eyed Charlie and Jasper.

"I don't want to be rude, but I know that the two of you being in my office without a meeting, on a weekday, at the same time, is not a coincidence and is not a social visit. Will you tell me why you are here?"

Jasper looked at Jeff with a complex expression. "Did you plan to tell me that Bradley is working with your Uncle against you?"

Jeff understood why Jasper is here. As a member of their group of six which assembled almost ten years ago in college, Jasper is also upset to hear that one of them is a traitor. At the same time, Jasper and Jeff went through a lot together, and Jasper is not happy that Jeff didn't come to him for help.

Based on Charlie's expression, Jeff can see that he also knows how one of Jeff's friends turned against him and it seems that he is willing to help. After all, Smith family is known for ruthless backstabbing between the relatives in order to climb up the ladder, so Charlie might be considered a subject-matter-expert for a topic when a person close to you is a traitor.

But how did Jasper and Charlie find out about this? Image of JoAnna flashed in Jeff's mind. She definitely noticed that it's a week already how Jeff found out about Bradley, but is reluctant to do anything about it, so she decided to call for reinforcements. Jeff knows that JoAnna trusts Emma and Ellie, but that does not mean that Jeff is absolutely certain that Jasper and Charlie will support him. Since he confirmed the Bradley is working behind his back, Jeff is much more suspicious.

"Bradley is against me. You don't need to take sides here.", Jeff told Jasper.

Jeff didn't reach out to Jasper because six of them are friends and business partners, and he does not want to put Jasper in a position to choose between Jeff and Bradley. Also, Jeff suspects that Bradley is not the only one from their group to work with Marcus. Of course, Jeff wants to trust Jasper, but he trusted Bradley as well. Jasper helped Jeff more than once in the last week, but how can Jeff know if Jasper did it because of their friendship or to hide the fact that he is working with Marcus? One can never be too careful. Unfortunately, everyone is a suspect.

"I appreciate your concern, my friend.", Jasper responded. "Bradley is in the wrong for siding with your Uncle who is trying to take what does not belong to him by using underhanded methods. Even if Bradley is my blood brother, I would not be able to sit and watch without doing anything. If he betrayed you, there is no telling when my turn is."

Jeff looked at Jasper and thought how he can't exclude him. Jasper is already here and knows that Bradley is a rotten egg in their group. If Jasper is working with Bradley (and Marcus), that means how Bradley knows that Jeff is onto him as well.

Jeff turned to Charlie. Charlie understood that Jeff wants to find out why he is here.

"I don't know if I can help, but I want you to know that I've got your back.", Charlie told Jeff seriously.

Jeff nodded in agreement. If he knows anything, that is to recognize stubborn gaze from both Jasper and Charlie. They will not leave without a good reason which Jeff does not have. He told himself that it's a week already and he has few ideas how to tackle the problem.

"Let's talk over lunch.", Jeff told Charlie and Jasper.

At the mentioning of lunch, Aiden perked up.

They picked a good restaurant with private booths nearby, and Aiden joined them while Felix and Steve stayed behind.

(In a restaurant, few blocks away from the White corp. HQ)

Jeff, Aiden, Charlie and Jasper are having lunch.

"I know that this is a difficult topic. But you need to tell us everything you know, if we are going to come up with anything useful.", Jasper told Jeff, slightly irritated that they are almost done with food and Jeff is still not talking about Bradley and what they have on him.

Aiden saw that Jeff's lips are sealed, so he told Jasper and Charlie that there is a number of calls between Marcus and Bradley, and that also Paige knows what Bradley is up to.

"Marcus, Bradley and Paige…", Jasper mused. "Do you know what they are up to?"

"Does it matter?", Charlie responded with a question and explained: "The fact that they are willing to go against Jeff is enough to mark them as enemies. How far they will go only depends on their motivation. Once a friend crosses that line and turns into a person who will trip you up, if you will fall on the ground or down the cliff is just a matter of circumstances. And as the time goes by, the attacks are intensifying."

Jasper paused and looked at Jeff. "You suspect that one of us is involved as well. Don't you?"

"I don't have any evidence.", Jeff didn't deny it.

Jasper guessed that there is more. "But…?"

Jeff sighed. "Bradley was never the one to do anything solo."

Jasper nodded in agreement while remembering the past. A minute later, he spoke: "True. For everything, he needed company. So, you are suspecting that Russel, Vincent, Christopher… or me are also working with him. Against you."

Jeff pressed his lips into a line. It's exactly how Jasper said. He has no evidence, but based on Bradley's personality, he suspects that one more person, close to Jeff, probably from the same circle is also involved.

Looking into eyes of his best friend, guilt swelled inside Jeff. "Jasper, I…"

"No need to say anything.", Jasper interrupted him. "If I am you, I would suspect the same. If your own Uncle is about to pull the rug from under your feet, why would you believe outsiders? The only way to protect yourself is not to trust anyone. I can tell you that I will never betray you, but it would only sound like a coverup. However, keep in mind that if I go against Anna's husband, Ellie will skin me alive. Literally."

Jasper's words made Jeff chuckle. He believes Jasper that he is afraid of Ellie's wrath.

Jeff compared Jasper and Ellie to his relationship with JoAnna, and even without Edward being a mafia boss, Jeff is afraid of provoking his wife. 

Jeff thought how he is blessed to have JoAnna in his life. He can't trust his own friends, but he can trust JoAnna's. His wife is awesome like that.

Jasper saw that Jeff relaxed and continued: "Let me participate in exposing Bradley and whoever is working with him. As someone who belongs to the same circle since college, Bradley should not be wary of me..."

"I am available to help.", Charlie made sure they don't forget about him.

"No offense, Charlie, but this has nothing to do with you.", Jeff rejected Charlie's offer.

Charlie frowned. "I owe you and Anna. If not for Anna, I would not be walking, and I would not meet Emma. And that includes us being business partners and I hope… friends. Don't exclude me. And if it adds any weight, Emma will not let me off if I stay on the side and don't help when I can."

Jeff observed Charlie for few seconds and his thoughts went to JoAnna again. If not for her, Charlie would not be here offering help.

Jeff glanced at Aiden who was busy with his food and smiled. If not for JoAnna and Sarah, he would not be this close to his brother either.

Jeff is rich and powerful, but because of JoAnna he is surrounded with friends. That is priceless. He will make sure to tell her how grateful he is because she is in his life.

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