Is this destiny?

Ellie does not like the idea that she needs to choose between her loved ones. She remembers that a few months ago, Jasper helped Jeff who was betrayed by some of their closest friends. That was a tough time for Jasper because Christopher and Bradley were his friends too and she understood Aiden's words that she might need to choose. 

"What are your priorities?", Ellie asked Aiden.

"Sarah is first.", he responded right away, making Sarah smile. "Without her, nothing makes sense. And if she is in danger, I will risk it all."

"And you are my first.", Sarah spoke to Aiden. "If anyone dares to put their hands on you, I will make them burn until they reach Hell."

Ellie's eyes darted between Sarah and Aiden and suddenly she realized that she is witnessing an intimate moment. They are not going to kiss and… She cleared her throat to remind them that she is present. And Jasper is there as well.

Ellie saw that Sarah and Aiden laughed and then held onto each other while turning to face her and Jasper again.

"Any other questions?", Sarah asked.

Ellie exhaled in defeat. "Seriously… I came here to tell you that my mother-in-law wants me to be the boss of an organization and that I need advice, yet the two of you make it about you and get all lovey-dovey."

"Ellie…", Sarah said with a smile. "For me, it is about Aiden and being lovey-dovey. And I know that he feels the same. We are doing the things we do so that we can be together. Instead of asking yourself if you want to be the next Madam Kiani or the next Boss Young, ask yourself: how far are you willing to go to protect what you have with Jasper?"

Sarah saw that Ellie widened her eyes as she found her answers.

Sarah nodded in satisfaction. "Remember that only the ones on the top make rules. Be it your marriage, your future kids, your company, your assets, your friends, or your happiness… random people will want to snatch it or spoil it for various reasons. You need the power to protect what is yours. It is about priorities, and Aiden is my number one. However, I would be devastated if anything happens to my sisters and their husbands and children, and my parents, and my friends. I want to protect everyone, and that is why I need more power…"

They spoke about this for some time, and Ellie and Jasper stayed for dinner.

Master Hollow joined them as well and Ellie wondered how did he find himself at the Cliffside Villa.

"We went to the forest where we found Kitty, and we encountered a group of poachers. There was a gunfight and he was with us at that time.", Sarah told the truth while omitting the details.

"I see…", Ellie accepted the explanation. "Is that where you found the pups?", Ellie guessed.

Aiden confirmed.

Master Hollow didn't talk much. He was observing the four youngsters and listening to their conversation. He finished his meal and went to his room with an excuse that he is still not over the jetlag.

Sarah and Ellie went for a walk in the garden and Jasper and Aiden had a drink on the rooftop terrace.

"How are you doing with all this boss business?", Aiden asked Jasper. He noticed that Jasper's mood is off.

"I am happy for Ellie. Having choices is a good thing."

Aiden sensed that there is more to it. "But…?"

Jasper exhaled. "I have difficulty swallowing that my mother hid this from me. She knows that Norman messed up at work and that he took away things that should be mine. And she had the resources to stop it, yet she choose not to. I understand that she wanted me to deal with it myself so that I can grow, but she treats me like a puppet. Like what I do is not important. That hurts."

Aiden had to admit that Jasper's words hit a nerve with him. "I know how you feel."

Jasper was not sure if Aiden is saying that only to make him feel better. "You do?"

Aiden confirmed. "I am aware for some time that one organization has their eye on me. I don't know for what reason, but I don't like it. What I do know is that they are manipulating me from the shadows. And they have their people everywhere, at work, in the White family. Maybe they are my neighbors or my staff, who knows? I am becoming paranoid. Recently, I found out that my parents have something to do with it. I don't know what is worse, them knowing about it and allowing it to happen, or them actively participating in it."

"Did you talk to them?"

"I am gathering my courage to face them.", Aiden admitted. "They had a part of it, the only question is how much."

"Why don't you make them come to you?"

"They are keeping this a secret for at least fifteen years. Why would they talk to me?"

"You said that those people are everywhere, which means you are aware of them. Or at least some of them. Expose those people and see how your parents react. If they are actively participating, they will not allow it to happen. Right now, you have the advantage of being aware of these things."

Aiden listened to Jasper and he had to admit that he liked Jasper approach. By exposing Voronin's spies, Aiden will reduce the number of Voronins around him, and at the same time, it will allow him to gauge Oscar's and Elanor's reaction. And who knows what else he might discover in the process?

In the garden…

Sarah asked Ellie to explain what is stopping her from accepting Madam Kiani (or Boss Young) position.

"I don't like that they are treating Jasper like he is not important. I see that it took a hit on his confidence and he is disappointed at his mother. And honestly, I am disappointed as well."

"It's a matriarchal organization.", Sarah stated the fact. "Remember what I told you about power? It gives you the possibility to protect people who are important to you, but it also allows you to change things. You can take over, accept things that you like, and change things that you don't. But if you want Jasper to stand by your side, make sure to ask him first if that is what he wants."

Ellie exhaled. "You are talking like it's an easy thing to change something centuries old."

Sarah shrugged. "Both of you are smart, I'm sure that you can come up with something. And you have friends who can help you as well."

As they walked, Ellie saw a number of kids in the fighting ring, sparring. She remembered that Sarah and Aiden brought their kids as security to her wedding.

"Sarah, are those kids part of your forces?"

"They are family. And family sticks together."

Ellie took that as a 'yes'. And she also got another hint: "Does that mean how you have forces which are not family?"

Sarah smiled. "I told you that you are smart."

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