Is this destiny?

~ Los Angeles, the Cliffside Villa ~

Sarah and Aiden were happy to host their friends for dinner, even though they needed to discuss one unpleasant topic.

Jeff, JoAnna, Felix, Sophia, Steve, Bridgette, Charlie, Emma, and Gabriel arrived, and their kids were excited to play in the kids' room under the watchful eyes of their nannies, while grown-ups discussed big topics.

Jeff agreed to take care of Chelsea and other people who targeted the White family, and Charlie said that he will take care of David.

"OK, let us know when and where to drop them off. We will knock them out so they will not be aware of either of the location or the time it took to get there.", Aiden said before looking at Steve and Gabriel. "Victoria is left. Do you know how you want to deal with her?"

Steve spoke to Gabriel. "Victoria wanted Biddy's position and acted against me. Due to her actions, a lot of information related to the Long Industries was exposed to outsiders and we are still re-doing our internal process because we don't know who got their hands on our data and how they can exploit it. But she is your wife, so I want to hear from you."

Gabriel exhaled. It's ten days since he saw Victoria the last time, and he still does not know how to deal with this. He wondered, after everything she did, can he still love her? He is bitter and disappointed, and he asked himself a million times how come he didn't see this coming… but he does not hate her.

Gabriel looked at Aiden and Sarah. "You said that she was not hurt."

Sarah confirmed. "True. We are keeping her locked up with three meals a day, but that does not solve anything. We are not running a prison, nor we have any rehabilitation capabilities. You need to decide how you want to deal with the woman who stayed by your side for more than a decade, while eyeing the position you can't give her. And when she realized how that position is out of her reach, she colluded with the enemy."

"Is there really nothing you can do?", Gabriel asked while looking around the table.

Gabriel hates this situation: others expecting him to decide someone's fate. That is why he was happy to give up his position to Steve. Gabriel was lucky to be born in the Long family, it comes with money, power, and various connections... but he was never ambitious to sit on the top. 

"We can medicate her... make her permanently happy.", JoAnna chimed in.

"How will that help?", Bridgette asked.

"If she is happy, she will not scheme against others. She would be an obedient wife who is content with her current position.", JoAnna explained.

Felix agreed with JoAnna. "I can create a device that will administer the medicine regularly in a specified dosage."

Bridgette didn't approve. "Victoria needs to be punished and making her happy is not a punishment. Besides, that would not be her anymore. Do you think that Gabriel would want a wife who is always high?"

JoAnna and Felix shrugged, indicating that they don't have other ideas.

"Gabriel…", Sophia called. "It's important not to make a decision on a whim. You need to look at the whole picture and consider everyone who was impacted. I understand that this is emotional for you and that it goes from regret to rage, but keep in mind that we are asking you to decide how Victoria will live, out of respect for you. Due to her actions, Aiden was kidnapped, and a number of Sarah's men died. Hero was shot and he might have a limp for the rest of his life; maybe you think that he is just a dog, but for us, he is family. Jeff, Charlie, and Steve lost a lot of money that day because of attacks and reshuffling resources. Victoria was part of a ploy on all our families, and she knew it. We had armed intruders on two properties owned by Sarah and Aiden. If we didn't have great teamwork and access to manpower and weapons that no one knew about, that day would have heavy consequences. I believe you understand how grave this is." 

"We can kill her.", Sarah said bluntly. "No one will find her corpse. Come up with a story that she went for a vacation and never came back. Under the obedience potion, Victoria can tell her friends and family about her upcoming trip and say her goodbyes. A lookalike can check into a hotel, go for a walk and not return… that's it."

Emma nodded in agreement. "I'm not in favor of killing, but my father would do the same. The closer the person was to him, the harsher the punishment would be. Probably torture her, and then kill her. There was a time when I thought that my father is unreasonable, but now I realize that for some people, forgiveness is not an option. A great example is Chelsea. The woman is resurfacing like a rash you can't get rid off and she is always causing troubles."

Gabriel frowned. How can they talk so easily about killing people? "I don't want her dead."

"What do you want?", Steve asked. "Do you think that talking to her will work? Or beating her up? Some other torture? Or do you want to keep her locked up for the rest of her life? If you let her go, you will need to sleep with one eye open, because Vicky has great patience, and she does not care who will get hurt in order for her to accomplish her goals."

Jeff agreed. "She endangered Sarah, Aiden, and the Long Industries. You can't imagine how much effort and manpower was invested in finding Aiden. We almost lost him."

Steve looked at Charlie. "You have experience with a dysfunctional family. Any tips?"

Charlie got defensive. "Why are you talking to me like Longs are perfect?"

"We are not perfect, but everyone knows that Smiths are in a league of their own.", Steve said matter-of-factly.

Charlie huffed, but he still responded. "If you don't want her dead or locked up, make sure she can't retaliate. Take away her position and any resources she can use against you. That includes her parents, other family members, and close friends. Tarnish her reputation in order to severe any connections she might have; people need to know that she is shunned and whoever collaborates with her, will not have a good ending. And most importantly, have someone always keep an eye on her."

Jeff added: "Make an example of her. She acted against Longs. If you let her off easily, that will make others think that you and Steve are weak."

"Oh…", JoAnna remembered. "We can put her in that institution where Marcus and Sylvie are. They are locked up, and always monitored in a controlled environment. Victoria's behavior is already erratic. With some medications and holograms, we can push her over the edge, and no one will suspect that she is not really crazy... because in a way, she is crazy."

Steve glanced at Gabriel who was obviously conflicted and then spoke to Aiden and Sarah. "I will take Victoria from your hands. I have a place to keep her until Gabriel decides what to do with her. Gabriel, you have a week, if you can't make up your mind until then, I will decide for you."

Gabriel agreed. What else can he do?

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