Is this destiny?

Sarah and Vasily walked toward the back garden in silence and Vasily glanced around, to make sure no one is following them, before speaking.

"You are absent a lot. Don't you want to deal with family matters?"

"I am dealing with family matters.", Sarah said matter-of-factly.

Vasily's eyes flashed as all the clues fell into place. "I see. No wonder you had all those questions about Voronins. You are going to deal with them. When I look at the timing, it will be related to the tournament. Considering the lack of communication… you are going to infiltrate the tournament."

Before Sarah could respond, Aiden approached them. He saw that JoAnna and Sophia left without Sarah and when he found out that Sarah went to the garden with Vasily, he could not wait on the side. There is no way he will let Vasily close to Sarah unprotected, not now when she is pregnant. Vasily is unpredictable, what if the fight starts?

Vasily observed Aiden who put his arm around Sarah's shoulders protectively.

"He is going also? As a fighter?"

Sarah noticed that even though Vasily asked questions, those were statements. He already knew the answers.

Sarah was surprised by Vasily's deduction skills. He can pick up the pieces and come up with a theory so quickly that is frightening. No wonder Stella said that Vasily is a genius and that no one can understand how he finds out about things.

"What do you want, Vasily?"

Vasily grinned. Sarah's lack of denial means that his assumptions are correct. As usually. "First, I want you to call me Uncle. Second, tell me how I can help." 

Vasily's mood swings and friendliness were something Sarah was getting used to and she found that the more she interacts with him, the more she is successful in suppressing the nauseating feeling he invokes within her. 

Sarah ignored the Uncle part and focused on the latter. "It will help if you keep our cover. We are counting that no one knows who we are. Do things as you usually would, without attracting additional attention and if anyone asks about us, mention that we are here and that I'm busy, keeping a low profile while learning about the organization. That will be the biggest help you can provide at this stage."

Vasily confirmed that he will do that. There was one more point… "Voronins probably know that Natalia's base was destroyed."

Sarah agreed. "That is a possibility. But as long as they don't know who did it, we will be safe. Natalia announced three weeks ago that she is sending an outsider as her representative, so Aiden's lack of knowledge about the base being destroyed can be justified. I am going as a love-stricken girl who is accompanying him, and Natalia will make an appearance to confirm our story. Natalia will not stay long, with an excuse that she has her own urgent matters to settle, leaving Hong with us as her proxy. Natalia's sudden departure will match up with the story of her fixing up her base."

Vasily approved. "You thought of everything. Do you want me to set up my men in the area as a backup in case you bump into trouble?"

Sarah refused. There is no way that she will willingly be surrounded by Vasily's men. "My people will be in the area. Don't add more. They might clash and alert Voronins."

Vasily eyed Aiden. "Are you sure that he can fight?"

Sarah felt Aiden's muscles tensing and she placed her hand over his, to tell him that she got this. Fight with Vasily at this point would not benefit anyone.

"Aiden can manage. And before you express any other doubts, he is the only one against whom I can go all out during a spar, and there is no one else I would trust with my safety. My husband is skilled and smart, and he will take care of me."

At Sarah's words, Aiden relaxed. He liked the praise and his right hand moved toward her belly because he will not only protect Sarah, but their baby as well. At the last moment, Aiden realized that his action would expose Sarah's pregnancy, and his hand landed on her waist clumsily.

Of course, Vasily didn't miss this movement and he thought that it's awkward. His attention was drawn toward Sarah who was still talking…

"…You can reach out to my mother if you wish, but don't obstruct my people because each of them is playing a role in this plan."

Vasily thought how that makes sense. He confirmed what Sarah is up to, but he didn't know where she is going with all that. "What is your endgame?"

"It will depend on what we find out."

Vasily didn't accept that Sarah is open to any option. "You must have some idea…"

"The only thing we know is that the Voronin family is a threat. Once we gather the necessary information, we will come up with a plan and deal with them based on what we find out."

Vasily was pacified with this answer. Sarah's words reassured him that the Voronin family will suffer and the only thing pending is to decide how. "Count on my help."

Sarah wanted to say, 'no, thank you', but she bit the first word away and forced a smile. "Thank you. If there is a need, we will contact you. If there is nothing else, we need to pack..."

Sarah and Aiden walked back into the villa, leaving Vasily in the garden behind with his thoughts.

Vasily's attention was drawn to the side. "Ivan? I told you to leave."

"Did you really expect me to leave you on your own, surrounded by Sarah's people?"

Vasily chuckled. "Since when I need you to watch my back?"

"I always have your back. You know that I would do anything for the Lebedev family, even go against your orders."

"Watch it, Ivan.", Vasily growled. "Your loyalty should be with me."

"You don't need to worry about me, unless loyalty to you and loyalty to the Lebedev family are two different things." Ivan saw that Vasily relaxed and Ivan released the breath he was holding. "Did you scold Sarah for not taking her role as the Grand Elder seriously?"

Edges of Vasily's lips curved up. "There was no need for any scolding. She is doing much better than I thought she will. Sarah's hands-on approach is something our family never saw from an Elder."

"Hands-on approach?", Ivan asked.

Ivan knew the answer, but if he does not appear curious he will reveal that he eavesdropped on the conversation between Vasily and Sarah.

"There is no need for you to worry. She has it covered."

Ivan was not pleased with this denial. Why is Vasily keeping him on the side? Ivan was Vasily's closest man, and he always knew that Vasily was up to.

"Are you sure that she is the right choice for the Grand Elder?"

Vasily nodded in confirmation. "More than ever."

"What about that boy next to her?"

Vasily didn't understand. "Her husband? What about him?"

"Do you believe that they forgot what you did to him three years ago?", Ivan reminded Vasily.

Vasily frowned. Based on his observation, Sarah is not the one to let go of grudges, and she will do anything for Aiden. At that time, Vasily saw Aiden as an outsider, as someone who will hinder Sarah's way into the Lebedev family. Things are different now, but the fact is that he can't change the past.

"I don't think she forgot, but as long as I'm useful, she will not act against me."

Ivan looked at Vasily in disbelief. "What will happen if you are not useful anymore?"

Vasily shrugged. "I am just one man. As long as the family is taken care of, I will accept whatever comes my way. And Sarah... she takes care of her family. She will punish me when the time is right, and until then, I will do what I can to help her."

Ivan looked at Vasily's retreating back and he was not sure how to respond to this. Ivan does not believe that Sarah is the right Grand Elder for the family, and nothing can change his mind. But it's obvious that Vasily believes she is perfect. Is Vasily willing to throw his life away for the Lebedev family? If that happens, where does that leave Ivan?

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