Is this destiny?

In the ring, Michael asked Samantha and Merve if they understood the rules, which both of them confirmed.

Jamari signaled that betting is closed for this match, so all the pre-spar things were successfully completed.

Michael reminded Samantha and Merve that this is a friendly spar, and he took a step back before announcing that they can begin.

The crowd's chatter simmered into whispers as they all eagerly waited to see what will happen next. Other than being the first spar where females were involved, this was also an opportunity to see a Miss from the Long family facing a Miss from the White family at the event hosted by the Smith family.

If it's guys, it would be different, but everyone knows that ladies have fragile egos and that their families protect them. This was an epic three-in-one event where wither Longs or Whites will be humiliated and Smiths will be caught in-between, no matter how it ends.

Samantha assumed a fighting stance while Merve observed her curiously.

Two seconds later, Samantha realized the problem: she trained only self-defense, so unless Merve attacks, Samantha can't use any moves that she knows.

Samantha got an idea.

"Why don't you attack me first?"

Merve scrutinized Samantha. She knew that Samantha was up to something, but what can she gain by giving a clear message to Merve to attack? "You are announcing that I can have the first strike?"

Samantha lifted her chin tauntingly. "I am curious to see your moves."

Merve was curious to know if Samantha has any skills other than talking, but she didn't want to act recklessly. Merve's muscles tensed and she moved like a flash toward Samantha, and before Samantha could react…

'PAK!'

…A crisp slap sounded. By the time Samantha opened her eyes and registered the sharp pain that radiated over her face, Merve was three steps away from her.

Samantha reached for her throbbing cheek and her eyes nearly bulged out when she realized... "You slapped me!"

"Mhm…", Merve hummed absentmindedly while wondering if she was so fast or if Samantha was so slow.

Other than the small scuffle in the parking lot after the prom, Merve never fought with anyone for real. This was her first time confronting someone who had no martial arts training and she was surprised to see how helpless Samantha was in front of her. Merve sparred many times, but it was with Corey or with others from the Cliffside Villa. The fact that she can dominate Samantha so easily, excited and scared Merve because at the Cliffside Villa, Merve is a below-average fighter and she knew that Corey was always going easy on her.

Samantha was furious. "Attack me properly!" She balled her hands into fists and waved them, to show Merve that she was expecting a punch.

Before Samantha kept her hands down, Merve's kick landed on Samantha's left thigh, and Samantha stumbled.

"You are cheating!", Samantha hissed while clutching her aching leg.

Merve tilted her head. "How is this cheating? The fight started and the only rule is that no weapons are allowed. Did I use any weapons?."

Samantha was unable to come with any reasonable response other than… "Come again at me." She smirked maliciously while taking a defensive stance. 'This time I will…'

'PAK!'

Another slap landed on Samantha's face, interrupting her thoughts. She saw Merve coming at her, but her body was unable to react in time.

"Miss Long, you should stop giving me free hits. People will say that I'm bullying you."

At the sight of Merve's grin, Samantha saw red. The tactic of intercepting an attack is not working, so her only option was to go on the offensive. Samantha groaned and lunged toward Merve.

Just when Samantha thought that she will manage to smack Merve, the latter swiftly stepped to the side and as Samantha passed by her, Merve twisted her body and kicked Samantha in the butt, giving her additional momentum.

Samantha slammed into the ropes and held onto them tightly. She gritted her teeth in anger. This was humiliating!

"Why did you challenge me for a spar if you don't know a thing about fighting? My little sister can throw a better punch than you.", Merve taunted Samantha.

Samantha turned to Merve and narrowed her eyes. "You know how to fight."

Merve understood that Samantha challenged her to a spar only because Samantha thought that she can overpower her. "You can't estimate my abilities by comparing them with yours. After all, when I win against trash, it is uncertain if I am the best or just slightly better than trash… but the fact is that I am better than you."

"Better than me?", Samantha asked with disbelief obvious on her face. "In what way is an adopted peasant girl better than me?"

Merve's expression chilled. It's not that Merve didn't know what all these socialites are talking about behind her back, but this was the first time someone said it in her face. "Say that again."

Samantha grinned, realizing that she hit a nerve. Finally, she managed to shake up Merve! She got slapped and kicked, and it was humiliating, but the fact that she shook up Merve, boosted Samantha's arrogance.

"Say what? That you are adopted? Or peasant? Those are the facts. You have no education and no background to top me. If it's up to me, you would attend this party by putting the maid's uniform on, and that is only if you pass the background checks. Who can support you other than a bunch of adopted beggars? Compared to you, I am a lady while you are just lucky to catch the eye of someone influential..."

Samantha's parents paled. They knew that Samantha was spoiled and that she can talk big, but this was suicide. Sure, the rules say that grudges stay inside the ring, but they are not sure how that applies to verbal insults. To make things worse, Samantha offended more than a dozen kids who are under the care of the White family… and they all look angry. The chilling atmosphere told them that if Samantha survives this spar, she will not last long. Can they call the police? As members of the Long family, they are well aware that powerful families are above law. This… will be difficult.

Everyone stared in disbelief at Samantha who was spouting insults one after another and they wondered how will Merve react to this. Of course, they knew that the White family will not tolerate such disrespect. This was not about Samantha being crude or Samantha offending Merve, this turned into Samantha challenging the authority of the White family.

Whites are centered in Austin, Texas area, but even the ones who didn't know what is happening in the shadows wouldn't dare to act recklessly in front of Whites because White corp. is a significant force in the business world and Jeff has the power to sway the market and damage great corporations (and families) with a flick of his pen.

"…You think that you are someone important?", Samantha continued her tirade. "Corey is currently interested in you, but soon he will find out that you are just a peasant, unworthy of him and he will discard you. Your sister must be a slut, just like you. Sleeping around for benefits and latching onto rich…"

Samantha's mouth opened to say more, but Merve's kick in the chest blew all the air out of her lungs. And Merve didn't stop there. Kick after kick, she was sending Samantha further backward until Samantha's back hit the ropes. Then, Merve switched to punches.

"You insulted me… my sister… my family…", Merve said angrily between punches. "…and my boyfriend… now bear the consequences."

Samantha was unable to react. Her whole body throbbed painfully to the point of becoming numb, and if not for the distinct metallic taste of blood in her mouth, Samantha would think that this is some kind of a nightmare.

After a barrage of punches, Merve paused for a second, and Samantha slid on the floor. She opened her mouth to say that she gives up, but only gurgles were heard due to the blood in her mouth. She spat a mouthful of blood and then an ear-piercing wail was heard as pain shoot through Samantha's body, making her feel like she is about to fall apart.

Samantha was frantic and helpless, and her pupils shrunk in horror when she met Merve's murderous glare directed her way. 'This has to stop… somehow… she will kill me…' Samantha remembered that there is another option to stop the fight, by hitting the floor three times.

'THUMP…', she hit the floor once.

'THUMP…', she hit it twice.

'CRACK!', Merve stomped on Samantha's arm and everyone heard the sound of the bones cracking.

Samantha screamed and Merve punched her in the face once, twice… and then many more times.

"She is out!", Michael called while pulling Merve away from Samantha.

Merve was shaking due to the adrenaline that coursed through her. She took rapid deep breaths to calm down her emotions and for her madness to subside. Merve was never that angry.

Samantha insulted everything and everyone Merve holds dear and for the first time, Merve lost control.

Now that the fight was over, Merve was scared. Everyone always praised her for her calm and gentle demeanor, and after this… what if they hate her? Merve didn't recognize this violent side of herself. Was she losing her mind? Or was the violent Merve the true one, hiding somewhere and waiting for the right time to resurface? What if she is just like her father, overbearing and violent when things don't go her way?

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