Is this destiny?

~ Los Angeles, Long family's property ~

Sunday

Corey and Merve arrived at the main villa of the Long family in time for lunch.

Corey was not in a good mood. His plan was to go ring shopping with Merve, but considering events from the previous day and who all was invited, Corey guessed that this lunch will probably have an outcome of Merve getting additional assets from Samantha's family, so he didn't grumble much about it. They can buy the ring tomorrow because this was important.

They were among the last ones to arrive.

Present were Steve, Bridgette, Gabriel, Becca, Jeff, JoAnna, Aiden, Sarah, Ellie, Jasper, and a number of people from the Long family, including Samantha's parents (aka Travis and Rachel).

Chloe was also present with her parents, and she looked at Merve apologetically for a second before her eyes moved back to Sarah. After her chat with Noah, Chloe was curious about Sarah and she was a bit dejected that Sarah came without Noah. Isn't he the head of her security? Why was he not securing Sarah? What if he forgot about the whole job interview thing? Chloe was full of questions, but she didn't dare to the main table and ask them. During her twenty-three years as a Long, Chloe learned that not attracting attention is a good thing.

Steve and Bridgette invited Sophia and Felix, but the latter couple decided to stay home and relax with their kids. Sophia and Felix cherish their weekends off-work, and unless it's something really-really urgent, they prefer to stay at home or do a family outing. This score-settling lunch was not a family event appropriate for little kids, and they didn't want to attend lunch with grownups while their children are in the playroom with nannies.

Becca and Gabriel came with Oliver, and he was with Denise, Alice, and Jayden in the playroom. Oliver was not happy to be stuck with kids. He came here because Gabriel promised him a fun time, but Oliver understood that grownups sometimes have things to manage, and Gabriel assured him that they will get to explore this massive villa in the afternoon (after lunch).

Another duo made their appearance, and Becca stiffened when she recognized them as Gabriel's parents (aka Richard and Delilah). Of course, Gabriel noticed that Becca was uncomfortable.

"They asked if we will be here and requested to come as well. I didn't tell you because I doubted that they will actually show up…", Gabriel spoke in a low voice, only for Becca to hear. "I don't know what their agenda is, but no matter what they are plotting, you know that I'm by your side, right?"

Becca looked at Gabriel dreamily and nodded. His words made her relax. They are not dating for a long time, but she ended up trusting him unconditionally. Becca knew that it was rash and too soon and that if he is playing with her she will end up devastated, but she couldn't help it. She was totally, madly, helplessly in love with Gabriel.

To both Gabriel's and Becca's surprise, Richard and Delilah came to greet them first.

"It's nice to see you kids getting along so well…", Delilah said with a meek smile and turned to Becca. "I apologize for being crude the other time. I hope you understand that I was concerned about Gabby. I hope that we can talk more after lunch." She said and walked toward their seat in the back, without giving Becca chance to respond.

Richard greeted them with a stiff nod and followed after his wife.

Becca looked at Gabriel questionably to which he shrugged.

"There is a chance they started accepting that Victoria and her family used them, and they are regretting their previous actions…", Gabriel said. "And maybe they want to be part of our lives. Or maybe this is their way to get close and sabotage us. Anything is possible but whatever it is, remember that they are doing things that are for their benefit. They never acted on something just because they are kind, and that will not change."

Becca nodded in understanding. Her heart ached to see that Gabriel does not trust his parents, but Becca didn't have many tender feelings toward her mother, so she was not new to the concept of the family not getting along.

"It can't hurt to be polite.", Becca said. "I don't want to build hopes that we will be a loving family, but if we can be courteous, I will consider that as a win."

"As long as you keep in mind that this can turn nasty as soon as your interests don't align, it will be fine.", Gabriel warned her. He was aware of how much his parents glorified Victoria, to the point of not seeing her snobbish behavior, and he didn't have many hopes that things will go smoothly.

Becca held his hand under the table and gave it a gentle squeeze.

"I don't care if they are scheming. As long as the two of us are getting along well, no one can get in-between us."

Gabriel smiled and inched closer. He kissed her forehead. "That's my girl."

He would kiss her on the lips, but considering the audience, he knew that such a move would make Becca uncomfortable.

The appetizers and drinks were served when Steve stood up and asked for everyone's attention.

"We all gathered here due to the incident that happened yesterday. I apologize to the White and Smith family because one of my family members insulted you. Again. We had our internal discussion, and we came up with two outcomes. I hope you will listen and find one of them acceptable…" Steve explained how he met with Samantha's parents earlier and they concluded their discussions with two options. One was to give their last few assets to Corey and Merve as a way to resolve the outstanding grudge, and the second option was for them to be banished from the Long family.

Regardless of which option gets accepted, Travis and Rachel (aka Samantha's parents) promised to keep a low profile, and they will go for a long trip overseas as soon as Samantha is discharged from the hospital.

Everyone understood that this was a horrible experience for Travis and Rachel, as they had to pick between their money and their status. However, under the pressure from Steve, Gabriel, and other senior members of the Long family, they realized that they are cornered. Samantha went too far by offending the Smith and the White families and as her parents, they had to bear the consequences.

Of course, for the Long seniors, there was also a perk of weakening other family members because that makes the remaining few who are left standing to appear stronger. They were always at each other's throats, and Steve used that to make his way to the top and to secure it. Now Steve is in a position that can't be challenged, and Gabriel's support is only solidifying him as the patriarch of the Long family. Unless Steve decided to step down, no one can shake him up, especially because his foundation is additionally supported by the White and Smith families.

Back to the topic of Samantha messing up…

Of course, Travis and Rachel knew that if they leave the family, their lifeline will be gone. As long as they keep on latching onto the Long family, assets are something they can recover, so they pleaded with Corey and Merve to accept their assets.

Merve's lips twitched. If someone told her six months ago that two seniors from the Long family will beg her to take over their apartment building after she brutally beat up their daughter, she would call that person a liar.

As expected, Corey and Merve agreed on assets.

Corey and Merve got an apartment building each, and several smaller assets ended up in Steve's hands as punishment for Samantha's disobedience. Steve said that his men will manage those assets, and any profits will belong to the Long family for a period of one year, and if there are no further incidents, at that time, Travis will get his assets back from the Long family. Everyone agreed, especially the seniors of the Long family. They didn't get any benefits directly, but the foundation of the Longs will be firmer with this additional income, while Travis's presence further diminished. Also, they hoped that Travis does not get anything back after a year, while Travis hoped for the exact opposite to happen.

When this matter was settled, Charlie shared updates related to the Miller family.

Victor Miller was still in the hospital with serious but not life-threatening injuries.

Victor's parents were showing reluctance to give up on trying to gain something out of this situation. Their son was in the hospital, heavily beaten, and even though they saw on the surveillance footage that Victor attacked first with an intent to kill, and whatever Corey did can be considered self-defense… how can they let go of this golden opportunity? It's not very often that a small family like Millers gets an opportunity to snatch benefits from the Smiths.

The Miller family is well-to-do and that gave them a sense of entitlement, but they are too small to play in the pond with big fish like Smiths. They had no idea what they got themselves into as they entered the pond where little fish easily becomes a meal for the big one.

Charlie gave them an ultimatum that if they don't back off, he will take care of them.

Jeff offered to take them off Charlie's hands. JoAnna could always use a few test subjects, and Charlie said that he will think about it. Of course, Charlie will agree to Jeff's request, but that needs to happen secretly, and not during lunch where many ears are perked up to listen.

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