Is this destiny?

~ Los Angeles, safe house ~

Oscar and Jeff are seated in one room, continuing their private discussion from that afternoon. Oscar is giving details to Jeff about White foundation and everything that represents.

Jeff knew that it's much more than a charitable organization, but Oscar warned him when he appointed him as a chairman not to look beyond charity with a promise that he will find out everything when the time comes. Jeff obeyed his father. After all, he got that chairman position and position of the White corp. CEO at the same time, and there was a lot to think about without looking into some secrets.

As much as Jeff knew that it is more than just a charity, he was surprised by the power and reach that is under the cover of White foundation. Oscar summarized it as a network of powerful individuals from all walks of life including politicians, military, scientists, businessmen, etc. They were all ready to respond to any call from Master of the White family, and even Madam had right to make requests. Why would they be willing to work for them? Because White family offered them assistance and protection in return. But that is not all. White family also knows many secrets, secrets which those individuals are trying to hide… in short: blackmail material which assures that those powerful individuals will stay loyal to the White family.

"Think of them as loyal servants.", Oscar explained. "At the same time, they are dogs who will bite you without a second thought if they get a chance. They fear us and at the same time they crave what we have."

Next, Oscar talked about an elaborate network of people who are working for them from the shadows. "For everyone else, they are common people, and they are everywhere. It can be a guy working at the gas station, or a woman in the grocery store. They are our eyes and ears out there and each of them has some capability they will use at my command. Soon to be your command... Our power is information. We know about every legal and illegal activity within our territory, and we have the power to stop it."

Jeff listened carefully to his father and took mental notes of the questions that were piling up in his mind. He knew some of the high level things, but some things that Oscar talked about were new to him.

At the same time, Elanor and JoAnna are in the room on a basement level, facing Regina who is tied up to a chair.

Whatever JoAnna gave to Regina for obedience, it wore off and Regina was raging. She was screaming profanities and Elanor asked bodyguard to gag her before telling all of them to leave them alone.

JoAnna gave to Regina truth serum at Elanor's request and they chatted while waiting for the serum to take effect.

Elanor was praising JoAnna for her concoctions and was interested to find out what kinds she has handy. JoAnna was happy to talk about it, and she didn't hide anything from her future mother-in-law while presenting contents of her 'black-chest-of-wonders'.

Regina stopped struggling and they concluded that truth serum is working.

Elanor got serious and faced JoAnna. "What do you want to do with her?"

JoAnna sighed. "I don't know."

"Not a good answer."

JoAnna was at a loss. She really didn't know how to handle Regina no matter how much she boasted about it. "She is after Jeff. When I see her shameless behavior, I get frustrated and I feel like skinning her alive. But then I calm down and I can't make myself to hurt her."

Elanor's expression softened. "As a Madam of White family, you can't allow yourself to make decisions based on your emotions. You are a kind and softhearted girl, and I love that. And your enemies will love that even more. Trust me, they will take advantage of that."

Elanor came to Los Angeles with intention to start training JoAnna to be the next Madam, and she concluded that there is no better time than now.

"Let me tell you a story of a man, we will call him Joe. Joe schemed against you and you let him off because you can't make yourself to punish him. After all, he was only after your money and he didn't hurt you. Also, he was not successful, and you feel that letting him go is the right thing to do. But what you don't know is that Joe is desperate. He has his reasons, of course… but the bottom line is that he attacked you and you let him off. Now imagine that next week Joe comes back with a gun, and he manages to sneak into your house. Tell me, when you look at Jeffrey laying in a puddle of his blood, will you still think that you made the right decision by letting Joe go unpunished previous time? Or maybe he didn't get to Jeffrey, he got to you… and you are the one dying while Jeffrey is holding you in his arms. Which image hurts more? Even if you think that I'm exaggerating and that Joe successfully sneaking into the house is a farfetched scenario... Believe that Joe will tell his friends that he attacked Whites and came out unscathed. And those friends of his will talk to their friends… and eventually the word will spread out that it's OK to attack Whites. You will end up with a lot of emboldened people, and some of them just might be successful…"

JoAnna listened carefully while biting her lower lip. "I understand. But it goes against my nature to hurt people."

"I remember watching a video of a girl holding a big rifle on top of my house. She was shooting off limbs while defending the man she loves." Elanor paused and watched JoAnna's expression changes. "I'm not asking you to go against your nature. I'm asking you to always think about what you want to protect…" Elanor turned to Regina. "…and when you see a person like this, who wants to take away what is dear to you, show the same resolve you did that day on the top of my house. Anna, these people don't have morals, and their actions are escalating. Don't wait until they show up at your doorstep with a gun."

JoAnna didn't respond. She walked to Regina and removed cloth which gagged her.

"Why are you after Jeffrey?"

"Because he is my perfect match. I worked on properties owned by White family because of him and I'm watching him for a long time. He has it all, the only thing he is missing is me." Under the influence of truth serum, Regina could not stop herself from talking.

"Is you family supporting you in pursuing Jeff?"

"Of course. There is nothing better for my father than to use White corp. to expand his business."

JoAnna really thought that Regina is too much. And her family as well. Shameless people. "What do I need to do for you to stop going after Jeffrey?"

"There is nothing you can do, other than to disappear and stop obstructing me. You are not worthy of him. I don't know what he sees in you."

JoAnna knows that Regina is telling the truth. She will not give up. JoAnna turned to Elanor. "She will not stop, and I don't know how to handle this… any suggestions?"

Elanor was happy that JoAnna asked. "You have two options. One is to get rid of her. That is an easier, clean-cut solution. Other is to make her an example for others to see how girl who threatens future Madam White will end up."

"How can I make an example?"

"Considering her persistence, you also need to crush her hopes that she will succeed. I am here to teach you…" She turned to the black suitcase and reached for the scalpel. "You don't mind if I use this?"

JoAnna frowned. "Gloves… use gloves." She handed surgical gloves to Elanor.

Elanor put the gloves on and smiled faintly while holding onto the scalpel. "Watch carefully.." She turned to Regina and her smile turned sinister.